Sant Jalaram Bapa

Jalaram’s love towards sadhus’ and sants’ grew day by day and he would go to any extent to entertain sadhus and sants

This was not acceptable to his father. Jalaram’s deep involvement with sadhus’ and sants’ led to his seperation from his father’s business. He had decided to go his way. He worked for his uncle for some time. Uncle Valjibhai was very fond of Jalaram, but even that love and fondness would not deter Jalaram’s desire to serve sadhus’ and sants’. If at all anything it made more determined to devote himself fully to the service of sadhus’ and sants’ and the needy. He was fully aware that such devotion would mean complete withdrawal from marital life, a life free from family ties and circles. His inclination was to go on that path faster and with approval of his parents and uncle Valjibhai, he set out on a holy pilgrimage of holy places. He was fortunate that Virbaima was keen to follow her husband Jalaram. To her, Jalaram’s work was her work, Jalaram’s wishes were her wishes and all that Jalaram decided to do she was but prepared to do that. She was following Jalaram in every respect.

At the age of 18 he accepted Bhojalram as his Guru and with Gurus’ blessings, he started “Sadavrat” a feeding centre, a place where all sadhus’ and sants’ and the needy can go and expect to be fed 24 hours a day. Both Jalaram Bapa and Virbaima started working for this holy place. Jalaram’s strong belief was that “This was the Lord’s order – This was Lord’s work – I am not doing anything for anybody – Lord has asked me to do this work – since it is Lord’s work HE looks after it and ensures that it functions”. Actually that did happen – indeed the place functioned well. Nobody ever returned from that place without being fed. One can question whether this can possibly be done by a single person – Yes. We argue and debate and yet probably would not come to a sensible answer – but then to do what Jalaram did one has to be a person of Jalaram’s determination, his patience, his love towards others.

He was 20 years when his saintliness acquired a great fame.

There are stories of how he was put to tests for his qualities of patience, endurence, love towards others, his steadfastness of thinking – he did not change under any pressure – he came out of all those tests successfully. His fame spread and he was regarded and accepted as a saint. People started worshipping him. They came to him for guidance in difficulties, for blessings in real distress and discomfort. It is said that once he was called out to see an ailing child struct with serious disease. Parents of this child believed that the cure was solely due to Jalaram Bapa’s blessings – Jala was since called Allah. In another instance a person who was threatened to be imprisoned went to Jalaram for his blessings. This man was not only saved from such imprisonment but he decided to lead a normal honest life then onwards. Jalaram was then onwards addressed as Bapa – Father of all. There are numerous such instances that can be quoted from his books but fact is that his feeding place was open and is still open today in Virpur where people go and are fed. People go to Jalaram Bapa’s places for prayers to him and seek his blessings for their personal griefs, shortcomings and failures and many acquire relief and satisfaction.

Human beings during their span of life always aspire to be rich and acquire wealth – they pray for complete family life – it is such saint as Jalaram Bapa who remain away from such desire and wants. In their lives they always give – even when they are gone they still give to those who ask from them with purity of heart and sincerity of purpose.

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In 1934 during terrible famine Jalaram Bapa worked very hard to feed those who were suffering. In 1935 Virbaima died and 1937 Jalaram Bapa died while in prayers.

Sankara was the exponent of the Kevala Advaita philosophy, Ramanuja of the Visishtadvaita philosophy,

Shri Jalaram Bapa was born on Monday, November 14, 1799 the seventh day of the bright half of the kartik, Vikram era 1856 in Virpur. He had a first meeting with the God at the age of five and since then he was all the time muttering Rama Rama. His father was a grocer and had a small shop in the town. From childhood only Jalaram was inclined towards the Sadhus and Sannyasis. Whenever he saw a sadhu he would take him to his house for meals. In the age of 14 he started working with his father in his shop. At the age of 16, Jalaram was married to Virbai the daughter of Pragji Thakkar of Atkot. As Jalaram continuously indulged in offering the meals to the sadhus his father had separated him from the house and shop. Now he started working in his uncle’s shop.

Sourse- jalarammandir

Sant Jalaram Bapa: Life, Seva, and Spiritual Legacy

Sant Jalaram Bapa is one of the most loved saints of Gujarat, remembered for devotion to Lord Rama and lifelong service to the hungry. His life was simple, but its message was powerful: real worship becomes meaningful when it feeds, comforts, and uplifts others. Devotees call him Bapa with affection because he lived like a compassionate father to all who came to him. His story continues to inspire families, pilgrims, and charitable institutions across India and abroad.

Sant Jalaram Bapa was born in Virpur, near Rajkot, in 1799. His father was Pradhan Thakkar, and his mother Rajbai was known for serving sadhus and travellers with love. This atmosphere of hospitality shaped his childhood. From an early age, he showed kindness toward saints, poor people, and guests. Instead of thinking only about family business, he felt joy in giving food and help. This early habit later became the centre of his spiritual mission.

Sant Jalaram Bapa married Virbai, who became his strong companion in service. Their partnership is important because his path was not one of lonely renunciation alone. Virbai supported his devotion, charity, and daily feeding work with patience and faith. Together they showed that household life can also become sacred when it is guided by compassion. A home that feeds the needy becomes a temple, and a kitchen that serves without pride becomes worship.

Sant Jalaram Bapa accepted Bhojalram, also known as Bhoja Bhagat, as his guru. The guru’s guidance gave spiritual direction to his natural compassion. Under this influence, he deepened his devotion to Rama and developed a disciplined life of prayer, humility, and seva. He did not present himself as a scholar or philosopher. His teaching was expressed through action. He believed that God lives in every guest, every sadhu, every poor person, and every hungry mouth.

Sant Jalaram Bapa is most closely associated with the Sadavrat, the continuous free food service that began in Virpur. This service welcomed people without discrimination of caste, status, region, or wealth. Anyone who came with hunger could receive food. The meaning of Sadavrat is not only charity; it is faith in divine abundance. When food is given with trust, love, and surrender, service becomes a spiritual bridge between human need and divine grace.

Sant Jalaram Bapa taught that feeding the hungry is one of the highest forms of devotion. He did not separate bhakti from practical kindness. Chanting the name of Rama and serving food to people were part of the same path. This makes his message very relevant today. Many people speak about religion, but his life asks a direct question: have we reduced someone’s suffering? If devotion does not create compassion, it remains incomplete.

Sant Jalaram Bapa is connected with many stories of divine help and miracles. Devotees speak of the jholi and danda received through divine grace, the endless supply of food, and the protection given to those who remembered him with faith. Whether these stories are read as miracles or symbols, their meaning is clear. A person who gives everything to God and serves others sincerely is never spiritually poor. Grace supports those who live for others.

Sant Jalaram Bapa lived with deep humility. He did not seek fame, wealth, or authority. His clothing, food, and daily habits remained simple. Even when people began to honour him, he stayed focused on service. This humility made his greatness more powerful. A saint is not measured by outer display, but by the ability to remove hunger, fear, and loneliness from the hearts of others. His life proves that simplicity can carry tremendous spiritual force.

Sant Jalaram Bapa passed away in 1881, but his legacy did not end. Virpur became a major pilgrimage place, and devotees continue to visit the shrine connected with his life. The temple preserves memories of his service and devotion. It is also famous because, since 2000, the main shrine has not accepted donations, a rare example that reflects trust in faith and the continuing power of Bapa’s name. Such a tradition strengthens the image of selfless service.

Sant Jalaram Bapa remains meaningful for modern society because hunger, inequality, and loneliness still exist. His message is not limited to one community. It speaks to anyone who believes that spirituality must become kindness. A small act of feeding, helping, listening, or sharing can carry divine value when done without ego. His life encourages people to make compassion a daily habit rather than an occasional event.

Sant Jalaram Bapa also offers an ideal for families. He shows that devotion can be practised through ordinary duties. Preparing food, welcoming guests, respecting elders, supporting a spouse, and helping neighbours can all become sacred actions. His life with Virbai reminds householders that spiritual greatness is possible within family life when both partners support service and faith. This message gives hope to people who cannot leave worldly duties but still want inner growth.

Sant Jalaram Bapa also inspires organised charity beyond Virpur. Many Jalaram temples and trusts run food distribution, medical help, community kitchens, and relief activities in his memory. These services continue the spirit of the original Sadavrat by turning remembrance into action every day. For young readers, his example is especially useful because it teaches that greatness does not require position or wealth. A sincere person can begin with one plate of food, one kind word, or one honest act. Sant Jalaram Bapa shows that the path to God becomes clear when the heart is open to humanity.

Sant Jalaram Bapa stands as a shining symbol of seva, Rama bhakti, humility, and universal hospitality. His legacy teaches that God is pleased not by pride but by love. Temples, prayers, and rituals become deeper when they create a generous heart. For sincere devotees, his name is a reminder to serve before judging, give before expecting, and trust divine grace while doing good. His life continues to feed not only bodies, but also faith, courage, and compassion in every heart that remembers him.