Grace Transcends Diversities

Meet Sharnarpit Raman Tikka, qualified as the Owner/President Management Program (OPM) from Harvard Business School, USA with a B.A. in Economics from Bombay University. Professionally he is the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of a software company, NetBusiness Solutions India Ltd. He is a member of the Mission’s Steering Committee, head of the Horticulture Department of the Ashram, Steering Committee head for the Publications Department and a devotee whose inner core struck a chord with Pujyashri Gurudev’s spirituality. He was chosen as one of the ten Yuva Ratnas for his selfless seva during the recently concluded Ashram Sthapnadin Mahotsav. We bring to you a heartening conversation.

Tell us something about yourself, Ramanji. Where were you brought up?

I was born in a Punjabi Brahmin family. My parents are from Amritsar and moved to Mumbai in the late 1950’s. We are 2 brothers and an older sister, all living in Mumbai. I live with my wife and 18 year old daughter and run a textile machinery business and a small software company.

How did Pujyashri Gurudev enter your life and what were your first impressions of Him?

My wife Kinnari was senior to Bapaji in New Activity High School; she had no contact with Him then. But once she met Bapa again in 1998, she committed to Him as His disciple. I had my first meeting with Bapa at the Bombay Market centre in the year 2000. I still remember the scene, as if it only took place last year.

Intuitively I bowed down to Him, and He immediately made me comfortable, talking like a friend. I left the meeting feeling satisfied and even happy in a certain way. But my ego intervened. He is nice, but you don’t really need a Guru in your life, and another year went by. In 2001, during the Haridwar-Mussourie trip, the romance started and deepened further during the Palitana Yatra. In Diwali Mahotsav 2001, I attended the satsangs that finally resulted in my surrendering at His lotus feet.

Coming from a non-Jain background what moved you toward Shrimad Rajchandraji’s teachings and towards becoming a devotee?

My impression of the Jain community was different then. I saw them as very ritualistic, bordering on fanatism, even though non-violent. Just on the other hand, I saw this completely new representation on Jainism with Shrimadji’s teachings. It struck at the core of rituals, encouraged to shed tears in bhakti and even extended itself beyond the realm of religion – into the world of spirituality. When I saw this open-mindedness in Bapa, with an aura of love and warmth – love was the only response I felt. I took about 2 years to commit to Him, so I guess mine was a developing love story and not breaking news.

Bapa never explicitly told me to make any changes in my lifestyle or beliefs. He simply showered satsangs that opened my eyes, which led to changes and further led to transformation. It has been an effortless journey, all because of grace.

What does the idea of God mean to you now?

I grew up with the conventional Hindu image of God as the Creator and Preserver. My belief then was moulded more out of mythology and less from Vedanta philosophy. I had established a ‘business like’ relationship with God; asking worldly favours from God and offering money in return.

Bapa changed all that. He introduced me to Vitraag Bhagwan and showed me that they too had a life like mine but with intense sadhana, they achieved omniscience and I too can achieve this state. He made me aware that I was a potential God too. So the definition of God for me changed completely and now stands for a being who has reached the epitome of purity, of vitragta.

Pujyashri Gurudev has been pleased with your handling of horticulture for the Ashram. Could you share with us some experiences?

It is my firm belief that Bapa is the easiest person to please. All He expects is sincerity and awareness. Horticulture seva led me to becoming first a vegetarian and then ‘Jain-etarian.’ Bapa’s philosophy to the Horticulture department was “this seva is out of love for plants and not just for beauty.” This was a very powerful message that made us resolve that we would never cut or crop plants and grass just to beautify, and that we would actually practice what we preach. I try to extend this sensitivity in everyday life.

Bapa also showed me that while one talks about rock garden, herb garden, Japanese garden, what about the mind garden? While we have all heard that we can talk to plants, one needs to become so silent, that one should be able to hear the plants talk to you.

According to you, what are the key things required for becoming a great sevak?

First become a good sadhak, where you understand that qualities that the outer world praises are not the ones required in seva. Talent is required but not the doer-ship, excellence is must but success is just a byproduct, winning at the cost by making someone lose is actually losing. I feel a sevak serving at any level must always keep in mind that the Mission is not because of me but I am because of the Mission. The adjective ‘great’ is not to be used with the word sevak. A sevak is just an undeserving person who has received the grace of his Guru.

You support a family and yet give yourself whole-heartedly to seva. How do you manage the worldly and spiritual spheres in daily living?

Actually my family supports me, by being totally cooperative. On a worldly level, I was graced by Bapa’s satsangs that made me prioritise my life in a way that would cause minimum conflicts. On a spiritual level, Bapa’s satsangs graced me with understanding that with equanimity, there are no two spheres.

Do you regret having met Bapa relatively later in your life?

As Bapa says, it is the quality and sincerity of one’s sadhana that matters and not the number of years. In a spiritual academy, though we all enter at kindergarten, one can graduate in a few years or not graduate in a lifetime. We have been given the best and now it is entirely up to us.

I met Bapa when I was 40-years-old but the last 10 years have been the best and most fulfilling years of my life. Meeting your sadguru at any stage or age in your lifetime is the most fortunate and joyous occasion – so there is no question of regret.

Share with us how Pujyashri Gurudev has transformed your life?

He has given my life a purpose – a higher purpose, which would have been impossible for me to have seen, on my own. He introduced me to my inner world – sadhana. Simultaneously, He showed me how I should offer myself to the outer world – seva.

Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, May 2011 issue.