This week's Maitri Tunes is a dedication to the childlike spirit of our beloved Gopal dada whose life was a celebration of the art of cleanliness or Safai. On his first death anniversary which comes up on the 17th of November, we invite you to do a small act of cleanliness in his honor.
Click below to listen (you can also download here):
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My childhood may be over, but that doesn't mean playtime is.
~Ron Olson~
Gopal dada was an incredible being who had the wisdom of a loving grandfather, as well as the playfulness of a 7 year old child. In his long pilgrimage of almost 90 years on earth, this servant of peace inspired the lives of his many co-travellers who had the blessing to walk a few miles with him.
Maria who came to India for a service vacation a couple years ago, was one such person who experienced a deep shift as she went on a 3 day walk through the villages with dada. Watching his micro acts of love done with zero expectations of impact or reward, Maria writes: "Dada’s example gave me permission and freedom: I don’t need to change the world. I just serve from the heart!"
In a touching note, Siddharth shares: "Today, he may not be with us physically, but it seems like he's everywhere. As I write this blog, as I speak in a circle, as I wash someone else's dishes, or pick up a piece of trash on the road for a pedestrian I do not know. I can sense his constant presence in this flow of service. A flow that asks me to keep surrendering to what the collective needs"
On her birthday this April, Rajshree set off on a walk from Ahmedabad to Gopal dada's village named Unjha, as she wanted honor his journey. Her intention: "To walk slowly connecting to 'nature'. the nature outside and the nature within."
In closing, Shaheen shares: "​I will always cherish the memory of his sweet voice, his determined walk, and his deep, simple thoughts. I hope he continues to sing and smile wherever he is on his journey now."
Lyrics and Translation:
Har desh mein tu, har vesh mein tu
Tere naam anek tu ek hi hai
Present in every space, in every form,
You are just "One" called by many different names
Teri rang bhoomi yah vishva bhara
Sab khel mein mel mein tu hi to hain
This whole Universe is your celebrative playground,
And you are present in each game, in each festival
Sagar se ttha badal banke
Badal se gira jal hokar ke
Rising from the ocean as a cloud,
You pour down upon us as rain
Phir nahar bani nadiya gahri,
Tere bhinna prakar tu ek hi hain
Becoming a gentle stream or a gushing river,
You are the same "One" called by many different names
Mitti se anu parmanu hue
Yah vishwa jagat ka roop liya
Present in the smallest atoms and molecules of creation,
You manifest in all the forms of this vast Universe
Kahi parvat vriksha vishal hue
Saundarya tera tu ek hi hain
Taking the shape of mountains, or big trees,
Your beauty is varied, yet you are the same "One"
Yah divya dikhaya hai jisne
Vah hai Gurudev ki purna daya
What opened my eyes to your infinite glory,
Is the grace of my compassionate teacher
Tukuda kahe aur na koi dikha
Bas tu aur main sab ek hi hai
Tukada (the poet) says I see no "other"
You and me, we all are just "One"
