A Journey with Guru

 

Once, Guru was traveling to Kollam by car to attend a wedding. Guru told Madhu, who was driving the vehicle, to speed up as it was almost time for the function. He was driving slowly as Guru was in the car and also because he felt that the vehicle was behaving in an unusual manner. In accordance with Guru’s instructions, he started driving fast. The unusual behaviour of the car had now stopped. They arrived just in time for the event. After the marriage ceremony, Guru returned to the Ashram. Madhu parked the car and inspected the underside of the vehicle. He was stunned! The central bolt was broken and the main plate was tilted and had almost fallen down. Upon seeing this, Madhu exclaimed loudly, “Guru … is there anything more that’s required to fully ensure that the car would certainly be involved in an accident!’

In another instance, Guru was travelling by car to Coimbatore from Bangalore via Salem. There wasn’t much diesel left in the car. Madhu, who was driving the car, thought that he could get some from a petrol station on the way. He did not relay this information to Guru. However, there was no such station nearby. The road was deserted. There were several signs pointing to the fact that the car was running out of fuel. Madhu started to get nervous. “Guru… what will we do if the car stops somewhere along the way?” By then, however, the car had run out of diesel. When he turned around, he noticed that Guru was sleeping. Armed with the confidence that Guru was sitting in the car and with the hope of finding a petrol station nearby, he prayerfully continued to drive the car onwards. The car went on for at least a hundred more kilometres. It finally stopped near a petrol station in a residential area. From there, they obtained the diesel and continued the journey.

Madhu had many similar experiences. This is what Guru said about how he controls the vehicle. “Madhu’s driving has a special flair to it. Driving is an art. And he is quite skilful at this art. It’s very comfortable to travel in the car when he drives. We don’t feel afraid either.” Madhu was later ordained and became Swami Madhushree Jnana Thapaswi.

Madhu first came to know about the Ashram from a close relative. Then he came and saw Guru. He became a regular visitor. He learned to drive after obtaining Guru’s permission. He started driving the vehicles of the Ashram. When Guru travelled in a Ashram vehicle for the first time, it was he who was controlling it. In 1995, a Tata Estate car was bought for Guru’s trip. The first trip that was taken was to the LIG area near the Ashram. It was a common practice to take caregivers along with Guru wherever he goes. No one was allowed in the vehicle except Madhu that day. Some were hurt because of this. From the LIG area, Guru walked around the Ashram compound, came back and called all those who were distressed and hurt and said, “In the last few days of Sree Narayana Guru, a rickshaw was used for his travelling purposes. It is still preserved as an eternal monument. That is what still goes on in front of the Chathayadina Khoshayathra (Procession). No one else is allowed on this vehicle. It should be kept as a memorial forever.”

This dispelled everyone’s sadness. Madhu continued to drive the vehicle for two years with only Guru seated in the passenger seat.
Swami has since served in many other units of the Ashram. Swami proved his excellence in various fields such as the Goshala (Dairy Farm), Curry-Powder Unit and the Sneha Oil Mill at Chandiroor. After being ordained in October 2009, he served as the in-charge of Ashram branches at Kumali, Uzhavoor Research Centre, Thangalur, Olassery, Theyyala and Kanyakumari. He knew most of the people in the Ashram lineage personally. Swami always shared his love with those who were with him, even if he sometimes reprimanded them. Swami was also in close contact with people from all walks of life. Though Swami had been suffering from illnesses for some time, his death was an unexpected loss to us all. On this occasion, all respects and prayers are offered to Swami Madhushree Jnana Thapaswi, who has played an invaluable role in the growth of the Ashram Parampara as a whole.
Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi
General Secretary, Santhigiri Ashram