Inspired by a Life of Love and Service

- by Yash Shah

When I think of Acharya Shri Chandanaji - our Tai Ma - I do not just think of a spiritual leader. I think of a feeling. A warmth. A kind of love so pure that it stays with you long after you have left her presence.

I have been part of Veerayatan and Shri Chandana Vidyapeeth (SCVP) since I was a child, and through that, I have had the privilege not only to hear about Tai Ma’s journey, but to truly feel her impact. I remember watching Never Before when I was younger - a film about Tai Ma’s life, her decision to take diksha at just 15, and her lifelong dedication to serving others. Seeing her courage and compassion in even the smallest acts, like giving pencils to someone who needed them more – those messages really stayed with me.

And I also remember our first trip to Veerayatan India in 2011 - the moment I met Tai Ma for the first time. The hugs, the smile… it is something I still cannot fully explain - you just feel it. As children, we felt completely at home. There was no sense of distance or boundary. I even remember sitting and drinking “keri no ras” (mango juice) with Tai Ma and the Sadhvis, completely unaware of any protocol… and yet, nothing was ever said - only love was given. That was Tai Ma. She made everyone feel like they belonged. And I truly believe that’s what has kept so many of us, especially as youth, so deeply connected.

I have even been told that I wanted to take diksha on that trip… and Tai Ma gently chuckled and said, ‘Yes, one day!’ That moment says everything - even as a child, I was drawn to the peace and love she embodied.

What inspires me most is that her love was not selective. It was not limited to a particular community, a country, or even a religion. It extended to every single living being, including animals. Pujya Tai Ma constantly broke boundaries - doing what others thought was impossible. To me, she redefined Ahimsa - not just as non-violence, but as “relentless compassion”.

Through Veerayatan, that compassion became action - through seva, shiksha, and sadhana. Growing up as a young adult in London, surrounded by distractions and pressures, witnessing Tai Ma’s impact has shown me what is truly possible.

Every time I return to Veerayatan, whether in Kutch or Bihar - and see with my own eyes the lives that have been transformed, I come back feeling rejuvenated - with a stronger desire to become the best version of myself, to grow -- not just for myself, but to serve others through whatever I do.

Tai Ma showed us that seva is not just important – it is everything. It cures stress. It gives life meaning. And for me personally, over the last few years, I’ve come to love every moment of seva - whether it’s feeding the homeless in Charing Cross, or spending time with children in Kutch. And all of that, I owe to Veerayatan and to Tai Ma.

There is a story from Tai Ma’s childhood, when she was still called Shakuntala. When asked what she wished for, she said, “I want to be the endless sky, which gives space, light and rain. I want to give everybody everything.” And in Tai Ma’s funeral in India, during her final journey, the day began with scorching heat and soon turned to heavy rain… and it felt as though her wish had truly come full circle - becoming that endless sky and showering her blessings on all of us.

For me, Tai Ma has shown me the kind of person I want to become. And I hope we can all carry forward her legacy - through small acts of kindness, and in service of others. Because if we do that… Pujya Tai Ma’s legacy will never fade.