When the World Sleeps Quotes

“6-7 February 2018, Melbourne After a long journey with multiple delays, Swamishri finally arrived in Melbourne late into the night from Singapore, a seven-hour flight covering 6,200 kilometres. It was around 2:30 a.m. when Paramchintan Swami entered Swamishri’s room carrying a bottle of water. He hoped it could be sanctified as prasad for the hundreds of devotees who had fasted that day in devotion to Swamishri’s arrival. Swamishri was already in his bed, just moments away from sleep after the exhausting day of travel. But without hesitation, he sat up immediately, blessed the water, and then lay back down. At 2:40 a.m., he finally closed his eyes to sleep. * * * When he awoke the next morning, his first words were not about his own fatigue, but about the wellbeing of Tyagratna Swami, who had accompanied him on the journey. “Tamne ungh āvi? – Did you get enough sleep?” Despite the exhausting night, Swamishri was ready for his morning puja at 7:25 a.m. He was sharp and serene. In fact, according to Singapore time, it was 5:25 a.m., which perfectly aligned with his usual schedule. As soon as his puja finished, sadhus brought in his breakfast. But Swamishri immediately reminded them, “Ārti bāki chhe” – “The arti is yet to be done.” In the fatigue of travel, the haze of jet lag, and the adjustment to a new location, everyone had unintentionally forgotten about the arti. But Swamishri did not. With awareness and devotion, he ensured the arti was performed first. Only then did he sit down for breakfast. From sanctifying the water at 2:30 a.m., to his first thoughts in the morning about the wellbeing of others, to his constant prioritization of devotion, each small gesture revealed the same truth: Swamishri’s thoughts were always for God and for others.”
― Sadhu Saumyavadandas, When the World Sleeps: A Book About Mahant Swami Maharaj at Night