About Shree Jalaram Bapa
Shree Jalaram Bapa was born in the year 1800 AD in the village
Virpur, Gujarat. His mother, Rajbai was very fond of serving
sadhus and saints.
No sadhu and saint could go from Virpur without receiving the
hospitality of Rajbai. Shree Jalaram Bapa's father's name was
Pradhan Thakkar, who was engaged in business.
At the tender age of 16, Jalaram Bapa married Virbai, daughter
of Thakkar Pragji Somajia. Jalaram Bapa was however not
inclined to live household life and to continue to do business with
his father. He was mostly engaged in serving sadhus and saints.
He separated himself from his father's business and stayed with
his uncle, Valjibhai, who was very fond of Jalaram.
It was obvious that Jalaram Bapa was inclined to completely
withdraw from marital life. Fortunately his wife, Virbaima decided
to follow the path of Jalaram. So, when Jalaram decided to go
for a pilgrimage for holy places, Virbaima followed him. At the
age of 18, Jalaram Bapa accepted Shree Bhojalram from
Fatehpur as guru and was given a "Guru Malaa and Mantra" in
the name of Shree Ram. With blessings of his guru, he started
"Sadavrat" a feeding centre, a place where all sadhus and saints
as well as the needy could have food any time during 24 hours.
Nobody returned from that place without having food. All this he
did single handed with Virbaima assisting him. Soon his fame
spread as an incarnation of the divine. Whoever come to Virpur,
whether Hindu or Muslim was fed by Bapa.
Once three Arabs in the service of Thakore of Rajkot demanded
an increase in wages by four rupees in a month. Being refused,
the Arabs resigned and set out to Junagadh. On their way, they
hunted few birds and kept them in their shoulder bag. When they
reached Virpur, Bapa asked them to have their meals and then
go. When they protested that they were Muslims, Bapa said that
in the court of God there was no distinction in caste and creed
and they were welcome. The three Arabs had their meals in the
temple but they were embarrassed that they were carrying dead
birds in their bag. The Bapa touched the bag and said that the
birds were feeling suffocated. The Arabs opened the bag and
found that the birds were alive. They flew away to a nearby tree.
The Arabs were amazed and understood that they were in the
presence of divine person. They fell at his feet and asked
whether they would get a job in Junagadh. Bapa said "What was
the need to have a job in Junagadh? The Arabs serve only one
master." Just at that time, a camel man sent by Thakore of
Rajkot arrived there. He took back the Arabs with him saying that
Thakore has sanctioned an increment of seven rupees in their
wages.
There are many stories about the greatness of the saint of Virpur.
Remembering the stories, we can fill the heart with devotion and
gratitude. In 1934, Jalaram Bapa worked very hard for whose
who were struck by the terrible famine. In 1935 Virbama died
and in 1937 Jalaram Bapa left his body in his prayers. This is the
story of the great saint of Virpur.