Vimala Thakar was an Indian social activist and spiritual teacher. Born into a middle-class family in India. She was a living reconciliation of Gandhi’s activism with J. Krishnamurti’s spirituality.
First time I saw Vimalatai, (tai = older sister) as a 10yr old, she was speaking as a Bhoodan Yagna activist in an auditorium in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Growing up, I continued to listen to her lectures on different occasions. But, after several years, I was surprised to hear Vimalatai’s name from my mother.
After three years in U.S., I had returned home for a visit. I knew that my mother Bhagirathi Mehta, was always yearning to find a guru, and many times, anxious about it.
But this time, I told my mom, “Ma, you look quite cheerful and confident.”
“Yes, because of one experience,” she said jovially. “Several months ago, I went to a gathering, organized by the followers of Vimala Thakar. When I heard her lecture, I was overwhelmed with devotional feelings towards her. I felt that she was directly talking to me. The program concluded after topics like – ‘What is non-violence?’; ‘Science and spirituality’ and ‘awakening of society’ The next day, I could not stop myself and showed up in the morning at her residence. I told her assistant about my desire to meet Vimalatai. But the lady politely refused and I had to return home.”
“You, a respected retired teacher must have thought ‘Ok. That’s the end of it’.” I spoke.
“No. The next day, I went again and I saw Vimalatai in the front yard hanging her sari to dry. I went to her and I approached her, and she invited me in. Our conversation lasted 35 minutes. I told her, I wanted to come to Mount Abu to be near her, but worried about my family responsibilities. Tai said, “If you are sincere, you will come.” That sentence hit me sharply.”
Then, with my father’s blessings, Mom went to Abu. Vimala Thakar never encouraged the followers to form a large group. After a time, my mother was welcomed into Vimalatai’s small group as a poetess. She was overjoyed whenever her guru asked her to recite a poem.
Bhagirathi Mehta
We were in California when my mother informed me that Vimalatai had come for a workshop –Why Meditation? : Five Talks Delivered at the Blaisdell Institute, Claremont University, California 1974. Dilip and I went to Claremont. At the auditorium gate we were greeted by a gentleman.
I said, “We have come to meet Vimalatai.”
He said, “Welcome. I am Kishansinh Chavda, Vimalaji’s secretary.”
“Wow! A famous writer and journalist, Vimalatai’s secretary!!” We were impressed.
We invited them to come to our home which was one hour away. Dilip readily said that he will pick them up.
Vimalatai’s presence in our home felt like my closest family member had come. She held six-month-old Sangita in her lap. Some people were talking about parents sending their babies to India. Vimalatai looked at me kindly and said, “Saryu will not do such a thing.” I was touched by her trust in me. That evening a doctor couple, Anjana and Vikram Kamdar came to meet Vimalayai. That friendship extended like a chain connecting us with some special friends in America. Again, she was invited for a lecture series and we were overjoyed to have her in our home.
Second time when Vimalatai came to our house, she noticed a good collection of Indian classical music and asked, “Dilipbhai, can you play something?” Dilip played Amirkhan’s raag Marwa. Vimalatai listened keenly and thanked Dilip warmly.
In 1981, I was at my mom’s house with my 7yr Sangita and 5yr Samir. Vimalatai was in Bhavngar so, my mom invited her whole group for lunch. That day, I realized how my mother had been accepted in this special spiritual group. Someone burped, so my Samir chirped, “I would say eccuze me.” Others were confused, but Vimalatai said, “Yes Baba, excuse me.” She sounded just like a loving granny,
Vimalatai did not like anybody bowing down to her. But as my mom wanted, she warned her, “I am going to do pranam.” We were smiling as my mom bowed in obeisance.
My father-in-law and both families honored Vimala Thakar as a saint. Vimalatai wrote a glowing letter for my brother, Padmshri Dr. Munibhai Mehta when he published the book, ‘Science-Spirituality and The World Tomorrow’.
My mother, Bhagirathi Mehta was fortunate to spend time with her guru while she translated Vimaltai’s books in Gujarati, ‘Sahaj Samadhi Bhali’ and ‘Atmadip’. A great guru makes each disciple feel that the guru loves her/him most.
In her opening words at the last seminar held outside India, in Holland in 1991, she said: “You will find out for yourselves my friends that these gatherings become festivals of friendship. They are informal and intimate get-togethers of those interested in enquiring into what this mystery of life and living is… We will be enquiring together, it will be a joyous enquiry, joyous and serious simultaneously, deep and yet vibrating with vitality at the same time…”
I wanted to rejoice the memories of a few blessed hours spent with Vimala Thakar. Pranam,
——-
Austin, Texas.
e.mail : SaryuParikh@yahoo.com
www.Saryu.wordpress.com
