Page 56 - Surcharged With Divine Love

Guruji's stay in Chandigarh

My mother and I were fortunate enough to serve
Guruji during his stay in Chandigarh. It was then that I
had the opportunity to observe him from close quarters.
What people in general saw; were probably his silken
robes; and assumed he liked luxury and comfort, but
what we saw was completely different. The silk robes
were given to him by his disciples, some as a 'thank
you' for saving someone's life or maybe on the marriage
of their children. These dresses he wore once or twice
and then gave them away as parshad to any one of his
many followers. He had absolutely no possessions of
his own except a shaving kit, which too was given by
someone. He ate simple food, half of which he
distributed amongst those sitting around him. Every
night, we would prepare his bed on the floor, for he
never slept on the bed. Having been his disciple for
many years before this, I had never seen this side of
him. His simplicity, humility and innocence put many
of us to shame. I remember an incident where Guruji
was distributing chapattis during a stopover at his
village. One chapatti fell down, and as my mother lifted
it up to put it aside, he told her not to throw it and that
he would eat it himself. Such was his humility and
kindness. He never ate before his sangat and never let
anyone go without feeding them. No one was allowed to
put money at his feet, like it is usually done in India, as
a sign of respect to a saint. Whatever gifts he received

56 / Surcharged With Divine Love