When I look back at my own past today, I realize that I don’t remember the whole of it. I don’t know what to write and what not to.

Friar Narharinathji Maharaj ascended to the chief’s post when I was in my 2nd year of college. I, like several other people like me, spend our times from birth to school and college in a well-protected and secure atmosphere. My parents have given me good upbringings. I have been educated in good schools. I got admitted in a good college. But after passing my college, I found myself standing on a crossroad. I did not know where to go. The family situation was not too good either.

Friar Narharinathji came to my help at that time. (Later on I have realized that he has come to the help of many such helpless, confused people in life.) He never gave more value to ideals than what is necessary. He has always taught us to be practical in life.

He used to say, “Keep your ideals in your mind. Live life as the world demands. Don’t clash with the world and slowly move towards your ideal.”

When I was about to join our business, he said to me, “Son, as long as you move, you graze. If you tie your knot at one place, you may starve.” I didn’t understand what he said at that time. When I did, I realized how grave and important a thing he said with a smiling face. This way Guruji explains things that need to be explained to people amidst his jokes and laughter, while people think that he keeps joking only. A true ascetic is one who lives in the world but is separate from it.

Once I was swayed away in business. I thought, why not start a new business? Then Guruji said, “Son, dig 10 wells of 20 feet each, you won’t get water. But one well of 200 feet depth will certainly quench your thirst.” This way gurus always teach their disciples the ways of life by holding their hands. Sometimes they leave us on our own, so that we learn the ways of life ourselves. Explaining this, Guruji once said, “Give support to a small sapling with a piece of wood. If you don’t remove the piece of wood, the plant learns to live all its life with support.”

Anand Buchasia
Kolkata