Swami Lilashah Ji Maharaj's 142nd Incarnation Day

Flowers were blooming all around, cool breeze was flowing gently taking the floral fragrance along, birds and bees enjoyed the nectar, and everyone was cherishing spring!

Even the nature rejoiced with ecstasy when the Divine was about to incarnate. Finally, on the auspicious day of 10 Falgun of Vikram Samvat 1936, a son was born to Ma Hemibai and father Topandas. According to the horoscope, the child was named Lilaram. And further, this child Lilaram became revered and was called His Holiness Swami Shri Lilashahji Maharaj by the devotees. This year Swami Lilashah Ji Maharaj’s Incarnation Day is on 27th March 2022. 

From being a staunch patriot, an epitome of selfless service to self-realized saint, Swamiji showcased a perfect example of living a life.

Early life and childhood

Swami Shri Lilashahji Maharaj incarnated on 13th March 1880 in a small village named Maharab Chandai, Tando Bago Tehsil in Hyderabad, Sindh. He was the youngest son among two children. He was raised by his paternal uncle and aunty as He lost His mother and father while He was still very young.

Swami Lilashahji’ s childhood was spent by the banks of the Indus River. He used to bathe in the Indus River with His friends.

At that time, Swami Lilashahji ‘s wonderful talent was seen. The children would bet with each other that ‘Who can take a long dip in the water?’ All the children who dipped in together would come out of the water after losing, but Swami Lilashahji would stay under water and testified his strong lungs, courage, and concentration.

From childhood, Swami Lilashahji had acquired the art of keeping the fickle mind in check. For His Holiness, the practice of concentration was simple and sensory restraint was natural. The divine qualities of fearlessness and introversion were visible in Swamiji since childhood.

At the tender age of 12 He renounced all the leisure and wore a Khadi robe and walked out in the search of the Truth. His holiness left Tandomuhammad Khan and came to TandojanMuhammadKhan. This is where Brahmanishtha Sant Shri Keshavaram Ji lived. He dedicated Himself to His lotus feet and served Him wholeheartedly.

Later Swamiji’s tenacity and dispassion matured. His Guru-Bhakti flourished, and these attributes of His Holiness helped Him realize His Self and made Him seated on the highest peak of spirituality, at the age of 20.

Swami Lilashah Ji Vani and Teachings

On 15th June 1950 Swamiji was in Nainital. His holiness imparted a Vedantic discourse stating the non-dual attribute of human through the following story-

To a boy his father said: “Go inside the room and check how many people are sitting there to listen to Satsang and how many people are preaching.”

In fact, only one preacher and 50 devotees were seated. The walls around the room where they were seated were covered with glass. The boy saw all the people along with their reflections in the glass. After counting he went to his father and said: “Father! Two preachers and a hundred devotees are seated.”

His father knew the truth but did not say anything. When the devotees left and the room became empty, the father took the son inside and asked: “See, how many boys are there?”

The son replied: “two.”

His father instructed: “Go, bring the other boy here.”

The son went and tried hard to bring the other boy but failed!

In the end, when he hit the glass hard, the glass broke and the other boy who was visible also disappeared. He went and told his father: “It was me, there was no other boy.”

Then his father explained to him: “There was no other boy, it was you only. Your own reflection was visible in the mirror. Even the preachers you saw were not two and the devotees were not hundred, but you saw the reflection of those people in the mirror, that’s why you got to see them. Everyone looked double.”

Similarly, in this world too, it is all a reflection of the same. There is no other thing other than you, but all this diversity is visible because of the misconception of considering the body as ‘I’.

Once a parliament of owls gathered. They asked each other: “Have any of you seen the sun?

None responded thus, they decided that there is no such thing as the Sun. Similar is the condition of ignorant living beings. They also say about God — “There is nothing like God.” Those people are understanding this world as the truth and ignoring their Real Self.

Many such discourses were imparted by Swamiji throughout his life.

Swami Lilashah Ji — An embodiment of selfless service

The revered saint Swami Lilashahji Maharaj adopted Vyasji’s words that ‘Philanthropy Is the Ultimate Religion’. For this, He put His whole life at stake. He began to work in every field of religion, social and spiritual. He Himself was like a moving institution through which many social works were carried out.

1.Awareness about National Language

He laid great emphasis on the promotion of National language Hindi among students, youth, and elders. Women were also encouraged to learn Hindi. With His inspiration, girls’ schools were initiated in the villages of Tandu muhmad khan, Sanjori, Matli, Talhar, Badin, Shahpur etc. in Sindh, in which the main language was Hindi.

2.Swamiji’s Love for Khadi & Staunch Patriotism

Revered Swami Lilashahji Maharaj urged to use khadi and indigenous things wherever he went.

In the house of the Harijans, he taught them to weave yarn and inspired them to become self-reliant.

Swamiji remained associated with Gandhiji’s movement and during the 1962 China invasion, His Holiness roamed from village to city, collecting money from people and sending them for the service of the country.

3.Swamiji’s Indistinguishable Affection

Under His guidance, Harijans began to live with purity and cleanliness. Revered Shri Lilashahji Maharaj would also sometimes accept the food of the Harijans made with purity to remove the distinction of untouchables.

4.Social Justice

Swamiji encouraged people to stop the practice of dowry system and child marriage, for the upliftment of the society. Swamiji explained the key to live a happy life by keeping the body healthy and the mind happy through yoga and exercises. Even at very old age, Swamiji practiced every yogic posture with utter ease.

5.World Tour

Swami Lilashah Ji Maharaj not only preached in India but also devotees of other countries in the year 1961, 1969 and lastly 1972; Singapore, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Tokyo & Yokohama in Japan, Philippines, Hong Kong, Bangkok in Thailand, Indonesia, and Colombo in Sri Lanka whole heartedly welcomed His Holiness.

Ashrams And Temples of Swami Lilashah Ji

There are many such places in Nainital, where one experiences peace along with religious faith. One such place is Swami Lilashahji Ashram of Nainital. By coming here, people can spend some moments in the serene environment along with the beauty of the plaintiffs. This ashram is situated near the hill of Hanuman Garhi, about four kilometers from Nainital.

This ashram was established by Swami Lilashahji. This is also His Taposthali. When He came to Nainital, He performed austerity sitting under a tree here, which is still present here.

Another Ashram of Swamiji is located in Godhra and other in Adipur. They are full of Spiritual vibes and best place to connect to your soul.

Apart from this there are many Gaushalas and Dharmshalas across India, some of them are in Haridwar, Agra, Kuber nagar, Adipur, Gandhidham. One of the newest Swami Lilashah Ji Gaushalas is located in Shrijidhara, Vadodara. You can visit there once and experience serenity.

Nirvana

Swamiji, at the age of 93, attained Nirvana on Kartik Navami, Samvat 2030 in Palanpur i.e., on 4–11–1973. Swamiji wished for Samadhi at Adipur, so His body was kept for Antim Darshan at Adipur dated 5–11–1973 and at 5.30 pm in Swami Lilashah Ashram, Adipur in the posture of Padmasan, Akhand Samadhi was given.

Yugpurush Swamiji, who considered Karma as the message of His life, is still respected by millions of people who come from abroad to see His Samadhi.

Every year on Kartik 9th, 10th, and 11th tithi, a fair is organized to celebrate Swamiji’s Mahanirvan Diwas for three days at His Samadhi site, Adipur, in which the devotees get the benefit of the discourses of many respected saints and great men of the country.

Prernamurti Bharti Shriji often states the discourses of Swamiji, presenting one of the rare pieces -

Pujya Swamiji says God has bestowed us with everything. He has blessed us with the highest of wisdom.

He has given us the opportunity to know that Body and soul are distinct. He has blessed us with the intellect to know if we are doing an evil deed or good one.

God has made everything that is essential for us. One should not forget Him but should always sing His glories and experience the bliss and affection by praying to God.

We are indebted to the ultimate who is constantly taking care of us. What all should I express about the Divine who has created the sun, river, ocean, seasons, flora and fauna and everything full of ecstasy. I wish every time I may be soaked in the devotion of Ishwar! He is indescribable, I’ve no power to describe Him. One must stay equanimous and content in each and every situation given by Him. This is what Swami Lilashah ji Maharaj says.

Let’s join our hands, bow our head, and reiterate the following prayer: -
Hey Bhagwan! Sadbuddhi do, Shakti do, Nirogta do, apna apna Kartavya Palein aur sab Sukhi Rahein.
(Oh Lord! Bestow us true intellect, strength, health, bless us so that we can perform our duty and stay happy.

                                         Meditate on your Guru | Prernamurti Bharti Shriji

Reference Book — Vaman hote hue bhi virat vyaktitva, Swami Shri Lilashahji 

Author — Mukesh Gadhai