Champaklal's Treasures - Edition-II

Punamchand

[Punamchand had a small Ashram in Patan, Gujarat, where he and others practised Yoga under Sri Aurobindo 's guidance. Every year from 1919 onwards, he travelled to Pondicherry to visit Sri Aurobindo. In 1923, during his annual visit lie asked for permission to stay permanently in Pondicherry along with his wife Champaben. Sri Aurobindo agreed. When Punamchand went to Patan to bring back his wife, Sri Aurobindo asked about Champaklal and told him, "Bring him also when you come here. "

Punamchand, his wife Champaben, Kamala's brother Mahesh, and Champaklal arrived in Pondicherry on 12 June 1923 and lived there for four years.

One day he ingured his leg, which had to be operated upon in Madras. When the leg did not heal even after a year, his parents insisted that he should return to Patan for treatment. Responding to their wish, he left Pondicherry with his wife. Her letters from Patan show that Punamchand was not happy about this and cried for the Lord always.

While living in Gujarat, Punamchand was given the work of collecting the funds for building up the Ashram in Pondicherry. He approached many persons, particularly businessmen in Mumbai and Gujarat, for contributions.

In his reminiscences, Champaklal writes: "Punamchand was well known in our town. I met him in the Akhada (gymnasium), which was quite popular, where I went regularly. He was well built and not only looked after the boys' exercises but also followed the yoga of Sri Aurobindo. I was much influenced by him. The Mother told me how hard she had to work to remove his influence over me;

it remained with me till 1930."]

1) See Champaklal Speaks, 2002 ed., pp. 3-4, 38-39.