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Swami Shanti Prakash: there is a
fragrance in his name and music in his memory. It is the fragrance
of a life, which was utterly dedicated to the service of God and
His suffering children. And God’s children are, also, birds and animals. In this faith, he worked on, day after day, giving solace
to those who were in need of comfort and bringing joy into the
lives of the joyless ones.
His heart was a home of longing and love --- longing for the Lord
and for all who dwelt in the house of sorrow. He surrendered his
all to the One Life. This is what made his life truly beautiful.
And out of him the joy of the Lord flowed out to many.
He taught, preached, bore witness
to the truth that not by intellect but by sympathy and service may
man attain to the Highest.
He was simple-in dress, in diet, in
daily living. Our community needs piteously the message of the
simple life. So many of us seem to have forgotten the truth that
in simplicity in strength, as in imitation is weakness. And
simplicity flowers into sacrifice.
Swami Shanti Prakash’s was a
sacrificial life. He never thought of his own comfort but of the
happiness, which we could bring to others. He had compassion on
the poor and served them with humility and love. He had compassion
on birds and animals, on creatures that fly or walk or crawl.
To be truly great is to be humble.
To be humble is to renounce self. To be humble is to realize
one’s nothingness. “One act of true humility,” said St.
Teresa, “is of more worth to God than all the knowledge in the
whole world.” And Swami Shanti Prakash was a man of humility.
When he succeeded the Guru, he said to the disciples:-“I, too,
am a fellow-disciple.” “To be humble,” in the words of Sadhu
Vaswani, “is to kindle a light that never fades.” Swami Shanti
Prakash has kindled a light, which will continue to enlighten the
path of many, in days to come.
One of his learned disciples –
Prof.,Dr.Dayal “Asha”—has brought together in this volume
some of the practical teachings of his Guru—a teaching for
everyday of the year. The teachings are given in three
languages—Sindhi, Hindi and English. Prof.Dr. Dayal “Asha”,
is a man of faith and courage, of simplicity and sympathy and
service. He believes profoundly that the modern world, groping in
darkness, needs the light of the wisdom of the Saints. In this age
of intellectual confusion and moral chaos, he is one of those who
believe in and seek to build their lives in moral and spiritual
values. He is a lover of silence. He is a man of peace. He
practices meditation. And, everyday, he finds time to serve the
poor, befriend the lonely and tend the sick. He is a worthy
disciple of a worthy master and wishes to spread his message, far
and wide.
The thoughts collected together in
this volume are rich in practical wisdom.
Here are some of them chosen at
random :-
This New year’s Day kindle within
your hearts.
Little lamps of love, sympathy,
compassion!
(Jan.1)
In the crematorium, the bodies of
princes and peasants alike are burnt on the same platform.
Why, then, all this distinction?
(Jan.17)
Life is uncertain. Whatever good
you wish to do, do it now!
Do not defer it till tomorrow, for
tomorrow may never come!
(Jan.19)
The desire for worldly goods is insatiable.
Let the heart yearn alone for the
Lotus Feet of the Lord!
(Feb.1)
The foot may slip at any time.
Therefore walk wisely and well, with care and caution.
So may you reach with safety the
Eternal Goal!
(Feb.2)
Food belongs to the Lord, but the
ignorant man regards it as his own.
Share your food with the hungry!
(Feb.15)
Beholding the image of the Eternal
in every creature, go forth to serve them selflessly.
The happiness you give to others
will come back to you.
(March.1)
May the simple message of this
humble, holy man of God reach many and draw them closer to the
Spirit of Truth, Beauty, Goodness, purity and perfection-Satyam,
Shivam, Sunderam, Pavitram, Poornam.
The Name of God was on the lips and
in the heart of Swami Shanti Prakash. And his hands were ever busy
in giving succour to those in need. His eyes lacked sight: but he
was a man of insight.
Today, as the winds and storms
sweep over our ancient, unhappy land, I think of this simple man
who renounced pleasures and possessions and power and adored the
One Eternal. His pure, simple, gentle, love-filled life has a
message for us:-
Sing the Name!
O,sing the Name!
For mortal man
There’s no other way
Than to sing the Name
And serve the poor
And save innocent creatures
From being slain,
Day after day!
10, Sadhu Vaswani Path, Pune – 411001 (India)
August 5, 1997
J.P. VASWANI
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