27.The Unique Influence of Achharya Shri

Chapter-27

The Unique Influence of Achharya Shri
A trae saint has a great spiritual strength by which he averts the dire crises. Straits occur due to the rise of ‘Asata-vedniya Karma". But one who is inspired by the feeling of well-being of all, even his ‘Asata’ is converted into ‘Sata ’. Achharya Shanti Sagar Ji averted the straits by overcoming difficulties and afflic­tions through his equable dispositions.

The congregation of Achharya Shri was ready to leave for Piprod village from Bilheri (Jabalpur), when a traveler in­formed, “Maharaj! There is an awesome serpent on the way that follows the wayfarers (pedestrians); therefore, the route is very dangerous.”

Anxiety of the people was obvious. Shravaks wished that Achharya Shri permits to select the other route. Who doesn’t have the allure of life? Who knows what might happen after confronting the fierce snake? Self confidence of the people be­gan to stagger for some time. They forgot that the congregation was following a pious saint, who had not only faced terrible snakes many a times but had also endured the troubles created by them all over his body several times remaining unmoved and absorbed in meditation. He was not an ordinary man.

Hearing this, the great Achharya, an ocean of peace, re­mained unmoved. Not even a sign of anxiety appeared on his face. Achharya Shri said, “You need not worry. We shall follow the same route. Achharya Shri commanded and the congregation marched ahead unhesitatingly.

By the grace of “punya” of Achharya Shri, the snake was found sleeping in its hole and the journey was over peacefully. It is true that crises of devotees of Jinendra Dev are averted within minutes. ception in the ‘‘Bhaktamar Stotra'.

“O Lord! Adinath! A person, who treasures Thy name in his heart as a “Nagdanumi ” (infallible) medicine, fearlessly/unhesitatingly tramps over a cobra as black as cuckoo’s neck with raised fangs and eyes reddened with rage.”

Pious souls have their unique/unprecedented influence. Cri­ses cannot stay in the proximity of such souls. Seth Chandulal Saraf, a supreme devotee of the Guru, had narrated an incident to late Shri Samerchand Ji Diwakar.

Achharya Shri was moving towards Ahmednagar, a famous city in Maharashtra. There was Rahuri station on the way. It was almost evening time and the members of the congregation desired to spend the night in this village. But Achharya Shri marched ahead turn­ing a deaf ear to the request of people. So, all of them had to accom­pany him for his service. After some time it rained cats and dogs in that village and there wasn’t a single house left intact in the fury of the flood. Next day Achharya Shri was asked, “Maharaj Shri! Can you foresee the future, as you had presaged the rains? Maharaj Shri told, “No, I can’t foresee the future. Yes, on such occasions I act accord­ing to my conscience.” Despite your requests my conscience was not ready to take a rest there, so I heeded to it. It is true that the echo of the pious soul is beneficial to all beings. Could there be any calamity for those who take refuge in such a pious soul? Those who are con­cerned with the ‘Self are the masters of the incomparable personal­ity.

Those, who strive hard for achieving their accomplishments following the voice of their conscience and not the conventions or the world, are in fact divine seers who are acquainted with the God.