It was Shivratri. A continuous flow of people starting from early morning till 12.00 in the night. People standing in long long queues were approaching with two garlands in hands, one for Sthan and the other for Guruji. By chance some carried only one garland which they skipped the Sthan and offered to Guruji. I think none noticed this aspect, related to people & the flowers’ garlands in particular.
Guruji was standing in the door which opened in the corridor. People entered Sthan from the first door did pranaam at Sthan, offered flowers and then reached Guruji and garlanded Him. This was carrying on since morning.
I was standing behind Guruji to guide people for exit. Actually this was a scene beyond any one’s imagination and I, in particular was so much over whelmed with inner joy to see Guruji allowing them to garland Him after every two/three seconds and put His hand on their heads for blessings continuously. The smile on Guruji’s face was the same as that was in the start, though more than twelve hours had passed. There was no change in Guruji’ attitude & smile.
But one minute difference was noted by me. I saw that Guruji was allowing many to garland Him, but to some, He didn’t allow. He accepted them with His hands only. After I witnessed this for hours with intervals. I just thought of the feelings of those who were not allowed to garland Him. After watching this happen for a long time, I gathered courage and asked, “Guruji, aap kuchh ko gale me haar daalne dete ho, par kuchh ko nahin, jin se nahin dalwate oonka dil dukhta toa nahin hoga ? (Guruji, you allow almost all to garland you, but to some you don’t. Instead you take it in your hand. Won’t they feel pinch in their hearts considering it as a disparity)?
Guruji was standing with His face towards the Sthan. He turned towards me and very politely said pointing to the Sthan, “Beta meine apne Guru ko bhi toa dekhna hai na, ki mere gale mein zyada haar na pad jayen”. (Beta, I am supposed to see that I don’t get more flowers than my Guru).
Wah sahib jee wah ! Aafreen — aafreen !
Aise vatavaran mein bhi apne Guru ka itna dhyaan…! Iss samay jab logon ka samudra umad umad kar app par nyochhavar ho raha hai, iss samay bhi aapko, apne Guru ka itna dhyaan hai ! Aur poori ginti bhi hai ki kitne haar Sthan par pade hain aur kitne aap ke gale mein !
Please Guru jee, bataiye aap kaun hain ? Hum par apni kripa banaye rakhna jee–. (Even in such circumstances when an ocean of people has resigned to your feet, you are still compassed with love and adoration of your Guru ! And then, an accurate computation of flower between yourself and the Sthan is also at hand)!
Unthinkable and unsubstantial !
I pray for your benevolence and generosity hey Guru Dev !