Veerayatan is a garden of fulfilled hopes where life is enriched and fragrance restored. The fragrance of Veerayatan’s good work has reached far and wide. This, I came to realise on a day when Shubhamji and I were returning from Patna to Rajgir. We left at 8pm at night from Patna because of the volume of work. We thought that by 11pm we will certainly reach Rajgir. After sunset, the road from Patna to Rajgir is overwhelmed with traffic. We had covered about half the distance when the car stalled. We were surrounded by darkness. In the car there were only the three of us, Shubhamji, the driver and I. The road was desolate. We could no longer see anyone passing. Shubhamji as always optimistic said, ‘We will see, a solution will appear.’ Just then we saw a tractor coming on the opposite side. Shubhamji instantly stepped down from the car and gestured the driver of the tractor to stop. She explained, ‘Brother, our car is having problems. Can you help our driver to start the car so that we can reach our destination?’ From the tractor, 3 or 4 people jumped down and readily started helping the driver. In exactly an hour, the car was repaired. We thanked them and told the driver to give them something for their help. As soon as the driver started giving them money, the tractor driver looked at us and with folded hands said, ‘No Mataji!
There is no price we can put for the work you are doing for the Bihari people. We cannot take your money, your blessings are more than enough and we only desire that when we come to Veerayatan you will remember us.’
Seeing the extraordinary feelings of these local people, I felt that the sweet scent of Veerayatan’s selfless service has managed to touch the hearts of all these people. Their one and only heartfelt wish was, not just that we do not forget them, but, most importantly, that we recognise them. I thought to myself, ‘How can anyone ever forget such angels.’
Veerayatan also teaches this – ‘Extend a helping hand without being boastful and never forget the help that you receive.’
Although uneducated, ordinary and connected with the earth, these people’s sentiments are so pure that all other successes in life pale in comparison. I always remember and will continue to remember these people with much love and respect.