| Swamishri is a busy person. Everyday, his schedule is packed with places he must visit, people he must meet, and tasks he must complete. Yet for someone who is so busy, with so many important things to do, it is astounding that he makes time for the world's littlest people: children. The following two incidents illustrate just this: Swamishri's love for children, and the joy they experience in his divine company.
Kansaar for Kunal
Swamishri was in Limbdi, and had just finished offering thaal to Thakorji, when a special little guest dropped by. Ghanshyambhai, a local devotee, had brought his 6-month-old baby son named Kunal to receive Swamishri's blessings! Bapa was pleased to meet little Kunal, and decided to give him some kansar, a sweetdish. He took a pinch and gently placed some in Kunal's mouth. Baby Kunal ate it quietly, and then, to everyone's surprise, opened his tiny mouth for more! Swamishri put another pinch of the sweet in Kunal's mouth, but that wasn't enough for him either! Kunal persisted in his enjoyment of the sweet taste of kansar, and Swamishri joyfully continued to feed him. Not only does this incident illustrate how much love Swamishri has for children, but it also shows that children are unable to resist the nectar of Swami's divinity.
Divine Nectar for Jignesh
One day, a devotee named Kaushikbhai brought his 6-month old son Jignesh to Swamishri for charan sparsh. He put the balak into Swamishri's lap and Swamishri began to lovingly play with him. He also blessed him: "Bhagwanni jignasha raakhje. Jagatni nahi. Moto thaine Bhagwan bhaj je ho, Americano rang na laage..." ("Keep the light of God in your heart, not the light of this world. Make sure to offer devotion to God when you are older, ok?"). As though understanding Swamishri's words of wisdom, little Jignesh took Swamishri's hand. Then, he held on to Bapa's first finger and put it in his mouth! Bapa did not take his finger out of the balak's mouth: he let Jignesh suck on it as though it were a pacifier. Priyadarshan Swami, who was observing this interesting moment unfold, asked Swamishri: "Aane kayo ras aavto hashe?" ("What kind of nectar must he taste?"). To this Swamishri replied, "Bhagwanno ras aave chhe, kem Jignesh?" ("He tastes the nectar of Bhagwan, right Jignesh?"). And indeed he was! By the sheer joy that little Jignesh was experiencing, no one could deny that this balak was enjoying none other than the sweet bliss of the nectar of God. |
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