In 1987, Pramukh Swami was on a pilgrimage of the four great holy sites in North India. He, together with over 350 sadhus and devotees arrived at Kedarnath, after a gruelling walk up a 14 km incline. All the sadhus and devotees were exhausted when they returned to Gaurikund, where there was natural hot spring for them to bathe in. Everyone relaxed in the steaming water.

Soon, Swamishri arrived. Like everyone, he was also exhausted from the climb. To everyone’s surprise, he did not enter the springs. Instead he waited for the sadhu who was carrying Harikrishna Maharaj to arrive.

When Harikrishna Maharaj arrived, Swamishri mixed some cool water with the steaming water from the spring, making it just warm enough to bathe in. Then, Swamishri began to bathe Thakorji, carefully massaging the murti with his hands.

“Maharaj! You must be tired after having climbed such a steep mountain… Please relax in the warm water… Maharaj… please have a bath…” Engrossed in devotion, Swamishri bathed Thakorji for fifteen minutes. To those around him, it seemed that bathing Thakorji actually helped him relax.

Swamishri sees Harikrishna Maharaj not as a mere icon, but as God himself. Thus, he is able to put aside his own needs and remember Harikrishna Maharaj. For Swamishi, Thakorji always comes first. He only accepts that which has first been offered to Thakorji. He believes that everything happens with the grace of God.