A Journey of Grace and Miracles: My Life Under the Guidance of Guruji

JAI GURU DEV SHARNAM

I wish to take this opportunity to express my feelings and experiences under the lotus feet of my respected Guruji.

In 1973, when I was just 13 years old, I met Guruji in Defence Colony as he was visiting one of our family friends, Mahindra Singh Chowdhary. I remember each and every moment, as if it was just yesterday. Time has flown, and I often wonder if these moments will ever come back in my life. I am forever grateful and indebted to our friend who introduced us to Guruji, as I cannot imagine what our lives would have been like without him.

At that young age, I was too inexperienced to understand the significance of a Guru in one’s life. I took life as it came, day by day. My brother, Gobind Bhai, grasped the concept much faster and guided us, time and again, on the importance of having a Guru. His guidance helped shape our minds in the right direction to a great extent.

Guruji always treated us like his own children, giving us ample time and attention. In those days, our relationship felt more like that of a father and son, rather than Guru and devotee. As time passed, we came to understand his teachings, though we made mistakes along the way. Guruji always corrected and supported us throughout our lives. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the time, help, teachings, love, affection, and attention he gave us. It is humanly impossible for anyone to attend to so many devotees simultaneously and give each one due attention and guidance, without any greed. Our Guruji did that, and perhaps this is one of the qualities of a true Guru.

Our Guruji was a complete Guru, and it is practically impossible to find someone like him on this planet. I am sure many devotees who have understood or known him, even a little, will agree with this sentiment.

If I were to share all my experiences, it would take ages to recount the events, as I have witnessed miracles every day and every moment in my life. I truly don’t know where to begin or end. With a Guru’s grace, miracles happen every moment; it is up to the devotee to recognize them in their life.

During the last 35 years, I may have spent 50% of my time with him or around him, as I don’t live in India, but I have felt his grace, presence, and blessings every moment of my life. Like everyone else, I have had my share of problems, but he has helped me through them all, be it thick or thin. In 1983, I was attacked on three occasions by robbers in Africa. The first time, I was shot at, but miraculously escaped the gunshots. Guruji saved me all three times. It cannot be a coincidence to escape unharmed on all three occasions; it was surely and purely his grace and blessings that I am still alive.

As Guruji used to say, he will give us whatever is required, not what we want. I have experienced this in my life—whatever we need, he has provided in one way or another. Wherever I may be, I always pray for his blessings to remain on me and my family, and that we continue to do Seva and follow his teachings.

Das Pooji, Lagos, Nigeria