On a day when visible smiles painted the sky with colourful kites, there were invisible voiceless cries of injured birds waiting to be heard. Innumerable Jain organisations, animal welfare NGOs and government organisations had set up camps across the country to save such birds. With Param Gurudev’s inspiration, Rajkot’s Arham Yuva Seva Group had also set up a Karuna camp with the support of Samast Mahajan and Karuna Foundation. Param Gurudev himself visited the camp that day. Later in the evening, volunteers came and shared, “Gurudev, the camp was a very good initiative. We were able to save nearly 350 birds today.” Param Gurudev said, “Yes, but there may still be many more birds. Today, I have asked Gurubhakts to keep looking for such injured birds and take them to the nearest Karuna camp. I have given them an agna that they have to go and collect loose kite strings hanging from trees, terraces, electricity wires, etc.”
Pratikbhai Sanghani from Karuna Foundation was very happy to hear this. He said, “Gurudev! This is wonderful! We find such injured birds till the end of February every year!” And with heavy heart, Param Gurudev said, “Yes! that’s why it’s a compulsory agna for all Gurubhakts today, so that birds don’t get entangled in those strings even in the coming days.” Just like Param Gurudev, many people had visited the Karuna camp. But while they looked at the injured birds, Param Gurudev contemplated on the cause of the injury and gave an agna that could prevent countless injuries in the near future too! In their silence, countless birds may have showered their blessings on him. And it is hence that we call him, ‘Mahamanav’ – A heart that feels the pain of every heart!
