Acharyaji left Priyankara and went to Jaymangala City which was about 120 kilometres away. In the western part of the city, there was a huge and delightful park where Acharyaji and all the other monks halted. All the nuns stayed in a huge building behind Jay Shreshti’s palace.
They planned to stay there for a month. This area was convenient for studying and meditating for all the monks and nuns. There were appropriate facilities for food and water. The land around was also clean and suitable for them to observe monkhood.
Everyday, Acharya Vijaysinh would preach. All the monks, nuns, men and women would listen to his discourse. After the discourse, the wise students would ask questions to Acharyaji.
One day, Shikhi asked a few questions, “Gurudev, is Lok first, then Alok or vice versa?”
Acharyaji answered, “Both can be said to be first as well as second. There is no sequence for Lok and Alok.”
Shikhi asked, “Gurudev, is living being first and then non-living or vice versa?”
Acharyaji said, “There is no sequence in this too.”
Shikhi asked, “Did the hen come first or the egg?”
Acharyaji said, “From where did the egg come?”
Shikhi, “It came from the hen.”
Acharyaji asked, “From where did that hen come?”
Shikhi answered, “From the egg.”
“That’s why it cannot be said who came first and who came later. It’s a process that has no beginning and no end.”
Shikhi asked, “Is lokant first or alokant?” Acharyaji said, “There is no sequence in lokant and alokant.”
Shikhi said, “Gurudev, lok has eight kinds of state :
1. Air is based on sky.
2. Water is based on air.
3. Earth is based on water.
4. Mobile and immobile beings are based on earth.
5. Non living things are based on the living.
6. Living beings are based on karma.
7. Living and lifeless are connected.
8. Living beings and karma are interrelated.
Why are only eight states of lok described? How should the basis of air, water etc. be understood?”
Acharyaji said, “For example, a leather bag is filled with air and closed from the top. It is then tied in the middle and air is released from the top. Later, it is filled with water and closed from the top. Now, if we untie it from the middle, then in such case the water will remain on the top with the support of air. Now tell me, didn’t air become the base for water?”
Shikhi said, “True, water will stay above the air.”
Acharyaji said, “In this way, there is air in the sky, water on air, etc. This is how there are eight types of states.”
Shikhi, “I understood the eight kinds of states explained by you. My second question is, what is the connection between a living being and non-living matter? Are they mutually related to each other? Are they connected and co-exist?”
Acharyaji said, “Yes, it is true.”
Shikhi asked, “What the reason for this?”
Acharyaji said, “If someone sits in a boat with holes and goes in the ocean, then water will enter the boat through those holes. Won’t the boat get filled with water and sink into the ocean?”
Shikhi said, “Yes, it will sink and reach the bottom of the sea.”
Acharyaji said, “This is how living and non-living things are correlated to each other.”
Shikhi said, “You have done a huge favour on me by solving my doubts.”
***
Sometimes Shikhi would sit with Acharyaji for 3-6 hours and get his queries solved! He would empty his heart in front of Gurudev. Acharyaji would get overwhelmed with Shikhi’s devotion! Both the Guru and his disciple would connect through telepathy.
On a dark night, Acharyaji was sitting on a big rock under the shadow of Ashok Tree. Saint Shikhi was sitting down with the support of that rock. Their vision was fixed at the twinkling stars.
Suddenly, Acharyaji asked in an affectionate tone, “Shikhi, are you lost in some deep thoughts?”
“No, there is a conflict of thoughts going on in my mind! A question has arisen in my mind – Isn’t physical enjoyment a reward for affection?”
“No, physical pleasure is the road to sensuality.”
“Isn’t sensuality a flower of love?”
“Sensuality is an insignificant breakdown of petty senses!”
“But Gurudev, these physical pleasures and fantasies have conquered the treasures of the world!”
“Shikhi, what are the treasures of the world? They are enjoyment of pleasures.”
“If the treasures of the world are surrendered to physical enjoyment, then what will remain for love?”
“Joy?”
“Which joy, Gurudev?”
“The joy that is beyond sensory pleasures and fantasies of the mind. It has neither any desire nor efforts for fulfilment! And even after fulfillment, there is no boredom!”
“Gurudev, sometimes I feel as if the body is filled with fantasies and only physical pleasures can satisfy them.”
“Young monk, this is why the body gets consumed by physical enjoyment in the days of youth. It doesn’t even get the taste of love. There is no time left for affection to develop. This is the biggest misfortune of beings! Sensuality and fantasies are even present in birds and animals. Humans don’t rise above those wild instincts. Perhaps, out of all the creatures on earth, only humans can achieve the element of affection!”
“Gurudev, does this mean that the existence of youth and beauty is pointless?”
“Why pointless? If someone is masculine and can save his youth and beauty from burning in the fire of physical enjoyment and fantasies, then he can get a chance to taste affection! Child, this experience is unparalleled, it is the source of joy; it’s indescribable! Neither is there any desire nor satisfaction or indifference! Eternal life of infinite time span is enclosed in it! Extremely sweet, very delightful, immensely captivating; whoever experiences that joy, their life gets blessed!”
“Gurudev, I have experienced it.”
“Child, you have been blessed.”
“Gurudev, how should I express that happiness and joy to you?” Shikhi said cheerfully.
Slowly, both the Guru and the disciple slid into the blank horizon. In the presence of stars twinkling far away in the sky, both of them seemed to have set free from their physical body in the isolated spot of that forest. Swimming on the waves of wind, it seemed as if they were flying in the sky and reached a place where there was no material world, no physical world, no celestial world, no earth, no sky, no nature, no bondages, no birth, no death, no one, no many; there was only joy and supreme bliss.
***
In this way, days passed and so did months and years! The life span in Mahavideh Kshetra was lakhs of years anyway. Colours of old age had started emerging on Acharya Shri Vijaysinh’s body. Saint Shikhi was in the midst of his youth. Gurudev had given him the post of Acharya. Hundreds of people accepted monkhood under him. His fame spread in various villages and towns. People praised his knowledge and spiritual practice. His monkhood and calmness would be appreciated. These praises even reached Koshambi. On hearing the praises, two old men got very happy and danced with joy. Those two men were Minister Brahmadutt and wise Pingal.
Pingal told Brahmadutt, “Years have passed since we visited Shikhi. I think of him everyday but now I won’t be able to sit peacefully without seeing him! My heart is getting restless. Let’s go to him soon!”
Brahmadutt said, “I was also thinking the same. I have an uncontrollable wish to see him, meet him and talk to him. But I never spoke about it, you know the reason!”
“Hasn’t Jalini’s anger and hatred towards Shikhi reduced yet?”
“Reduced? If I utter Shikhi’s name even by mistake, she gets furious. It seems as if fire balls are rolling down from her eyes!”
“This is too much! Such terrible bondage of enmity! God knows where will this bondage take Jalini Devi.”
“No other place except hell. Pingal, her thoughts are extremely cruel! I was not even going to let her come back home! But my heart melted because of Indrashrama’s insistence and I let her enter the house.”
“All beings are under the control of karma. It is because of these karmas that we keep wandering in this universe.”
“Yes, you are right.”
“When are we going to leave?”
“Tomorrow morning itself!”
Acharya Shri Vijaysinh and Acharya Shri Shikhi were at Vishakhapuri which was about 3600 kilometres away from Koshambi. Brahmadutt always used to receive updates of where Shikhi was present.
Brahmadutt and Pingal sat together in one carriage. All the male attendants were in the second carriage along with the necessary commodities. The female attendants sat in the third carriage. Four armed men rode horses in front of and behind the carriages. Every morning they would walk and then halt somewhere for food in the afternoon. They would again resume their journey by early evening. And by the time it would get dark, they would reach a suitable place to spend the night. After a few days of travelling, they reached Vishakhapuri. They had planned to reach Vishakhapuri early in the morning.
Acharyaji had halted in Ruturaj Park which was located in the southern part of Vishakhapuri. As soon as Brahmadutt entered the park, he heard the sound of a cuckoo. The chirping of birds filled them with delight. In the east, the sun had risen and was spreading its golden rays which seemed to play with the cool breeze. Pleasant fragrance all around the park had refreshed the mind and body.
The hidden poet in Pingal awakened and he said, “See, my lord! Just behold the beauty of nature! There is so much of joy and peace here. And it’s so beautiful! Far from worldly stress, aspirations and desires, these monks are living a pure life, indulged in spiritual practice!”
“Truly! This is exactly how this park looks!” Brahmadutt agreed with Pingal. He got down the carriage. Pingal followed. All the attendants also descended from their carriages. The soldiers got down from their horses and everyone followed Brahmadutt.
Acharya Vijaysinh was sitting on a woolen mat under the Ashok Tree. Two young monks were sitting beside him to serve him.
Brahmadutt joined his hands and said, “I bow down to you.”
Acharyaji gave blessings by saying, ‘Dharmlabh’ and asked, “Brahmadutt, was your journey fine?”
“Gurudev, your endless grace is on me. It’s my privilege that even after thousands of years, you still remember my name.”
Brahmadutt along with Pingal and all the other family members worshipped Acharyaji. Then they started looking here and there.
Acharyaji said, “Acharya Shikhi is sitting there towards the east. You may go there.”
Everyone walked towards the east. About fifty feet away, Acharya Shikhi was sitting under the tree. Brahmadutt admired Shikhi with affection-filled eyes and kept looking at him without blinking! He got very emotional and tears of joy sparkled in his eyes.
He joined his hands and said, “I bow down to you.”
Even Pingal worshipped him. All the attendants were new. So Pingal introduced them to Shikhi. They also bowed down and worshipped him.
Shikhi blessed everyone by saying ‘Dharmlabh.’ Everyone sat down on the ground.
“Great monk, the wish that I had suppressed in my heart since thousands of years has been fulfilled today. And the credit goes to Pingal!” Brahmadutt said with joy.
Pingaal said, “Acharyaji, my strong yearning to see you has been fulfilled by my lord! Are you fit and fine?”
“With the grace of the Almighty and my Guru’s blessings, my journey of monkhood is going on well. My health is good.” After a pause, Shikhi said, “Are all the people of Koshambi fearlessly and securely inclined towards spirituality, occupation and livelihood? Is everyone free from illnesses and diseases? Is everything fine in the state?”
“It’s exactly the way you said! Everyone in Koshambi is missing you and they keep asking about you.”
After completing their conversation, Brahmadutt and all the others moved towards the city for their morning chores.
