The Master Stroke of His Ajnas Varshaben Shah, offering seva as the leader of the Phoenix Satsang Centre, a practising Occupational Therapist by profession, and a Brain Gym Licensed Instructor, shares how Pujya Gurudevshri’s impeccable ajnas have propelled her on the spiritual journey. What really is an ajna? Is it a request, advice or instruction? What is its purpose? I had asked myself these questions when Pujya Gurudevshri found me in July 1996. This is the story of my transformation through His ajnas in all aspects of my life. Becoming His Disciple I was a social butterfly enjoying parties, music and dancing with my husband and two beautiful daughters. I did have an inclination to grow spiritually so whenever saints and religious scholars visited Phoenix, I would go and listen to them. Yet I felt lost, wandering aimlessly, not finding direction in my spiritual journey. In the summer of 1996 when I was leaving for India, my friend Ushmaben Bavishi told me to meet her Guru, Pujya Gurudevshri. At that time I was looking for spiritual guidance, not a Guru. In July 1996, I travelled to Tardeo and attended bhakti in the morning. After the session, the moment I entered the room, He beautifully explained that a disciple may not be ready to accept a Guru, but a Guru accepts a disciple based on his spiritual worthiness. I was shocked. He said what was on my mind. I then asked Him a few questions and left. I returned to USA not knowing that my journey had begun. My life took a turn in the spring of 1997. I heard that mumukshus were studying for the oral exam on Apurva Avsar, a poetic composition by Param Krupalu Dev. This sparked my interest and I started preparing for it. I wanted to learn the meaning of the text so as to take part in the exam. Those days were the most memorable days of my life. The more I listened to Apurva Avsar, the more I felt the need to have a Guru in my life. I started missing Him a lot. I realised that He had already started His work on me even though it took me months to accept Him as my Guru. I quickly booked my tickets for India, ready to be His disciple. Breaking my Conditions through Ajna In June 1997, He gave me a Gujarati book and asked me to read it. I looked at Him with bewildered eyes. I told Him I would prefer an English book as I hardly knew how to read and write in Gujarati. He replied that He learnt to read and write in Gujarati when He was in the 8th grade. He assured me that I could do it too and told me to finish reading it before I return to USA i.e. in 4 weeks. Thy will be done. Initially it was a struggle to read in Gujarati. I had difficulty in understanding the meaning of the words so I started to list the words I did not know. With the help of my mother, I gained a better understanding of the language and completed the book on time. I am so grateful to Him for introducing Gujarati in my life. By following this ajna, I can now write in Gujarati during pravachans, present the key points of the shibirs during our Phoenix Raj Parivar meetings and read Vachanamrutji. In 2006, we were in USA with Him. I would wear western clothes while traveling. Once after a pratishtha I didn’t have time to change before going to the airport. I felt uneasy and ashamed wearing a saree at the airport. At that time, He told me to wear a saree every time I travel with Him internationally by plane. I was confused about the purpose of this ajna but followed it. Thy will be done. As I contemplated, I began to understand its purpose. He wanted me to break my attachment with the external appearance and shift my focus inwards. I became more aware of my inner dirtiness and began to work on it. Moulding me with Ajna In December 2006, He gave me the ajna to meditate for three minutes every day. I did not like meditation and sitting with my eyes closed made me uncomfortable. However, since it was His ajna, my response was Thy will be done. I started with 3 minutes and gradually began to enjoy the practice of meditation. With His ajna, I began to meditate for longer durations. It has now increased to 48 minutes. With this practice, I have experienced moments of calmness and peacefulness. It has helped me to respond rather than react to situations. My outlook towards life has changed for the better. He is always looking out for my betterment. I am currently offering seva as a teacher in Shrimad Rajchandra Arhat Touch in the Phoenix Jain Temple. As I recollect how it all began, it takes me back to the early days of my journey. In my first meeting I had asked Pujya Gurudevshri to guide me on how to impart spiritual values to my daughters. He told me to conduct sessions on values in Griffith school in Phoenix, where I used to work. He asked me to start with my daughters and said that in a few years kids would come knocking on my door. I could not believe my ears. Living in India, I felt Pujya Gurudevshri did not understand the American culture. Nevertheless, I began teaching. And to my surprise the class size grew to over 20 students. In 2007, after both my daughters had left home for higher schooling, I lost interest in teaching and wanted a break from it. So I went to Him with an excuse about how difficult it is to manage my housework, job, family, etc. and I wanted to quit for one year. I was over-confident that He would agree with my decision. He instead asked me to continue teaching till I die or return to India. Thy will be done. I regained my passion to teach. Today, parents are appreciative of their kids’ love for Jainism and their adoption of Jain way of life. This seva has given me an opportunity to extend my love beyond my two daughters. Every Ajna is Beneficial My husband Piyush and I used to do our nityakram separately. In one of the pravachans in the beginning of 2016, Pujya Gurudevshri mentioned about how a wife should be a satsangi to her husband and recite the nityakram together with her husband. Thy will be done. We both agreed to do it together. Since then we have done our morning and evening nityakram together. He has become my best spiritual friend. Following this ajna brought discipline in our lives, feelings in our bhakti, and focus in our sadhana. I have realised that there is no difference between a general ajna or a direct ajna. An ajna is an ajna! During Pujya Gurudevshri’s USA dharmayatra in 2016, a general ajna was given to all disciples that those living on the West coast should only go for West coast trips with Him. When Pujya Gurudevshri visited Houston, my head started providing all the reasons as to why I should go. My sister lives there and wanted me to come. But, my heart told me to follow His ajna. There was a conflict between my head and heart. Finally my heart won and I did not go to Houston. When Pujya Gurudevshri did padhramani at my sister’s house, He spoke with me on the phone. He told me that He was checking if I would ask Him to come to Houston. He called me a faithful disciple for following His ajna. My happiness knew no bounds at that moment. I felt complete. I first saw ajna as a request or a comma but I have now realised that ajna is a full stop. The final word. Ajna is Pujya Gurudevshri giving Himself to me forever. But am I ready to listen and accept with a full heart? I realised that only when I open my arms in complete faith and surrender to ajna, I can experience transformation in every cell of my being. Being in His ajna has strengthened my belief that I can attain samyak darshan in this life and offer it at His Lotus Feet. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, December 2016 issue. Topicscommitmentdevotionfaithgurusurrender Quotes Every day, take time to be with God. Create a space in your heart that is free from demonic instincts and toxic thoughts. Dharma makes your life soulful, mindful and joyful. Satsang, with observation and introspection can transform your beliefs, thoughts and responses. Enrich yourself with a spiritual attitude. Cultivate soul awareness in every activity to foster your growth. View All #SadguruWhispers Satsang, with observation and introspection can transform your beliefs, thoughts and responses. Select category for which you wish you receive updates via email - SRMD Updates Wisdom Updates Subscribe for updates
