Sri Parichand - A Pilgrim of the Spirit

Foreword

When invitation came to share my experience with and perception of our dear Parichand, our intimate, inspiring and elevating contact of more than half a century came alive.

He was not a man given to sermonising but silently radiated the spirit and influence through living and reactions to situation. He was always calm and composed, whatever be the situation. I have never seen him losing the balance. Whenever a problem was discussed he straightaway came to the core of the issue and gave his enlightened views.

His work with flowers and nature also enmeshed with his sadhana, with its psychic atmosphere. For him to have the psychic contact was the sole aim. Some of the lines he often quoted to us were —

"In moments when the inner lamps are lit

And life's cherished guests are left outside,

Our spirit sits alone and speaks to its gulfs,

A wider consciousness opens then its doors,

Invading from spiritual silences

A ray of the timeless glory stoops awhile

To commune with our seized illumined clay

And leaves its huge white stamp upon our lives."

His relation with our whole family, particularly myself, Prabha, Sumitra, Uttama was unique and intimate and each one benefitted. Prabha is particularly grateful for the patient pains he took and unstinted support he extended to prepare her for understanding Sri Aurobindo's and the Mother's writings, in spite of the fact that she hardly knew English.

We miss his physical presence very much. Of course he is with the Mother and the journey goes on uninterrupted. He is ever with us today for we remember in our daily life his mantra — "Sincerity is the key."

Kishorilal Dhandhania