| Once in Amdavad, Swamishri welcomed a Hindu leader by doing chandlo on his toe. Later a devotee asked Swami, "Why should we bother calling people who do not even have the courtesy to bow to you?" Swamishri immediately replied, "Does one's greatness increase if one is bowed to? We should fulfill our duty and forever remain a servant." Even though he has hundreds and thousands of people who bow down to him, at heart he remains a sevak.
Once in Gadhada, Pujya Dr. Swami and Narendraprasad Swami came to meet Swamishri. As they entered Swamishri's room, there was a power failure. In the darkness, Dr. Swami and Narendraprasad Swami remained standing. Swamishri guided the two sadhus, seated them before him and then began to talk to each other. A few minutes later the power returned. To their amazement, Dr. Swami and Narendraprasad Swami noticed that Swamishri had given up his own asan (cushioned seat) for the two of them. He was sitting on the bare floor! Swamishri's humbleness was clearly seen.
Even though Swamishri has travelled in expensive cars, he considers it the same as travelling in a bullock-cart. He has stayed in mansions, but to him they are no different from sleeping in a mud hut. Although he has been honored and welcomed by famous people, he finds the same joy in meeting people from tribal villages.
By looking at Swamishri's life, we can learn to become humble as well. We too can begin by doing panchang pranam to our parents after our daily puja and treating people with the same respect we have for sadhus and our parents.
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