Bhaktaratno

Jhinābhāi was a devotee with a deep understanding of Shri Hari’s divine glory. He equally revered all devotees of Shriji Maharaj. Once, during a visit to Māngrol for some work, Jhinābhāi heard of the severe illness of Kamalshi Vānjhā, a fellow devotee of Shriji Maharaj. Moved by concern, he immediately went to check on him. What he saw pained him deeply - Kamalshibhāi was bedridden, unable to care for himself, and his bodily functions were confined to the very bed he lay on. No one had been cleaning up after him, and flies swarmed over his frail body. Seeing Jhinābhāi, Kamalshibhāi broke into tears.

Jhinābhāi asked, “Why are you in such a state?”

With sorrow, Kamalshibhāi replied, “No one is willing to care for me, and this is my fate. I only wish Maharaj would take me to dhām now.” Hearing this, Jhinābhāi called for Kamalshibhāi’s sons, hoping they would serve their ailing father. But none of them were willing to take responsibility. This sight filled Jhinābhāi with grief. He then asked, “What if I were to take Kamalshibhāi to my house in Panchālā?”

“That would certainly lessen our burden!” they replied. “You can take him right now!” Without hesitation, Jhinābhāi went around the market and hired three laborers to help carry Kamalshibhāi’s cot. Since a fourth laborer was unavailable, Jhinābhāi himself took up one leg of the cot on his shoulder while holding the reins of his mare in his other hand. Thus, the village leader of Panchālā carried a devotee’s bed on his shoulder as he walked through the busy markets of Māngrol! A short distance later, a fourth laborer was found, and Jhinābhāi brought Kamalshibhāi home, giving him a place in his own room and personally tending to his care.

Since Kamalshibhāi’s arrival, Jhinābhāi’s sister Adibā had been sulking. But since her brother was the village leader, she didn’t dare to voice her complaints openly. One day, Kamalshibhāi was suffering from a severe headache, and Jhinābhāi requested Adibā for some ground black pepper to prepare a medicinal paste. Adibā replied coldly, “We are out of black pepper.” Jhinābhāi, understanding her intent, suppressed his pain and said nothing. A few days later, he pretended to have a headache himself and asked for black pepper. This time, Adibā immediately ground the black pepper and offered to apply the paste on his forehead. Jhinābhāi took the bowl, smashed it onto the ground, and furiously asked, “Where did this pepper suddenly come from? You refuse to serve a devotee of Maharaj, and you think I wouldn’t notice? From this moment, you are no longer my sister. Do not show me your face again!” In his unwavering devotion to a fellow devotee, Jhinābhāi severed all ties with his own sister.

Distressed, Adibā took her complaint to Shriji Maharaj. Shri Hari called Jhinābhāi and explained the situation, advising him to reconcile. Adibā, with tears in her eyes, sought forgiveness. At Shriji Maharaj’s request, Jhinābhāi ended the silent feud with his sister. Yet, until Kamalshibhāi’s last breath, Jhinābhāi personally cared for him. At a time when social discrimination was widespread, serving someone of a lower caste was unheard of. Yet, Jhinābhāi, a respected village leader, selflessly cared for Kamalshibhāi with devotion. Thus, when Jhinābhāi passed away, Shri Hari himself carried his palanquin on his shoulders. For every step Jhinābhāi had walked carrying Kamalshibhāi’s cot, Shriji Maharaj walked twice as many, offering an eternal tribute to his service.

Shriji Maharaj has said, “The extent to which one devotee has suhradpanu (kinship) towards another is the extent to which they are my life force.” If we cultivate true suhradpanu with devotees - by offering service, care, and support - we become as dear to Bhagwān as life itself. And what greater fortune can there be in life than this?