Kotda (J) has always been ahead in every matter, be it development work or matter of religion. In matter of religion, it has always remained a staunch Sanatani and insisted that everyone remains staunch. It has not accepted any compromise in religious matters. Kotda (J) has not lagged behind in the controversy of Satpanth and Sanatan.

One such example is familial but, of fanaticism along with loyalty. Which is presented here.

The talk is about a year before 1974 when Kotda (J) Laxminarayan Mandir Samaj and Kotda (J) Satpanth Samaj, two societies were active and the number of families in both was almost equal, but Satpanth Samaj was strong due to the power of Pirana. It was surviving by adopting activities like stopping families turning towards Sanatan by tyranny or by helping financially. In the 1970s an atmosphere was created and many families who were small in brotherhood joined Sanatan and became Sanatani. In families like Limbani, Velani, Pokar, Senghani, Chhabhaiya and Mukhi etc., Satpanth came into minority as two parts Satpanth Sanatan were formed. They came to Sanatan and ghee fell into ghee work (it was advantageous) and brothers came together.

In this time few families remained in Satpanth, rest became Sanatani. Except for the remaining small and big families suppressed financially or relationally, most became Sanatan. At this time a large family of Kotda, Padmani, stuck to Satpanth due to mutual pressure of brothers or due to financial help from Pirana.

Around 1973, engagement relationship of children took place in the family of Manjibhai Laljibhai of Limbani family and Nathubhai Karsanbhai of Padmani family. Limbani family took the daughter of Padmani family. Manjibhai Laljibhai Limbani family had mostly come to Sanatan except one. While no one had come from Padmani. But, when this relationship happened, on persuasion of Limbani family, Nathubhai Padmani stated to accept Sanatan and continue the relationship. But his elder brother Premji Karsan and younger brother Ramji Karsan were not ready to come to Sanatan and threatened Nathubhai that if you become Sanatani then we will abandon your house, will not come to the occasion, will see how you do marriage. How the Jaan (marriage procession) comes to your house. Still Nathubhai remained firm in mind and Limbani family and Laxminarayan Samaj people assured that Samaj will stand by you on your occasion, do not worry.

Same thing happened in 1974, marriage of Shamjibhai, son of Manjibhai Laljibhai Limbani family took place without any obstacle with Jamnaben, daughter of Nathubhai Karshanbhai Padmani. Even though Nathubhai was the only house of Padmani family, Limbani family and families of Laxminarayan Samaj together completed the occasion nicely. Over time good and bad occasions kept coming in both families and wherever Nathubhai family felt the need of brothers, Limbani family and Laxminarayan Mandir Samaj stayed together.  

The hero of this incident Shri Shamjibhai Manjibhai Limbani of Limbani family and the “Virangana” (heroine) daughter of Padmani family Jamnaben who heard and tolerated many taunts from maternal side Padmani family. As days passed, both Shamjibhai and Jamnaben became hard of mind. In three children, sons, only Nathubhai’s family remained present in childhood occasions of all three, Bolamana, Pacheda etc. Even invitation was not given to elder father, uncle, aunt, cousins and clearly said only Sanatanis are invited to my house.

 In the year 1998 on elder son Kishor’s, in 2001 on middle son Tulsi’s and after that in year 2003 on younger son Mukesh’s marriage occasion also, invitation was not given to even relatives of maternal side like Fai (paternal aunt), Masi (maternal aunt), Mama (maternal uncle) etc. who were Satpanthi, except Nathubhai’s family. The pinnacle of their religiosity was seen when younger son Mukesh passed away becoming victim of accident in 2004 after only one year of married life. Even at such time both took a hard decision and clearly refused even to come for Besana (condolence meeting) despite having a large family of Jamnaben’s maternal side in the village itself.

Nathubhai Padmani had gone to Arambagh of Bengal with family for sawmill business from Kutch at a young age only. Thus Jamnaben’s childhood and education happened in Sanatani environment in Bengal so she was mentally strong Sanatani. Which was the plus point of her life. She also knew that distance will have to be maintained as most in maternal side are Satpanthi, having decided so in mind, never felt pain in mind occasionally and husband wife stuck to the main goal of Sanatan. On small-big occasions of family they used to tell maternal side clearly that if you become Sanatani and then come to my house then doors are open otherwise do not take trouble to come on any occasion. People of any caste Harijan, Koli, Muslim etc. will be welcome at my house but Satpanthi will not work at all.  

Even today in matter of religion Limbani family in Kotda (J), in that too Shamjibhai Limbani’s family is considered staunch believer. No one can even tell them to compromise in matter of Satpanth. One feels like bowing down to such staunch Sanatani Shamjibhai and Jamnaben for their Sanatani thoughts.

Sacrifices are not given only in battle, can also be given in worldly life. In battlefield it is only once whereas in family dealings telling a daughter not to come frequently to maternal side, what can be a bigger sacrifice for a worldly person than this???  Which Jamnaben has given and presented an example. 

Due to Jamnaben being elder in maternal family, after Nathubhai’s demise, Shamjibhai and Jamnaben have fulfilled the responsibility of parents of her three brothers and five sisters. Have handled occasions including marriage of brothers sisters. Today when families of her maternal side have mostly come to Sanatan, they repeat the old thing that ‘first you come to my house then we will come to your place’ and are also implementing it.

Thanks to Shamjibhai and Jamnaben.