THE LIFE AND

PARCHAS
(MIRACLES)

OF
SANT SHIROMANI
SHREE JALARAM BAPA
 THE BLESSINGS OF A SANNYASI
There is village named Virpur near Rajkot in Saurashtra
(Gujarat State). About one hundred seventy five years ago, one day, a
sannyasi from Mount Girnar came there all of a sudden. He went
straight to the house of a Lohana gentleman named Pradhan Thakkar
Rajbai, the housewife, had a great affection for the sadhus and the
sannyasis. She welcomed the sannyasi and said, ‘Please take your
seat, have your meals and be comfortable here l
But the sannyasi did not move from where he stood and said,
”Show me your younger son, Mother !"
Her younger son was only five years old and at that time he was
playing in the street with other children. On being called by the
sannyasi he rushed into the house and stood in front of him with folded
hands. The sannyasi placed his hand on the boy’s head and looked at
him with love. Then he said, "Do you recognize me, my son ?"
The boy’s face glowed with a bewitching smile and he muttered
God’s name; Rama Rama l Rama Rama ! Sita Rama!
The very next moment the sannyasi left the plce with a mysterious
his face, ans no one has seen him again ever since.

2
 LEFT THE SCHOOL
This five year old boy was Jalaram. He was born on Monday,
November 14, 1799 the seventh day of the bright half of Kartik,
Vikram era 1856 in Virpur. After the meeting with the sannyasi the
boy Jalaram showed a remarkable change in his behaviour. Now
he was all the time muttering God's name.

His father was a grocer and had a small shop in the town.
Being the son of a merchant class, he was required to learn reading
and writing. So his father sent him to the village primary school. But
Jalaram was more inclined towards the sadhus and the sannyasis
than towards the studies. Whenever he saw a sadhu Jalaram
would take him home for meals.

When he was fourteen, Jalaram was invested with a sacred

thread. His father then thought that the son had enough of education
so he made him leave the school. Now became
an apprentice in his father’s shop.

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 MARRIAGE
Seeing that Jalaram was more inclined towards sadhus and
sannyasis his father feared that he would perhaps be a sannyasi
himself. So he sought to bind him with the worldly ties. The young
Jalaram did not like it. He politely said to his father, ’Why do you try
to bind me with the worldly ties ? I only wish to worship God."

Both his father and his uncle explained to Jalaram the blessedness
of a dutiful household, "lf we have a household we can offer drinking
water to some body; we can offer meals to astranger; we can feed
doves and sparrows. Even the ants might get their food from our house.
All this is a pious work."

Jalaram was convinced with the argument of feeding others.

At the age of sixteen, Jalaram was married to Virbai, the daughter

of Pragji Thakkar of Atkot.

4
 THE FIRST MIRACLE
His father had hoped that Jalaram’s attraction towards the sadhus
will decrease in course of time, but it increased instead. For Jalaram,
the life’s sole aim was the service of the sadhus and the sannyasis.
Virpur was on the way between Dwarika and Junagadh. So the sadhus
and the sannyasis used to halt there for rest. Jalaram was delighted
when he saw a sadhu. He would invite him

His father was not a rich man. He advised the son that they could
not afford such expenses, but the advice had no effect on Jalaram. He
was therefore, separated from the family. Now Jalaram left his father’s
shop and looked after the shop of his uncle Valji.

One day about a dozen sadhus came to his shop. Jalaram gave them
some yards of cloth from the roll. Then he gave them sufficient quantity
of pulse, rice and flour. He tied these things into a bundle and went with
them carrying that bundle himself. He also took with him a vessel filled
with ghee.

A merchant in the neighborhood saw this. He went to Valji and told

him, "Stop this boy from doing such things, lest he will drag you into
debt.”

5
 Valji immediately ran after Jalaram and the merchant followed
him. They stopped him in the way and asked him, "What’s there in this
bundle ?"
Jalaram said, "Nothing but dung cakes."
"Show me !" his uncle challenged Jalaram untied the bundle and
lo! There were dung cakes in it!
"And what’s there in the vessel ?" asked his uncle.
"What else can there be but water ?" saying this Jalaram turned
the vessel upside down, and lo! water flowed out of it!
The merchant said, "Valji, this seems to be the effect of some
black magic of the mendicants. Come on, l will show you the roll of
cloth."
Jalaram’s uncle measured the cloth but found it was not an inch
less.
The merchant was abashed. Even the sannyasis were stunned.
Jalaram knew that this was God’s doing. He was convinced that
to serve a sadhu was to serve God himself.

6
 PILGRIMAGE
Now Jalaram had no love for business activities. Suddenly he
had a desire to go on a pilgrimage.

Journey was hard in those days. There were no roads, no bridges,

no security. One had to walk down the distance on foot. Everybody in
the family opposed to his idea of going on a pilgrimage. But to Jalaram
it was God’s command and it must be obeyed. Jalaram did not change
his mind. He set out for a pilgrimage. He was only seventeen at that
time. He reached Badri-Narayan via Gokul-Mathura. Then he went to
Ayodhya, Prayag, Kashi, Gaya, Jagannath Puri and Rameshwar. After
about two years he returned home from the pilgrimage. He was given
a warm reception by the people of his village.

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 THE GURU
Fatepur is a small village near Amreli in Saurashtra. Godman
named Bhoja Bhagat lived there. He was an illiterate farmer, but one
who has realised God needs no schooling. Bhoja Bhagat had
blossomed into a poet. He had composed hundreds of Bhajans
(devotional songs) which were sung by people in the surrounding area.
These songs are popularly known in Gujarati as ’Bhoja Bhagat
na Chabkha.'
Soon after returning from the pilgrimage, Jalaram went to see
Bhoja Bhagat. He was moved to see him as if he had known him
since long. He paid obeisance to him, and requested him to be his
Guru. The Bhagat accepted Jalaram as his disciple and gave him
Rama-mantra to mutter.
Jalaram was yet only twenty years old. On returning to Virpur
he set up a separate household for him and offered his life in the
service of the saints and sannyasis. ‘

8
 HARD LABOUR
Jalaram wished to earn his livelihood and feed others from his
own earnings without being a burden to anyone. So he worked as a
farm laborer. His wife Virbai was a woman having deep faith in God
and sadhus. She also worked in the field with her husband. The
farmer would say, Enough eat Bhagat, but the Bhagat would say, "No,
my Rama would be displeased if I don’t work properly and accept any
thing not due to me.“
Both the husband and the wife muttered Rama’s name and did
hard labour. They would return home in the evening carrying on head
the bundle of the food grains offered to them as wages. If by chance
they came across a bullock cart the cart driver would say, "Bhagat!
ride into the cart !" But Bhagat would politely say, "Why to put the dumb
creatures into trouble ? We will walk down the distance."
Jalaram was so kind and merciful!

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 CHARITY BEGINS
In course of time, Jalaram collected forty measures of food
grains. The Bhagat said to his wife, "Bhandari (storekeeper), we are
only two in the house. What shall we do with this much of grains ?"
Virbai said, "l know why you are asking me this. But never doubt
that I will oppose any of your ideas. You may start giving alms to the
needy in the name of Rama. It is you who taught me that God cares for
those who care for others." ,
Now the Bhagat approached Guru and prayed to him, “Maharaj, I
wish to start a charity house and I seek your permission for that."
The Guru was pleased. He blessed him with these words, "Be
detached yourself I do charity without depending on others! Follow
your Dharma by thought, action and speech. Attribute all your actions
to God.’ He further said, "lt is God who gives and God who takes. So
give as much as you can !"
JaIaram’s joy knew no bounds. He started a charity house. This
was the second of the bright half of Magh, Vikram era 1876. He was
only twenty at that time. Young in age but mature in devotion to God

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 BUILT A TEMPLE
A few days after starting the charity house a saint dropped in.
Virbai prepared the food and the Bhagat served it to the saint
muttering the name of God. The saint was pleased. He presented
him a small idol of child Krishna and said, "Worship this ! God will
not let you suffer from any wants. And see, Hanumanji will soon
appear himself here at your place."
Then the saint went away. And lo ! On the third day an idol of
Hanumanji made its appearance there ! The Bhagat built a temple
and began worshiping Hanumanji and Child Krishna. The place
was soon transformed into an Ashram.

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 ORNAMENTS SOLD
Day by day the number of sadhus and pilgrims visiting his
house increased. The granary had become empty and it was now
difficult to entertain all who came. Seeing this, Virbai took out the
gold chain which was a gift from her parents and gave it to the
Bhagat saying, "Sell it out and feed the guests."
Jalaram was puzzled, but Virbai said, "This is also a gift of my
loving God and I wish to utilize it for the devotees who are also the
forms of the same loving God.”
The Bhagat was delighted at this and said to himself, ’My God,
how great she is ! lt seems she lives in God l”
Jalaram sold out the ornament and continued feeding the
saints. Gradually all of his wife’s ornaments were sold out but
neither of them was sorry about it. For them to serve the sadhus
and devotees was more important than wealth.

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 THE EPITHET OF ’BAPA’
There was a tailor named Harji in Virpur. For months together
he had been suffering from some pain in the stomach and could not
do any work because of that pain.
Once he happened to meet Ruda Patel.
Harji said, "l can’t bear the pain any longer. No medicine shows
its effect on me and l am now completely fed up."Ruda Patel said,
"Now you do one thing. Take a vow in the name of Jala Bhagat and you
will be all right. I'm sure !"
Harji soon said, ’O Jala Bhagat relieve me of this pain. l’ll give five
measures of grain to the charity house."
It so happened that Harji’s pain began to be reduced from that
very day and within a week he was completely recovered. He offered
five measures of grains to Jala Bhagat, paid obeisance to him and said,
"Bapa, you have cured me of my disease.
The Bhagat said, "No, lt’s God who cured you. l did nothing. I
simply know one thing; "Feed the needy and mutter God’s name."
This was the first vow uttered in the name of Jala Bhagat.
Henceforth people called him ’Jalaram Bapa.’

13
 GOD HIMSELF
Once two robust sadhus came to Ja|aram’s Ashram. Bapa paid
obeisance to them and arranged for their meals.

After they left, somebody remarked: "Bhagat, you encourage

idleness by giving free meals to such robust persons. Even in scriptures
it is laid down that charity should be done to the deserving only. "

Bhagat said, "How could I understand the scriptures ? I don't

know even the difference between the deserving and the under
deserving. To me all creatures are the different forms of my loving God.
Those sannyasis were none but God Himself. How shall we call God
under deserving ?"

No one had any answer to that.

14
 JALLA SO ALLAH ’JALARAM IS GOD’
There lived a rich muslim named Jamal in Virpur. Once his ten
years old son was ill. lnspite of all treatment his temperature did not
come down. The doctors gave up hope about his recovery.
The tailor Harji told Jamal about his own experience, "Jamal, a
pellet bow can send a pellet upto three hundred yards, a gun can send
a bullet upto a thousand, a tank can send a ball upto ten thousand but
the Jalaram Bapa’s morsel of food given to the sadhus has its reach
upto the door of the heaven. Therefore, take a vow in Jalaram Bapa’s
name and that will surely save your son from death."
Jamal caught the suggestion and said, "O Bapa, relieve my son
of his disease. I'll give forty measures of grains to your charity house."
It so happened that his son’s temperature got down that very
night, he opened his eyes, and was saved.
Jamal took a cart load of grains to Jala Bapa, paid obeisance to
him and said, "Jalla so Allah ! (Jalaram is God). One who fails to receive
something from God can receive it from Jalaram !"
Henceforth Jala Bapa became popularly known as "Jalla so
AlIah" (Jalaram is God). He was twenty two at that time (Vikram era
1878)

15
 MY GOD, MY WEALTH
The activities at Ja|aram’s Ashram increased day by day. Now
people began to assist in the work of Jala Bapa. The Thakore of Virpur
had given him about fourteen acres of land.

Once the Raja of Dhrangadhra was going on a pilgrimage to

Somnath with his train of attendants and he passed through Virpur.
Jalaram stopped him and said, "You cannot leave this place without
taking Prasad." And he started distributing Prasad of sweets from a
small basket on his shoulder. Everybody got the Prasad.

The Raja was amazed. He said, "Bhagat, I want to help you. Ask
for anything you need and you will get it."

The Bhagat said, "Bapu, what should l ask for ? l am Rama’s

mendicant and Rama fulfills my needs.”

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 The Raja said, "Yet ask for something for my pleasure !
Jala Bapa said, "We have a small grinding mill. With it we can
not produce sufficient flour to meet our increasing requirements. It will
be good if you can send two big grinding stones from your
state’s mine."
The Raja smiled and said, "Bhagat, you ask for stones only! Why
don’t you ask for land or money ?"
Jalaram folded his hands and said, "We, the sadhus, do not
deserve land or money. We cannot be the owners of land. We should
pray to God and distribute the alms that we get
from him."
The Raja was very pleased. After returning from the pilgrimage
he sent the best grinding stones to Jala Bapa. With these stones a
large grinding mill was made. It could grind about eight to ten mounds
of grain daily. Even today that grinding mill exists.

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 SERVING THE HORSES
Once a horseman came to Jala Bapa’s Ashram in Virpur. He was
so exhausted that he had no strength even to take off the saddle from
the horse back. At once he lay down on the ground saying, "Let me lie
down here peacefully. I am completely exhausted. l do not want to eat
or drink anything.’
Bapa ran his loving hand over the head of the traveler, brought
out sweets from the store-room and pressed its pieces into the mouth
of the traveler. After feeding him thus Jala Bapa let him rest. Then he
went to the horse, took off the saddle and stood before it with folded
hands saying, “My Rama l If your rider is so much exhausted how much
more you must be exhausted !"
Then he gave him fodder, washed his legs with warm water and
massaged his legs softly.
Such was Jalaram Bapa. He saw Ftama in all creatures and was
always ready to serve them.

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 WORSHIP GOD, NOT ME !
Gopal Joshi was the Gor (priest) of Lohana community. He had
been suffering from paralysis for the last fifteen years. He could not
move his hands and feet or speak properly. He came to Virpur to pay
obeisance to Jalaram Bapa.
Bapa said, "Gor Bapa, lt’s not you, who should pay obeisance,
but I !" Saying this he moved round the Gor four times, paid him
obeisance and insisted on his staying there. He said, "Gor Bapa,
worship God, and feed the sadhus here."
Gor Bapa took up that service in the right earnest. ln course of
time, his legs and hands became free and he could speak clearly. The
Gor was so delighted that he composed a song praising Jala Bapa:

O Jogi Jala Bapa, Make thy abode in my mind,

I seek your protection, You are generous and kind!

Bapa said, "Please stop this nonsense ! Sing only the virtues of
God, not of mine ! lf you praise me, God would make you again as you
were!"

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 THE BAG AND THE STAFF
It was Vikram Era 1886. Ten years had passed since the charity
house started. Once an old sadhu came to the Ashram muttering
‘Narayan, Narayan, Narayan l’ Bapa stood before him with folded hands
and prayed to him to take his meals,
but the sadhu said, "No."

Bapa said, "Then tell me what you would take !"

The old sadhu said, "Then listen! This body is worn out. The pangs of
the old age are unbearable. I wish to have some body who would look
after me !"

Jalaram Bapa said, "Why, l’ll look after you."

The old sadhu said, "Not you, but send your wife with me to
look after me. And listen, she must come with me willingly, not by
compulsion.”

20
 Virbai was preparing meals at that time. Bapa went to her, sat in
front of her and said hesitatingly, "Bhandari, an old sadhu has arrived
and has asked for you to look after him in his old age. What shall we
say ?"
Virbai Ma soon replied, "Oh, is it so ? Tell him l shall go with him
soon."
Hearing this Bapa was greatly relieved.
Most of the burden of the Ashram was borne by Virbai Ma. She
got up early in the morning, prayed to God, and then was busy
preparing meals till midday. She worked upto midnight without rest.
Virbai got herself ready soon. She put on new clothes, put a bindi
on her forehead and came out ready to go.
As the news spread in the village, people gathered together.
Some tried to dissuade Bapa from giving away his wife to the sadhu;
while others called the sadhu a fraudulent.
Virbai Ma stood before Bapa with folded hands and said,"Bhagat,
l am going. Kindly forgive me for my faults if any !" While speaking her
voice was choked with emotion.
Bapa’s voice also was choked with emotion, "Virbai take care of
the sadhu. He is our revered father.

21
 The sadhu lifted his bag and a thick staff and said, "Let’s go."
After sending off Virbai, Bapa went to the temple and prayed
to God. Who knows what passed there between God and his devotee !
Then he came out and sat on the otta counting the beads of rosary.
On the other hand the sadhu departed with Virbai Ma. He came
across a river at the distance of two-three miles. There the sadhu said,
"Mother, look after my bag and the staff. I will just return after attending
the natural call."
Saying this he disappeared behind the bushes. Virbai Ma waited
for him till the sun-set. It was growing dark. Virbai Ma was
anxious about the sadhu. Her eyes were filled with tears.
Some cowherd boys saw her weeping. They went to the village
and informed the people about this. Now people realised that the sadhu
was no one else but God himself who had come to put the Bhagat to
test.

22
 Then the people gathered, went to the river in a procession
singing and beating drums, and brought back Virbai Ma home.
Jalaram Bapa’s joy knew no bounds that day. When Virbai Ma
returned to the Ashram with the bag and the staff, he fell at her feet.
Virbai Ma was a venerable woman now as she had been accepted as
an offering by Shri Hari himself. Then Jala Bapa placed the staff and
the bag in the temple, and worshipped them. The eyes of both Bapa
and Virbai Ma were full of tears of sublime joy at that time.
"Oh, my God, what wonderful things you do l No one can fathom
the depths of your mysterious deeds !l"
Then Bapa said to Virbai Ma, "Why did you allow the sadhu to
go away ? Who knows when shall we meet him again ?
Virbai Ma said, "I did not know that he would betray me like that.
After giving me the staff and the bag he disappeared. Well, let his will
prevail ! What else could we do ? We may mutter his name and serve
the sadhus. The rest is left to him."
Since that day the bag and the staff are kept in the temple and
are worshiped twice daily.
Bapa was thirty when this incdent took place.

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 BAPA CLEANS THE STREET
The fame of Bapa spread far and wide but Bapa was completely
detached. There were many more people to serve in the Ashram now.
But there were only mud houses in the Ashram, no solid buildings.
There was no well to draw water from. Water had to be fetched from a
nearby stepwell. The devotees used to do all this work with love.
Once Bapa got up very early in the morning as usual. He saw
that others were still in sound sleep. He took the broom and swept
the street clean.
Such things frequently happened. Once a devotee saw him
sweep the street and he dissuaded him from doing that. Bapa said,
“Why ? Suppose a sadhu arrives early in the morning and finds the
street dirty, what would he think of us ? Morever, what difference it
makes if the work is done by me in your place ? The same God is
sitting in your heart, as he is in mine.

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 BAPA FETCHES WATER TOO
Once Jalaram Bapa saw that the water-pots were empty.
Without saying anything he took the pot and went to the step-well to
fetch water. Some devotees saw him thus going and called out, "Bapa,
please wait! Please stop !"
Bapa said, "Let me fetch this pot of water first, then I shall stop
wherever you say. "
So saying he walked speedily and returned with the pot filled
with water. He then said, "How fortunate I am to have an opportunity to
fetch water for the sadhus to drink !"
Such a great devotion he had fort he sadhus.
A woman called Meghbai lived in the Ashram and worked there.
Bapa considered her as his sister and she considered him her brother.
When Bapa was bent upon fetching water, only Meghbai could stop him
Bapa always listened to her.

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 BLINDNESS CURED
Once Bapa went to a village called Khokhri. The devotees gave
him a warm we come, and led him to the residence of Shavji Bhagat.
There was a man called Jeram Bhagat in the village. He was
jealous and he frequently criticised Jalaram Bapa. if some one told
Jala Bapa about this, he would say, "Well, I am only the dust of Jeram
Bhagat’s feet. There’s no comparison between Jeram and me, so none
of you should make me a partner in sin by criticising him.
Now it so happened that Shavji’s wife had caught some disease
of the eyes and had become blind. So Jeram taunted the people who
gave a warm welcome to Jalaram Bapa with these words, ‘I would call
him a real Bhagat if he brought back the eye-sight to Shavji’s wife."
Bapa sang devotional songs throughout the night in the courtyard
of Shavji’s house. The last song was over at dawn. Just thena miracle
happened, Shavji’s wife suddely got her eyesight back.
Bapa said, "Credit goes to Jeram Bhagiat for this." So saying he
got up and went to Jeram Bhagat’s house. He stood before him with
folded hands and said, "You are a powerful saint. It is through your
blessings that Shavji’s wife could regain her eyesight. Hearing these
words, Jeram at once fell at the feet of Bapa and said, "Kindly forgive
me, Bapa ! You have cured me of my blindness too “

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 GOD IS EVERYWHERE
There was a yogi in one of the caves of Girnar. Once he said to
himself, ’l wonder how Jalaram is so spiritually advanced ! He has no
study of sacred scriptures and he has done no penance. l must see
what has made him so great!’
He came out of the cave and arrived at Bapa’s place. Bapa at
once prostrated himself before him saying: ‘You have blessed me
with your presence. Please be seated and have meals.’
The yogi said in a stern voice: ’Jala, who gave you the right to
oblige the sadhus with alms ?"
Bapa said, "Maharaj, it is not l who gives alms; it is God Himself
who gives and God Himself who receives. l am just a servant of Rama”
The Yogi did not say anything. Then Bapa offered Prasad to the
Yogi. When the Yogi was taking Prasad, Bapa exclaimed all of a sudden
See, here God Himself is taking Prasad!" As soon as the Yogi heard
these words his doubts were cleared. He said to himself, "Jalaram is
the real saint ! He sees God lf I get blessings of such a saint my
penance would be fruitful!” Thinking this he paid obeisance to Bapa and
Went away.

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 THE GURU AND THE DISCIPLE
ln Fatepur near Amreli there is still a house where Bhoja Bhagat
lived. Jalaram Bapa often went to Fatepur to see the Guru. Sometimes
he went there even twice a month, walking the distance of twenty four
miles.
Once the Guru said, ’JaIa, are you not tired of long journeys ?’
Bapa said, ’l do not feel exhausted because of the intense desire of
seeing the Guru." His eyes were filled with tears when he said this.
Bhoja Bhagat also was in tears. They discussed their spiritual
experiences when they met. When the talks were over they would start
singing bhajans to the accompaniment of the tanpura. The singing
would last until the dawn.
There was such an imperishable bond of affection between the
Guru and his disciple.

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 BUILT HUTS
The walls of the Ashram of Bhoja Bhagat were not built by
masons or labourers but by Bhoja Bhagat and Jala Bhagat themselves.
Bhoja Bhagat did the masonry work and Jala Bhagat carried the basket
of wet earth or bricks or stones on head. Both of them used to mutter
God’s name as they put one brick on the other.
Bhoja Bhagat used to come to Virpur very often to see his
disciple and stayed with him there. It was in Virpur that he breathed
his last breath. His samadhi is still worshipped there.
Thus Jalaram Bapa has revealed by his action the importance
and greatness of the Guru. Therefore the saints say that one should
worship the Guru first if the Guru and God are standing side by side,
because it is through the Guru that the vision of God could be had.

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 WONDERFUL DEVOTION TO THE GURU
One instance of Bapa’s devotion for his Guru is very well known.
Once when Bapa sat on the otta of his Ashram and was counting the
beads of rosary, somebody told him, "Did you hear, Bapa, a thief of your
Guru’s village is caught while burgling and now he is in the jail of
Virpur ?’
Hearing this Bapa got up muttering God’s name and went straight
to the Thakore and said, "Bapu, this man belongs to my Guru’s village
and is therefore my Gurubhai. You may imprison me in his place and
punish me !’
Saying this he folded his hands and was about to take off his turban,
but the Thakore requested him not to do so and said, "lt is my good
fortune that a devotee like you lives in my town. l get the man free."
Bapa brought the man to the Ashram and gave him meals. While
departing, the thief fell at the feet of Bapa and took an oath, "l shall
never indulge in theft again.”

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 DEAD BIRDS COME ALIVE
There were three Arabs in the service of the Thakore of Rajkot.
They demanded an increase in wages by four rupees a month. The
Thakore refused. So they resigned and started for Junagardh. On their
way they hunted a few birds, and put them in the bag they carried on
their shoulders.
They were passing through Virpur in the evening when Jalaram
Bapa saw them. He said, "Please have your meals here and then go."
The Arabs said, "We are Muslims !"
Bapa said, "There’s no distinction of caste or creed in the court of
God. You are welcome here !"
Led by Bapa, the Arabs came to his place. Now they remembered
that they had the dead birds with them and here was a Hindu temple.
What to do ?
As soon as the meals were finished they tried to go away silently,
but Bapa said, you must have been tired ! Have a night halt here !”

31
 The Arabs felt most embarrassed. Bapa then touched their bag
with his staff and said, "Ah l The poor birds feel suffocated. Open the
bag and make them free."
The Arabs saw that the bag hanging on a peg had the live birds
in it. They opened the bag and the birds flew away to the tree nearby.
The Arabs were amazed. They fell at thefeet of Bapa and asked, "Bapa,
shall we get a job in Junagadh ?".
Bapa said, "Why, the Arabs serve only one master."
The Arabs said, "But the Thakore of Rajkot is not willing to pay
us adequately."
Bapa said, "He will. You asked for four rupees more, but he will
give you seven."
It really happened so. Just at that time, a camel-man, sent by the
Thakore of Rajkot arrived there and took the Arabs back with honour.
The Thakore had sanctioned an increase of seven rupees in their
salary.

32
 THE MOUSE IS THE WITNESS
Bapa had to run into debt for feeding the sadhus. He thus owed
to a cloth merchant about two hundred rupees. The merchant was
upset. Once when Bapa was about to take his meals the merchant
came there and said, ‘God's wrath be on you if you take your meals
before paying off the debt !l’
Bapa at once got up without taking meals. For the first time in his
life he requested the Thakore of Virpur for help. The Thakore was only
too glad to give two hundred rupees to Bapa. Bapa went to the
merchant and paid him the amount. At that time a small mouse was
seen running in the shop. Bapa said jokingly, "This mouse is our
witness."
It so happened that fire broke out in that merchant’s shop that
night and the cloth in the shop was burnt to ashes. Investigating the
reason of fire it was learnt that a mouse had snatched away the burning
wick of an oil-lamp and the things caught fire. The merchant was full of
remorse. He said, ’l hurt Bapa’s feelings and this is the harvest l reap
of my action. ‘

33
A LOST NOSE-RING FOUND FROM A COCONUT
The daughter-in-law of a farmer in Virpur went to a village named
Roopavati in a marriage party. She wore a nose-ring with a precious
red pearl set in it. While enjoying the wedding festivities she lost it
somewhere, and did not find it. she took a vow of offering a coconut in
Bapa’s temple before going home.
The marriage party returned to Virpur. The daughter-in-law went
straight to Bapa’s Ashram with a coconut. Seeing her weeping Bapa
said, "Come on, my child, Let me break the coconut before God."
Saying this he took the coconut and broke it before the idol of
Rama. A miracle happened. The nose-ring came out of the broken
coconut!
Bapa said, "Oh, how mischievous my Rama is !" The daughter
-in-law was simply mad with joy. She went home with the nose-ring.

34
 A SHIPMENT SAVED
Amarchand Sheth of Jodia Port was returning from Basara with
a loaded shipment. On the way there was a storm in the sea. The ship
developed a hole at the keel and it was being filled with water.
Amarchand cried out for help. "O Jaliya Bapa, save me l I'll send
the entire shipload of rice to you !"
In a mysterious way the water stopped entering the ship through
the hole and the storm also was subsided. The ship reached safely and
was anchored at the port.
Now the merchant thought "The rice in the ship is costly. I
need not send it to the Ashram. An inferior quality of rice will equally
do for the wandering mendicants !"
Thinking this he sent the sacks of coarse rice in carts. Bapa tookthe rice
and entertained the cartmen for a few days with love

35
 On the day of departure the cartmen said, Bapa, do you have
any message for the sheth ?’
Bapa said, ‘Greet him with God’s name and tell him that the vow
was for the shipped rice, but never mind, my sadhus will eat then
coarse rice with love.
Then, after a pause he hesitatingly said, "Well, tell the sheth
to return the tooth-pick from my shirt which blocked the hole in this ship."
Hearing this message from the cartmen the sheth at once
rushed to the port, searched the ship and found a cloth in the hole.
He stretched it out and found that it was Bapa‘s shirt with a tooth-pick
in it.
The sheth repented now, "Fie upon me! I have deceived Bapa."
On the same day he sent to Bapa other sacks full of best quality rice.

36
 GRINDING THE CORN
There were two sisters named Ranibai and Roodbai in Rajkot.
They had their own Ashram for the service of sadhus. Once Bapa went
to Rajkot to see them. Lala Bhagat of Sayala also came there that day.
Both were the guests of these sisters who gave them a warm welcome
and gave them meals. There were prayers and recitation of bhajans at
night and then they all went to bed.
These sisters got up very early before the dawn and went to the
forest for grazing the cattle, so that they could come home early and
finish the work of grinding the corn. A basket of one and a half mound
of corn was kept ready on the grinding mill for the purpose.

37
 Soon after the sisters left, Bapa awoke. He saw the corn and
thought: ’l wonder when would these sisters return and finish this
work. They would be tired also. "He said to Lala Bhagat, ‘Let us
grind this corn and give rest to these sisters today."
Then both of them started singing Bhajans and grinding the
corn. They finished the work within no time. They, then, rested in the
bed and started counting the beads of the rosary.
When the sisters returned they saw that all the corn was
ground. They immediately understood that the guests must have done
that. They stood before them with folded hands and said “Bapa, why
did you take this trouble?"
Bapa smiled and said, "We only recited Bhajans and the work
was soon finished. What do you say, Lala Bhagat?"
Hearing this the sisters smiled and said, "Till now we thought
that we served others but only today we learn the secret of serving
others”.

38
 THE BABUL TREE
There lived a peasant family in Kevadara village near Keshod.
The head ofthe family was Nanji Ladani.
One day all the members of the family were relaxing under a
babul tree at noon after hard work in the field. Suddenly there was a
whirlwind and the tree was uprooted. In a split second it would fall on
them and there was no time for escape. All were frightened. Suddenly
Nanji cried out, "O, save me, Jaliya Bapa.
No sooner did he speak these words then the tree stopped
falling down as if some one had lifted it above them and gradually
every one safely slipped from beneath it.
After a few days Nanji came to Virpur and told Bapa of this
incident. Bapa smiled and said, "Look here! See what has happened to
my back and remove if there’s any babul thorn still inside the body!"
Nanji saw that there were marks of the thorns on Bapa’s back.

39
 MAY THE GHOST BE HAPPY
Once Jalaram Bapa was moving with the devotees and he
came across a village named Jaliya Kotda. He encamped under a
baniyan tree on the outskirts of the village.
The villagers came out running and said, "Bapa, this is a cursed
tree. A ghost lives here. You better come in the village!"
Bapa smiled and said, "Who is the greater one - the Ghost or the
God?"
People said, ‘The God is greater than the ghost." Bapa said,
"Then remember God, and the ghost would run away!"
Saying this he uttered these words, "O God, O Rama, if there’s a
ghost in this tree, may it be happy and if anyone is afraid of the ghost
may he be fearless."
After that there were prayers and the recitation of bhajans under
the baniyan tree and the fear of the ghost was completely removed.

40
 A SNAKEBITE CURED
Devashi Patel of Gomata village had young son called Dhano.
Once, Dhano had a snakebite. He was brought to Virpur wrapped up
in a bed sheet and placed before Bapa.
Bapa said, ’Patel, take the name of God.’ Then he said to one of
his disciples, "Naran, can the snakebite kill?"

Naran said, "No, it can’t."

"Can it kill?" Bapa asked again.
"No, it can’t." Naran said. "Can it?"
"No, lt can’t. l'm sure!"

Thus Bapa asked three times. Then he directed another devotee

to take a pair of tongs and wave it thrice over the snake-bite.
The disciple waved the pair of tongs thrice over the body of the
boy and then dashed it on the ground.
Soon the boy turned and twisted the body and got up. The father
of the boy fell at the feet of Bapa. Bapa said, "Thank god! Thank Rama!
l am only his humble devotee who acts according to his command.”

41
 THE DEAD COMES TO LIFE
One day Kalo Raiyani of Virpur came with his ten year old son
Govind and made him fall at the feet of Bapa. Then he said, "Bapa,
give him initiation."
Bapa said, "What to talk of initiation? l only know feeding sadhus
nothing more." _
But Kalo said, "No, no, you must give him initiation!l" Bapa said,
"Am l so great a devotee that you have come to me for initiation?"
A saint was sitting there at that time. He said, "Bhagat, give him
initiation in the name of God."
Bapa would never disobey the command of saints, so he
initiated the boy and gave him Rama-Mantra.
Then Kalo said, "Bapa, this is my only son. He is now under
your protection."
"Rama will protect him. He is the first initiated disciple of mine,"
said Bapa.

42
 Ten years passed after this incident. Govind was now twenty
years old and he was looking after the field of his father. Suddenly one
day he developed an acute pain in his stomach and died within a few
hours.
Someone informed Bapa of this. Bapa said, "Let me finish the
worship. l’ll come there soon." .
After finishing the worship he set out. On the way he said to
his disciple Naran, "Naran, will my first initiated devotee pass away
like this?"
Naran said, "No, he shall notl"
Bapa said, "Would he die in this way?"
Naran said, "No, he won’t!"
"Are you sure, he would not die?"
"l am sure."
Now Bapa reached the house of Kalo Raiyani. The people had
prepared the bier. Bapa said, "Let me see the face of my
disciple. Uncover that much part.“

43
 The face was uncovered and Bapa looked at it .and said, "O
Govind! Why are you sleeping like this? Look at me!”
And Lo! Govind opened his eyes and looked at Bapa.
Then Bapa said, "Govind get up! Why are you lying in this way?"
Then, Govind spoke, "Why am l tied in this fashion? Make me
free!“
People cut out the strings of the bier with a sickle, and their
sorrow was turned into joy.
There were about fifty persons in the house. Govind said, "l am
a disciple of Bapa. l shall not allow anyone to go home without taking
meals here."
People said, "We came here as palt-bearers. We can not take
meals without taking bath." .
But Govind did not listen to any one. He did not let any one go.
He ordered for sweets immediately. When the other people heard of ‘
this miracle they also came there. Dishes were served to all of them.
Kalo had tears of joy in his eyes. He said, "Bapa, Govind could
survive because you initiated him! You have saved me too!"Bapa said,
“Everything happens as God wills." ‘

44
 GANGA-YAMUNA EVER PRESENT
For the last twelve months a devotee had been telling Bapa,
"l wish to go on a pilgrimage, to take bath in Ganga-Yamuna and purify
the body. Kindly give me permission for that.“
One day Bapa said, ’Today you sleep in the bed near the gate of
the Ashram."
The devotee was peacefully resting there. Suddenly he was
awake at midnight. He saw two women in white attire with the pots of
water on their heads. When they came near, the gate opened itself.
The women emptied their pots in the big vessel of the Ashram,
worshiped the idol in the temple and left. The devotee was amazed.
Who were these women? They were never seen in the village. In the
morning he talked about this to Bapa who said, "Bhagat, you are
fortunate! You saw the Ganga and the Yamuna with your own eyes! You
see, they too are eager to serve the sadhus who come here. Tell me
now, do you still want to go on a pilgrimage?"
The devotee said, "No, all pilgrimage is here for me!“ And he fell
at the feet of Bapa.

45
 DEVOTED TO SADHUS
Virbai Ma and other few women would start preparing loaves
very early in the morning. And there would be a heap of loaves by
about eight to nine o’clock. They would prepare pulses in a big vessel.
Bapa would come out of the temple after worshiping and would politely
request the sadhus and others in sight to come in for meals. He would
request them to take meals first. If any one talked about other things he
would say, "Let the hunger be satisfied first, then we will talk of other
things." He had an inimitable peculiar style of speaking sweetly. The
mere sight of a sadhu made him extremely happy. If anyone said he
was on fast, Bapa would say, "O dear me, why to fast? Take meals, and
if you commit any sin by doing so I take the sin upon me!” He himself
would serve the meals and make the guest eat to his fill.
He would never be angry with any servant even if he did not
do his work properly. If the matter reached the climax he would simply
say, "Whatever is here belongs to the sadhus, we can’t rightfully claim
a morsel of food if we don't do our work with a whole heart.

46
 Bapa had the same love for trees as he had for human beings.
He had once grown a pipal tree himself. He used to say, "The pipal tree
is the form of God Himself." Daily he would sprinkle water at its roots
after his prayers to God were over.

Once Bapa saw a sadhu suffering from rheumatism. He took

him to the Ashram and kept him there. The sadhu was mysteriously
cured within a few days. He, then asked leave to go, Bapa gave him
a horse and a cow.

The sadhu was so moved that he vexed eloquent in praising Bapa, but
Bapa at once said to him with folded hands, "Kindly do not make me
sinful by praising me. I am only the dust of your feet. Let me have your
blessings!”

47
 NO MARTAL, BUT AN ANGEL
It was monsoon. One day some people of the wandering tribe
encamped in front of the Ashram. Men, women and children were
shivering in the rains.
Bapa approached them himself. He stood before them with folded
hands and said, "What would you prefer, mothers, flour or loaves?"
The women asked for flour and they got it. After some time Bapa
said, "When would these poor creatures erect their tents, prepare their
meals and eat?”
He called one of his servants and said, "Tidaram, how will these
women cook their food in the rains?"
Tidaram said, "Bapa, why do you bother about them?"
Bapa said, "O, my dear Tidaram, they are also human beings. They are
also the creation of my God, do you know? And these mothers are the
forms of Goddesses!"
Saying this he got up, took a heap of leaves from the kitchen and tied it
into a bundle.
He also took some dung-cakes in a sack, a few sheafs of dry
grass for the donkeys and went to give these things to the tribesmen.
At that time Lakhmanrao, the Darbar of Thanadevadi was Bapa‘s
guest there. He saw this with his own eyes and exclaimed, "Blessed
are you and your parents, Bapa! You are no mortal, you are truly an
angel.”

48
 THE SACRED PHOTOGRAPH
Photography was rare in those days. A European had started a
studio in partnership with an Indian in Rajkot. The European had a
desire to take the photograph of a saint first as an inauguration. He,
therefore, came to Virpur.
Bapa said, "What, my photograph? No, no! You can take the
photograph of these cows, these pigeons, and these sadhus !"
The European folded his hands and prayed to him to agree to be
photographed. Bapa did not like to make any one unhappy. So he
allowed him to take a photograph. When he was being photographed
one of his eyes winked. This is the only photographof Bapa ever taken.
Bapa had a short figure; neither much slim nor much fat. He used to put
on a shirt reaching upto the knees, a short Dhoti and a big turban on his
head.
Bapa had a birth mark on his left cheek. He used to carrry a staff
in one hand and a rosary in the other. Day and night he muttered the
name of God.

49
 BAPA S BHAJANS
Bapa used to visit the surrounding villages. People thronged
to see him. Bapa would start singing Bhajans in the court yard of the
host’s house. Bapa himself played cymbals and was deeply absorbed
in singing:
“Radhe, Rladhe, Radhe! In Gokul, Govind Radhe!" Bhajans would be
sung one after another and the whole night would pass in deep divine
joy.
Bapa had a melodious voice. The devotional feelings mixed with
the melodious voice and the listeners were transported into the region
of unearthly joy.
On seeing Bapa plunged deep in divine joy the musicians would
feel inspired. The Tabla-Vadak would leave his Tabla and lift up Bapa
and dance in repture as if gone mad. Their joy knew no bounds on such
occasions.

50
 UNENDING STOCK
A wonderful incident took place in the year 1901.
Jam Shri Ranamalji, the Maharala of Jamnagar had invited some
sadhus and devotees at his place. Jalaram Bapa was one of them.
There was a programme of giving clothes to the poor. It so
happened that the number of persons expecting clothes had increased
beyond calculation, and it was impossible to secure an additional
supply of clothes immediately. Jam Saheb didn't know
what to do. At that time a saint named Morar Saheb advised him,
"Entrust this taskto Jalaram Bapa."
Jam Saheb requested Jalaram Bapa with folded hands, "Kind|y
distribute these clothes with your hands." For Bapa any body’s request
was God’s command. He said, ‘Let God’s will prevail. "Bapa gave
clothes to thousands of persons continuously for four days and yet the
stock was not exhausted.

51
 THE VOW FULFILLED
Once Bapa had gone to see his devotee Keshavji Thaker in
the village named Kadachh. The People there offered him money
and coconuts and prayed to him, “Bapa, let’s have your grace. Your
grace will fulfil our desires.”
The eight-year old daughter of Keshavji was watching all this.
Addressing Bapa, She said to herself, "Bapa, l have no brother. lf
you give me a brother I would also offer you a coconut."
After Bapa had left the girl said to her mother, "Mother, if Jalaram
Bapa gave me a brother I would offer him, not one but two coconuts.
l shall not break them at his feet as others do, but on his
head."
The mother laughed at the child’s innocence. As God would do it,
Keshavji had a son after a year. All where happy about it and the girl
was the happiest. A year passed and the girl had small pox. She was
recovered but it left its marks on her face.

52
 Now Keshavji Thaker came to Virpur with his family, and fell
at the feet of Bapa who told him, "Keshavji, please bring two
coconuts! You have to fulfil your vow"
When the coconuts were brought Bapa told the girl
affectionately, "Dear me, fulfil your vow by breaking these coconuts
on my head!"
The girl burst into weeping, but Bapa said smilingly, "Don’t
worry, my child, you hit it on my head."
The girl took a coconut and hit it softly on Bapa’s head, but the
coconut soon broke into two. Then she took another one and it was
also broken into two. All danced with joy and fell at the feet of Bapa.
Bapa took the girl in his lap and gave her some kernel of coconut as
’prasad’ and said, "Look, your vow is now fulfilled."
The next day Keshavji saw that the marks of small pox also
had disappeared from the face of the girl!

53
 GOD’S COMMAND
In Satudat village there was a rich man named Jeram Sheth.
Once somebody put a false charge on him about the smuggling of
opium. It was a question of prestige. Jeram took a vow that he would
send twenty four measures of rice and pulse for hotch potch to the
Ashram.
By God's grace he was released with honor.
But Jeram forgot the vow and sent only rice to the Ashram
with potter Devji. Devji spent the night in the Ashram. In the morning
he was given breakfast and also some food for his journey. Seeing
him off Bapa said, "Bhagat, l do not want to say anything but God
commands me to tell Jeram that the vow was for rice and pulse for
hotch potch and he has sent only rice!"
When Devji said these words to Jeram he was full of remorse. He
immediately sent twenty four measures of rice and pulse for hotch
potch and personally went to Bapa to seek pardon.

54
 THE BROTHER AND THE SISTER
Bapa took Galol Ben of Devki Galol as his sister. Once Bapa
reached her house unexpectedly taking about twenty five sadhus with
him. It was a time for lunch.
Sister Galol rushed out of the house and received Bapa
affectionately.
Then she went to the kitchen to make preparation for meals.
Bapa soon understood the difficulty. He went to the kitchen
and said, ‘Sister, Do not worry. Whatever food is ready will be
enough. Light a ghee lamp, cover the food with a piece of cloth and
start serving !"
The guests were seated for meals. The wonder of wonders is
that everyone ate to his fill. Sister Galol looked into the vessel and
found that there was still some food in it. She was so overwhelmed
with emotion that she fell at the feet of Bapa.
Bapa said, "Sister, what are you doing? I am your brother. If you
fall at my feet I would be sinful!"
Such was Jalaram Bapa the brother of Galol Ben.

55
 GOD’S MENDICANT
There are numerous episodes of Bapa’s miracles. Once Bapa
was in Amreli. He was going to Juthabhai Bhagat’s house for dinner
when a group of about fifty to sixty sadhus met him and said,"Bapa, we
are hungry!
"Bapa said, "Then come along with me, the dinner is ready."
Juthabhai was puzzled on seeing such a big crowd. In a big
wooden dish there were about twenty laddus. Bapa said, "Light a ghee-
lamp, put a Tulsi leaf in the dish and cover the food with a piece of cloth.
I shall give you the Iaddus from this dish and you will serve them!"
The sadhus were seated for dinner and all took their meals to
the fill.
Juthabhai said, "Bapa, you are not an ordinary mortal!"
Bapa said, "l am only God’s mendicant. It is he who cares for us
all."
The heirs of Juthabhai have still preserved that wooden dish as a
token of Bapa’s grace.

56
 NOT THIS BHIMJI
Bhimji Kamdar of Jetpur was a devotee of Bapa. Once he was
arrested by the police on some charges, handcuffed and brought to
Rajkot.
On their way they came to Virpur. Kamdar said to the police, "My
Guru Jalaram Bapa lives here. If you permit me I may have his
Darshanl!"
The police came to the Ashram with Bhimji. Bapa asked, "Bhimji, why
are you in chains ?"
Bhimji narrated the whole story. Bapa said, "My Bhimji can not be
a criminal. God will protect him."
Bapa gave them food and then bade them farewell. Now it so
happened that when the police presented Bhimji before the European
officer at Rajkot, the officer angrily roared, "Not this Bhimji! Why did you
bring this man here? Let him go!"
Bhimji was released at once.

57
 AN ENGLISHMAN BOWS DOWN
In Rajkot there was an English officer of the British Government.
Once four horsemen were coming to him with some important
documents. When they passed by Virpur, Bapa made them halt for
meals. Consequently they were late in reaching Rajkot. The officer
was angry with Bapa. He roared: "l’ll teach him such a lesson that he
would never invite any one to meals again.
He arranged in such a way that about one hundred fifty
horsemen would pass through Virpur in groups of twenty five each.
Bapa was taking a round at the outskirts of Virpur as usual. He invited
the first troop for meals. Then the other troops came there one after
another. The officer roared, ’We have no time to wait for meals."
Bapa said, "You need not wait even for a moment."
Soon he led all the one hundred fifty horsemen to the Ashram
and seated them for meals. He served two oven fresh loaves and a
bowl of pulses to each of them. All took their meals at ease. Their
horses also were looked after by Bapa. The English officer was
stunned. He took off his hat bowed down to Bapa.

58
 THE TOUCH OF BAPA’S STICK
The incident took place in Vikram era 1934. There was famine in
the country but Bapa’s service to the sadhus continued uninterrupted.
Yet the financial crisis was felt and it gradually deepened. So Bapa
went to Jivraj Vadalia of Thana Galol and asked from him a loan of two
hundred rupees. Jivraj had only two hundred rupees in all with him
which he had hidden in the manger. He brought out the money and
gave it to Bapa. When Jivraj’s wife knew this, she lost her temper,
because there was not enough food for children in the house and her
husband gave this money to Jalaram Bapa! The matter became a
cause of quarrel in the family.

After a fortnight Bapa again came to Jivraj. The wife suspected

that he must have come again to extract some more money from her
husband, so she stealthily watched them. But instead of asking for
more money, Bapa returned the two hundred rupees to Jivraj saying,
"Now, the crisis is over. I do not need any money."

On seeing that the money was returned the wife was happy.
Then Bapa said, "Patel, let me see your store!"

“Oh certainly," Jivraj said, "But the store is all empty.”

59
 Saying this he took Bapa to the store. Bapa touched one
vessel with his stick and said, "There’s wheat in it." He touched the
other one and said, "There’s jowar in it." He touched the third one and
said, There is bajra in it." He touched the fourth one and said, "There’s
gram in it."
Then Bapa came out of the store and left the place for Virpur.

Jivraj suspected some mystery in Bapa’s words. So he soon

returned to the store and opened the seal at the bottom of one vessel
and lo! He found grains of wheat pouring out of it! In the same way he
found grains in all the four vessels.

Now the wife realized the mysterious power of Bapa. She knelt
down and spoke with folded hands, ’O Jaliyan, kindly forgive me! A
child is likely to err, but you are our revered father!’

During the famine Bapa had provided food to thousands, incurring a

debt of ten thousands rupees.

60
 VIRBAI MA RESTS IN PEACE
Virbai Ma and Jalaram Bapa both were very old now. Virbai Ma
breathed her last on Monday, the ninth day of the dark half of Kartik in
Vikram era 1935. Bapa repeated God's name ceaselessly for seven
days.

Bapa also was suffering from piles. Hundreds of devotees used to

come for his darshan every day. '

Bapa had a daughter named Jamnabai. Bapa had adopted

Jamnabhai’s grand son Hariram as his heir. Hariram was still a child so
the devotees were anxious about him but Bapa said, ’Hariram’s Hari is
at his side. Hari is powerful. Take it from me that he will increase my
worth after my death.

When Bapa was ill sister Galal came to see him. Her own brother
lived in Upareli village six miles away from Virpur. So Galal said to
Bapa, ’Brother, I am going to see my brother at Upareli."
Bapa said, “You can go, but do not stay there for more than a
night.”

61
 BAPA LEAVES THE WORLD
Sister Galal went to Upareli and stayed there for a day more at the
request of here affectionate brother. On the third day she returned
to Virpur but on her way she met Jalaram Bapa who was coming from
the other end with a jar of cold water. He said, "Sister, it’s very hot and
you must be tired. So I have brought cold water for you." Saying this
he gave the water to her and walked along with her.

When they came near Virpur, Bapa said, "Sister, now is the time for the
sadhus to come. So let me walk fast."

He walked fast and disappeared. When Galal reached the outskirts of

Virpur she saw a pyre burning there. All the people of the village were
lamenting. So she asked who passed away.
The reply was "Jalaram Bapa!"
’Oh Bapa!’ Galal fell down unconscious.
On Wednesday, February 23, 1881, the tenth day of the dark half of
Magh, Vikram era 1937 Bapa left the world while praying God, at the
age of eighty one.

62
 THE CHARIOT DID COME
There was a Lohana named Tiliyo in Virpur. Whenever he met
Bapa he made fun of him by saying, "Bhagat, you are serving God with
your whole heart, so I hope God will send a chariot from heaven to
fetch you. Please don’t forget me when that chariot comes!"
Bapa said, "We|l, I'll tell you when it comes."
Tiliyo extended his joke: ’Please, don’t forget to take me with you!"

The day when Bapa passed away Tiliyo was coming from Jetpur
after shopping. He saw a beautiful chariot on his way. Bapa was
seated in it. Bapa said to him, “Tiliya, come on, the chariot has come
from heaven. l have come to take you away with me!"
Tiliyo said, "l don’t believe."
Bapa said, "l tell you the truth, come on!“ Tiliyo said, "No, no."
The chariot moved on and disappeared.
When Tiliyo came home, he learned that Bapa had passed away.
Now he realised that Bapa had really come to fetch him as he had
promised.
He was full of remorse but what could he do now ?

63
 THE EVERFULL GRANARY
Hariram had invited a big gathering afterthe passing away of
Jalaram Bapa and about a lakh of people had come. A strange
sadhu suddenly appeared in the gathering. He folded his hands
before all and went straight to the kitchen. He took a Iaddu from
there, crushed it and spread it in all directions saying, "This is the
Everfull granary! Everfull granary”

Then he disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared and

no one knew about his whereabouts.

Even today the store of Jalaram Bapa’s Ashram is ever full.

Bapa left the body, yet he is ever here with us. Bapa is immortal.

Jay Jalaram!

Jay Jaliyan!

64