43 - Chased Away Illness In Its Personal Form

Ramjibhai was staunch devotee of God. He was aware that Bapashri was an Anadimukta. He understood his greatness and used to visit Bapashri regularly. Ramjibhai had one son. His name was Devraj.

Devraj was also a devotee of God. Devraj was very fond of Bapashri just like other children. Devraj stayed in a village next to Vrishpur.

But he used to visit Bapashri frequently for his Darshan. Once Bapashri was sitting in the orchard. A Haribhakta was also there.

Bapashri was concerned, ‘For a long time, Devraj has not come to visit me. It seems he is ill. Haribhakta affirmed, ‘Yes, Bapa. He is very ill. He is bedridden.’ In the evening Bapashri went to Ramjibhai’s place.

Ramjibhai was delighted on seeing Bapashri. He bowed down to Bapashri and spoke with gratitude, ‘Bapa! You have obliged us. Welcome to our house!’

Bapashri informed, ‘I have come to visit little Haribhakta.’ Devraj was lying down inside. While lying down, Devraj was praying God and Bapashri, too. On seeing Bapashri Devraj was very happy.

Bapashri sat next to Devraj. He caressed his head. He spoke to Devraj lovingly, ‘Son! Devraj! Remember God all the time. He will cure you very soon.’

Devraj said hopefully, ‘Bapa, your visit is going to chase away my illness.’ Bapashri inspired him, remembrance of God is the best medicine. Have faith in God.’ Devraj brightened up. He assured, ‘Bapa, I will not be scared. I will always remember God.’

Bapashri was pleased. He caressed Devraj’s head and returned Vrishpur. Devraj was happy. He would recall his conversation with Bapashri and would feel cheerful. Night set in. His illness worsened.

But Devraj did not loose courage. He ceaselessly prayed God and Bapashri. Devraj had full faith and strong belief in the statements of Bapashri. Ramjibhai encouraged him, ‘Son! Don’t get frightened.’

Devraj assured him, ‘Father, Bapa has promised me so I will be all right soon. I am not afraid.’ Late night, everyone went to sleep. Bapashri appeared in front of Devraj in divine form. He observed that Bapashri was chasing away the illness.

Ha had tied a noose around the neck of illness and was beating it up with a stick. He was chasing it out of the village.

Devraj stood up. He cried out, ‘Father! See! Bapa has arrived!’ Ramjibhai consoled him, ‘Son! Try to sleep. You are dreaming.’ Devraj was excited, ‘Father, I am fully awake. Bapa is driving out my disease.’

Ramjibhai asked, ‘Where is he? I can not see anything.’ Devraj pointed out, ‘Here he is. Please have his Darshan!’

Ramjibhai was worried, ‘Devraj! Son! It seems, your condition is deteriorating. Please, try to sleep. In the morning we shall call for a Vaidya.’

Devraj replied, ‘No, father, I am completely cured. I do not need Vaidya. Bapashri is very compassionate. He has driven away my illness.’

Ramjibhai was worried. He thought that Devraj was hallucinating due to illness. He comforted Devraj, ‘Devraj, son! Remember God!’ Devraj explained, ‘I was remembering God. And suddenly Bapa arrived and chased away the disease.’

Ramjibhai was not able to understand the ‘phrases beaten up and chased away.’ He thought that his son was feeling worse then earlier.

He offered water to Devraj, ‘Son! Drink water and try to sleep.’ He did not believe Devraj’s explanation. He made Devraj sleep.

Devraj woke up in the morning. He spoke to Ramjibhai, ‘Father, Let us go to Vrishpur to have Darshan of Bapashri.’ Ramjibhai noticed that Devraj was perfectly all right.

Both of them went to Bapashri. Bapashri chuckled looking at Devraj and asked, ‘Hello, Devraj! Do you feel better, now?’ Devraj replied, ‘Yes, Bapa. You have beaten up my illness badly.’

Bapashri clarified, ‘You were remembering God, therefore God responded to your prayers.’ Devraj informed, ‘Bapa, You had come in the night. You beat up the disease with stick and drove it out of the village.’

Ramjibhai couldn’t understand their conversation.

Difficult words:
Staunch - Firm
Frequently - Quite often
Affirm - Consent, agree
Noose - Loop of rope around neck

Points to ponder:
- If we have faith and belief in Anadimukta, he would chase off the disease (in personal form) from our body.
- Bapashri was very fond of kids. Therefore whenever kids remembered him whole heartedly, he used to reach there and remove their pain.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. What was the name of the son of Ramjibhai?
2. Why did Bapashri go to the house of Devraj?
3. What did Bapashri advice Devraj?
4. How did Bapashri cure Devraj’s illness?
5. Why did Ramjibhai not believe the story of Devraj?

Fill in the blanks:
1. Devraj was very __________ of Bapashri.
2. Devraj, _____________ God all the time. He will ____________you very soon.
3. He had tied a ___________ around the neck of the ____________ and was beating it up with a ____________.

Arrange in proper sequence:
1. God remember will always be scared I not Bapa will I.
2. Prayer God to responded your therefore remembering you God were.