What type of transformation does Swamishri’s aishvarya bring about in people of the lowest moral order? Barkubhai of Apti in Dadara-Nagarhaveli region is well qualified to answer that question.

Barkubhai would rob villages in broad daylight with a machete. The only way he would answer questions was with his machete. However, after coming into contact with Pramukh Swami Maharaj he changed his lifestyle. He stopped stealing, started serving the community and began devoting himself to satsang. He now earns an honest living driving a rickshaw.

Once, after dropping off a passenger, he realized that the passenger had left his cellular phone in the rickshaw. Barkubhai immediately set out to find the owner and returned the phone. The owner appreciated his honesty. Little did he know that a few months ago, Barkubhai would have ripped the phone out of his hand, let alone look for him to return it.

A similar incident occurred when a father who was shopping for his daughter’s wedding forgot to take a bag full of cash from the rickshaw. Barkubhai spent a good portion of the day looking for him and returned the cash to him. The owner was overjoyed and decided to reward him for his honesty. But Barkubhai refused, “I don’t deserve a reward. I did what I was supposed to do.”

The owner enticed him with some drinks, “You tell me where you want to go and I will pay for your alcohol for the night.”
Barkubhai replied without a moment’s hesitation, “I am afraid that is not possible. I quit drinking a long time back.”
“Now is the time for you to drink and have fun. Why did you quit? You are not going to get your hands on alcohol when you’re old.”
“I have met a pure guru like Pramukh Swami Maharaj. I don’t need to drink and ‘have fun’. My only goal in life is to become brahmarup and go to Akshardham.”