Autobiograpy Of Gnani Purush A.M.Patel Autobiograpy Of Gnani Purush A.M.Patel | Page 28

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suggested that we should go and tie another kanthi. I refused
and told her, ‘Although our forefathers may have been following
this age-old tradition, I do not believe in it. Just because they
jumped in a well, should we all blindly do the same? In those
days the well may have been full of water but today I do not
see any water. All I see is large stones and snakes at the
bottom. I refuse to jump in it.’ First we should check to see if
there is any water in it before we jump in. What is the point of
jumping in a well and breaking your head?
I believed that a guru should be someone who would
show me the light; he should show me the way. He should be
able to guide me spiritually. I did not see any point in undergoing
religious rituals of having cold water sprinkled or poured over
my head and having someone tie a kanthi around my neck. But
I also felt that if a person were worthy of being a true guru, then
I would not only let him pour cold water over me but even if
he were to severe my arm, I would let him because I have had
arms and limbs for infinite births. In which birth did I not have
these? And if otherwise someone came and cut off my arm,
would I have a choice in the matter? So why would I not let
a guru cut it? If some dacoit were to come along and cut it, do
people have a choice? And what if the guru were to cut my
throat? No Guru would do such a thing. But if he did, is there
any reason why you should not let him?
My mother told me, ‘Then everyone will call you ‘nugaro’.
At the time I did not understand what that meant. I thought it
was a term people used to tease others. It wasn’t until much
later that I realized it meant someone without a guru. So I said
to her, ‘ Never mind if they call me nugaro. They will only make
fun of me, that is all and no more’.
No Need For Such A Moksha
When I was thirteen, after school I used to visit a couple