My Guru, Goswami Shri Giridharlalji Maharajshri

By tradition the father in our family is addressed as Nayna (derived from telugu) and the eldest uncle as Bade-Nayna; this translates as ‘elder-father’, and that is also how each and every jeev who came in touch with Vallabhkul-Bhushan Nitya Leelasth Goswami 108 Shri Giridharlalji Maharajshri (Pancham Peethadhishwar, Kamvan) felt towards Him.

Even today, It is a foregone conclusion that whenever two persons, who had ever come in touch with Shri Giridharlalji Maharajshri, meet each other, their conversation will invariably veer towards discussing some or the other prasang (incident) related to Him and how His guidance influenced them to change their lives for the better.

Two great books ‘Shri Giridharji’ – by Kakaji, Shri Dwarikeshlalji Maharajshri (Kamvan-Surat) and ‘Saanche Bol Tihare’ – by Dada, Pancham Peethadhiswar Goswami Shri Vallabhlalji have already been written to chronicle the vast, untiring and selfless work that He undertook for the sampradaya. The couple of prasangs that I relate here are but a couple of drops in the immense downpour of Kripa that the vaishnav shrishti received from Him. The first is about His intolerance towards hypocrisy while the second teaches how in seva one should be particular as well as emotional at the same time.

Prasang

I was extremely fortunate to stay with Bade-Nayna while completing my degree in architecture in Vallabh Vidyanagar. Once in the evening, a group of vaishnavs were discussing various subjects with Him – the state of religion, the need of the sampradaya etc. Aapshri was replying where he felt some involvement was needed, but by and large he was satisfied listening to their views. The topic then changed to the state of today’s youth – the degradation in morals, irresponsibility etc. One of the vaishnavs, a well known person in the community, was very adamant about the reason for the ‘ruin’. “It is the things that they are watching on TV and in movies – the music and lyrics that they listen to. Maharajshri, You can’t imagine the indecency that has become their enjoyment…”

It was clear that their views about the topic were something with which Bade-Nayna didn’t entirely agree with. He put forward a simple question – “You are right, but what I would like to know is – how do ‘you’ know ‘what’ the youth are watching and listening to?” Absolute silence followed as the full purport of the truth being spoken slowly sank in. “Do not think that your kids do not perceive the difference between what you say and what you do. If you feel that there are some things that they should be kept away from, begin by staying away from them – yourself. Just by following this simple principle many of your problems would be resolved.” There was none who could disagree.

Prasang

The second is an earlier prasang from Kamvan. It was time for Rajbhog being served to Shri Chandbava. The samagris were being placed on the chowkis and being adjusted according to the custom by Shri Giridharlaji. He noticed something out of the ordinary and smiled. After the bhog as the samagris were being taken away he asked the sevaks if there was any specific reason for the increased quantity of a particular samagri. The sevaks were surprised that He had noticed that and blurted out that they just felt Shri Chandbava should be served more today. Aapshri laughed, “Yes, it must be Shri Chandbava’s wish behind it. But I also do realize the key reason being that it is you who seem to want to have some more prasad. However, I appreciate that while you could have just taken it away directly without anybody knowing about it; it is due to your devotion for Shri Chandbava that you wanted the samagri to be served to Him before having it yourself. But do remember that it is not our tradition. Some other day you may become lazy and use the same justification to serve less samagri, which would be unpardonable. Always be very careful in Shri…ji’s seva.”

I received Brahmasambandha and was formally initiated into Pushtimarg by Badenayna’s Grace. I have memories of reaching Kamvan right after the Yagyopavit ceremony in 1987. After the Grah Pravesh, we stood before the doors of the Nijmandir waiting eagerly to receive the Brahmasambandha from Bade-Nayna and then being allowed in the seva of Shri Gokulchandramaji by Him. I conclude by a shloka from the Gurudevashtak,

पुष्टिमार्गीय सर्वज्ञः करुणारसपूरीतः – श्रेष्ठः फलप्रदाता च तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः

I bow down to my Guru who is the all knower of Pushtimarg, full of compassion and the giver of the supreme fruit.

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