1 - Devoted, Content and Honest Parents

In a beautiful town called Dhrangadhra, there lived a couple named Gigabhai and Shakuba. They had four children - two sons and two daughters. By profession Gigabhai was a mason. He was very pious. Whole day he would sing the Bhajans of God. While working, he changed the name of God. Financially he was very poor. He earned just enough to feed his family. First of all, he would take out the share of Shreeji Maharaj from his earnings. Afterwards he would buy the necessities for the household. He wouldn’t spend even for the children from the money kept aside for charity. If children wanted something, he would explain, ‘Kids! This money belongs to God. I will buy you from the next payment I receive. Is it all right?’

He used to explain so lovingly that children would agree immediately. ‘Father, we are not in a hurry. Please offer this money to God.’ Once the Kothari of the temple had suggested, ‘Gigabhai, you are very poor. It is allright if you offer a little less charity.’ Gigabhai replied, ‘Oh no! This money has been given by Shreeji Maharaj. And I offer charity as per the instructions of Shreeji Maharaj. Charity should be performed honestly, otherwise Maharaj wouldn’t be pleased.’ Such conversation pleased the Kothari. He told Gigabhai, ‘These days it is difficult to find devotees like you. You are very punctual and honest in offering the charity inspite of such poor financial condition.’

Gigabhai said, ‘We should surrender to God’s will and should live a happy and content life. Poverty gives an opportunity to worship God without any distraction. More money brings more disturbances.’ The Kothari asked, ‘Gigabhai, there is repair work in the temple. Would you do it?’ The Kothari thought that it would be helpful to Gigabhai. Gigabhai consented, ‘Yes definitely! I will do the work. I will not attend my work while working for the temple.’ The Kothari asked, ‘The front portion of the temple is to be constructed. Would you do it?’ Gigabhai replied, ‘Yes, of course.’ The Kothari asked, ‘How much would you charge?’ Gigabhai said, ‘O' Kothari Maharaj! What are you talking? This is God’s work. I cannot charge for that. This is worship. I cannot charge for worship.’ The Kothari explained, ‘Gigabhai, I offered you the work with the intention that you could earn little money. If we offer more money to a pious devotee like you, Maharaj would be pleased.’ Gigabhai insisted, ‘Kothari Maharaj, now I will definitely do this work. When would I get such an opportunity to serve God? If I charge for that, then it is not service. Maharaj would be pleased through such service. Tell me, when should I start the work?’ The Kothari couldn’t speak a single word against Gigabhai’s insistance. He thought, ‘Blessed is this couple! Inspite of poverty they have so much faith in God and live such a content life!’ He felt great reverence for Gigabhai in his heart.

Difficult words:
Pious - Having religious devotion
Punctual - On time
Distraction - Something which diverts the mind
To consent - To permit
Reverence - Deep respect

Points to ponder:
- An Anadimukta chooses such pious and content couple as his parents.
- As per the instructions of Shreeji Maharaj we should offer 1/10th or 1/20th portion of our earnings to Shreeji Maharaj as charity. This would please Shreeji Maharaj and His Muktas.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. In which town did Gigabhai and Shakuba live?
2. What was the profession of Gigabhai?
3. Why did Gigabhai refuse to charge for the construction work of the temple?

Fill in the blanks:
1. was a beautiful town called __________.
2. Father, we are not in a _____________, please offer this money to _________.
3. _____________ gives an opportunity to worship God without any _____________.
4. More money brings more _____________.