It was time for the rite of commencement of chaturmas. Kshullak Sumatisagarji was very keen to be ordained a muni. He had practised austerities for long and had grown old. Having regard to his feelings, Acharya Maharaj gave him the sacrament. Now he took the name of Muni Vairagyasagar. For the next few months, he meticulously observed all the great vows and then, realising that the end was near, requested Acharya Maharaj to administer the ultimate vow of sallekhana to him.
The regime prescribed for a muni's ahar is matchless. It is not easy to follow the rigorous discipline with equanimity, regardless of the state of one's health. One day, as Muni Vairagyasagarji stood up after the rite of welcome to have a drink of water, the water ran through his cupped hands. Acharya Maharaj was standing close by. “Take a glass, if you so wish”, he offered. We were all surprised to hear this, but then realised that it was the moment of examination. A seeker, who has opted for sallekhana, is put to test every moment of his life. Despite his extreme age and infirmity, Muni Vairagyasagarji declined the offer like a true holder of the great vows. With great serenity, he renounced all food and water for the rest of his life and entered the final phase of sallekhana, called the yam-sallekhana.
Acharya Maharaj blessed him with a smile and hoped that all of us would pass this examination, but he cautioned that we might have to prepare for it all our lives.
Aharji (1985)
