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Birth to Initiation
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Laghurajswami was born in 1854 in the village of Vatäman situated in Bhäl area of Ahmedabad District. Since the boy happended to free the family from the disgrace of being childless, his 4 mothers as well as the people in the village loved him. He was named as Lallubhäi. His father’s name was Krishnadäs and mother’s was Kushaläbäi.
It was a Bhävsär family belonging to Sthänakwäsi Jain sect. That being a well to do family he was fondly reared.He was imbibed with the virtues of simplicity, generosity, friendliness, etc. and that endeared him to everyone. In that village his family was considered prominent, reputable and financially well off.
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He was married at the right age but that wife did not survive long. Hence he got remarried and spent the married life up to the age 27. Meanwhile he was caught by anemia. Since that disease was not overcome in spite of several measures, the people gave up the hope of his survival. Lallubhai felt that he would not survive. Thereupon he brought sugar-cakes from Dholka and started distributing to those who came to see him. He also exchanged the message of 'Forgive and forget' with all relatives.
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On account of inner wholesome trait, it occurred to him that he had obtained favorable situations in the life by virtue of the earlier wholesome Karma, but what would happen, if he died without doing anything in the present life? Hence he thought to become a monk, if he recovered from the illness. And it so happened that the disease started getting milder and he recovered from it. As such, he became eager to renounce the worldly life and became a monk.
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His practical wisdom, however suggested that in the monastic life he should have a collegue, who could give sermons and discourses. So he approced Devkaranji who had sharp intellect. He agreed to become lallubhai's pupil, if he renounced and in exchange he waived off his Devkaranji's debt debt. Thereafter Lalluji and Devkaranji boarded a train from surendranagar and went to surat. There they bowed to guru Harakhchandji and expressed their intent to renounce. The Guru, however refused to initiate them without the permission of their parents.
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On the other hand mother kushala was much agitated to hear about the matter. She promised in the witness of guru that if lallubhai continued to hold detachment after staying two more years in worldly life; she would not prevent him from renouncing. Since there was no alternative Lalluji went back home and spent most of the time in religious activities.
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During that period his wife became pregnant and in 1884 she delivered a son, who was named Mohan. everyone was pleased thereby, but Lallubhai and Devkaran now began to think of renouncing. By the time son was five weeks old, mother gave her permission for renouncement. Hence he was initiated by Muni Harakhchandji in 1884 at Khambhät. Thus Lallubhäi became Lalluji Muni at the age of 30.
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After initiation he resorted to various types of austerities, yog, meditation etc. as was traditional in that sect. For five years he observed fast on every alternate day. Despite observing such austerities he could not get the inner peace for which he had given up the lay life. Neither did he gain realization, nor could he overcome the longing for being honored, worshipped etc.
- During 1890 he came to know from Ambälälbhäi that there was one great spiritual ascetic named Shrimad Rajchandra, who was self-realized and who had miraculous capabilities. As Ambälälbhäi came to know of his eagerness to come in contact with Shrimad Rajchnadra, he arranged for that when Shrimad came to Khambhät during late 1890.
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