It is as if The Mother had appointed uncle

It is only appropriate that Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore, decided to dedicate a full issue of the Newsletter to the memory of Uncle Patel. Managing the circulation of the newsletter was one of the innumerable activities organized to perfection by Uncle.

Uncle had the most beautiful relationship with innumerable acquaintances in India, Singapore and all over the world. Deriving his strength from The Mother, he engulfed all who came in contact with him in his wave of compassion, pure love and ever- helping hand. He strained his utmost to obtain any information or help sought by anyone, known or unknown to him, and saw to it that the wants were met to the best of his ability.

Many of us in the present generation have not had the privilege to have a direct darshan of The Mother and receive Her Blessings. It is as if The Mother had appointed Uncle to provide some consolation to such persons and let them experience the bliss of the Divine presence through their interaction with him. Such indeed is the role played by Uncle in our lives, memories of which we shall carry gratefully in our hearts.

It is not easy to contain in a few sentences the magnitude of the inspiration which the two of us received through our association with him. We met him in Singapore early in 1995 when we proceeded there in the course of our Bank service for a four-year stint. Immediately he took charge of us completely. We enjoyed the status of his close family members and were invited to all the functions at his home. He took it as his personal responsibility to take us week after week to the congregation at the Singapore Society, and also for the Sunday morning walks, in his self driven car, and drop us back. We especially longed to hear from him the numerous anecdotes on his association with The Mother. His intense love for The Mother was seen in his every action, which inspired all around him. Our being connected to Uncle helped us strengthen our adherence to The Mother’s ways without getting distracted. He did this magic not by coercion or sermons, but by setting a glorious example by virtue of his sincerely sweet qualities derived from his unshakable dedication to The Mother.

When Chitra fell sick and underwent a surgery at Singapore, he took paternal care of us by driving us to and from the hospital, bringing us food, and above all, by praying to The Mother to work through the hands of the surgeon while performing the operation.

We constantly consulted Uncle before taking any important decision. He heartily welcomed us to Pondicherry when we came to settle down here. We obtained valuable advice and guidance from him at every stage of our settling down. Uncle, with Anjana Di and Aunty who was not keeping good health, made it a point to attend the meditation session held at our new home acquired with his approval and blessing.

Undoubtedly, anyone who takes his object lesson from the life led by Uncle and adopts it in his own life is sure to find fulfillment and become worthy of The Mother’s Blessings.

The harmony of a rich culture’s tones
Refined the sense and magnified its reach
To hear the unheard and glimpse the invisible
And taught the soul to soar beyond things known,
Inspiring life to greaten and break its bounds,
Aspiring to the Immortal’s unseen world.
- ‘Savitri’

- N.Krishnamurthy and Chitra Krishnamurthy