A young gentleman of 24 years, Jai was awestruck by the magnanimous personality of Ishwar. Ishwar, a tall business with an attractive, humble personality had made it up in the business world with lot of sacrifice and hard work. Jai often admired the way Ishwar moved around comfortably with the diplomats and dignitaries even though at home he was a simpleton, having basic three meals prepared by his wife .
Jai a widower now in his late sixties, often thinks about Ishwar – the man that became an inspiration for many. Ishwar was probably in his late forties back then when Jai was in mid twenties – a man nearly double his age. This post and a few other posts shall carry Jai’s reflections of Ishwar as he recollects the old memories long after Ishwar had passed on.
Imported Car and Ishwar’s happiness
Ishwar Uncle came to meet my parents one morning before going to his office in Defense Colony. This wasn’t unusual as Uncle always made time for his near and dear ones despite his busy work schedules. He addressed my parents as his Uncle and Aunt (Mamaji and Mamiji) owing to a far relationship, that I never understood.
Uncle seemed quite happy and had a beautiful magical smile on his face. His face seeped to be beaming with joy as if he had won a lottery or something wonderful had happened that morning. My mom asked him, “Ishu how come you look so happy today?” I too was sitting at home and was curious to know the reason for Uncle’s joy. The story that unfolded when Uncle spoke has left an impact on my mind as no one I know till date that would have done what he did.
Ishwar Uncle said he had an imported car. (I think it was a Toyota). It was common knowledge that he drove that car when visiting the diplomat customers . It so happened that once a diplomat requested to borrow that car from him for few days. He had happily agreed to that as to him a happy customer meant happiness for his business.
A few weeks passed and the car wasn’t returned back to him so he reminded the customer but in vain. Again after a few months he reminded the customer to return back his car but it fell on deaf ears. He didn’t know what to do next and lost hope of getting it back. The next day while he went to visit his Guru – Nirankari Babaji a thought came to his mind. In the presence of Babaji, he made a silent pledge in his mind that if the diplomat returns his car, he shall gift it to Babaji for his personal use as it was probably not meant for him.
It so happened that the very next morning the diplomat returned his car. He stayed true to his silent pledge and had immediately gone and presented the car to Babaji as his offering. Such to him was the Guru’s grace that his prayer was answered. That was the reason of him being so happy and that everyone around could see the glow and joy on his face.
My parents were amazed at this miracle of Babaji. This incident has left me with a very great memory of Ishwar Uncle.
Jai Kumar
The car in fact was not even a Toyota – it was a Buick that was rare on the roads of New Delhi in those days. For some an imported car was just an imported car as one would find Fiat or Ambassador cars mainly. But those who were passionate about cars were very selective of the brands and Ishwar was one of them. His gold colored Buick with a number plate having a single digit number “1” was a prized possession that was envied by many.
This memory shared by Jai is very humbling and teaches me three lessons:-
Firstly that in today’s day and age when even a promise on paper is not worth much, there was this great man Ishwar who did not wink an eye before giving away a very dear, prized possession simply because of a pledge he had made in his mind silently. He hadn’t spoken about the pledge to others and he could have chosen to keep the car with him. Such is the integrity that makes some men great among other man.
Secondly it shows that when you pray or commit to something not for a selfish reason, but do it bearing in mind a goodness towards others, one’s aims are fulfilled and prayers are answered. Greed doesn’t lead men to such satisfaction and joy that was evident on Ishwar’s person at doing the selfless seva.
Lastly and most significantly, true devotion knows no barriers of spoken words, chanting hymns or visible actions. True devotion devoid of all outward factors leads to the Divine Energies acting upon the devotee and we call it miracles.
Sikiladi
Sikiladi 