Paryushan Parva, a golden opportunity to seek forgiveness for the hurt we have knowingly or unknowingly caused to others and thereby resolve to be more careful not to hurt them henceforth. To make this resolution a reality, one needs to heighten his awareness and be more sensitive towards the pains and pleasures of others. Spiritual Masters like Pujya Gurudevshri, through their own example show us how we too can live a life full of awareness and sensitivity. This Paryushan, as we realign our lives to be more aware in our thoughts, words and actions, let us admire Pujya Gurudevshri’s sterling virtue of sensitivity.

Sensitivity is the ability to be considerate and care about others. A mundane being is occupied in thoughts about his own comforts and pleasures, which makes him oblivious of the emotions, feelings or experiences people around him are going through. But Pujya Gurudevshri, who revels in the unending bliss of the Self, seeks nothing for Himself from the outer world. And so His each moment is dedicated to relieving the distress of others, providing them joy and guiding them to inner bliss. Pujya Gurudevshri’s sensitivity stems from His selfless way of living and His ever flowing love and compassion.

Sensitivity Towards Individuals

Pujya Gurudevshri sees others as pure souls, just like His own Self. Thus, He feels that each individual is an extension of His own being. An effortless outcome of this is His empathy for all.

An outstanding example of the intensity of His empathy is that once after a meeting with a seeker with a severe skin ailment, Pujya Gurudevshri’s skin had developed rashes. When a devotee enquired, He stated that His consciousness extended to that seeker to such an extent that He literally experienced what the seeker was going through. Such empathy sensitises Him to the needs of the other person and drives Him to respond accordingly.

Once the Audio – Video team editors were working till late night on a video what was to be screened the next day. He told them the next day that even He was awake for most of the night. How could He sleep when they were working?

Sensitivity Towards Masses

Pujya Gurudevshri’s sensitivity is also exhibited in His planning and decision-making pertaining to the mass activities for seekers. Be it deciding the daily schedule of Ashram, finalising the designs of Sadguru Prerna project or chalking out the details of a Tirthyatra, He sees to it that the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the aspirants are catered to, such that they can derive highest spiritual progress from it. For instance, to ensure that the seekers gain maximum benefit from the morning meditation, He sees to it that the Ashram programmes are completed by 10 p.m. so that the seekers get enough rest and are fresh for the morning meditation.

His sensitivity is not limited to seekers and devotees. His compassion extends to masses across all strata of the society. Once a group of Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul students had come to meet Pujya Gurudevshri. As they sat for the meeting He sensed that with that sitting arrangement some kids had to sit in sunlight. He immediately asked sevaks to rearrange His own chair in such a way that the students get to sit in shade!

Various projects initiated under the aegis of Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care are testimony to His understanding of people’s needs and His compassion to fulfil them. What relief a supply of daily essentials gives to a widow with no income, He knows! What relief a glass of buttermilk gives to a man toiling in the scorching afternoon heat, He knows! What relief few words of encouragement give to a prisoner condemned by his near ones, He knows!

Sensitivity Beyond Humans

Pujya Gurudevshri’s sensitivity and empathy is not restricted to humans but extends to all forms of life. His emphasis to practice jivdaya through gestures like switching off the fan while leaving the room, keeping the basin tap shut while we brush or avoiding unnecessary wastage of water while bathing shows His concern for invisible life organisms. Also, He named the Gaushala – Shrimad Rajchandra Jivmaitridham to cultivate a feeling of maitri (friendship) with the animals and extend the same consideration and sensitivity towards animals that we show towards human beings.

While designing the Raj Upvan at Ashram He chose to lay artificial grass instead of real grass, though its cost was way more than the real grass. Not harming the living beings of grass was the main consideration while beautifying the Ashram.

Let Us Be Like Him!

Let us not stop at just applauding His qualities. Let us take steps to cultivate them within us.

• Be Selfless: Don’t always remain concerned about your own comforts. Give a thought to the needs of people around too.
• Be Generous: Extend yourself to fulfil the needs of others. A small gesture of a smile or a pat on the back can do wonders for others.
• Be Universal: Expand your sensitivity beyond the humans. Be aware of the pain of the flora and fauna around you and make efforts to alleviate it.

Your sensitivity par excellence touch our heart,
Your empathy and generosity are a class apart,
Compassionately thinking about others,
Your selflessness is supreme,
O Beloved! To be like You, is our only dream.