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before he breathed his last, he asked for the photograph of
Srinathji Baba. He prayed to him and then said, “O God, send
for me now.” And then within half an hour from that instant,
he took a deep breath and left for the heavenly abode. It was
the impact of his Tapa or penance, his Rishitva (the quality of
being a sage). An individual can live as he may wish, but he
cannot attain death as he may wish. Shastriji lived his life as
well as his death as he wished.

Shastriji has left behind him three sons and four daughters.
His family comprises a total of fifty-three members. His fifth
generation too exists in this world. That is, he has frolicked with
the son of the son of his son. Shastriji had witnessed his father
and his grandfather too. Thus, he has been a witness to his eight
generations in his blood relations.

The centenarian Shastriji had assimilated the true
philosophy of life in him. He lived every moment of his life as
the true representative of the Hindu culture. There is no one
who can match Shastriji not only in the field of studying the
Vedas and culture, but also in the fields of research and
culturisation as well as accumulation of learning. He lived for
one hundred years a Sattvik (positive, pure) life of a Karmayogi
and became a source of inspiration to others. His mortal remain
might have blended into the five basic elements, yet his
illuminative soul would ever remain etched in our memory.

He never felt despaired even in the hardest moments of
his life. He remained a true optimist all his life, and this attitude
towards life is worth imitation by us in our lives.

The state government celebrated the centenary
programmes in his honour, and wished to hold such
programmes which could inspire the future generations.

The project undertaken by the State Government to honour
Shastriji in public was a timely action. In this way, we have
honoured an ideal personality, perseverant scholar and learned
man. Had we omitted to hold this programme, this error would
have been counted amongst the blots in the honour of Gujarat.
We are fortunate that we could get this opportunity and I
consider it an important moment in my life. He would continue