Baba's Footsteps

Africa

December 11th

We arrived in Ndola, the second largest city in Zambia. This part of the tropical African continent was lush green due to the monsoon and we were received on the runway as we got down the aircraft by Padmaben and others. Soon after our arrival, we rushed to the Radha Krishna temple adjacent to the Hindu Hall for hall set up. It was a predominantly Gujarati community that exhibited the devotion of the gopis. As Gurudev commented, devotion is required in all spheres of life; devotion that is free of desire and fear.
As Gurudev commented earlier in Europe, it is interesting to see from what all places people came to meet Baba despite the lack of publicity in those days. Many of those who had met Baba came to meet Gurudev when they heard that his birth centenary was being celebrated.

December 12th

It was a fully packed day with one Padhramani (the traditional welcome of saints in the homes of devotees) after the other. We visited 4 homes within a span of 4 hours. As Gurudev said, it was a town of bhakti (devotion) which was expressed in the bhajans they sang and the Indian delicacies they fed or, some cases, over-filled us with. Gurudev was greeted traditionally with garlands and the arati. It was heartening to see these pockets away from India which have maintained the Indian culture. The unity and love amongst this community was inspiring.

We visited a temple which is the most ancient temple in Zambia. Later in the afternoon, a group of school children gathered at the home of Mamtaben, who hosted Gurudev. A lively and interactive session ensued as they shared their views and problems with Gurudev. He stressed the importance of the advice given by elders.

In the evening before the formal evening satsang, there was yet another Padhramani with the visit to Swatiben’s home. Mahaprasad was served before the satsang which was attended by many children and teenagers. Gurudev explained the need for daily practice. “Just as the athlete practices daily to participate in the match, a seeker must practice daily to win the game of life. It is said in the Vedanta that “One should approach one’s guru with the same urgency one approaches water who has fire on his head.” He said that Baba gave a certificate at the end of the Siddha Yoga courses but the true practical test of whether one had incorporated the teachings in one’s life took place in the world as one went about performing his actions. Explaining Chaturvidha purushartha (4 types of effort), he said that Dharma is that which sustains us. Artha is the wealth that should be earned with righteousness. Kama is desire that should liberate, not bind us and when we follow all these we attain Moksha (liberation).

Ndola Public Satsang

Ndola Public Satsang

December 13th

We were ready early in the morning to travel to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. In the evening, the public satsang was held at the Radha Krishna Temple. Gurudev explained that Sanatan Dharma is the eternal philosophy that applies to all, irrespective of sect, creed and time. He stressed the need to begin early on the path of sadhana. Naayam aatma balaheena naa labhyo. The Self cannot be attained by the weak. He narrated a story to illustrate the power of the mind. “A weary traveler once sat under a tree to rest. He did not know that it was a wish fulfilling tree (Kalpa vriksha). He wished that he could have some food to eat. It instantly appeared. He next desired a home, a companion and servants. All his wishes were instantaneously fulfilled. Then he wondered to himself, ‘What if this is the work of a demon and he comes and eats me up.’ Right away a demon appeared and devoured him. The same is our predicament. The mind has the ability to create something beautiful but instead it goes towards negative thoughts.”

December 14th

We drove to Livingston to see the Victoria Falls. On the way we visited the Kafue Hindu Temple where Acharya Naveenji performed the arati on everyone’s behalf.

Gurudev with small group at Victoria Falls

Gurudev with small group at Victoria Falls

December 15th

We returned to Lusaka where there was yet another Padhramani and another public satsang was scheduled. Ajitbhai and Padmaben shared their experiences on this path. Gurudev later said that the mind slowly shifts as we come to satsang. The changes are so subtle that one may not notice them. Even if we imbibe one sentence from the satsang, we have benefited from it. We met many people who had met Baba 3 or 4 decades ago and were glad to be present for this tribute being paid to him.

December 16th

The yatra continued to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Situated in the highlands of the southern part of the country, it is one of the fastest growing cities of Africa.

December 17th

The last footstep in the ‘Footsteps of Bliss’; the last satsang and probably the 108th in the international leg of the tour and was held in the Ramji Temple in the heart of Nairobi. Vasla ka din aur itna muktasar; din gine jate the is din ke liye: The poet has captured our feelings so aptly. ‘So brief this bliss of reunion seemed, for which we had been counting days for so long.’ Though it was the last satsang, the experience of bliss and contentment that the tour generated will remain forever alive in our memories. As Gurudev beautifully concluded his talk, “Living meditation is the awareness that we carry with us throughout the day, not just in the 30 minutes that we sit for meditation. The human mind should be like rubber with the ability to mould to the situation and spring back and not break under pressure.” Here also, we met yet another old devotee, Malti Amma Patel whose association with Baba is now over 40 years.

Gurudev with Malti Amma, who used to visit Baba in Ganeshpuri in the 1970’s

Gurudev with Malti Amma, who used to visit Baba in Ganeshpuri in the 1970’s

December 18th

Four of us boarded our flight back to Mumbai and Gurudev accompanied by the others proceeded to the magnificent Masai Mara to start their 6 day Safari experience.

Gurudev at Victoria Falls in Zambia

Gurudev at Victoria Falls in Zambia

Victoria Falls