One of my mother's closest friends, my aunty, was a faithful devotee of Guruji, and we would always see His
swaroop in her home. I thought that Guruji was her family elder. (As indeed He is–the eldest in the collective family of His
sangat and the eldest in our homes). Then in 2003 I heard a
satsang that provoked my incredulity. An influencer narrated how she smelt Guruji's rosy fragrance while listening to a satsang. That is stupid, I thought; either she has fallen prey to an illusion or is indulging in make-believe. Little was I to know that my experience would shatter my disbelief.
Later, I began connecting with Guruji, listening to His satsangs daily while travelling to college. Within two weeks I found myself going for a satsang with my family. Before heading out for the satsang, I heard His voice saying, "
Tyari kar le, mein aa rehan" (make arrangements, I am coming). I took that to mean that Guruji would come home via His swaroop, as I had recently heard a satsang recounting a similar occurrence. I cleaned and spruced up my home before leaving, so that I could welcome Him with all my heart.
At the designated venue for the satsang, two devotional gatherings were being hosted, one each in a hall on different floors. Just as I entered one of the halls, a gust of wind fragrant with a rosy aroma enveloped me. I rationalized that the aroma was coming from the roses used in decoration. Once inside, I got Guruji's swaroop and was overjoyed that He was indeed coming home. It was only then that it struck me that we were at a satsang that we had not been invited to!
We went to the other hall. His blessings showered on us there, too. We ate
bread pakora and
chai prasad. As His
bhajans started playing, I sobbed my heart out in front of Him because I was going through a rough time. As we had
langar prasad, we settled down. It then struck me: My family and I had gone to the satsang we hadn't been invited to because the hosts there were distributing His swaroops and Guruji wanted me to have it. His characteristic fragrance was a signal of His presence and assurance. At the satsang we were invited to and were attending, no swaroops were being distributed. (There is no rule as such about the distribution of swaroops at satsangs.) When I realised how Guruji had 'misled' us to give us His blessings, I became tearful yet again.
Guruji has replaced my scepticism with faith. I now randomly read satsangs (and here I am writing one!), talk to Him, complain to Him, and thank Him. He has transformed me and I will forever be grateful to Him. I had once got His message that "
Tera rishta mere naal janma da hega." (Your relationship with me has been since ages) and I know it is true. I know that even if something goes wrong, He will change things in my favour. I love you, Guruji!
Akanksha Chand, a devotee
December 2024