Odyssey of the Enlightened – 77: Sadhana and Sanjeevani (Elixir of Sadhana) 4
God's Grace
One day Mr. Birla went to the Tapobhumi site. This was an unexpected visit. The heaps of soil after the excavation of the foundation were being cleared there at that time. Shriram was sitting on a wooden chair near the other boundary of the land. Some papers, pen, paper clips, etc., were kept on a small stool in front of him. He was busy writing something when one of his associates, Mr. Kedarnath Singh, informed him of Mr. Birla's sudden arrival. Shriram asked someone to bring another chair and stood to greet Mr. Jugal Kishore Birla.
After a brief exchange of formal conversation, Mr. Birla asked Shriram about his vision and plans for the Gayatri Tapobhumi. He also expressed his willingness to offer help. Shriram gave a brief introduction to his life and major activities and plans. Mr. Birla was overly impressed and wanted to know more details. This discussion continued for about half an hour. Mr. Birla could clearly see that this Tapobhumi is going to be a center for thorough churning of the eternal philosophy of religion and revival of its spiritual essence via the medium of Gayatri Sadhana.
Before taking leave, he asked – "What is your planned budget for this project?"
"There is no fixed fund or budget as such. The work will progress as and when we get the necessary resources. The expenditure and time for completion will depend upon God's will. Projects of this kind are not implemented with an advance resource and budget," – Shriram responded.
"You have thought of having a temple, yagyashala, office, and some rooms for accommodation and sadhana of the disciples/visitors. What kind of construction will be there for all these? Some estimate must have been there?"
"No, I really do not know how it will go. God willing, it may expand far beyond what I have thought of as the structure of this sadhana center. If He does not want, then, even a small construction would not progress or would get demolished halfway."
Shriram further explained that there is no capital or specific grant in hand and no budget. This is part of a long-term project inspired by the Almighty. Small donations and support of ordinary people are going to be the source of funding for this work. It does not have any worldly objectives. "I have taken it in hand as per His guidance. My efforts will be to let it become a symbol of the magnanimity of God." He expressed his vision as – "May His grace be expressed more intensely on the earth through such sadhana centers. May the human society and the world become neater, purer, and more illumined by His Grace. May divinity awaken in the minds and hearts of people here."
The Religion of Everyone, For Everyone
Mr. Birla remarked that the way religion is being propagated and practiced today in the name of ancient texts does not allow everyone to follow the path of devotion or sadhana; there are constraints even on the sacraments. He asked for Shriram's viewpoint.
"I do not believe that God's presence could be confined to some specific idols or certain sacred places. Nor do I accept that His presence's piety would be retained only by certain kinds of pious people and would be degraded by some others. God is everywhere and is for everyone. He loves those who worship Him and also those who have no faith in Him. He is absolute light. The generosity of His grace has no bounds; His mercy is for everyone's welfare; it shows the righteous path even to a demon who comes under His shelter." — Shriram made his views clear in a firm voice.
About the Gayatri Mantra, he said — "I believe that everybody has a right to be a devotee of God. Everyone can worship in any shrine and offer his/her prayers. The same is true of the japa-upasana of the Gayatri Mantra. Anybody — even those who are not Hindus — can practice it. Proper progress of its sadhana only requires purity of thoughts and character and NOT any particular creed or community."
Mr. Birla also affirmed — "I also believe that God is everywhere. We worship and regard His idol as pious. How can it become maligned by anybody's touch? In fact, anyone who touches it with devotion should also get pious effects from it."
As their views matched, both these saintly personalities continued sharing their thoughts on many social and religious issues.
A Generous Offer, Humbly Declined
Sethji (Mr. Birla) wanted to know how Shriram faced the opposition of the sanatani Hindus and the Arya Samajis. Shriram informed him that he preferred adopting a defensive approach rather than confrontation — avoiding face-to-face meetings where possible, and on occasions when challenged, inviting open debate without prejudices.
Both laughed softly. Sethji added that the Arya Samajis of today seem to have forgotten that the origin of Arya Samaj also lies in Hinduism. It was initiated by Swami Dayanand Saraswati to check out the excessively ritualistic form of Hinduism and to resurrect the correct principles of Vedic philosophy.
Returning to the topic of support, Mr. Birla was extremely impressed by Shriram's views and vision. He proposed: "Kindly accept a donation of rupees twenty-five thousand from my side for this purpose today itself. If you agree, I would also like to pledge to give this much amount every month at least for the next ten years."
Shriram listened quietly. He was not deliberating on how to proceed but on how to refuse this helping hand of a kind and modest person. After a while, he asked — "Where will you get this money from?"
"That Almighty gives. My business flourishes by the blessings of God, that money I want to spend for His work…." — Sethji responded.
Shriram replied — "Then let me directly take it from Him only. You take it from the Almighty and then give to me; instead of this, it would be good if I take it from Him, or collectively accept it from His reflections present in everybody."
A Divine Project Belongs to the Masses
He made his point clear — "If it were to be supported by one or two grand resourceful persons or organizations only, I would have fetched the resources from my ancestral property itself. But this is a divine project; thousands of kindhearted souls are to contribute and work for it. As a large number of bears and monkeys had dedicated themselves to the construction of Rama Setu (Ramayana Bridge) on the ocean, as the Gwalbalas had given the support of their sticks to lift the Govardhan Mountain with Lord Krishna, in the same way, this construction should rise with the collective support of the masses. I would, therefore, not be able to accept major donations from any person or organization. If you want to contribute only a fraction of what is required for this project, you are welcome. But let many-many people sacrifice their offerings for this unique yagya (altruistic deed)."
Sethji then proposed to send at least five laborers every day. Shriram stopped him politely and said — "It would be your great service if you come for this work yourself and give a fraction of your time for whatever work or help you could easily do. This would be precious, like an offering in a Brahma Yagya. We cannot appoint any representative to do the pilgrimage, worship, yagya, benevolent deeds, on our behalf. Like transaction of our personal duties, we are supposed to do these ourselves."
[To be continued]
The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. — Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. — Theodore Roosevelt