In 1998, Dr Jeffrey Moses and Dr William Schwarz completed Swamishri’s angiography at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. They urged for an emergency bypass operation. Dr Subramanium was called and he prepared himself for the operation. In the meantime, Swamishri had been fully examined and prepared for the major surgery. The time was 11:30 a.m. Swamishri decided to go in for surgery at 3:00 p.m. The physicians explained that it was not a good idea to delay. They should perform the bypass as soon as possible. Still, Swamishri insisted to wait till 3:00 p.m. The doctors accepted Swamishri’s wish. So, Swamishri waited in his ICU room as sadhus read the Haricharitramrut Sagar and sang bhajans.

At exactly 3:00 p.m., Swamishri entered the operation theatre with Thakorji at his side. Arrangements had been made for Thakorji to be seated near him. It was a major operation, but everyone breathed a sigh of relief after it was completed successfully.

After two weeks, while Swamishri was recovering at Dr Mahendrabhai’s house in Westchester, the sadhus asked why he had insisted on waiting until 3:00 p.m. to begin the operation.

Swamishri explained, “If we went in at three o’clock, we would be able to serve Thakorji thal and let him rest for a while before waking him up. We would be able to work according to his schedule and not inconvenience him.”