What kept pulling me to the Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore was of course, the Mother’s Love and Grace; and the Mother has been showering Her Love and Grace through her chosen instrument, who is none other than Sri Patel Uncle.
Every time I met him, I always felt happy and energetic, because there was always an unmistakable aura of love, affection, and positive energy around him. He always brought people together, and kept them together. Like a mother who binds her children with her love and keeps them close to the family, Patel Uncle always brought so many of us together and kept us inspired.
Any knowledge can be of use only when it is put into practice in day-to-day living. Patel Uncle was a shining example of how spiritual knowledge can be put into practice. His thinking was always positive, and he always did his best to get things done for the Society in his unique loving way, inspiring people to come forward to do things happily. Where did he get this charm from? Such a charm can only emanate from the purity of one’s heart, the purity gained from surrendering at the Mother’s Holy Feet.
Patel Uncle always saw the good in each and every person. It takes a lot of unconditional love and large-heartedness to go out of the way all the time to find the good in the other person. This is not easy at all! Only Patel Uncle could do it!
When my daughter, Lakshmi, was once very sick, I spoke to Patel Uncle about her condition. Immediately he spoke to his daughter Anjanaji in Pondicherry and asked her to offer special prayers for Lakshmi’s speedy recovery at the Mother’s altar. She did so promptly and sent the Mother’s blessings to Lakshmi. Such an affectionate gesture from Patel Uncle is unforgettable. A spiritual person is a loving person. Patel Uncle was always a shining example of such a person.
Patel Uncle also served the Mother with sincere devotion by taking tireless initiative to bring eminent speakers from the Pondicherry Ashram to the Singapore Centre. This was a real treat to all the devotees in Singapore.
Patel Uncle was very young at heart. He was always interested in learning something new, and wanted to keep pace with the growing technology. For example, he learnt Photoshop on the computer and put his skills to good use. He always remembered to send beautiful birthday greetings to all of us using Photoshop. Recently, probably because he could not spend as much time on the computer due to his failing health, I was very surprised to get his blessings and best wishes on my birthday through SMS! I immediately thanked him saying that I was truly touched by his love, and said that he was indeed my father in Singapore.
The success of a human life can be measured by how much fragrance a person has spread in this world, a fragrance that can only be spread by unconditional love and sincere affection, and of course, selfless service in the Names of Guru and God. If this is the measure of success, then definitely Patel Uncle has been one of the most successful of his times.
When a loved one has left his body, we miss him a lot. Nevertheless, we need to look at the whole phenomenon from the departed soul’s angle. He was born here to live, to do, to learn, to serve, and when the body has no more use for the soul, it is left. The body is tired, and the ever-fresh soul needs to march forward. When duties are done, the body becomes an unnecessary baggage, and so is discarded.
In spite of thinking like this, my mind is numb with pain and longing; pain, because living in this world, we always want to hold on to the gross forms, and longing, because, our mind always craves for love and affection someone can give us, in spite of our shortcomings.
Patel Uncle has left a beautiful mark in our memories. He has taught us to always remain positive, always drawing energy from the Light of the Divine.
I met him last during Mother’s Birthday Celebrations on 21st Feb 2011 at the Sri Aurobindo Society, Singapore. His health was visibly deteriorating. Since I always considered him to be like my own father, I went close to him, and whispered to him with conviction: ‘You are the Mother’s child. She is taking care of you’. And She is indeed.
- Padmini Chandrashekar
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