Lord swaminaryan final

|| Jay Swaminarayan ||

PREFACE

The Supreme Lord Swaminarayan incarnated Himself at Chhapaiya near Ayodhya in Samvat year 1837 i.e. 1781 A. D. He served His parents for eleven years and passed seven years in severe penance and pilgrimage. He removed all the corruptions, demorality and devilish motives from the holy places, sanctified them and finally, He made Gujarat as the center of His divine mission.

He propagated the Bhagwat Dharma in society with pious, virtuous, moral behavior and single-minded devotion to God Supreme. He freed them all from all the vices, addicts, blindbeliefs, superstitions, all sorts of corruptions and made them all ideal human beings and ideal devotees of God. The life long activities of God Supreme, for propagating the Bhagwat Dharma on earth with virtuous, moral, peaceful behavior and ardent single-minded devotion to God; His redemptive principles, the endurance, mercy, non-violence, forgiveness of the saints, His luminous personality and His divine glory, His endearing preaching and his deep effect over the public, the wide change over all the brutal hearts into moral, pious and devotional ones, if all these are put before the public in a decent way with effective examples, it may play a great deal for the wide spread of His divine tenets. People may accept and follow it. The society may improve in all aspect.

Lord Swaminarayan had covered Northern, Eastern and Southern India during His pilgrimage. Since, He made Gujarat as the center of His divine mission, all the scriptures of Swaminarayan Sampraday are mostly written in Sanskrit and Gujarati. For its wide publicity and for the welfare of the public out of Gujarat, this book has been written in English. This book will be very useful for the new generation, especially, for those

who have studied in English schools in India and for those who are in foreign countries.

My elder brother, Shree Jashbhai C. Patel, who has keen interest for the wide publicity of Swaminarayanism in Southern India, has inspired me to write in English. I wrote in his presence at Madras. We have already published a life sketch and the work of Lord Swaminarayan and “Shikshapatri� in Tamil language.

Both were translated in Tamil by Shree Devraj M. Patel.

Ramanbhai C. Patel Vile Parle (East), Bombay

DEDICATION

The sandalwood burns itself and gives fragrance to all. The candle burns itself and gives light to all. Similarly, Swami Shree Gnanjivandasji led very austere, penanceful, devotional life and served laboriously, heartily all the bodies of Shree Swaminarayan Sampraday till he breathed his last, and spread up the fragrance of an ideal, virtuous devotion and converted many vicious, devilish, brutal hearts like me into virtuous, moral, devotional ones.

His obligations are uncompensatable by innumerable births, yet, I dedicate this book as an insignificant present at the pious feet of venerable, Brahmanishtha, prominent saint, Sadguru Swami Shree Gnanjivandasji (Vadtal).

RAMANBHAI CHUNIBHAI PATEL

Venerable Brahmanishtha Prominent Saint

Sadguru Swami Shree Gnanjivandasji (Vadtal)

Before His departure from this world, Supreme Lord Swaminarayan handed the charge of the whole divine mission over to the great prominent Saint Shree Gopalanand Swami. In his discipleship, there was a great saint named Niralambanand Swami with whom, Lord was extremely pleased and had handed him the service of the huge kitchen of Vadtal for lifetime. A disciple of Niralambanand was Shree Krishnaswarupdasji Swami and his disciple was this venerable saint Sadguru Swami Shree Gnanjivandasji (Vadtal).

Since his childhood, Swami Shree Gnanjivandasji was an ideal saint. By his severe penance, non-attachment to worldly objects, distinct meticulous spiritual knowledge, ardent and staunch devotion unto Lord; by his association, his endearing preaching, and by his blessings, many vicious, evil, brutal hearted people had been changed into virtuous, moral, pious, peaceful devotional ones. They became happy in every aspect in present life and worthy for ultimate redemption thereafter.

By his extreme unselfish devotion, Lord was extraordinarily pleased upon him and had bestowed upon him the divinity like Gopalanand Swami viz., Tele-hearing, Tele-vision, intuitive power, mastery over kala, maya etc., which he used only for the welfare of the people to lead them to the devotion to Lord Supreme. For the whole life, up to ninety eight years of age, he served restlessly and laboriously, all the bodies of this fellowship and help propagated the divine tenets of Lord far and wide.

Approximately fifty temples were newly constructed and old ones repaired by him. Newly huge temples were constructed by him at Pij, Virsad and at Ghatkopar in Bombay.

The followers at Madras were in a small number. They were experiencing the scarcity of money to construct a temple. By Swamiji’s inspiration, guidance, blessings and by his collections,

a huge temple has been visualized, and today followers have increased in greater numbers.

To expose the greatness of Lord Swaminarayan, for the wide spread of His divine principles, and to put before the public, His propagated Bhagwat Dharma, we dedicate this book at Shree Swamiji’s pious feet.

ACKNOWLODGEMENT

Shree Jashbhai C. Patel of village Uttarsanda and late Shree Navinbhai I. Patel of village Vaso, both at Madras had a keen interest in publishing the life activities, His principles, the religious and social reforms of Lord Swaminarayan in English for its wide publicity out of Gujarat. A man may aspire to achieve any sort of accomplishment, but so long as Almighty God Supreme does not support him or inspire him, he can not achieve the goal.

By the excessive grace of Almighty God Supreme and by His inspiration only we could succeed. Shree Navinbhai I. Patel had examined its linguistic correctness. Further, we are grateful to those who have generously helped us directly or indirectly by monetarily, mentally or physically to make us successful.

INDEX

CHAPTER-1 1.

The anarchy, atrocity and low-morality all over India 2.

Ramanand Swami. The founder of Uddhav Sampraday 3.

Dharmadev and Bhaktidevi 4.

The initiation of Dharmadev and Bhaktidevi 5.

Manifestation of Supreme God 6.

Jatkarma (Tonsuring) ceremony 7.

Shree Ghanshyam at Ayodhya 8.

Salvation of Dharmadev and Bhaktidevi 9.

Ghamshyam Left Home 10. Shree Ghanshyam as Nilkanth Varni 11. Severe penance at Pulahashram 12. Pibaik’s defeat and his improve 13. Varni in Jagannathpuri 14. Nilkanth Varni at Manaspattan 15. Pilgrimage in Southern India 16. Nilkanth Varni at Shrirangam 17. Service to ailing Sevakram 18. Setubandh Rameshwaram 19. Nilkanth Mahadev met Nilkanth Varni 20. Bhootpuri 21. Kanyakumari to Kishkindha 22. Varni at Pandharpur 23. Nasik—Tryambak 24. Journey from Burhanpur to Loj 25. Pilgrimage and removal of devility 26. Nilkanth Varni at Loj 27. Muktanand Swami meets Nilkanth Varni 28. Muktanand Swami 29. Nilkanth Varni, an ideal disciple

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58 59 60,

The first step of Sarjudas Sarjudas (Nilkanth Varni) at Loj Nilkanth Varni’s initiation - Bhagwati Mahadiksha Sahajanand Swami, invested as Acharya.

The two unique boons.

Passing away of Ramanand Swami.

The glory and greatness of Swaminaryan.

The basic preaching of Sahajanand Swami.

The unique Samadhi (Trance) The basic five Vows. Panch Vartaman.

The five vows of Saints (Sadhus) Non-violence. The base of all the religions.

Meat eating strictly prohibited.

Living oblations strictly prohibited.

Suicide is the greatest sin.

Beverage (drinking) and addictiveeness strictly prohibited.

Release from the superstitions.

The guidance of ultimate redemption is the best service to mankind.

The austere behaviour of Saints and its effect.

The tortures from wickeds. Forgiveness of Saints.

Forgiveness, the Greatness of the great saints. Sadanand wami.

51.

Kripa nand Swami and Gunatitanand Swami.

Lord Swaminarayan in Anand.

Machination of Aba Shelakar to kill Lord.

Alms-houses (Sadavratas)and human service.

Torments from Vairagis. Sadhus changed to Paramhans.

Austere penanceful living of Saints.

The hard tests of the saints.

The satsang communion of saints and its effect.

Verabhai. The leader of the dacoits.

Darbar Abhaysingh of Lodhika,

61 Joban Pagi. The fierce leader of the dacoits, 62. Sagaram Vaghari. The hunter.

63. Others property is equivalent to the excrement.

64. Deliverance of devilish hearts.

65. The difficult test of the devotees.

66. Eighteen reputeds renounced by one letter.

67. Adbhutanand Swami. The marvellous saint.

68. Lalji Suthar (carpenter) Nishkulanand Swami 69. Galuji of Dadusar.

70. Dosabhai Sheth of Bandhia.

71. Prabhashankar of Piplav 72. Ladhiba of Bhuj.

73. Anandji Sanghedia of Mangrol.

74. First meeting with Ebhalkhachar (Abhaysingh) of Gadhpur (Gadhada) 75. The greatness of Dadakhachar.

76. The festivals and the samaiyas (gatherings) 77. Annakut utsav and Bhav samadhi of ladies.

78. Why direct service to Lord is restricted for ladies?

79 The divine unique boon to Lalita (Laduba) 80. Holi and Dhuleti in society.

81. Fooldol utsav in Sampraday.

82. Fooldol utsav at Vadtal.

83. Lord Swaminarayan in Gadhada.

84. Fooldol utsav at Gadhada.

85. Receptions and respect from the rulers, 86. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad of Vadodara.

87. Lord at Junagadh. Hamadkhan “Yahi to khuda hai.”

88. Gajefarkhan. Nawab of Manavadar.

89. Badruddin. Nawab of Mangrol.

90. Maharaja Vijaysinghji of Bhavnagar.

91. Hathisinghji. The king of Gondal.

92. Kushalkunvarbai. The queen of Dharampur.

93. Malcom Haley. The Governor of Bombay.

94.

95.

96.

97.

98.

99.

100.

101.

102.

103.

104.

105.

106.

107.

108.

109.

110.

111.

112.

113.

114.

115.

116.

117.

118 119.

Ardeshar Kotwal. The administrator of Surat.

Lord subservient to ardent staunch devotees. Jivan Bhakta of Jetalpur.

Poor brahmin couple at Vadtal.

Patalbhai’s wife of Bhader.

Amarakhachar and Vaghakhachar of Sarangpur.

A short dhoti gifted by an old woman.

Ranchhodji of chanpar The incarnations of God, the Gods and Goddesses declared the Supremacy of Lord Swaminarayan.

Revelation (Akashawani) told His Supremacy.

Lord showed His Supremacy by fulfilling the thoughts and wishes.

Dulls and dumbs recited Vedas and Kuran.

The prominent saints. Gopalanand Swami. The yoga murti.

Swami’s yougik talent.

Swami’s control over the whole universe.

Absolute celibacy by grace.

Thorough knowledge. Gopalanand Swami’s grace.

Divinity invested by Gopalanand Swami. Hanumanji at Sarangpur.

Muktanand Swami. The mother of communion, He decreased his austerity to give courage to others.

The marvellous dancing of Muktanand Swami.

Brahmanand Swami. A jocular born poet.

Effect of his devoted celibacy.

Nityanand Swami. The ever victorious Pandit.

Shukanand Swami. The private secretary of Lord.

Nishkulanand Swami. An ideal non-attachment.

Nishkulanand Swami, The heavy hearted obedient servant.

120.

Siddh mukta Santdasji. Shatanand Swami.

121. Akhandanand Swami. An ideal patience.

122. Premanand Swami. Premsakhi. An idol of love.

123. Mulji Brahmachari. Mukundanand Varni. Lord’s everready attendant.

124. Devanand Swami.

125. Vyapakanand Swami.

126. Swarupanand Swami. Ever engrossed in samadhi.

127. Sachchidanand Swami. Excessive mad love.

128. Sachchidanand Swami. An ideal love.

129. Give me your the most cherished. Achyutdasji 130. Adwaitanand Swami. Magniram Deviwala.

131. Parvatbhai of Agatrai.

132. Realization in Mansi pooja i.e. mental worshipping.

133. Govardhan Sheth of Mangrol, 134. Dedication. Blessing of Lord. Narharbhai Patel of Uttarsanda.

135. Ratanji Bapu, An ideal brave servant.

136. Surakhachar. A jocular staunch devotee.

137. Upliftment of the females.

138. Reason for the seperate assemblies.

139. The prominent spiritualized ladies.

140. The effective preaching of ladies.

141. The profound knowledge of Raibai of Kundal.

142. Deep knowledge and patience of Revabai of Nenpur.

143. Eagerness to see Almighty God, 144. The disgustful custom of sati, 145. Strangling of new born female babies.

146. Selling of daughters.

147. The ‘Fatanas’, indecent songs in marriages.

148. More attention to the low class people.

149. Upliftment of the down trodden.

150. Muslim devotees.

151. Parsee devotees.

152. English devotees. Spanish devotees

153. Vishishtadwait Mat.Lord’s philosophical principal—Jiva, Ishwar, Maya, Brahman, Parabrahma.

154. Cosmic evolution.

155. The way for ultimate redemption.

156. The Muktas. The Akshardham. The bliss therein.

157. Muktas. The divine servants of Lord.

158. For the ultimate redemption, the devotion to divine perceptible human form of Supreme God is absolutely necessary.

159. The proper meaning of the opposite shrities 160. The difference in the Vishistadwait Mat of Lord Swaminarayan and that of Ramanujacharya.

161. Dharma, Gnan, Vairagya. Premlakshana Bhakti. The main devices for salvation.

161A. Nishkam Premlakshna Bhakti 162. The necessity of the temples.

163. The necessity of worshipping the idols.

164. A huge temple at Ahmedabad (Nar-Narayan) 165. A temple at Bhuj in Kutchh (Nar-Narayan) 166. At Vadtal, Lakshminarayan and Harikrishna.

167. At Dholera, Madan Mohanji.

168. At Junagadh, Radha Ramandev. SiddheswarMahadev 169. At Gadhada (Gadhapur) Gopinathji.

170. The Shikharbandh (huge) Mandir. Worshipping procedure.

171. Hari Mandir. The small temples.

172. Individual worshipping.

173. Acharya. The managing head of Sampraday.

174. Desh Vibhag Lekh.

175. The visible signs of Swaminarayan’s devotee.

176. The initiation (Diksha) and its types.

177. Initiations (Diksha) to ladies.

178. A house-holder guru of the tyagis. A novel procedure 179. Genealogy of the Acharyas of Swaminarayanism.

180. The scriptures of Sampraday.

181.

182.

183.

184.

185.

186.

187.

188.

189.

190.

191.

193.

194.

195.

196.

197.

198.

199.

200.

201.

202.

203.

204.

205.

206.

Shikshapatri. The perceptible form of Lord in His speech.

Shreemad Satsangi Jivanam.

Vachanamrit. The divine speech of God Supreme.

Bhakta Chintamani.

Hari Digvijay.

Other scriptures.

The poets of Sampraday.

Lords ever presence.

Lord’s inspiration for physical labour.

Lord Swaminarayan’s saints from various places.

The dedicated staunch devotee. Niyam Nishchaya, Paksha.

192.

Ultim ate redemption is attainable only by experiencing the ever presence of Lord.

The actions of devotee free from bondage.

Manasi pooja. The mental worshipping.

Monotheism.

His unique vow.

Lord is spell-bound by deep love.

Lord Swaminarayan manifests Himself in various forms at various places.

Lord’s strang behaviour. A remembrance and meditation for devotee.

Both legs in one sleeve of trouser.

Dining during incomplete shaving.

Fear from Baba Saheb and his visit.

Fear from Baba Saheb and His declaration.

Lord appeared fiercely before Jetha and Mehraman Gowalia of Mandavdhar.

Marvellous scene for Piluji of Surat.

Two great obstructions in ultimate redemption (1) Rejecting the divine form of Lord (2) A slander of devotee.

207. Lord doesn’t forbear pride at all.

208. Daily prayer for the seven boons.

209. The eleven commandments to be observed by devotees.

210. Appreciations by the great personalities of India for Swaminarayan and His sect.

211. Appreciations of foreigners.

212. The unique glory.

213. Lord’s final farewell.

214. Lord’s divine vision to Dadakhachar.

215. Lord’s divine vision to Ramchandra Vaidya of Vadodara.

216. Lord’s divine vision to Ladkibai of Akha.

217. Lord’s divine vision to two brahmins of Vadnagar.

218. Lord embraces Brahmanand Swami.

219. Lord’s vision to Mulji Brahmachari.

220. Premanand Swami embraced by Lord.

221. Lord’s divine vision to Gunatitanand Swami.

222. Lord’s ever divinity in Harikrishna Maharaj of Vadtal.

223. His Supremacy Rampratapji

LORD SWAMINARAYAN The Founder of Bhagwat Dharma CHAPTER 1 THE ANARCHY, ATROCITY AND LOW-MORALITY ALL OVER INDIA

During the second half of the eighteenth century, India was deteriorated in every respect. It was divided into too many fragments. Peshwas, Marathas, Gaikwad, Nizam Rajputs, Sikhs and all other rulers were fighting amongst themselves. Since there was no law and order, the antisocial activities like thefts, dacoities, deceits, murders etc. were at rampage everywhere.

Mobs equipped with all destructive weapons used to wander, rob and kill the innocent people. There was no safety of life and property of the public. It was dangerous to move-out without escorts. Many-a-times the escorts themselves used to rob and kill the masters.

The religious situation was much worse. Religion was observed pretentionally only. The fake Sadhus, the Khakhis, the Monks, the Chiefs of the religious sects who were full of all the vices and attached to all the addicts, misinterpreted the religious scriptures, misguided the ignorant public and utilized them into their own service. With the threats of evil spirits, spells, charms, hypnotism and black-magic, they used to rob and snatch everything from the public. Impression upon the public was that, saffron cloth is the indicative of God, made them to adore, serve and worship God in that form.

Truthfulness, compassion, forgiveness, non-violence, politeness, righteous conduct, morality and humanity had completely disappeared from the society. Instead of these, passion, ego, pride, haughtiness, greediness, jealousy, adultery, hypocrisy, violence spread up everywhere. The society had sunk in ignorance, darkness, blind beliefs and superstitions. People were addicted to liquor, wine, opium, ganja, bhang (hempflower), tobacco, meat-eating, gambling, etc. The disease and calamities were viewed superstitiously as the wrath of deities.

Instead of taking any kind of medical treatment the people resorted to spell charms of the evil spirits and used to offer wine,

liquor and living oblations to please them. Frequently they offered human oblations also.

Thus society had degenerated and deteriorated in every aspect. All the people were yearning for physical and mental peace and were anxiously waiting for some divine savior.

In Shreemad Bhagwat Geeta Lord Shree Krishna announced that whenever Dharma (virtuous conduct) subsides and Adharma (vicious conduct) is at helm and the saintly ones are suffering the Almighty God incarnates himself on the earth in a human form.

RAMANAND SWAMI (The Founder of Uddhav Sampradaya) Lord Shree Krishna, while leaving from this earth, gave his spiritual knowledge to Uddhavji, his private secretary as well as His ardent disciple. He asked him to propagate this particular knowledge in Badrikashram.

Again when anarchy, atrocity and low-morality pervade throughout India, Uddhavji incarnated himself from the pious Rigvedi Brahmin family, from Ajay Sharma and his wife Sumatidevi, at Ayodhya in Vikram Samvat year 1795 (1794) i.e.

1738 A.D. He was named as Ram Sharma. At twelve years of age, he left home for further spiritual study and pilgrimage, and did not return.

The years shown in this book are starting from the month of Asadh, while the Vikram Samvat year starts from the month of Kartik. Asadhi year is starting four months earlier. The counting of year differs from each other by four months. In such a case, the V.S.Y. is given in bracket. Thus 1795 (1794).

In the course of his spiritual study and pilgrimage in Saurashtra near the mountain Girnar, He met a great preacher Atmananda. Swami Atmanandaji initiated Ram Sharma and renamed him as “Ramanand.� But Atmananda Swami had the belief in God as only the formless light. Ramanand left him.

Ramanujacharya was the believer and worshipper of the glorious splendid divine human form of God in the midst of the effulgent light. Ramanand went to Shree-Rangam and studied all Ramanujacharya’s vedic literature eagerly with keen interest and full faith. Shree Ramanujacharya gave him his divine vision in trance, initiated him, marked twelve tilaks i.e., signs of his fellowship and gave him his divine charms.

Ramanand Swami then went to Vrindavan and worshipped Lord Shree Krishna ardently yearning for His divine holy sight.

Lord Shree Krishna was pleased to give him His divine holy sight in glorious splendid divine human form. Lord Shree Krishna initiated him again and gave him a new charm, which exist now in the Swaminarayan Sampraday, Ramanad Swami again went to Swami Atmanand, persuaded and convinced him his spiritual theory. Atmanand Swami accepted and appreciated his knowledge. He asked his disciples to follow Ramanand Swami and left this world.

Ramanand Swami started his fellowship. He moved restlessly in Saurashtra, Kutch and all over Gujarat to give to public the distinct and detailed knowledge for the welfare of the present life and the life then after. Thousands of people followed him and discarded all the vices and started to live virtuous devotional lives. He also established alms-houses at various places; there he used to give food and likewise aids to the poor.

There were about fifty ideal saints in his fellowship who, helped him in his mission.

He established a monastery at Loj near Mangarol in Saurashtra. The saints lived there and moved about for fulfilling the mission. Ramanand Swami who started this sampraday was an incarnation of Uddhavji, the pet disciple of Shree Krishna so it is known as Uddhav Sampraday.

DHARMA DEV AND BHAKTI DEVI (Parents of the Lord)

There lived at Itar in Gorakhpur district in U. P. a Sarayupari, Savarni gotri pious Brahmin named Balsharma Pande, belonging to the Kauthami branch of Samved. He was the royal priest of the King of Gorakhpur, His wife’s name was Bhagyavatidevi.

Dharmadev was born to this family on the 11th day of the bright half of the month of Kartik in Samvat Year 1796 i.e., 1739 A.D. He was named Devsharma, also known as Hariprasad.

Another pious Saryupari Brahmin named Krishna Sharma lived at Chhapaiya, North of Ayodhya in U.P. His wife’s name was Bhawanidevi. Bhaktidevi was born in this family on the 15th day of the bright half of the month of Kartik in S. Y. 1798 i.e., 1741 A. D. She was named Baladevi, also known as Premvatidevi.

Dev Sharma and Baladevi were married and were staying at Chhapaiya. Devsharma alias Hariprasad was highly learned and was respected by great spiritual scholars. This family was so cultured, virtuous, righteous, and pious, peaceful, simple, extremely devotional with universal love towards all the souls.

They became very famous and highly respected by people.

A son was born to them in Samvat year 1818 i.e., 1762 A. D. He was named Rampratap.

THE INITIATION OF DHARMADEV AND BHAKTIDEVI Once Dharmadev and Bhaktidevi had been to Triveni for pilgrimage at Allahabad, where there is a confluence of the three holy rivers, Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati. There they met Swami Ramanand, the founder of the Uddhav Sampraday. He initiated them and gave them a new charm. Ramanand Swami clearly advised Dharmadev to initiate the male disciples only and Bhaktidevi to initiate female disciples only.

CHAPTER 2

MANIFESTATION OF GOD SUPREME Almighty Lord Shree Swaminarayan manifested Himself at Chhapaiya about 20 K. M. North of Ayodhya from Bhaktidevi, the wife of Dharmadev at 10-10 p.m. on Monday the ninth day of bright half of the month of Chaitra of Samvat year 1837 dated 2nd April 1781. The prominent astrologer Muni Markandeya named Him as Krishna, Hari, Harikrishna and Nilkanth. His family members used to address Him by his nickname of Ghanshyam.

Rampratap, the first son of Dharmadev was married to Suvasinibai, the daughter of Baldev, a landlord of Targao in the district of Gonda.

JATAKARMA (TONSURING) CEREMONY The Jata Karma i.e. tonsuring ceremony was performed, when Shree Ghanshyam was three year of age. The demon leader, Kalidatta came there to kill the divine child but his devilish powers rebounded and killed him instead. Due to frequent difficulties from the wicked people, Dharmadev and Bhaktidevi left Chhapaiya and went to Ayodhya, where they lived in their old house.

SHREE GHANSHYAM AT AYODHYA Even though, Ghanshyam was the Lord Supreme, He acted like an ordinary child to show us the behavior of an ideal devotee. He started learning the scriptures from his father Dharmadev. Everyday in the morning, he would take his bath in the river Saryu and visit all the main temples in the city. He attended all the religious discourses, prayers and all ceremonies in the temples. Often He spoke to the people on the religious scriptures and showed them the real behavior of an ideal human

life and the truthful way for the salvation. He was reverently welcomed by all the people and was asked mysterious, spiritual and philosophical questions. They were replied distinctly and lucidly to their full satisfaction.

In V.S. year 1842 i.e. in 1786 A.D. third son was born to Dharmadev and Bhaktidevi. He was named Ichharam.

In V. S. year 1845 i.e. 1789 A. D. at the age of eight, Ghanshyam was given the Yagnopavit. At ten years of age He extracted the essence from Vyas Sutras, fifth and tenth cantos of Shrimad Bhagwat, Bhagwad Gita, Vidurnitee, Vishnu Sahastranam of Mahabharat, Vasudev Mahatmya from Skand Puran and Yagnya-valkya Smriti. He prepared a summary of all this scriptures in to a small handbook and kept it with Him for His daily study.

At ten year of age, Ghanshyam had been to Kashi for pilgrimage with His parents. Dharmadev was very famous in that region for his profound spiritual and philosophical knowledge.

The great scholars of Kashi Vishwanatha temple invited Dharmadev for discussion on different religious faiths, mainly “The Kevaladwait” and “Vishishtadwait.” Ghanshyam accompanied His father for the debate. Instead of Dharmadev, Ghanshyam would discuss and dominated them all. He convinced them that the “Vishishtadwait Philosophy” is the real and the best principle for devotion as well as for the ultimate redemption.

All the great spiritual scholars would bow at His feet believing Him as the Almighty God Supreme and worshipped Him ardently.

SALVATION OF DHARMADEV AND BHAKTIDEVI Ghanshyam obediently and affectionately served His parents till they breathed their last. During the last days of His mother Bhaktidevi’s sickness Ghanshyam always remained with her and served her well. He expounded her with the profound spiritual

knowledge for ultimate redemption. He revealed to her His own divine perceptible human form, which is in the blissful abode Akshardham and winded up her mortal coil on the 10th day of the bright half of the month of Kartik 1848 i.e. in 1791 A.D. The spiritual sermons given to Bhaktidevi by Ghanshyam, is known as Hari-Gita.

After passing away of Bhaktidevi, Dharmadev laid up with fever soon after. Ghanshyam gave him the same mysterious knowledge and revealed to him in His divine form. Dharmadev saw Him in a glorious splendid pleasant divine human form which is in the Akshardham. Seeing this in the excitement Dharmadev lost his entity, got up to embrace Him; but it disappeared and instead he saw Ghanshyam his own son before him. Dharmadev realized that Ghanshyam is no other but the Almighty God Supreme in human form as his son, and bowed down before His feet.

Dharmadev called his other two sons, Rampratap and Ichharam and told them to pray and worship Ghanshyam as God Supreme and follow His foot-prints. On the fourth half of the month of Jyeshth V. S. 1848 i.e. 1792 A.D. Dharmadev left the human body and attained the ultimate abode Akshardham.

GHAMSHYAM LEFT HOME After performing the post-death ceremonies of His parents Shree Ghanshyam left home on the 10th day of the bright half of the month of Ashadh in V.S. year 1849 i.e. on 29-6-1792 A. D. to eliminate vices and corruptions from the society and uplift all the religious places and for the welfare of innumerable souls by leading them to righteous, virtuous and devotional life.

As usual, early in the morning, He went to Saryu River for his daily bath. Seeing Ghanshyam alone, a friend of demon Kalidatta, pushed Him into the turbulent flow of the river. At that time He was of eleven years three months and one day.

SHREE GHANSHYAM AS NILKANTH VARNI After coming out of the river Saryu, He started His journey to the North towards the Himalayas. Ghanshyam went through the thick forests, which where plentiful of furious wild beasts. The forests were very dense and were inhabited by demons. He walked bare-footed. Braving the oppressive heat and torrential showers, he practiced rigorous penance. He would sit in the water even when the weather was extremely chill. Through His austere life, He taught us God can be realized only by such hard efforts along with ardent single-minded devotion.

He practised rigorous penance like Shree Nilkanth Mahadev, and so Ghanshyam was called by the people as Nilkanth Varni during his penance and pilgrimage .

SEVERE PENANCE AT PULAHASHRAM In the mountains of Himalayas, on the bank of river Gandaki in Nepal at Pulahashram near Muktanath Temple, Nilkanth Varni started severe penance; he stood on one leg, keeping both of his arms raised upwards, observing rigid fasting and chanting the Gayatri Mantra. He, being the God Supreme, observed such austere penance in order to set an example to teach us that a man desirous of salvation should observe such austerity.

After completing his penance, Nilkanth Varni went to Butvel (Butolnagar). The King had no son. Looking of someone with brilliant personality, the King welcomed Him, offered his daughter and asked Him to become a King of that region. Varni revealed the reality of life and the way for salvation to him and continued onwards.

In the dense forests, Nilkanth Varni met Gopal Yogi, who was skilled in Nirbij yog and was proficient in Ashtang yoga. He

believed in God as formless divine light. Nilkanth Varni taught Gopal Yogi the Sabij Yoga, expounded him the ideal principles of image-worship, then revealed His true divine form to him and left for Adivarah.

From Adivarah, He went on to Sirpur (Sonepur). The king of Sirput, Sidhavallabh was a devout king. He invited Nilkanth Varni and served him lovingly. In his kingdom he has also invited many worshippers of the evil spirits as well. They envied Nilkanth and secretly directed an evil spirit to kill a servant of the king, who was entrusted to serve Varni. But only by mere chanting of the name of “Shree Krishna” the servant was brought back to life, meanwhile the evil spirit went back to kill the invoker. Nilkanth Varni saved him. He got rid of all the evil activities, made them to live the virtuous lives, showed them the real way of worship and left.

PIBAIK’S DEFEAT AND HIS IMPROVAL From Sirpur, Nilkanth Varni went to a village near Kamaxi Devi in Assam. There lived a Mantracharya (adept in evil charms, hypnotism etc) namad Pibaik. He threatened and tried to kill Varni by invoking evil spirits, but without any success. On the contrary, the evil spirits turned back onto the invoker Pibaik.

Pibaik fell down and began to bleed profusely from nose and mouth. Nilkanth Varni saved him from evil spirits. Pibaik realized that the one whom he challenged was none else but God Supreme Himself. He begged for pardon. He gave up all evil activities and became a virtuous and righteous devotee of God. Nilkanth Varni went to “Navalakha Mountain” which is now known as Chitagong Hills in Bangladesh. Nine lakh yogis were performing severe penance, yearning for darshan i.e., holy sight and the realization of God Supreme. Nilkanth went there, embraced them all, blessed them all with delighted bliss and went forward.

Next Varni went to Balva Kund where there are springs of hot and cold water. From there, He went to the confluence of the Bengal Sea and the river Ganga. On the way He passed through Kapilashram and finally reached the well-known sacred place, Shree Jagannath Puri.

VARNI IN JAGANNATH PURI The temple of Lord Jagannath in Puri is one of the main temples in eastern India in Orissa. Nilkanth Varni went there and paid homage to Lord Jagannath. There were about fifteen thousand wicked Khakhi sadhus were equipped with all types of destructive weapons. All were addicted to women, wealth, all intoxicating drugs and all sorts of things.

Seeing of such a brilliant personality, people were attracted towards Nilkanth. They listen to Varni’s virtuous redemptive sermons and offered various gifts, but Varni did not accept any at all. People greatly honored him. Some Khukis tried to get Varni in their group while some other group tried to get Him in theirs.

Once, a Khakhi Sadhu forced Varni to do some difficult and laborious work. A member of other group denied doing it. From this a bitter faction between the two groups arose. It turned into a violent quarrel. The Khakhis were divided into two groups. They fought among each other and most of them were killed. Many were injured and some ran away to save their lives. The wicked Khakhis died as a result of their own evil actions. Nilkanth Varni left the place and moved on.

NILKANTH VARNI AT MANASPATTAN Varni reached Manas-pattan (Manaspur) which is in Orissa near Mandasa Rly. Station. The devout King Satradharma respectfully welcomed Him in his royal court and listened to his sermons. The Khakhi sadhus, who had run away from Puri to

save their lives, found Varni here. They knew Him as the main cause of their destruction. They determined to kill Him. Varni was sitting alone during the night out of the city. The Khakhi Sadhas tried to kill Him by throwing stones at Him. It did not harm Varni at all. Next morning the King saw a great heap of stones all around Him. The King came to know about the terrible intention of the Khakhis and punished them. Nilkanth Varni rebuked for it. The King apologized for such unworthy behavior.

Varni preached the reality and right conduct of human life and the correct way for salvation.

PILGRIMAGE IN SOUTHERN INDIA Nilkanth Varni went to Venkatadri, which is known as Venkatachal as well as Tirumalai. It has a range of seven mountains. On the seventh mountain, there is a huge and a very famous temple of Lord Venkatesh, also called Shrinivas. It is also famous by the name of Tirupati Balaji. Varni stayed there for a couple of days and moved Southwards.

Nilkanth Varni reached Ekamreshwar Temple in Shivkanchi, where Goddess Parvati had practiced severe penance to please Lord Shiva under a mango tree. From there Varni went to Vishnu Kanchi. Varni paid homage to Lord Varadaraj (Narayan), stayed there for a couple of days and moved Southwards.

NILKANTH VARNI AT SHREERANGAM A huge temple of Lord Shri Rangnath is situated at Shrirangam on an island in the midst of river Kavery near Tiruchi-rapalli. Around the temple there are seven ramparts and eighteen huge gates. This is the main Peeth (Missionary centre) of Shree Ramanujacharya at Shrirangam, who had initiated and given his divine charm to Shree Ramanand Swami the predecessor of Swaminarayan Fellowship. Varni stayed there for two months preaching the people, guiding them and showing

them the real behavior of human life and the correct way for salvation and left.

SERVICE TO AILING SEVAKRAM On the way to Rameshwaram, Nilkanth Varni saw a Sadhu named Sevakram lying by the roadside suffering from an acute stage of dysentery. No by-passers cared for him. He was crying for help. Nilkanth Varni pitied him and nursed him for two months. Sevakram had one thousand rupees worth gold coins with him. From this money, Varni would buy cooking materials, for cooking and fed him, while Varni used to beg from the society for himself. Many a times, He could not get anything and would have to fast. Sevakram was cured after two months and became quite healthy. On the way to Rameshwaram he asked Varni to carry his luggage of about 20 kgs. Even after such a hard service by Varni, Sevakram did not offer Him any food prepared from his money.

Knowing him as the most ungrateful, Nilkanth Varni left him and started for Rameshwaram.

SETUBANDH RAMESHWARAM Rameshwaram is one of the main holy places in the Southern India. Of the twelve Jyotir-lings in the country, one is at Rameshwaram. It is situated on an island of eleven miles length and seven miles width, from where Lord Ramchandraji had built up a bridge to conquer the devilish King Ravan, the King of Lanka. The Shivling of Rameswaram was installed and worshipped by Lord Shree Rama Himself. Nilkanth Varni stayed there for two months, preached the real way for salvation and left.

From Rameshwaram, Varni went to Madurai, paid homage to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva and went to Sundarraj near

Madurai, where Yamaraj (God of hell) had carried out penance to please Lord Shiva and had given him His divine vision as Sundarraj He paid homage and left.

NILKANTH MAHADEV MET NILKANTH VARNI Once in the dense forest Nilkanth Varni could not get water or food for five days. On the sixth day, He saw a well. He fetched some water, took bath and sat down to worship Shaligram. He poured bowlful of water on Shaligram for anointment but all the water was absorbed by the Shaligram. He poured five to six times, and finally it was satisfied. Varni thought to offer some food. But what did he have to offer?

Lord Shiva and Parvati seizing the opportunity of have the darshan (holy sight) of Varni the God Supreme in human form came and reverently bowed down at His feet and offered sattu and salt (sattu- flour of baked corn). Because Varni was practicing severe penance needed nutritive food. After paying their homage Shiva-Parvati disappeared.

BHOOTPURI Bhootpuri is the birth place of Shree Ramanujacharya. Here is also a Peeth (Missionary centre) of Ramanujachary. Varni paid homage to Bhooteshwar Mahadev and started for Kanyakumari in south.

KANYAKUMARI TO KISHKINDHA Kanyakumari is situated on the extreme Southern coast of India. Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean all the three meet here. Gods performed a sacrifice here to conquer a demon. Goddess Kanyakumari was born out from the sacrifice

altar, who killed the demon Banasur. Varni paid homage to Goddess Kanyakumari and started moving up towards North.

Nilkanth Varni reached Padmanabha (at Trivendrum). Idol of Padmanabha is sixteen feet in length in the lie-down posture. It can be seen from three portals. A huge lotus comes out from the navel of Lord Padmanabha and Lord Brahma is seated on it.

Varni paid homage and moved North. On the way Varni paid homage to Lord Janardan a temple at Varakala and moved towards North.

Nilkanth Varni reached to the temple of Adikeshav at Tiruvattar. The devout King Sumati welcomed Him in his palace, reverently bowed at His feet, and listened to His sermons of high morality and humanity. The image of Lord Adikeshav is also similar to that of Padmanabh. Here some wicked persons came from Puri tried to kill Varni but by the protection of the King He was saved.

VARNI AT PANDHARPUR Nilkanth Varni reached Pandharpur which was formerly known as Pundalikpur. It is on the bank of river Chandrabhaga. A devout Brahmin named Pundalik was serving his old parents reverently and as lovingly as if they were his deities. Almighty God tested his piety towards his parents. God approached him in a perceptible human form. Since Pundalik was serving his parents, he threw a brick and asked Lord to wait a while on it, till he completes parental duty. To his surprise he saw that the brick had changed into gold. God was very pleased. He embraced him.

On the very place there is a huge temple. Even today Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmi are seen standing on the golden brick, which was offered by Pundalik.

Due to high level of his devotion to God and loving service towards his parents the temple and city are known as Pandharpur.

Varni stayed there for two months, paid homage and left.

NASIK—TRYAMBAK From Pandharpur, Varni came to Nasik, on the bank of river Godavari. During the fourteen years of exile in the forest Lord Rama, Sita and Laxman stayed here in Panchavati in Dandakaranya. Laxman had cut the nose of giantess Surpankha, the sister of Ravan. Hence it is known as Nasik (Nasi-kat). Varni stayed there for some days in Tapovan.

About 40 kms far from Nasik there is a temple of Tryambakeshwar on the mountains. River Godavari originates from here from Gaumukhi. Among the twelve Jyotir-lings of India, this is another one located here. Every twelfth year the festival of Kumbh-mela is held here. Varni paid homage to all these temples and moved Northwards.

JOURNEY FROM BURANPUR TO LOJ Nilkanth Varni on his way to Saurashtra passed through Buranpur, Dhulia, Malegaon, Surat and reached Bharuch. There was an Ashram of a great Rishi “Bhrugu.” It is situated on the bank of the river Narmada. Varni stayed at the very place where there was Ashram of Bhrugu Rishi. On the very place where he stayed, there is a huge temple of Lord Swaminarayan at present.

Further, He went to Chandod Karnali on the bank of Narmada.

He visited the ashram (monestery) of the great ancient Rishi Vyas Muni. Passing through Dabhoi, He reached Vadodara, halted under the Mandavi gate in the midst of the city.

Varni, passing through Navli, Anand, Dakor, Umreth, Vadtal, Bochasan, Khambhat, Budhej, Dholera, Bhimnath, Gopnath, Mahuva, Rajula, Gupta Prayag, Tulasi Shyam, Prabhas Patan, Girnar Mountains, Junagadh and Mangarol, paying them homage, sanctifying all the holy places by His Lotus feet prints, finally reached a small village named Loj near Mangarol in

Saurashtra in the morning on the sixth day of dark half of the month of Shravan in V.S. year 1856 (1855) on Thursday 21-81799 and sat on the step-well, out side the village.

PILGRIMAGE AND REMOVAL OF DEVILITY During His pilgrimage, Varni observed and experienced that there was no holiness to be seen in holy places and no righteous conduct in religious people. The preachers and the monks were hypocrites and self-centered. They misinterpreted the meanings of the scriptures, misguided the ignorant people and utilized them for their own benefit. The religious centers were completely demoralized. Most of the religious leaders were addicted to women, wine, meat-eating intoxicating drugs and full of all vices.

To please the deities, they used to offer living oblations i.e. killing animals in the sacrifices. Often they used to offer human oblations (Manav Bali) also. In the disguise of Sadhus, the Khakhis equipped with destructive weapons used to roam everywhere in groups. With the threats of evil spirits and the weapons, they used to rob everything from the public. One who opposed was cut down. There was no Law and order and nobody to protect them.

Wherever Nilkanth Varni went, by His pious and virtuous conduct, by His luminous and divine personality, by His endearing sermons, He cured them and removed all the corruptions and demorality from the society. He expounded and pervaded Bhagwat Dharma i.e. the way for ultimate redemption along with the righteous and virtuous conduct as an ideal human being. He made people to live righteous, virtuous, moral, devotional and peaceful lives.

Thus Nilkanth Varni passed seven years one month and eleven days in the penance and pilgrimage for the welfare of the innumerable souls.

NILKANTH VARNI AT LOJ Nilkanth Varni took His morning bath and sat on a side of the step-well for His morning rites, i.e. meditation, worshipping etc.

There was an Ashram (monastery) of Ramanand Swami, incarnation of Udhhavji disciple of Shree Krishna. At the time he was at Bhuj in Kutch for preaching. There were fifty of his disciples at Loj Ashram. Muktanand Swami was the chief of them.

Sukhanand Swami who had come to obtain water from the step-well saw Nilkanth Varni in meditation. Looking at Varni’s shimmering personality, he was attracted. As soon as His meditation was over, Sukhanand Swami went to Him and very politely asked, “Who are you? Where do you come from? Where are you going and who are your parents?” Nilkanth replied, “I am Brahma (God). Coming from Brahmapur and going to Brahmapur. And for my parents, I may say, “One who does not help to get free or one who is unable to make one get free from the permanent unavoidable cycle of death and birth is not a Guru (the Preceptor), not a father, not a mother, not a relative, not a husband (or master) or not a God.” Sukhanand Swami was very intimidated by the reply. He said “My Guru Ramanand Swami is adept in spiritual knowledge and has reached to a very high stage, will lead you to Brahma. At the moment he is in Bhuj at Kutch. His main disciple Muktanand Swami also has profound spiritual knowledge. Please come to our Ashram or else, he will come here himself to take you.’’

MUKTANAND SWAMI MEETS NILKANTH VARNI Varni reached the Ashram along with Sukhanand Swami.

For seven years Nilkanth Varni had practiced rigorous penance and his body had become frail and emaciated. Bones, ribs and

veins could be counted. His face was sublime with divine luster and His eyes were full of love and mercy for all. Muktanand Swami was so much impressed that even though he was suffering from guinea-worm, stood up, warmly welcomed Varni and embraced Him. Looking at the pious, virtuous, peaceful, devotional atmosphere of the Ashram and the politeness, Varni was very pleased.

Muktanand Swami asked Varni to stay there with them.

Nilkanth replied, “I may stay here if you give the correct answers to my questions. The Questions are (1) What is Jiva (Atma)?

What is Ishwar? What is Maya? What is Brahman? What is ParaBrahman?’’ Muktanand Swami replied the answers to His satisfaction.

MUKTANAND SWAMI Ramanand Swami had fifty disciples at Loj. Muktanand Swami was the main. He had no attachment at all towards his relatives or any worldly object. Since his relatives did not allow him to renounce, he resorted to intentional insanity and left house. In the longing of God-realization, he left home at a very young age and roamed in search of an ideal-guru. At last, he met Swami Ramanand and became his disciple. Muktanand Swami had profound and explicit knowledge. He had a gifted sweet voice. Also, he was a born-poet. Responding to his request, Nilkanth Varni stayed there for ten months till Swami Ramanand met Him. NILKANTH VARNI AN IDEAL DISCIPLE Nilkanth Varni was only eighteen years old then. Since He had come from Ayodhya, a city on the bank of river Saryu, Muktanand Swami renamed Him as Sarjudas. Sarjudas used to serve in Ashram very laboriously. He would sweep the Ashram,

clean the utensils, collect the cow-dung for fuel, collect the food grains, cook them, feed the needy and would do other service if needed Thus He kept Himself complete busy from early morning till late night.

THE FIRST STEP OF SARJUDAS Muktanand Swami was a very excellent preacher. Males and the females used to sit together to listen to Swami’s sermons.

Sarjudas opposed this. Muktanand Swami hesitated. Sarjudas left the assembly, went out and started a separate assembly with males only.

Sarjudas clarified that males and females are naturally attracted towards each other. By co-assembly of males and females, a corruption is sure to occur in a long run. History witnesses innumerable incidents of demorality by such coassembly. Many great people, leading austere life and highly honored in the society are also noted as fallen down by coassembly. To prevent such corruption and demorality in religious field, it should be completely stopped. Since we are NaishthikBrahmacharies i.e. total and absolute celibates, we should not touch, speak or even look at any female. Then only, our mission may remain ever pure, pious and free from any moral filth. He asked the females interested in religious talks to sit away in a separate group and listen from there.

There was a barber’s house adjoining the Ashram. In the common wall, there was a big hole which was used to exchange coal for cooking, the remaining eatables etc, which were passed through it. Sarjudas got that hole filled up immediately. There was a passage for street people in front of the Ashram. That was also stopped. The direction of the passage was changed so that no female may come in contact with any celibate and they may not have a chance to look at each other in any way.

This is not hatred towards the females, but it was only for the safety of strict observance of absolute celibacy and for the piety and purity of the religious people, yearning for ultimate redemption.

In the Swaminarayan sampraday, the females are equally honored in every aspect and are given all the rights equal to the males, up to the highest rank of Acharya-ship, which is not seen elsewhere.

SARJUDAS (NILKANTH VARNI) AT LOJ Over and above His Ashram duties, Nilkanth Varni persuaded the people attending the Ashram, the importance of human life and how to lead virtuous, peaceful, pious and devotional lives.

Sarjudas (Nilkanth Varni) was adept and had mastery over Ashtang Yoga. He was teaching the Ashtang Yoga to the Ashramites. Also He was teaching the skills of concentrating and controlling the mind and meditating upon God. He used to make them sit for meditation. Wherever their minds shirked from meditation and wandered elsewhere, He would read their minds, would know their thoughts and would immediately rebuke them and help them to control and concentrate again. Noting His omniscient power they all thought about Him as some heavenly person in a disguise of an ordinary human being or the Almighty God Supreme Himself in a human form.

Sarjudas was very anxious to see Swami Ramanand. He asked Muktanand Swami to allow Him to go to Bhuj in Kutch. If allowed to go, Muktanand Swami feared of losing the greatest opportunity of the company and association of the supreme personality. Muktanand Swami wrote a letter to Ramanand Swami describing everything about Nilkanth Varni. Varni also wrote a letter showing His eagerness to meet him. Narayan Bhatt took the letters to Bhuj and handed them to Ramanand Swami in

a large assembly. As soon as the letter was opened by Ramanand Swami a splendid effulgent light exposed from the letter of Varni. Reading the letter, Ramanand Swami found express joy.

Ramanand Swami said to the assembly, “I am a tabor player who attracts and gathers people, while Varni who has came to Loj is a proficient actor. I am only a servant while Varni is an emperor. It means my propagation in the religious field is very small in comparison to Him. His work will be incomparable. He is Almighty God Himself, while I am only His insignificant servant.

He is Lord Shree Krishna Narayan. I am His disciple Uddhavji. I was waiting for His arrival. Now my work and my worries are over.”

Shree Ramanand Swami left Bhuj with final farewell. He reached Piplana, a village near Junagadh, halted at Narasinh Mehta’s place and sent a message to the disciples at Loj asking them to come and see him at Piplana. As soon as they reached Piplana, Ramanand Swami got up, welcomed warmly and embraced Varni.

Ramanand Swami and Nilkanth Varni, the Alminght incarnator of all the recent incarnations, both met there on the twelfth day of the dark half of the month of Jyeshtha, S.Y. 1856 on Friday 19-6-1800 A.D. Ramanand Swami asked Nilkanth Varni about His name, birth place, parents etc. Hearing the name of his parents, Dharmadev and Bhaktidevi, Ramanand Swami was very pleased as they were the first and foremost disciples of his fellowship.

NILKANTH VARNI’S INITIATION OF BHAGWATI MAHADIKSHA On the eleventh day of the bright half of the month at, Kartik S.Y. 1857, (Wednesday 28-10-1800 A.D.) Ramanand Swami initiated Nilkanth Varni in Bhagawati Mahadiksha of his

fellowship. He gave Him two new, names, Narayan Muni and Sahajanand Swami.

As a disciple, He served Ramanand Swami heartily. He always remained with Ramanand Swami in all his work and in all his activity. Ramanand Swami also kept him along with him.

SAHAJANAND SWAMI INVESTED AS ACHARYA Ramanand Swami was old, so he thought to handover his Acharyaship to somebody. He called upon his main disciples and asked them to name the successor. All of them unanimously pointed out the name of Shree Sahajanand Swami. Hearing this Ramanand Swami was incredibly pleased.

Jetpur is situated in between the two cities of Rajkot and Junagadh. Unnad-Khachar, the King of Jetpur was Ramamnd Swami’s disciple. Ramanand Swami called his disciples at Jetpur and with all the religious ceremonies; he installed Shree Sahajanand Swami as an acharya on the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of Kartik S.Y.1858 (Monday 16-11-1801 AD.) At the time Sahajanand Swami was only twenty years and seven months old.

On the very place where the Acharyaship had taken place there is a great temple of Shree Swaminarayan today.

THE TWO UNIQUE BOONS At the time of handing over the Acharyaship, Sahajanand Swami refused to accept it. Ramanand Swami told that he was old and nobody was as capable as He was. Thereupon, Sahajanand Swami said, “If you wish to hand me over the Acharyaship please grant me my two requests. (1) If a follower of this Sampradaya has to suffer in any way, I beg those pains and agonies may befall on me, infinite times more, but he should enjoy peace (2) If a follower has to suffer hardship of getting

food and clothing and has to beg according to his fate, I beg that such hardship may befall on me and he should live in peace.

Hearing the requests for the welfare of others and asking the begging bowls and agonies for him-self, Ramanand Swami immediately got up and embraced him with exciting heart and eyes full of tears.

PASSING AWAY OF RAMANAND SWAMI After handing over the charge of the Acharyaship, Ramanand Swami called all his disciples at Fareni, a village near Dhoraji and said, “I am Uddhavji, while Shree Sahajanand Swami is the Almighty God Supreme, Purushottam Narayan himself incarnated for the welfare of innumerable souls, who should be served obediently and worshipped for the ultimate redemption.

Now I am old and my work is over.” Saying so, he sat for meditation, left his mortal body and joined in the divine service of God supreme, on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the month of Magasar S.Y. 1858 (Thursday 17-12-1801 A.D.) Shree Sahajanand Swami along with all the followers performed all the post death rites of Guru Ramanand Swami till the thirteenth day.

THE GLORY AND GREATNESS OF SWAMINARAYAN On the fourteenth day of passing away of Guru Ramanand Swami, Sahajanand Swami organized a great meeting of all the disciples. As an Acharya, He was preaching them for leading an ideal devotional human life.

A devout Brahmin named Shitaldas of Bihar province had heard about Ramanand Swami as an ideal great Saint having profound spiritual knowledge. He who had reached such a high stage that he could make his disciples able to see God Supreme in a perceptible human form in the midst of Brahmajyoti. Shitaldas

came to Fareni on the very fourteenth day when a huge assembly was held and sought with tears for not meeting Ramanand Swami.

Shree Sahajanand Swami said to him, “Ramanand Swami has gone but the greatness of his divine field is the same. Stay here and you will be able to see him soon.”

Addressing all the disciples, Shree Sahajanand Swami said, “Till now we were worshipping Almighty God by different names and different forms, such as Krishna, Hari, Govind, Gopal, Narayan, etc., but for the ultimate redemption, for the concentration and meditation there should be uniformity. There should be only one name and one form of God Supreme. I may give you a new name superior in every aspect.”

Word “Swami” means the master, the Almighty, the Omnipresent, the omnipotent, one who is independent, one who is incomparable, and who is all-in-one. Word “Narayan” is used for Almighty God. By joining these two words, “Swaminarayan,” it means all-in-all Almighty God Supreme.

From now and onwards our followers should worship Almighty God Supreme by this powerful name Swaminarayan. I will lead and all of you follow me, by chanting the redemptive name “Swaminarayan.”

Sahajanand Swami started chanting the name Swaminarayan.

Shitaldas and others followed. After an hour Shitaldas entered into trance. He lost his entity. He saw a large effulgent splendid divine light. In the midst of the light, he saw a divine abode. On that abode, he saw the Almighty God Supreme in a perceptible human form. He also saw innumerable Muktas i.e. the released souls with a divine human form in the service of Lord Supreme.

One of the Muktas came forward and asked Shitaldas, “You came to Fareni. Whom did you wish to see there?” Shitaldas replied, “I came to see Ramanand Swami. Alas I could not”. The Mukta said, “I am Ramanand Swami. I was the former Uddhavji who incarnated as Ramamand Swami, while Sahajanand Swami

who has given you the new redemptive name of Swaminarayan is also present here on this divine abode Akshardham. He is Almighty God Supreme. We all worship Him. For the ultimate redemption, you should also worship Him. He has incarnated for the welfare of innumerable souls. Coming out of trance Shitaldas prostrated before Shree Sahajanand Swami. He told in the assembly that he saw Sahajanand Swami as the Almignty God Supreme on the ultimate divine abode Akahrdham.

Shitaldas was then initiated as Sadhu and was renamed as “Vyapakanand Swami,” who afterwards became very famous and an ideal saint of very high rank. He could see God Supreme in divine perceptible human form in every work and in every stage even in deep sleep and dreams.

Vyapakand Swami was the first Saint initiated by Shree Sahajanand Swami.

THE BASIC PREACHINGS OF SAHAJANAND SWAMI The soul is immortal in this universe. Every soul has to take eighty four million types of births. He has to undergo all types of bodies in turn according to his previous deeds. The God Supreme is the decider of all the actions of every soul. The soul acts in every life and as the result of his actions, he has to take birth after death. The soul can’t remain without actions; similarly he can’t remain without a body as well. Thus the cycle of death and birth is endless in this universe. Nobody can escape from it.

The human body is rarely available in the cycle of death and birth. If the human life is wasted than it is lost uselessly. So it is very important.

In this cycle of death and birth, the souls having bigger or powerful bodies subsist upon the souls having smaller or weaker bodies. The bigger and powerful ones kill and eat the smaller and weaker ones. So every soul has to suffer tremendous pains every moment in every birth. One can escape from this cycle of death

and birth by human life only. So a human being should think as how to escape from this cycle, full of pains, sufferings and agonies.

First, we should learn to become ideal human beings. Nonviolence should be the base of an ideal human life. If our thought, speech or behavior towards others is harmful or unpleasing it is considered a sin. Such thoughts, speech and behavior should not be behaved towards anybody.

One should abstain from (1) Drinking wine, liquor or intoxicating drugs in any form (2) Meat eating in any form in any case (3) An act of stealing (4) Debauchery (5) Partaking food from improper persons and improper sources. One should get rid of evil vices like passion, anger, greediness, fascination, pride, jealousy, fraud, deceit, covetous of taste, gambling, superstitions etc. and should embrace truthfulness, mercy, forgiveness, forbearance, love towards all the souls, non-violence, celibacy etc. He should develop brotherhood with all the human beings and become helpful to others. After then only, one can become an ideal human being.

After obtaining these qualities one should lead virtuous, righteous, peaceful, moral and devotional life. Then he should worship ardently single-minded the Almighty God Supreme Lord Swaminarayan in perceptible divine human form in the midst of effulgent splendid divine light. After doing this by the grace of Almighty God, the soul will be released from the cycle of death and birth and he will be given the ecstatic bliss in the Akshardham.

For the propagation and widespread of His divine message, He sent all His sadhus in all the directions far and wide to preach the reality of human life to the ignorant people and to improve them.

THE UNIQUE SAMADHI (TRANCE) Shree Sahajanand Swami adopted a new mode for speedy propagation of his divine mission. He asked the people who attended to listen to his preaching about worshiping Almighty God Supreme Swaminarayan and to chant His name.

Everyone started chanting “Swaminarayan.” After a short while, they all entered into Samadhi i.e. trance. Each of them saw his or her own cherished deity in divine form. A devotee of Krishna saw Krishna, a devotee of Rama saw Rama, a devotee of Shiva saw Shiva, a devotee of Shakti saw Goddess Mahakali, a Muslim saw his Allah, a Jain saw his Tirthankar etc. Finally all the deities merged into the visible body of Sahajanand Swami, who was sitting in the assembly. The smaller can be absorbed in the bigger one, but not vice versa. So He is the biggest and the greatest of all. They saw their cherished deities by chanting the name of Swaminarayan. It means Swaminarayan and Sahajanand Swami both are one and the same. They started to worship Sahajanand Swami in the name of Swaminarayan. We shall also address Him as Shree Swaminarayan.

Crowds of people were coming to see their deities in Samadhi i.e. trance. Seeing their deities merging in Sahajanand Swami everyone started to worship Him in the name of Swaminarayan.

This sort of samadhi created a great doubt in the mind of disciples. All the leading followers along with Muktanand Swami came to Sahajanand Swami. Muktanand Swami said very politely, “Maharaj, samadhi is very difficult for even the greatest saint leading very austere and devotional life. It can be accomplished by practicing and achieving the final stage of Ashtang Yoga Sadhana i.e. eight fold yoga sadhana. They are (1) Yama (2) Niyama (3) Asana (4) Pranayam (5) Pratyahar (6) Dharana (7) Dhyana (8) Samadhi.

Muktanand Swami again said, “Samadhi is very difficult and it is next to impossible even for the greatest yogis. How is it possible to achieve such a high stage by these ignorant and vicious people without any knowledge or without any effort?

This is a doubt. Also doubting about magic, evil charms or invoking of evil spirits. Please clear these doubts for us.”

Sahajanand Swami sent somebody into samadhi by only a glance and asked Muktanand Swami to examine his body. There was no beating of pulse or his heart was not beating. Cuts were made on his body by knife; scorched by fire were also made but he did not recognize it at all. Muktanand was convinced that it was the real samadhi. After coming out of samadhi, the person described the divine abode, Lord Supreme and the Muktas i.e. the released souls. Hearing this Muktanand Swami and others were very astonished, prostrated at the feet of Sahajanand Swami and begged for pardon.

Shree Sahajanand Swami, the Almighty God Supreme Shree Swaminarayan then said, “This samadhi is not the samadhi achieved by practicing of Ashtang Yoga. That way is very difficult. I am the Almighty God Supreme. I am all-in-all, omnipotent. By my grace, I can give the most proficient speech to even the most dulls, dumbs and fools, I can change even the weakest into the most powerful. I can do whatever I wish. No doubt the samadhi is very difficult but this samadhi is due to my unlimited extreme grace over them.” Addressing Muktanand Swami He said again, “l am “giving you the power to enter others into samadhi and to show them the divine abode Akshardham and Lord Supreme. You can also show them the creation Sustenance and the destructions of the innumerable universes and whatever you wish to show them.”

Shree Swaminarayan then started to put even animals and thousands of birds into samadhi only by a glance. In samadhi, they could see all the divine things and the one who came out of samadhi was very happy, full of joys and would leave all the

vices and would change into virtuous, moral, pious, devotee of Lord Swaminarayan.

Many times in assemblies, he used to put a number of people into samadhi and would pile them one upon another like haysheaves and keep them like dead bodies in samadhi for many days. He would wake up some, after a day or two, some after a week or two, some after a month or two and some after a lapse of six months also. Many a times, Satanand Swami remained in samadhi for more than six months. Whosoever came out of samadhi was very glad and very joyous.

By looking at Him, by hearing His voice, by hearing the sound of His wooden sandals, by looking at His kerchief. His stick, a garland or a thing given by Him, one could also get into samadhi and could experience all the divine pleasures, This was very unique.

The great saints like Gopalanand Swami, Muktanand Swami, Shatanand Swami, Vyapakanand Swami, Swarupa-nand Swami, Govardhan Sheth, Parvatbhai, in Jivubai, Ladubai, Rajbai, all these were able enough to put others into samadhi and show them Lord Supreme and whatever else they wished. Sachchidanand Swami, Siddhanand Swami, Mulaji Luvana and in ladies Minbai, Ladkibai, Monghifaa, Gangaba, Karniba and many other male and female devotees were able to enter into samadhi independently and were able to see and hear Lord Swaminarayan from their villages and from their cities even though they were hundreds of miles away.

This was the most marvellous and the most unique.

The basic five Vows Panch Vartaman The followers were increased in a large number. Only devotion and worship is not enough for salvation. The virtuous moral and devotional human life is absolutely necessary. So He preached the five basic Vows compulsory.

1. Not to drink wine, liquor or any intoxicating drug of any sort in any form in any case, not even as a- medicine.

2.

Not to eat meat in any form in any case, not even as the offerings of evil deities or sacrifice or as a medicine to save one’s own life.

3. To abstain from adultery. Not to look at a lady passionately.

Not to keep close contact with ladies except the nearest relatives. and this applies to ladies also.

4. Not to steal even a smallest thing. Even the worthless flowers should not be taken for offerings to deities without the permission of the owner.

5. Not to take food and drinks from improper persons and by improper sources.

Whosoever wants to become the follower of Lord Swaminarayan has to take an oath in presence of a great Saint keeping water in his right hand to abstain from these five. If anybody transgresses any of these five is not called a follower of Swaminarayan. He is excommunicated. These are the five basic vows for house-holders. These are known as Ranch Vartaman.

The Five Vows of Saints (Sadhus) Saints of Swaminarayan sect have to observe strictly their special five vows over and above the five basic vows They are given them at the time of their initiation as Saints.

1. Lustless: Desireless :- He has to observe Nashthik Brahmacharya i.e, eight-fold celibacy strictly. He has to observe a fast if he has seen a face of a lady.— Not to expect any remuneration even of his good deeds or must not have any desire of anything.

2. Greedless :- He should not be attached at all to the” worldly objects. He should keep clothes and things only permitted to him. He should not accept; touch or possess even a paisa of his own.

3. Testeless :- He should not be allured or tempted at all to any taste. Not to eat anything which is not offered to God, that too only once in a day mixed together with water.

4.

Prideless:- He should not have any sort of pride of renouncement, penance, knowledge, efficiency religious austerity, devotion etc. If anybody beats him, abuses him or insults him, he should endure patiently, not to be angryatall,should forgive,notto oppose not to keep any grudge or any ill feelings for him, but to wish good for him and to pity his ignorance.

5. Affectionless:- He should not have any affection at all towards his body, his relatives, his disciples or anything except Almighty God Supreme.

Non-violence the base of all the religions Lord Swaminarayan has forbidden to kill even the smallest insects like bugs or lice etc. Body may be big or small but every one gets the similar pain at the time of death.

Any thought, any speech or any behaviour towards any one, if it is harmful or unpleasing is a sin. Such thought, such speech and such behaviour should never be treated towards any living being. God Supreme is omnipresent pervaded everywhere in every soul. To harm or to kill any of them is also the indirect insult of God _After killing them, if anybody worships, God Supreme does not accept such devotion. Every one should behave with love and mercy towards all the living-beings.

To cut or to break one’s,.own part of body or any other’s body as a punishment of any fault or misbehaviour is also a sin.

Thereby one feels permanent defect and feels hardship in every work. Punishment can be given in any other way.

If one is able to get a great wealth women or great rulership even then nobody should ever,kill any human being. By killing a human being God never forgives. One has to suffer tremendous pains in the cycle of death and birfh as a result of that.

At the time of some diseases or the natural calamities, the ignorant people look at them superstitiqusly as the wrath of their deities. Instead of taking medical treatment, they resort to spell, charms of evil spirits and offer wine, liquor and living oblations

to propiciate them. They kill animals and birds before them.

Frequently, they offer human oblations also All the souls are the children of the Gods and Godesses. No parents will kill and eat their own children. If they kill, they are not the Gods and Godesses but they are the devils, the demons, the ghosts, the giants etc. Even the fruits offered to them should never be accepted by followers.

If water is not filtered properly with thick cloth, the germs in the water are being drunk along with water and they die there, Thereby, one is responsible for two charges? killing of germs and meat eating. Bathing water shouldalso be filtered before heating.

Water for cooking should be filtered properly. The rotten fuel containing insects should not be used. The foodgrains should be sifted with sieves and the insects should be removed before grinding, so that they may not be killed. The flour should also be sifted and examined properly. While sweeping one should be careful so that the small germs and insects may not be killed.

These are the common defects in every house. Everybody should be very” carefule so that the germs or insects may not be killed or may not be eaten unknowingly. Carelessness is also a great fault and treated as if done knowingly. Impure water and food grains are injurious to health also.

Meat eating strictly prohibited Meat is obtained by killing some living being only. By eating it one is liable to two serious crimes. First, the killing of living being. Second, eating of others body. Every living being is the creation of the God Supreme. If anybody kills and eats them is a great guilty. God will never forgive him even- if he prays and worships Him. He has to undergo unbearable tremendous pains in the unescapable cycle of death and birth.

Living oblations strictly prohibited Some people kill and eat meat of living beings in the pretext of sacrifice and offerings to deities. Lord Swaminarayan condemned the killing of living-beings in the name of sacrifice.

Some Vamacharis, i.e. believing in immoral fellowship opposed Him and said “ Oblations of living beings is allowed in some scriptures. Why do you condemn it?” Lord Swaminarayan said, “ God Supreme will never allow to kill and eat His own creation. Such words and such chapters are interpolated by the people covetous of meat eating and they have poluted the scriptures.” Again they asked, “ It is a tradition of offering livingbeing to Gods and Godesses. Why do you forbid it ?” Lord Swaminarayan said “ Gods and Godesses are the personnels of the divine kingdom. They never differ from the principle of their master. Gods and Godesses never stay at all wherever there is offering of wine, liquor and living beings Those who expect living oblations, are not Gods and Godesses. They are the demons, ghosts, giants etc, If any fruit or any vegetarian thing is offered to them even then it should never be accepted by my followers.”

To put into practise, He started non-violence yajnas. A big sacrifice Maha Vishnu Yaga was performed at Jetalpur near Ahmedabad in S. Year 1865 (1809 A.D) 1000 brahmins were seated in worship. Lakhs of people were fed daily. 500 monds i.e., 10000 Kg. of ghee consumed daily. It lasted for 18 days. It was a unique festival never heard before.

Again a same type of great non-violence Mahavishnuyag was performed at Dabhan near Nadiad in S. year 1866 (181 A.D,) Here also 1000 brahmins were seated for worship. Here also same number of brahmins and other devotee attended. It lasted for 15 days Since then He performed many non-violence yajnas and many more great festivals at various places.

Suicide is the greatest sin The human life is very rarely available. Once if it is wasted or lost uselessly one can get it again in the cycle of eighty four lakhs of rebirths after unimaginable ages.‘ One can get the salvation by the human life only. God is great and too much

merciful. By His excessive grace. He has given us a golden opportunity for the redemption by giving a human life in a very sound position in every respect and has opened the gates of salvation. Overlooking His such extreme mercy, if anybody shortens his own life by suicide is the most ungrateful and is the greatest guilty of God supreme. He will never give the opportunity of redemptive human life again. If any serious sin or any drastic action has been occured one should expiate and should save the human life. Under no circumstances, even in the serious calamities, one should ever shorten it by suicide.

Beverage (Drinking) and addictedness strictfy Prohibited Drinking of wine or liquor is condemned by all the Hindu scriptures and considered as a great sin.

Before preparing wine, things are being decayed and innumerable germs are being born. In the process the substances are boiled. Thereby all the germs are killed. In a drop of wine, there is violence of innumerable living beings. It is a great sin. By drinking wine or liquor one loses the conscience, the sense of what to do and what not to do, the control over one’s own mind and speech, grumbles -at random indiscriminately, insults the elders, the superiors, the venerables and respected persons, even his well wishers, his obliging persons and loses his prestige in his family and the society. He is also victimized by several diseases.

The money is wasted in beverage and the medical treatment.

Many a time he dies accidently in drinks and ruins himself completely. Thus he welcomes his downfall in every respect.

On the top of the date trees, cocoanut trees, palm trees etc, the cuts are made and the pots are tied there. The fluid coming out of the cuts is collected. This fluid known as Toddy, Maddy etc., is intoxicative. There are several other intoxicative vegetations like opium, bhang (hemp) ganja (hemp flowers) charas, tobacco etc.

All these intoxicating substances gradually ruins the addicted persons.

Lord Swaminarayan has condemned beverage and declared it as the greatest sin. He has forbidden strictly taking any intoxicating substance of any sort in any form in any case, not even as a medicine.

Gambling is also one sort of intoxication. It may be of any sort, by cards, dice, chess or in any other form. If there is any betting of anything in any form, it is gambling. There is a saying “The more a gambler loses, the more he stakes “ A gambler loses his discretion and welcomes his ruin in every respect.

Gambling is strictly prohibited by Lord Swaminarayan.

Addictedness of any sort effects the body too much. Many a time, it ruins him. In addictedness, one neglects his duty also. In the spiritual field he cannot concentrate his mind in meditation or in the process of upliftment in the spiritual higher stage. He can’t achieve any accomplishment in any field. Hence addictedness of any sort is condemned by Lord Swaminarayan.

Onion and garlic are the sorts of vegetations. Both of them have extreme sharp bad smell. Both affects too much over the consumer. It turns the consumer more angry and malice. It makes him more passionate also. It serves as an obstacle for spiritual upliftment. There are more vegetations also of such type like pichhagandh, grunjan etc.

Lord Swaminarayan has condemned them as equivalent to wine and liquor.

Release from the Superstitions The society was sunk in ignorance, blind beliefs and superstitions. The troubles, the difficulties, the diseases and the calamities were viewed superstitously as the wrath of deities and the evil spirits. Instead of taking proper remedy, they used to resort to the charms, the spells and the evil spirits. The heretic Sadhus, the Khakhis and the people proficient in the charms of evil spirits, by the threats of evil spirits, spells, charms, blackmagic, hypnotism etc. used to rob everything from the public.

Instead of getting out of the calamities, they were distressed more and more.

Lord Swaminarayan persuaded, “God Supreme is all-in-all Almighty omnipotent, He is the decider of the actions of each and every soul. He gives to everybody happiness or pains as the result of his previous actions. Nobody can change it or can interfere in it. A soul gets pains according to his own bad deeds and gets happiness according to his good deeds. God Supreme is merciful.

He may lessen the pains or may forgive completely His ardent staunch devotees as per His wish.

God Supreme is like an emperor. Nobody can ever; harass or can give pains to the favourite of the emperor. One who harasses him is his guilty. All are afraid of him.The ardent devotees of God Supreme are His favourites.

Kala : The age (time), Maya : The power of God, yamadoots : The servants of the God of the death, are the personnels of the divine kingdom. They adhere to the Laws of God Supreme. None of them can do any wrong to the ardent devotees of God Supreme.

Lord Swaminarayan has declared, “At the time of death of my ardent single-minded staunch devotee, I go personally to take him to My ultimate abode Akshardham. Nobody else can go to him or can harm him.” “ A devotee also gets pains as the result of his previous actions. Many a time, I give him pains to test his superiority in devotion, to release him from all the worldly attachments, to give others an example of high stage of his devotion or to purify him and to make him perfect ardent single-minded devotee.”

If Kala (time). Karma (actions) Maya (the power of God), Yamadoot (the servants of the God of death), out of these, none can ever look at a devotee with an evil sight, how the mean and the sinful souls like the ghosts, the demons, the witches and the wickeds can harm the devotees of God ? If anybody is bewitched and an ardent staunch single-minded devotee of God Supreme

happens to pass from there, by only a word ‘ Swaminarayan’, he can drive away all the evil spirits or the ghosts, the witches etc, and He can release him from the bewitchment.

One should be afraid of God Supreme only and none else.

Due to some defect in the faith or some lackings in his behaviour if anybody is bewitched he should recite the charms of Hanumanji, the prominent ideal staunch devotee of Lord Rama, or to recite Narayan Kavach, Janamangal Stotra, Hari Kavach Stotra or even only the word Swaminarayan, the name of Lord Supreme, and he will be released.

To become completely fearless and for one’s own welfare in every respect, he should first accept the panch vartaman i.e, the basic five vows from a great saint and to abide by it strictly. He should give up all the vices, to be an ideal human being and to worship Lord Swaminarayan ardently single-minded. Definitely he will be free from all the fears.

The people dragged away all the superstitions and all the vices and became fearless from all the sides and became happy in every respect.

The guidance of ultimate redemption is the best service to mankind Lord Swaminarayan enjoined on His saint disciples, i,e. the Sadhus that they should think that all the living-beings, are the creation of Lord Supreme, and all are the members of, one’s own family. An active head of a family looks equally, towards all the members, he it a child, an aged, a fool, a wise, a weak or a powerful. Overlooking their vices or virtues, he wishes welfare and peace for all. Taking over all the pains and difficulties on his own head, he tries to make t them all happy in every respect.

Similarly, you should look equally towards the ignorants, the learneds, the virtuous, the vicious, the devouts or the devilish and wish welfare of all. If the ignorants or wicked people insult, hate, abuse or beat you crueily, you should endure patiently and forgive them. You should not oppose at all, not to keep any

grudge in mind or not to think any evil of them., Wish good for them and pray God to release them from ignorance and wickedness.

The Annadan i.e. feeding the poors or hungry is a good service.Propagation of education is much better. By feeding hungry, he is satisfied temporarily for that day only. While, by giving education, one becomes clever and skilful in every respect. He earns himself, becomes happy and leads a peaceful life.

Abhaydan i.e. guidance for the ultimate redemption is the best of all.

The soul is immortal. Every soul has to be born again and again and has to suffer severe, unbearable pains according to their karmas i.e. their actions in the cycle of birth and death.

Nobody can escape from this everlasting cycle. Everybody has the fear of death. The human life is very rare in the birth cycle.

Once if it is gone, it can be had again after a lapse of crores and crores of years.

If one is made thoroughly aware of the very scarce availability of human life, and the unescapable cycle of death and birth and the sufferings of the mortal life, and with this knowledge, if he is made to lead virtuous, righteous, moral, pious life with ardent, staunch single-minded devotion to the Supreme God without yearning any result or any remuneration, he will be completely released from the permanent cycle of death and birth and all sorts of pains and calamities by the grace of Almighty God. He will get Atyantic Mukti i.e. ultimate redemption and will get ecstatic bliss in ultimate abode Akshardhan in the eternal service of God Supreme.

Thus he becomes “ Abhaya “ i.e. fearless for ever from all sorts of pains, miseries and calamities and will be released from the unescapable cycle of death and birth.

Lord Shree Swaminarayan enjoined on all his paramahamsas i.e. the Saint disciples to propagate such sort of knowledge and to release the souls permanently from the cycle of death and birth.

The austere behaviour of Saints and its effect The Sadhus of Lord Swaminarayan were the best ideal images of penance, non-attachment to wealth, women and the wordly objects, non-violence, high moralily, absolute celibacy, truthfulness, mercy, forgiveness, forbearance,love towards all the living-beings and were quite against and away from passion, anger, ego, haughtyness,greed fascination, pride, jealousy, taste, deceit etc. I Also they were adept and strict in religious observances, the spiritual thorough knowledge, nonattachment,devotion to God Supreme without yearning any desire or any remuneration.

The sandalwood burns itself and gives fragrance to all The candle burns itself and gives light to all. Similarly these Saints were ever ready to undergo all sorts of tortures and difficulties given by the wickeds for the upliftment of the ignorant-people.

The moral and virtuous behaviour and the endearihg effective sermons of Swaminarayan’s Sadhus made the people well aware of the rights and the wrongs; also the scare availability and the real behaviour of the human life. They also knew the way for salvation and the bliss in the divine service of Lord Supreme in glorious, splendid divine perceptible human form in the ultimate abode Akshardham. il After getting distinct thorough knowledge the people discarded all the vices, like addictedness, superstitions bad habits, traditional old, bad customs, corruptions, etc. Their eyes of cognition were opened. They left their old, gurus (The preceptors) who were full of passion, anger, haughtyness, pride, greed, deceit, adultery, addictedness, gambling, hersy, hypocrisy and full of all the vices, who robbed them and snatched their property, rob them in the name of religion and their future welfare,

The tortures from wickeds Forgiveness of Saints Since the people were awakened and had no trust at all , towards their old vicious and immoral gurus, they stopped feeding or giving them anything at all. The fake heretic vicious, sadhus, the Khakhis who were always equipped with all the destructive weapons,who used to wander in hordes, and the heads of the monasteries who were leading luxurious immoral lives with enjoyment and pleasure on account of their followers had to starve due to the right propagation of Lord Swaminarayan and His Saints. They believed Swaminarayan and His Sadhus as their foremost enemies. They decided to beat them cruelly wherever they saw them. Their vicious followers helped them.

The Swaminarayan’s Saints were strictly and solemnly adhered to the commandments of Lord. They endured all sorts of inhuman tortures patiently and proved and the forbearance and the forgiveness is the greatness of the qreat people and spread up divine redemptive message of Lord far and wide.

Forgiveness, the greatness of the great People like Sadanand Swami Sadanand Swami an ideal saint and an ardent staunch devotee of Swaminarayan once happened to pass by the village Bavali. Bhandas Vairagi saw him and began to beat him cruelly.

While beating, the stick was broken. People saw and released him. They rebuked Bhandas and asked Sadanand Swami about how much it hurt him. There were several wounds and bruises.

The body was swollen. It was covered with blood stains.

Sadanand Swami said, “The body is built up of five material elements (Panch Bhut); There may be wounds and cuts, but after some days they will be cured, while the nice stick of that poor fellow which is broken can not be alright again. Please look at him and give a good one.”

What a high rank of forgiveness and benevolence it was . He wished good for him who had beaten him cruelly. People were astonished and grieved for Swamiji.

Krupanand Swami and Gunatitanand Swami Once Krupanand Swami and Gunatitanand Swami had been to village Savar near Kundla with a few disciples. A devout person invited to dine at his place. They were cooking. The Landlord Uga Khuman was vicious and evil minded. He went there personally, threw dust and stones on the food, insulted, beat up and dragged them out of the village. The saints endured patiently.

Krupanand Swami asked the village people about any deficiency in the life of Uga Khuman. Village people replied, “ He is old but he has no son.” Krupanand Swami said to other saints, “ Let us observe fast today and pray God to give him a devout son.” Within ten months, a son,was born. He was named Jivana Khuman. Whenever, he saw Saints, he took them to his place, offered food, and listened the preachings. Due to extreme love Uga Khuman could not prevent his son.

After a lapse of six to seven years, both the saints again went there. Jivana Khuman saw them, took them to his house and offered food. Krupanand Swami called upon Uga Khuman and asked, “ Do you recognize us ? We are the same whom you had driven away before some years. We had prayed God a devout son for you. By the grace of God, you got this son.” Uga Khuman felt very sorry, left all the vices, became a single-minded devotee and built up a temple of Lord Swaminarayan in the village.

Once these two saints along with eight others passed by the village Zamarala. A vairagi named Kangaldas saw them. He started to beat them with a handle of spade. All were beaten harshly. Their bodies were swollen. The wrist of Gunatitanand Swami was dislocated. They were ten, while Kangaldas was alone, even then nobody opposed or stopped him. They did not utter a single word except “ Swaminaryan.”

Lord Swaminarayan at Anand Once Lord Swaminarayan happened to pass through Anand along with all Saints and thousands of other devotees. Some of them were the owners of various states and all were famous as

the brave warriors and Joban Pagi was the former great leader of the dacoits. All were equipped with all weapons. The wicked people started to throw dust, stones, dung, mud etc, on them.

Also they abused vulgarly. Since they were the disciples of Swaminarayan, they did not even look at them. They endured patiently and passed singing the redemptive name Swaminarayan.

Machination of Aba Shelukar to kill Lord Aba Shelukar was the last administrative representative of Peshwa at Ahmedabad, He believed in offering wine, ilquor and living-oblations in worshipping Goddess Maha Kali.

Lord Swaminarayan performed a great non-violence yajna at Jetalpur near Ahmedabad. Incidently, Shelukar’s father died during that period. Some evil person told him, “ Swaminarayan performs non-violence yajnas. Goddess Kali is angry. So, your father is dead. If he performs again, it is your turn. For your safety, kill him or drive him away from your area.

Aba Shelukar planned a machination. He invited Lord Swaminarayan in the fort of Bhadra. He prepared a decorated seat on a tank full of oil covered with rotten sticks. When Lord Swaminarayan came there, he welcomed warmly and asked Him to sit on it. Shree Swaminarayan said, “ such seats are for the Kings. I am not fit for it.” Again he said, “ People say that you are the Almighty God. Please occupy the seat and accept my homage. “ Lord Swaminarayan had a stick in His hand. He pressed on it and everything fell into the tank. Shamelessly he told Swaminarayan to leave Ahmedabad and not to enter again.

Lord asked, “ How far ? “ He replied, “Till my power exists.”

Lord Swaminarayan left Ahmedabad, but within five years, Peshwa’s power was over. English people took over charge of Ahmedabad and invited Lord Swaminarayan and gave land for a huge temple.

Once Lord Swaminarayan had been to Khokhra, Mehmadabad, near Ahmedabad along with 500 saints. Lolangar, the chief of the Khakhis came there with 400 Khakhis equipped

with weapons and had beaten them cruelly. The brave Kathis were present but they did not oppose.

At Dhrangadhra, 400 Khakhis had heaten 150 saints. Once a Vairagi was just ready to cut the ears and noses of Muktanand Swami and Brahmanand Swami. Some muslim released them.

Similarly, the evil people used to beat them, throw dust and stones on them, tear their clothes, abuse them, throw poison and filth in their beggings, break their worshipping idols and harass them by various other means. But these Saints endured all the tortures and the harass-ments patiently, thinking that, it was a test

by Lord Swami-narayan and remained busy in singing Lord’s glory.

Alms—Houses (Sadavrats) and Human service Everybody requires food and clean drinking water. Providing food and water is the best service to all. Lord Swaminarayan opened alms-houses (Sadavrats) at various places for the welfare and benefit of the poors. They were at Loj, Mangrol, Manavadar, Piplana, Agatrai, Bhader, Meghpur, Sardhar, Dhoraji, Kalwani, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Fareni, Sankali, Jetpur, Kotda, Gadhada, Kariyani, Methan, Jetalpur, Ahmedabad etc. For this, they used to collect food-grains from the public, cook and distribute to needies and the poors. At Some places, they used to give raw foodgrains also i,e, rice, flour etc.

Over and above their daily routine work, i.e, natural calls, bathing, worshipping, meditating etc, these Saints had to collect the food-grains and fuels, cook them, distribute them, clean the utensils, sweep the court-yard etc. Again they used to follow the same routine in the evening. During the remaining time, they preached public the reality and the scarce availability of human life and the unbearable pains to be undergone in the birth cycle.

Also they used to preach was how to live moral, virtuous, ‘peaceful and devotional life for happiness in the present life and ultimate redemption thereafter. Krupanand Swami was one of them, who had come from alms and became a great saint. There

were many more, who had renounced after taking alms and became saints.

Water is much more useful. Lord Swaminarayan got wells dug at various places. At Kariyani He dug out a lake with the help of 500 saints and thousands of other followers keeping them there for four months. A lake Gorhati was also dug out at Vadtal At Mangrol, He dug out a step-well. Such type of works for public welfare were undertaken at several places. All these were done voluntarily by the followers.

Torments from Vairagis, Sadhus changed to Paramhamsas The moral pious and devotional behaviour of these Sadhus and their other activities for the utmost welfare of the public attracted the people too much. Many of them become the followers. Hearing His glory, many highly learned and spiritual scholars from all over India came to Saurashtra and became ascetic followers and staunch ardent devotees of Lord Swaminarayan. Within some years, the number of saint followers was increased to about five hundred. Some of these Sadhus were the former heads of the creeds, big monesteries or the heads and worshippers of the big famous temples like Ayodhya, Jegannathpuri etc. Some of them were the owners of the big estates or were Landlords and were highly honoured by the public.

Along with Lord Swaminarayan, these Saints were honoured too much every where. The vicious vairagis and other heretics were contempted by the moral society. This enraged them too much. They decided to beat them roughly wherever they saw them. They started beating them cruelly in groups. The vicious estate owners, landlords, heads of the villages, heads of the castes and the ruling authorities supported them. Even after several complaints, nobody protected these Sadhus.

Once, most of these Saints were beatern harshly. Rough and vicious authorities did not hear the complaints. Lord Swaminarayan was at Kalwani. All came there. Lord heard

everything and grieved very much, He took a new step and asked all the saints to become Paramhamsa i.e, to leave up all the outward signs which can distinguish them as the tollowers of Swaminarayan. He asked them to remove the “vertical tilak” on forehead, two arms and on bosom, also the round red kumkum mark in its centre. He asked them not to put on sacred thread, not to put one double thread tulsi-bead rosary on neck etc., so that nobody can recognize them as the Saints of Swaminarayan, and asked them all that the worshipping should be done mentally, till the situation improves.

In the alms-houses (Sadavrats), the Vairagis started to beat the saints, throw dust, stones or filth in the food, destroy the food grains etc., so that nobody could be fed.These Vairagis were taking the advantage of alms-houses (Sadavrats) so far. Due to their hindrance Lord Swaminarayan closed them down unwillingly.

Austere Penanceful living of Saints Lord Swaminarayan’s commandments for His saints were very strict. One who is mentally very brave having no attachment at all towards worldly objects or even to his own body, who is strong and strict in behaviour, has full control over the sense organs as well as the internal organs, ever ready to obey the most difficult orders can only become His follower Saint. Weaks or cowards were not allowed.

His commandments to Saints were as follows: Saints should not remain in a village or in habitation during night. Each of them should take remain under a seperate tree. Even in chill cold, extreme heat or the torential rain, they should shelter under trees out of village with only one short cloth to cover body. Never to put on shoes. Not to fear from beasts. If scorpion snake or any poisonous creature ascends on body or if it stings even then not to move. Saints may be five to ten in number but only one or two should go for begging It should be taken in a cloth. It should be tied from upward and to dip it in the lake or river water. After

taking out it should be squeezed. This should be distributed among all. It should be taken once only in the noon after offering to God Supreme. It may be only a handful even then not to take anything again till next noon. If they don’t get any bhikhsha .i.e. begging, they should fast that day. Many a times, they had to fast continuous for four to five days. If wicked people throw filth or poison, it should be thrown away and to observe fast that day, not to beg again. Milk, sugar, ghee, oil or any preparation thereof or any other tasty thing should never be eaten. Not to sleep during morning from four to twelve hours at night. If anybody gives good or sufficient bhiksha, not to go there again next day. If anybody honours not to wait there. They should remain complete busy in worshipping, meditating, singing the glory of God Supreme and preaching the ignorant people to mend them from devilish to divine and from brutal to cultured as moral human beings.

Thus Lord Swaminarayan had ordered one by one such types of very difficult 112 vows to test these Saints till the situation improved. Since all of them very firmly believed Him as the Almighty God Supreme they adhered to all such orders to please Him. Not only that they were eager to hear new orders.

The hard tests of the Saints Once Lord Swaminarayan sent 150 saints to Jamnagar and ordered to leave the place only if they get honour. Swarupanand Swami an ardent staunch devotee having Akhand Samadhi i.e, uninterrupted stage of trance and could see Lord in divine perceptible human form in every stage and in every work, even in deep sleep, was made the head of them. They stayed near a tank out of City for the whole day, they used to sing glory and meditate on God Supreme. Ten of them used to go for bhiksha (begging). Whatever they received they used to take in a cloth, dip in water, squeeze it and distribute it among all. Each of them could not get even a handful. The elder Saints used to give up their part. After five to seven continuous fasts, Swarupanand

Swami wrote a letter to Lord, asking Him to ease the commands to some extent for the weak saints. Lord replied, “To attain ultimate redemption is not an easy job. If you want it, you will have to pull on with only water and air, or may go away.” After receiving the letter, all became more firm in faith and abide by the orders.

Once the king Jam Saheb happened to pass through that place. He asked his Secretary to enquire about how and who feeds them and to offer them food. Swarupanand-Swami said. “ We can’t take food from one person only. We can accept the bhiksha from several people, The King engaged many people to give them bhiksha at different places. Since they were honoured and welcomed by the King and his subject, Swarupanand Swami left the place after three days.

Once Lord Swaminarayan happened to pass from Sabarmati river bank at midnight in the month of December-January, when it was shivering cold. Mahanubhavanand Swami, the great Saint saw Him. He came to Him and prostrated. Lord asked, “ How you are here at this ‘time in such freezing cold ?” Swamiji replied, “ I am not alone. We are sixty in all. We have dug out horizontal pits in the sand. They have lied down and covered the bodies keeping the heads out. I remain to look after them. The sand is also very cold, but to save the bodies from shivering cold wind, we have done so. He called all the Saints. All came and prostrated. Lord was very pleased. Embraced everybody.

Mahanubhavanand Swami requested, “ Maharaj, it is very difficult to observe for those who are weak. Please pity them and lower down the commands, so that they can observe easily.” Lord said, “ These are yet easy to be observed. The future commands will be very strict. I don’t want coward, lazy or weak minded.

Those who are brave, firm and have full control over their minds and their sense organs and want salvation by any means may only remain. Rest may go away. Since they knew that Lord Swaminarayan was the Almighty God Supreme, they became

more firm and a group of five hundred such firm saints was established very soon.

Once Muktanand Swami, Swarupanand Swami. Anandand Swami, Sachchidanand Swami and other 150 Saints had been to Ahmedabad and stayed out of city under the tamarind tree near crematoriam Incidentally, a great respected person had did died and public in great numbers had come there for cremation. The cremation work was in progress. A group of people came to these Saints, when some of these Saints were engrossed in meditation.

This group came to Muktanand Swmai and said, “ By getting through spiritual knowledge of Brahma i.e. the Atma (Soul) and Parmatma (Almighty God) are one and the same. One has not to perform worshipping or has not to meditate upon anybody. Thus, we are Brahma and have nothing to do any further.” Muktanand Swami said, “ By speaking about Brahma, none can become Brahma. One must worship God Supreme ardently to get that stage.” They said, “The knowledge is sufficient, and we are the Brahma” Swamiji remained silent. By the same time, a big cobra fell down from the tree in the midst of these Sadhus. The people who were arguing about Brahman were afraid of cobra. They ran away. The cobra moved across from one saint to another on their bodies and finally went to Sachchidanand Swami, took a wrap on his neck and sat on his head stretching its hood. Even after the cobra moved across their bodies, nobody moved at all. After some time cobra again went up the tree.

The people who were arguing were very much surprised.

They came back again, bowed down and said, “ You are the real Brahma.” Afterward they took them to City, listened their religious teachings and became their followers.

The Satsang (Communion) of Saint and its effect The great saints ardently and solely infatuated to God Supreme have no attachment at all to the worldly objects. They don’t care at all for hunger, thirst or even for their own bodies.

They are internally ever happy. Their sense organs as well as internal organs are so attached and engrossed in worship and meditation of God Supreme that they have no conscience of their own as if mad persons. They look at all living beings equally with universal love and deep compassion as the creation of God and tries to see Him through them. God Supreme inhabits lovingly in such type of Saints permanently.

One who associates, follows, serves and obeys him and one who has respect and deep affection towards such saints will surely be released from all the vices, desires, all the addicts and will become an ardent, pious, staunch, single minded devotee of God Supreme. He will be released from the unescapable cycle of death and birth by the grace of God and will attain ultimate abode Akshardham. By such satsang i.e., association an ordinary soul can also become a great Saint of the same high rank just as a lamp can be kindled by a lamp.

Nothing is impossible to be changed by Satsang i.e., communion. It can change vicous into virtuous, devilish into human being, atheist into theist. It can change sinful, devilish, mean, immoral, addicteds and full of all corruptions into virtuous, moral, pious, devotional human being and an ideal ardent staunch single minded devotee of God Supreme.

Human life is compared with a burning house which can’t be extinguished. From such burning house, a man tries to take out the most he can, even by putting his own life in danger. Human life is limited, decreasing by every moment. It will be wasted uselessly if it is not utilized properly and will have to go again in the rotation of the birth cycle.

By Satsang, blessings and proper guidance of an ideal staunch devotee Saint, a man can easily retreat his mind and sense organs from the vices and the addicts, He can lead his mind to an ideal staunch single-minded devotion to God Supreme. He definitely will be released from the unescapable cycle of death and birth. By the grace of God, he will get ultimate redemption

and ecstatic bliss in Akshardham in the divine service of God Supreme.

Thousands of vicious, immoral, addicted, heretic, corrupted brutal hearts were changed into virtuous, pious, moral and devotional ones. Many of them had become the most pious highly respected great Saints.

Verabhai—The leader of the dacoits Verabhai was a fierce terrible leader of the dacoits. Once he had sharpened his sword. For testing its sharpness, he cut down eight people by a single blow to each. Such cruel he was. With the association of Brahmanand Swami and by His touch, he became an ardent staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan.

Once on an Annakut festival at Kariyani all the Saints and other devotees were assembled. Verabhai once took a piece of babul tree branch from Vasta Khachar’s house to brush the teeth without permission. Really they were kept for the public use only. Since he had taken without permission of the house owner, he went to Lord Swaminarayan and asked the atonement to expiate. Lord asked him to prostrate ten times to each 500 Saints and once each to 25000 other devotees. Without any doubt or any hesitation, he started prostrating. After about a hundred prostration. Lord held him up and embraced him, said, “ Your atonement is over.” He requested Lord to initiate him as Saint.

Lord said, “ No need of initiation now, without initiation, you are a high rank Saint. Such was the vast change in Verabhai’s inclination by only a touch of Brahmanand Swami.

Darbar Ahhaysingh of Lodhika Darbar Jibhai of Lodhika had become the follower of Lord Swaminarayan. His son Abhaysingh was very cruel, passing his time in hunting the creatures. He was full of all the vices and addictedness.

Once on an Ekadashi day i.e, on a fasting day, Abhaysingh started for hunting. Jibhai, his father stopped him saying that it was the fasting day and not to take anything except fruits.

Abhaysingh replied, “ I’ll eat only the tongues of the hunted creatures, and left home. Jibhai felt too much and left home deciding not to return He went to the village nearby. There he saw his Guru Gopalanand Swami and grieved for his son.

Gopalanand Swami consoled him and said, “ Let him come here.”

Abhaysingh could not get any prey In search of water, he went to the very place where Gopalanand Swami was preaching.

Jibhai introduced him and asked Abhaysingh to bow down at the feet of Swamiji. Abhaysingh bowed down. Gopalanand Swami putting his hand on Abhaysingh’s head said, “ May Abhaysingh surpass his father in staunch devotion.” By the very moment, all the vices, bad habits and addictedness fled away from his heart and became virtuous, moral, pious staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan. Daily he used to sit for meditation from morning six to twelve noon at a squat.

Abhaysingh had filed a suit for his estate. Once the collector had a camp at Lodhika who called Abhaysingh thrice for settlement but he was in meditation. He went after 12 o’clock.

Collector was very angry and asked the reason for not attending in time. He replied that he was meditating upon God. He again said, “ If you don’t attend, the judgment may be given against you.” Abhaysingh said, “ I may get estate or may lose, it is not important, but the worship and meditation is much more important. It is the most valuable property. It should not be lost in any circumstances,” The Collector was very much impressed. He gave him his estate.

It is the greatness of Gopalanand Swami, who only by blessings changed the vicious immoral evil hearted person into the most pious virtuous, moral ardent staunch devotee of God Supreme without any effort from his side.

Joban Pagi, the fierce leader of the dacoits Joban Pagi of Vadtal, was a fierce leader of thousands of armed Pagi dacoits. Hearing his name, people of Gujarat,

Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra were trembling with fear. He had robbed twice the treasury of the Maharaja Gaikwad, which were fully guarded by the army. By the association of Muktanand Swami, he left everything and became a devotee of Lord Swaminarayan.

In S. year 1866 i,e. 1810 A.D. Lord Swaminarayan performed a Vishnu yaga on a large scale. Many Kathis had come to pay homag. Their mres were famous and spirited. Lord Swaminarayan’s mare Manaki was very famous in every respect and was known as some divine body.

Though Joban Pagi was a follower of Lord, he thought to test His divinity by stealing His mare Manaki and other mares also.

He went to the stable but wherever he went, he saw Lord serving them by feeding, patting, watering etc. In the kitchen, he saw Him instructing the cooks. He saw Him preaching in the great assembly as well as performing the rites at yagna altar. He tried for three days and nights but everywhere, he saw Lord busy with some work. He prostrated at His feet and begged for pardon.

Lord forgave and embraced him. While going home again, he thought to test Lord. He thought, “ I shall believe Him as Almighty Gcd if I see Him sitting on the North side window on the first floor of my house when I reach home.” When he reached home, Lord was sitting on the same window in his house, and welcomed him. Joban Pagi prostrated again and said, “0 Lord, I am the most sinful man in the world. I am full of all the vices and all the devilities. My sins are unpardonable.” Saying so, he emptied a big earthern vessel which was full of sacred threads.

He said again, whenever a brahmin was killed by me, I had taken out his sacred thread and I have collected so many of these.

Lord pardoned him and asked him to swear the five vows i.e, Panch Vartaman. Since then, he became an ideal, ardent staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan. His hand was then adored with tulsi bead rosary and was always chanting uninterruptedly the redemptive glorious name of Lord Swaminarayan. While

constructing the huge temple at Vadtal, he had donated a major part.

Sagaram Vaghari, the hunter Sagaram Vaghari of Limli was from a low caste. He was a hunter as well as full of all the vices and all evil habits, stealing, deceit and robbery also. By the association of Mulji Sheth of Limli, he became a staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan.

He became a pious ardent staunch devotee of Lord but due to his poverty, he could not serve Lord or even could not go to see Him. So he felt very much sorry for it. Almighty God is thirsty of the pure and deep hearty love, and not the wealth or materials.

Once at night, Lord suddenly went to his hutment, embraced him sat on his broken cot and accepted lovingly his insignificant offerings.

Others property is equivalent to the excrement Bhula Koli of Loya was full of all the vices. His subsistence was theft, deceit and dacoity etc. By Muktanand Swami’s association, he left all vices and bad habits and both husband and wife became ardent staunch devotees of Lord. Then they used to work on other’s fields.

There was a terrible famine in S. Year 1869 i.e, 1813 due to failure of monsoon. They could not get any work and were starving. They started for Surat in search of labour. They did not get food continuously for four to five days. They reached Tapti River’s bank near Surat.

A marriage procession had passed from there before they reached there. A golden anklet of someone had fallen dow Bhula saw it and covered it with earth. His wife asked him, “ What were you doing?” He replied, “ It was a golden anklet, other’s property. You would be allured, so I covered it.” His wife said. “ Since, we are the devotees of Lord Swaminarayan, I treat it as the excrement. You touched it and made your leg filthy. First wash it and then we shall proceed further. Bhula washed his leg and went to the City.

They were hungry and tired too. They said ‘Jai Swaminarayan’ and sat near a shop. Shop owner Bhalchandra Sheth heard it and enquired about who they were. They told everything. Muktanand Swami was at Surat. Sheth took them to Swamiji. Swamiji embraced him. Bhalchandra Sheth enquired about the career and character of Bhula Koli. Swamiji said, “ He is like me”. Sheth was very much impressed. He kept them for household work for whole year and gave a good farewell next year giving clothes, money etc.

Bravo to such family, treating the other’s property as excrement even though they were starving. This was the a vast change of the brutal hearts into divine ones by the endearing sermons of the Saints of Lord Swaminarayan.

Deliverance of devilish hearts The most terrible Kathisof Kathiawar were famous for stealing, deceit, robbery, dacoity etc. They were searching the pockets after cutting down the heads. If they don’t get anything, they used to kick them, saying “ My labour has been wasted.”

Such cruel they were. The Kolis, Vagharis, Bhils, Ahirs, Bhavars, etc. were also fierce like Kathis. They also wandered in groups with weapons and robbed the public. People were constantly afraid of them. There was no safety of life at all.

Enduring all the troubles and by endearing sermons of Swaminarayan’s Saints, they left all thevices and bad habbits and became pious virtuous moral, ardent, staunch devotees of Lord Swaminarayan.

The difficult test of the devotees Sundarji Sutar: Sundarij Sutar (Carpenter) was a respected secretary of the King of Kutchha Bhuj. He was ardent staunch devotee of Lord also. The marriage of prince was settled and Sundarji was going with a sword of king and a squad of soldiers to bring the bride to Bhuj.

On the way, he went to Lord Swaminarayan and prostrated.

Lord asked, “who are you ?” Sundarji replied, “Your servant,’’

Lord asked again, “What are the characteristics of a servant?”.

“To obey the orders of master without any hesitation “, replied Sundarji. Lord said, “ Master orders you to renounce. But on saffron clothes and go for pilgrimage.” He called a barber, tonsured his head and started for pilgrimage. Lord stopped him and asked him to put on original rich clothes and to proceed for the marriage work. Sundarji requested Lord not to test anybody like that. A weak fellow can’t obey such orders.

Once, at Bhuj, Lord was preaching in the Court yard of Sundarji Sutar. Sundarji’s mother remarked, “ One who has no house, land or any property, one who does not know how to earn, one who does not wish to work or one who is starving may bacome Sadhus, otherwise, why the healthy and wealthy people should endure beatings, insults or contempts from public?” Lord noted it.

Eighteen reputeds renounced by one letter Lord Swaminarayan wrote a letter from Bhadra addressing the eighteen reputed leading persons Among them some were the Jagirdars, large estate owners, land lords, wealthy persons, the leaders of the caste and society and the most efficient reputed persons viz , Manchakhachar, Sura Khachar, Somala Khachar, Alaiyakhachar, Mulubha, Naja Jogiya, Mantra Dhadhal, Mamaiya Patgar, Aja Patel, Jiva Khachar, Virdas Patel, Ladha Sheth, Kalu Vavadiya, Kamalshi Sheth etc. etc. beloved devotees. They were asked to renounce everything on receiving the letter, to put on saffron clothes and to see Bhai Ramdas Swami at Jetalpur. All went to Ramdas Swami putting on the saffron clothes, who took them to Bhuj and met Lord at the court yard of Sundarji Sutar. Lord asked one by one about their estate, wealth, and their social position. All were wealthy and reputed superior than Sundarji in every respect.

Adbhutanand Swami The marvellous Saint Kalyanji of Kadu was an ardent staunch devotee of Lord. It was marriage of Kalyandas and the ceremony was in process,

when Aja Patel, the maternal uncle of Kalyandas received that letter. He started for Jetalpur. Kalyandas asked the reason. Aja Patel gave him the letter. Leaving marriage aside, Kalyandas also left. Aja Patel said “your name is not in the letter.*’ He replied, “ At the end, it is written etc. etc. My beloved devotees.” If I don’t go I cannot be His devotee. I must go.” He joined the group of eighteen.

When he reached there. Lord embraced him lovingly.

Hearing that he had renounced from his own marriage ceremoney, they were very much surprised. All the eighteen were sent back asking them to serve the mission from home but Kalyanji did not go. He was initiated as tyagi saint and was named Adbhutanand Swami, as his renouncing was marvellous.

A slight pride of renouncing on a word must be in the heart of Sundarji which fled away by this inspirable example.

After some period, Adbhutanand Swami’s two brothers went there to take him back, but he preached them in such a way that they also remained there and were named as Chaitanyanand Swami and Krushnanand Swami. Adbhutanand Swami had a good personality. Once, he had been to Kanjbari near Dhulia for preaching. The king saw him and took him to his palace, offered his daughter in marriage and asked him to become the king.

During night, Adbhutanand Swami came out of city and ran constantly for 60 kms. and went out of his region.

Lalji Sutar (a carpenter) Nishkulanand Swami Lalji Sutar, a carpenter of Shekhpat, was a staunch devotee of Lord and a disciple of Ramanand Swami. Once Lord wanted to go to Kuchh from Shekhpat. He asked Lalji to arrange a guide to cross the creek. Lalji himself accompained Lord as a guide. The creek was shallow but very long. Lalji took water and some money with him. The money was robbed by the thieves. Lord asked him to give water to some thirsty beggar. In the midst of the creek, Lalji was very thirsty. Lord asked him to drink sea

water. With trust on Lord, Lalji drank it. Surprisingly, it was sweet.

Both reached Adhoi. Lord asked Lalji to beg from the village. Lalji was a reputed leader of his caste. Adhoi was his father-in-law’s place. So he hesitated to beg. Lord initiated him there as a tyagi saint, and named him Nishkulanand Swami. Both then went to potters place, dyed his clothes by red earth and asked him to beg from his mother-in law. Lalji went there to beg.

His wife was there. She asked about what he had done. He told that he had renounced and asked her to give him bhiksha’. His wife asked him to wait a little till she prepared some food. Lalji replied, “ One who waits for some good food is not a real yogi.

Give me whatever is ready or I may go elsewhere.” His wife gave him a loaf of previous day. Lalji took it and came to Lord. Lalji was a born poet. Lord asked Nishkulanand Swami to stay there and to compose Yama Danda, a scripture describing the actions and the results, and the pains one has to suffer in Yamapuri after death. It was the first scripture composed by Nishkulanand Swami. Also it was the first scripture in the mission.

Galuji of Dadusar Galuji of Dadusar was an ardent, staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan. Lord wrote a letter to Galuji from a village nearby, asking him to come there with all his household materials. Galuji received the message when he was just sitting for supper. Galuji got up loaded his property in four to five carts and started. He reached at midnight and prostrated Lord. Lord fed him and asked him to rest. Lord woke him up in the early morning and asked him to go back. Galuji went back, but did not doubt about the order. He thought, the order of the master should not be doubted. Whatever he does is good for the devotee.

The estate partners of Galuji had met in the evening and decided to kill Galuji and to rob his property. They came at midnight and asked for Galuji. His mother told about the letter and said, “ Galuji has gone to his Guru Swaminarayan with all

the property. One of them was a little bit wise. He said, “ we had decided in the evening to kill him, while his guru called him and saved him. His Guru Swaminarayan is omnipresent. He knew everything. So he is Almighty God supreme. Our enmity is over.

Please ask him to take us to Him,” When Galuji came back, his mother told everything, Galuji took them to Lord and all became the devotees, leaving all the vices and bad habits.

While Galuji’s mother was on death bed, he knew that Lord is coming. Just when he was going out for reception, his mother breathed her last. Galuji wrapped the dead body with cloth and put it up on the loft. Lord was lodged at his friend’s place. Second day all gave a good farewell to Lord. At the outskirt of village Lord asked him to give similar farewell to his mother’s dead body. Hearing this all were surprised.

Departure of mother, presence of dead body in his house, his duty for cremation and the public criticism, were all ignored by him. He did not care at all while serving Lord Swaminarayan.

Dosabhai Sheth of Bandhia Dosabai Sheth of Bandhia was a staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan. Once some of the merchants went to Gadhada, Lord asked them about the whereabonts of Dosabhai. They replied, “ He has no time to remember you Lord said. “ He is my ardent staunch devotee. He is superficially involved in the wordly matters. Internally, he constantly remembers me,” Yet the merchants insisted and said, “ If you go personally, he won’t even come to see you.” Lord wrote a letter asking Dosabhai to come to Gadhada. Dosabhai had taken a contract of sugarcane and molasses. Dosabhai was busy in weighing the molasses when the messanger reached there. Dosabhai immediately started for Gadhada without handing over the charge to anybody, When he reached Gadhada, Lord asked him to renounce. Dosabhai tonsured his head and put on saffron clothes. He did not hesitate

at all. The merchants were very much surprised. Dosabhai was tested twice like this, and was returned.

Prabhashankar of Pipalav Prabhashankar of Piplav was an ardent staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan. Once Lord wrote a letter asking him to reach Gadhada. It was the marriage day of Prabhashankar and was proceeding with marriage party. When he received the message, he got down from the horse and started for Gadhada, His father said, “your marriage was postponed last year also.” Go after finishing your marriage. Lord has not written to come immediately. “ Prabhasankar replied, “ Marriage can be performed afterwards, but can’t get a letter from Almighty God Supreme again. It is the greatest luck in this human life to get a letter from Almighty God Supreme.” Saying so, he left for Gadhada.

Ladhiba of Bhuj Ladhiba of Bhuj was the disciple of Ramanand Swami. She was brahmin by caste and was a widow since childhood. During those days, brahmin widows had to live in very strict bondage.

They had to put on dark and thick clothes. The face should always be covered by saree. They could not attend marriage or any festival.

Ladhiba was old while-Lord Swaminarayan was young. Both being the disciples of the same Guru Ramanand Swami, Ladhiba used to address Lord as brother. Ramanand Swami gave her his darshan in human form and said, “ Why do you address Lord as brother. He is the Almighty God Supreme. I also pray Him. Tell others also.” Since then, Ladhiba became an ardent staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan.

Once Lord asked her, “ Will you obey my orders ?” She replied, “ Nothing is hard to be obeyed. You may give any order.” Lord said, “ Put on all the rich fancy clothes of your brother’s wife, put on all the ornaments and kum-kum on your forehead, take two pitchers and fetch water from a well out of

city.” Without any hesitation, she put on everything took pitchers and started. On the way, all doubted about who she was. Ladhiba frankly told them that she was same Ladhiba. Some of them asked, “At this old age, with whom you have married ?” She replied, ‘ In this eternal universe, I have taken innumerable births. I have married there and widowed also. I could not get any immortal husband. Now I got an immortal husband Lord Swaminarayan and married with Him. He is my beloved husband who will give me the ultimate redemption.” Giving same reply to everybody, she fetched water and came to Lord.

Lord asked, “ Ladhiba did anybody put any remark, or ask you anything ?” She repeated the same reply. Lord was very much pleased. He gave her the independent stage of Samadhi i.e. trance. She could see and hear Lord in every work and in every stage even if she might be hundreds of miles away. She could put other Ladies also into samadhi and could show them Lord in Akshardham, the divine abode. Ladhiba preached very efficiently to ladies and made them ardent staunch devotees of Lord Swaminarayan.

Anandji Sanghedia of Mangrol Anandji Sanghedia was an ardent staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan, but his wife was quarrelsome.

Once, his wife complained to Lord that Anandji did not pay attention to his occupation, so they had to starve. Lord asked him to pay more attention. Once again his wife complained the same thing. Lord excommunicated Anandji from fellowship and asked other devotees not to keep any contact with him. “If he says, “Jai Swaminarayan” you should reply ‘Hadd kutri’ in exchange. If you don’t say so, you also will be excommunicated. Then Lord went elsewhere. The devotees, the children and the town people all were addressing him as “ Hadd Kutri”. Anandji did not mind at all.

Lord came there again after six months. The devotees assembled. When Anandji came all addressed him as “ Hadd

Kutri”, even then he said “Jai Swaminarayan”. Lord asked him “ Don’t you feel ill when they address you like that?” Anandji replied, “certainly not”. They are obeying your orders. You are Almighty God Supreme. I want to please you by any means. Lord was very much pleased. He embraced him.

Lord asked Anandji, “ Do you know any art ? “. He said ‘yes’. Lord said, “Prepare an artistic article and present it to the Nawab Badruddin. If he gives you money, don’t take it, but ask for some land to build up a house.”

Anandji prepared an artistic swinging bedsteed which could swing tor a long time if once moved. He presented it to the Nawab, who was very much pleased. He offered a good amount.

Anandji asked for some land to build a house. The Nawab gifted the plot for building with deed. While digging the foundation, he got pots full of gold and silver coins and jewellery also. He offered it to the Nawab but he returned it to Anandji. Then Anandji became a very rich man who built up a temple of Lord Swaminarayan by his money. Lord first tested him and then made him happy in every respect.

Thus Lord Swaminarayan has tested many devotees like this, and finally made them more firm and more happy. These are only a few examples. st meeting with Ebhalkhachar (Abhaysingh) of Gadhapur (Gadhada) Gadhada (Gadhapur) is a main town of Gadhada taluka in Bhavnagar District in Saurashtra. Abhaysingh (Ebhalkhachar) had his estate of six villages viz., Gadhada, Holaya, Adtala, Khopala, Ugamedi and Mandavdhar.

Abhaysingh (Ebhalkhachar) was a pious virtuous devotee of Shree Krishna. By invitation of Manchakkhachar of Kariyani, a staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan, Abhaysingh went there and saw Lord first time. By his request. Lord came to Gadhada on the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of Magshar S. year 1861 i.e. 1805 A.D.

Abhaysingh had two wives, Suraprabha and Somadevi. He had four daughters, Jaya, Lalita, Panchu and Nani from Suraprabha and a son Uttamsingh (Unnadkhachar) from Somadevi. All knew him by his pet name, Dadakhachar.

Abhaysingh’s whole family was very pious, virtuous, moral, peace loving leading devotional life.

Due to extreme innocent love and the earnest request of this family. Lord Swaminarayan stayed at Gadhada for twenty five years as if it is his own house, treating Gadhada as the centre of his mission. Handing over their estate, they remained there as the servants of the divine mission.

The greatness of Dadakhachar Abhaysingh left this world in S. year 1871 i.e. 1815 A.D. Dadakhachar dedicated everything to Lord Swaminarayan and remained there as a servant. Lord tested him frequently.

Once, Lord asked Dadakhachar to hand over his estate to his elder two sisters. He handed it over to Jaya and Lalita in writing on stamps. Without taking anything, he started to go elsewhere.

Lord asked him to serve there in the management instead of searching for a job. After one year’s service. Lord gave him back his estate. Many a times, Lord asked him to vacate h|s residence for others. He immediately complied with the orders. Once Dadakhachar and Lord were coming from outside. It was monsoon. On the way, they saw a beggar lighting fire to cook but due to rain, he could not. Lord asked Dadakhachar to build up an inn for such homeless people. Reaching home, he vacated his own house and asked Lord to bring them there. Whatever order received from Lord fair or unfair, he obeyed it immediately without any doubt. Once Lord called for Dadakhachar. A barber was shaving Dada head immediately he stood before Lord without completing the job. His whole family was obedient ardent staunch devotees.

Due to such type of their obedience, their extreme innocent love, their ardent staunch devotion and their earnest request. Lord

stayed there permanently as if it was his own house, and protected them from all the estate enemies and other mischiefmongers.

Lord could not go elsewhere breaking a thin thread of their pure innocent love and ardent staunch single-minded devotion.

The festivals and the Samaiyas (Gatherings) During those days, there were no means of conveyance like motor cars, buses, rickshaws, motor cycles, railways, aeroplanes etc. etc. or there were no means of communications like post, telegraphy, telephone, radio, televisions or even the news-papers.

So it was very difficult to propagate the tenets of the divine mission individually.

Lord Swaminarayan arranged very frequent samaiyas i.e. the religious gatherings at various places on various occasions, like Dipotsav, Annakut, Prabodhini Ekadashi, Makar Sankranti, Vasant Panchami, Shivratri, Fooldol, Ramanavami, Harinavami, Rath yatra Hindola, Raksha bandhan, Janamshtami, Vijaya Dashmi, Sharad Purnima etc. They were arranged at different places like Gadhada, Vadtal, Muli, Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Adrej, Machhiyav, Sidhpur, Jetalpur, Dabhan, Junagadh, Sarangpur, Kariyani, Loya, Panchala, Dholera, Botad, Dhpraji, Karmad, Surat, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Mangrol, Mandvi, Dharampur etc.

On large scales. They were arranged at different places so that the ladies, the children, the old or the weak people can attend to their nearer places. They can see Lord, the pious saints, can hear some preachings and get some inspirations. In those Samaiyas huge assemblies were arranged, and the divine tenets were preached by Lord The questions like how the vices, violence, addictedness, blind beliefs, gambling, bad habits, superstitions etc. are harmful to human life, how they are hindrances to salvation, how to get rid of them and what is the real and perfect way for ultimate redemption,

By such Samaiyas, people were getting thorough spiritual knowledge, joy, zeal, endurance, inspiration and encouragement from Lord.

Annakut Utsav and Bhav Samadhi of Ladies Let us look at one festival, Annakut Utsav at Gadhada. This festival is celebrated on the next day of Divali. More than hundred types of different sweets and other cooked items also are prepared and offered to God. All the Saints and thousands of other devotees came here and so, two huge kitchens were arranged, one handled by males, the other by females.

In the female kitchen, Jaya (Jivuba) and Lalita (Laduba) the elder sisters of Dadakhachar and Rajbai, his cousin sister were the main persons. The other ladies were Panchu, Nani, Amar, Amari, Amula, Rambai, Minbai and many others also were working with joy and zeal.

Since these ladies knew Lord Swaminarayan as Almighty God Supreme in the human form was in front of them, they were over joyous to work for this festival. They were ardent staunch single-minded devotees of Lord who got a chance to work for Him in His presence so they were working with joy and zeal.

They could see Lord on grinding stone while grinding, on sieve while sifting, in the mortar while thrashing, in the frying pan while frying. Similarly, wherever they saw, they could see Lord with open eyes before them in every work. This is the highest stage of Samadhi known as Bhav Samadhi i.e, sentimental trance. Lord was very much pleased by their extreme love and overjoyous working.

Why direct service to Lord is restricted for Ladies ?

Once, Lalita (Laduba), the elder sister of Dadakhachar asked Lord,� You are the Almighty God Supreme and we are your devotees. The soul is atomic like a spark. it is neither male nor female, then what is the fault of we ladies that we are not allowed to serve you directly hand to hand ? Please be kind enough and allow us to serve you directly.

Lord replied, ‘ It is observed that, males and females are naturally attracted towards each other. By their association and frequent meeting, the attraction increases day by day. Finally, it converts into lust or passion. It causes the moral downfall of the both in every respect. Nobody can remain firm and unallured if they associate frequently and freely. Even the most penanceful non-attached to any worldly objects, the highly spirituated yogis and the great respected persons have also fallen down from their high status by such co-association. Innumerable such examples are noted by the history and the scriptures. For the safety and precaution in the religious field one should not associate with opposite sex. I am Almighty God and I see you all as Jivatma i.e, the souls and not as males or females, even then if I accept direct services hand to hand from you, it won’t effect me at all, but if anybody thinks one’s own self as exempted due to his spiritual high stage and associates with females, will definitely fall down and whole mission or the Sampraday will be defamed. To set an example, I should observe it first strictly, so that no one will transgress it.”

The divine unique Boon to Lalita (Laduba) Seeing them all gloomy, Lord said again, “ Don’t be sorry I am giving you an idol of God. Treating it as my own reduced form, serve it lovingly. Whatever you offer it, I shall definitely accept it lovingly hand to hand to please you.

On the Annakut day, ladies had also prepared hundreds of sweets and other items. All were offered to the idol given by Lord. Surprisingly they saw that Lord came out as a small child from that idol and started to eat the items one by one. Lalita (Laduba) requested and offered the items with their names and Lord accepted them hand to hand. All the ladies were very much surprised and overjoyous. They became more firm in devotion.

Holi and Dhuleti in society People want some entertainment and pleasure. The festivals really serve this purpose. In ancient times, on a fullmoon day of

the month of Falgun, a monster named Hiranyakashiyap arranged a holi i.e. a huge fire to kill his son Prahlad, who was a staunch devotee of God. His sister Holika was also devilish. She had a boon from the God of fire as fire.. will not harm her. She took Prahlad in her lap and sat in holi and lighted it. The devilish people started shouting so that cries of prahlad may not be heard.

Due to malice with Prahlad, Holika was burnt, and Prahlad was saved by the grace of God. This festival was celebrated in a very critical way. People not only shouted, but used vulgar abusive language also. On this occasion, they take revenge on the pretext of this festival.

The next day is known as Dhuleti. On that day, people throw away all the bondage, politeness, respect to elder etc. They play, laugh and cut jokes with vulgar abusive language. There is pleasure and entertainment but they are transgressing all the limits and the bondage of society and polute the whole atmosphere.

Since Prahlad was saved, same festival is celebrated in temples with gulal, with prayers, and glorious songs of God Supreme.

Fooldol Utsav in Sampraday Lord Swaminarayan has celebrated this festival every year at various places.

On the full moon day of the month of Falgun, which is the birth day of Lord Nar-Narayan, the incarnation of God Supreme, A huge swing is prepared decorated with flowers and idol of Lord Nar-Narayan is swung on it. The prayers, songs of Lord’s’ glory and the devotional hymns are being sung with the musical instruments. They also use gulal, which is not harmful and a colour prepared from the Keshuda flowers which is a good medicine for skin.

People require joy, pleasure and entertainment. Lord Swaminarayan has fulfilled it by such type of festivals.

Fooldol Utsav at Vadtal

A huge swing was prepared decorated with flowers. It had twelve portals all around. An idol of Lord Nar-Narayan, the incarnation of God Supreme was swung. The festival was celebrated with prayers, devotional songs and songs expressing Lord’s glory. Gulal was first sprinked to Lord and then to all.

Two permanent huge cisterns (kunds) were constructed to fill them up with colours prepared from Keshuda flowers. Two parties were formed. One consisting of house holders, the other of the Saints including the Lord. Lord started to sprinkle colour with a golden syringe and the play started. During the play, music also was played. All were singing loudly the songs of NarNarayan’s birth, the prayers, the devotional songs and the songs expressing the glory ofGod. They were sprinkling colour on each other. Leaving aside the syringe. Lord took a pitcher and started to sprinkle colour over all. Then He sprinkled gulal on all very often with a basket. Similarly, the devotees also started sprinkling over Him. They all were so over joyous that they forgot the difference between Lord and the devotees, and were pushing and pulling each other. The whole atmosphere was changed into a divine scene. 20 quintals of Gulal was consumed.

In the afternoon, Lord was seated in the same decorated swing having twelve portals all around. The devotees were in lakhs. It was very difficult to go near to see Lord and offer their presents. Lord took twelve forms and sat in each portal, so that everybody could see Him from every portal simultaneously. He accepted all the presents from all the devotees and returned it by stretching His hand upto that devotee.

The unique swing with twelve portals is still kept for the display at Vadtal Akshar Bhuvan, but the portals are seperated from the swing.

At the place where this swing was swung on the branches of two mango trees, there is a similar model made and kept by Kanji Bhagat in Gnan Baug for display to the public.

Lord Swaminarayan in Gadhada

Lord Swaminarayan had made Gadhada as the centre of His divine mission. So he had celebrated many festivals there. There is a neem tree in the centre of this wide open courtyard. On the four sides, there chawl type buildings with huge verandahs.

When He used to be at Gadhada huge meetings were held around this neem tree and He used to sit under the tree, on a higher stage, so that all can see Him. Many a times, He used to sit on any of these verandahs.

People coming from outsides were offering their presents. He used to accept without distinguishing them as rich or poor, by caste higher or lower, an aged or a child, may be costly or cheap.

He used to see his or her real affection and the innocent love only. He used to put on simple white clothes only. But in the festival or in the assemblies, if anybody presented Him the precious clothes or costly ornaments, He used to accept to please them and after some time, he used to give them to brahmins, poor and the needies. Lord could not see any poor in distress. He used to give whatever he had, or He would ask for from anybody from anywhere and would give them to the needies. To supply food and clothes to poor and to serve the ailings was His main service to all.

On the west side of Gadhada, there are farms of Dadakachar which is known as Laxmi wadi. Many a times. Lord assembled huge meetings there and also sat alone under a mango tree. Lord used to rest in Akshar Oradi, a room just near the Dadakhachar’s courtyard.

Fooldol utsav at Gadhada In Fooldol utsav at Gadhada also, after the worship and swinging of Lord Nar-Narayan Lord used to play gulal and Keshuda colours with the devotees similar to Vadtal Here also, He used to form ~two parties. The devotee while getting a chance to play with Lord, might be a Saint or a householder, the direction of his syringe will be towards Lord only. Many a times, Lord used to climb up the tree. Even then, the directions of all the

syringes were towards Lord only. Thereby, the whole tree, the walls, the roofs and all the surrounding ground would become full of colour. The Lord would come down from the tree and run to the river Ghela nearby. There also Lord would play with the devotees in water. The water would become colourful. The whole atmosphere would become full of joy and pleasure.

After the festival, there would be rich food also. Various sweets were prepared in such festivals. Lord used to serve the Saints personally, giving them each item five to seven times, forcibly. If anybody refused. He would pour it on his head, if it be liquid, would give direct in mouth, if it be like sweetball, or would even pile on the head, the items like Malpuva etc. Thus, He would p’lease them all.

Formerly, the Saints who had to observe very strict penance and also had to follow many other strict and very difficult observances, had to eat the bhiksha after squeezing it and had to endure insults, abuses, beatings and many other torments of enviers, were now fed lovingly. He used to please them by all means. Whenever they sang the glory of God Supreme and the songs of devotion, Lord would be absorbed in sentiment and would nod his head or even dance before them.

At the request of ardent staunch devotee Jinabhai, the village owner of Panchala, Lord had been there with five hundred Saints and stayed there for about twenty five days.

One night, the Saints were singing the devotional hymns in the circular forms. Lord took about five hundred forms to equal the Saints and placed Himself in between the two Saints and gave them the most pleasure of His divine forms.

At the request of staunch devotee Surakhachar, the owner of village Loya, He stayed there for about two months with all the Saints. Lord Himself used to prepare tasty vegetables from brinjals with ghee and precious spices and feed them lovingly.

In a huge gathering at Jetalpur near Ahmedabad Lord Swaminarayan condemned living oblations, violence, offering wine, liquor etc, in yagnas (sacrifices) and to Gods and Goddesses and started non-violent yagnas.

Jagjivan, the adviser of the King of Bhuj arranged a huge yagna and gathered too many animals for oblation. Lord Swaminarayan reached there and condemned it. Jagjivan insulted Him roughly, even then Lord opposed it. He persuaded others also. Jagjivan came into the fault of King and the commander of army killed him. All the animals were released.

In the festival at Sidhpur, Lord described the reason and the reality of pilgrimage, the rites to be observed at Holy places, and the observances of the fasts, penance, charities and festivals etc.

Receptions and respects’ from the rulers Lord Swaminarayan without any help from any ruler, by His unique intellect and by His disciples’ universal love, mercy, forbearance, truthfulness, patience, non-violence and their virtuous conduct reformed the thieves, robbers, dacoits, cheaters, addicted, immoral, vicious, mean-minded people. He freed them all from all the vices, all the worldly attachments and led them all to very pious, virtuous life and turned them towards ideal staunch devotion of God Supreme.

All the Kings, rulers and administrators were astonished by the mass moral change over of the whole society. So, they also took his fellowship and to His devotion.

Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad of Vadodara By the invitation of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad - II Lord went there with all the Saints, Maharaja seated Lord on ‘ the golden howdah on richly decorated elephant and led Him to his Royal Court and to his palace in a grand procession with royal as well as local bands, and served Him lovingly for three days.

TheKing had three hundred of the most learned and famous pandits and scholars in various subjects. The King gave a grand

respect in his Royal Court. All the pandits asked various questions. All were satisfied by His answers.

Lord at Junagadh. Hamadkhan “ Yahi to Khuda Hai “ Jinabhai Darbar, the village owner of Panchala was an ardent staunch devotee of Lord as well as the private Secretary of the Nawab of Junagadh. Once Jinabhai asked Nawab Hamadkhan to allow him to invite Lord Swaminarayan at his place. The malicious divan tried to misguide Nawab. He said, “Swaminarayan is adept in evil spirit charms. He has fascinated all the Kathis. They are equipped with weapons. They may invade and defeat you. Jinabhai said, “ He is only a fakir. Nawab Hamadkhan allowed the procession to pass nearby his palace.

Lord had put on rich silken clothes woven with golden and silver strings. He was seated on a richly decorated horse. The procession came in front of the palace. A poor devotee with tattered clothes had brought two tender cucumbers and wished to offer it to Lord. Though he was far away Lord knew it. Lord asked some of His followers to bring him with cucumbers and took them from him hand to hand. He started eating it on decorated horse with both the hands, The seeds were falling on the rich clothes. hands the sees were falling on his rich clothes. the diven laughted at him felling him a mad man while Nawab said, “ Nobody except God can eat like this when He is honoured by lakhs of people. “ Again he said, “ Din dayal Khuda to yahi hai “.

Nawab Hamadkhan and his son Bahadurkhan invited Lord in their royal Court thrice and got Him worshipped by brahmins.

They helped to build up a grand temple in Junagadh and gifted some land for its maintenance.

Gajefarkhan. Nawab of Manavadar Gajefarkhan, the Nawab of Manavadar welcomed Him in his royal Court and got adored Lord by pious brahmins. He built up a temple of Lord Swaminarayan at his own expenses, just near his

palace to have daily vision of Lord’s image from his residence and arranged for the maintenance of the temple.

Badruddin, the Nawab of Mangrol When Lord started samadhi and used to give them vision of their own deities, people doubted it as magic or evil charms. To clear the doubt, Badruddin, the Nawab came personally to Lord.

He saw his Allah in Samadhi who was finally absorbed in Lord Swaminarayan. Since then, he become His follower. He invited Lord with great respect in his royal Court and thus helped Him in preaching.

In the dispute between some of the old followers of Ramanand Swami and that of Lord Swaminarayan at Mangrol, the Nawab intervened and settled the dispute.

Maharaja Vijaysinghji of Bhavnagar Gadhada was a Sub-State of Bhavrnagar. Lord had made it as the centre of His mission. It was spreading far and wide, so some of the vicious envious administrators were misleading Maharaja Vijaysinghji. They told him, “ Swaminarayan is a heretic magician, adept in all sort of evil spirits, and evil charms. He has subdued all the furious Kathis, They keep all sorts of weapons.

He may invade and defeat you.” Hearing this he harassed Dadakhachar very often by sending his army showing some false causes. He stopped the construction of the temple also.

By chance, Vijaysinghji had come to Gadhada. Lord took him to the temple showed him every part and said, “ It is not a storage of weapons as told to you by somebody but it is a temple to worship and get redemption.” Maharaja saw the pious, virtuous, peaceful, devotional behaviour of all the people and the saints. The mis-understanding was cleared. He bowed down at Lord’s feet and begged for pardon. He then invited Lord with Saints and highly respected them in his royal Court at Bhavnagar.

Hathisinghji the King of Gondal

The Kings of Gondal Devaji,Nathuji, Hathisinghji, Bhanabhai, Motibhai etc, were all devotees of Lord. Hathisinghji had invited the ‘ highly respected Lord to his royal Court very often.

Once Lord was at Vakaji Khimani’s place. Hathisinghji started to see The Lord but Lord started from there and went to a poor potter. Hearing it, he also started for the potter’s place. The administrators stopped him saying he can’t go to such a poor person. Hathisinghji said, “If Almighty God has no objection, why, should I be objected ?” So he went there, bowed down to Lord and sat on the barren soil.

Kushal Kunvarbai, the Queen of Dharampur Kushal Kunvarbai, the Queen of Dharampur was a staunch devotee of Lord. By her earnest request, Lord went there with all the Saints and thousands of other devotees. She highly respected Him with procession, seated him on a decorated elephant, with the royal band. She kept Him for twenty five days. Lord celebrated the Vasant Panchami utsav here.

Malcom Haley, the Governor of Bombay Sir John Malcom Haley, the Governor of Bombay heard from the political agent Thomas William that Lord Swaminarayan by His unique intellect and endearing sermons has changed all Kathis, Bhavars and the most furious dacoits, robbers, thieves and vicious sinfuls into the most pious, virtuous, leading peaceful devotional lives, without help of any ruling authority.

The Governor wrote three letters with earnest requests inviting him at Rajkot Lord went there. He was welcomed and respected with the royal band. The Governor bowed down respectfully. He asked many questions regarding Sati, (the burning of widow with her husband’s dead body) Strangulation of new born female baby, killing of cows, the sentence of hanging to death etc. He was satisfied.

At the end, Lord presented him a copy of Shikshapatri, written by Him, which he used to study calmly. The book which

was presented to him by Lord is still preserved carefully in the Indian Museum at London.

Ardeshar Kotwal, the administrator of Surat Ardeshar Kotwal, the chief administrator (Suba) of Surat, invited Lord with all the Saints and thousands of other devotees.

Even though he being a Parsi by caste, he was a staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan. At Lord’s departure from Surat, he asked for some memory. Lord gave him His turban, which he worshipped till he lived. His family members also worship it at present. Every year on the second day of the bright half of the month of Kartik, they put it on a decorated palanquin and take it round the city in a grand procession, with bands and music. The devotees sing the glory of God and devotional hymns. Now a days this procession has been stopped.

Many other kings and the leading authorities welcomed Lord Swaminarayan with all the Sadhus and thousands of other devotees in their royal courts with great pomp and splendour with royal music, adored with great respect, and presented various riches and cash.

They appreciated and praised His great universal service to all the souls. Many of them became His followers and worshipped Him heartily and acknowledged his incarnation.

Lord Swaminarayan accepted their offerings and presents and immediately distributed to the poor and the needy.

Lord subservient to ardent staunch devotees. Jivan Bhakta of Jetalpur Lord has celebrated many festivals and a huge Vishnuyagna at Jetalpur near Ahmedabad. A brahmin named Jivan Bhakta was an ardent staunch devotee of Lord, but he was very poor and had no other subsistence except begging, so he was unable to offer Lord anything. He thought, “Whatever I get, I should offer it. Let Lord may accept it or not.” He prepared two boaves from the mixed tlour begged. He prepared spinach boiled with salt only, without oil.

He went to the historical palace on the bank of Dev Sarovar.

It was morning and all devotees were bringing sweets and rich food to offer Lord. Seeing this, he stood on the gate. He did not dare to go upstairs. Almighty Lord knew his pure, innocent, deep love. Came down. Took the loaves from his hands,, Went upstairs.Sat on the decorated seat, praised the taste very much and ate it lovingly leaving aside the sweets and other rich food.

Lord is pleased with innocent, pure, deep love only and not by the rich materials.

Poor Brahmin couple at Vadtal Lord has celebrated many festivals at Vadtal. It was also a day of festival there.

There lived a poor Brahmin couple who were ardent staunch devotees of Lord. Due to their poverty they could not ofter anything to Lord. They thought to offer Lord whatever they had They prepared two loaves from the flour of coarse grain and dal and waited at home only.

All may not get chance to offer Lord, So It was arranged to feed Lord in groups i.e, a day a region wise. The devotees in turn prepared delicious food waking up whole night, but had a desire that Lord may praise the taste of food.

At eleven O’clock Lord got down from the stage and went to village side. Mulji Brahmachari, the ever ready attendant followed Him. Both went to the poor couple’s house, knocked the door, and asked for food. Lord ate it and went back, while from those who had desire of praising Lord took only a mouthful of rice, and returned the rest.

Lord is pleased by pure innocent love and not by the taste of food.

Patalbhai’s wife of Bhader Patalbhai of Bhader and his wife were both ardent staunch devotees of Lord Swaminarayan. Lord had been there once. His wife served a good dinner to Lord. After dinner, she asked Lord to take some milk. Lord said, “ Yes.” Due to innocent love and

over joy, she had no sense of her own. Instead of milk, she brought buttermilk and served Lord. Praising it as tasty. Lord took it thrice. Afterwards when she enquired about buttermilk, she saw the pot was empty while the milk pot was intact. She grieved before Lord and asked Him to take milk. Lord said, “you were overjoyous with innocent deep love so that buttermilk was too much tasty.” He did not take milk.

Pure love is tastier than other things.

Amarakhachar and Vaghakhachar of Sarangpur Amarakhachar and Vaghakhachar, the sons of Jiva-khachar of Sarangpur were ardent staunch devotees of Lord Swaminarayan. Since their farmers did not give any income, they were poor. They wanted to attend the fooldol utsav at Gadhada but could not take any good gift for Lord. They took only a long piece of coarse cloth.

In the assembly all were giving Lord rich gifts like silken clothes and golden ornaments and other precious things. They were ashamed to give. Lord called them and asked to give whatever they had brought Lord was very pleased. Said, “You are wise enough to bring such a gift. I can’t play colour with rich clothes. “ Lord cut it into two pieces. One he put on as dhoti and the other wrapped on the upper part of his body, and played the colour with the devotees. After bath he returned them.

At midnight they saw some light and got up. They saw innumerable fellows with divine glorious bodies, prostrating them. They asked, “who are you?” They replied, “we are the souls of the plants of the cotton from which the cloth was made, which you presented to Lord. By only the touch of cloth. Lord gave us salvation. You are the cause of it, so, we are bowing to you.” Next day. Lord asked them, “What have you seen in the night? Tell it to the assembly. “ They told everything.

Lord is pleased only by love, and not by the things. It is the boundless mercy of Lord. He released the souls of cotton plants without any effort. He gave salvation only because the cotton

produced from their plants was used by Him. This is an extreme form of mercy of Lord Swaminarayan.

A short dhoti gifted by an old Woman There lived an old woman in a village near Barwala. She was an ardent devotee of Lord. There was nobody to look after her.

She was wherever she got. Once she gathered some cotton fallen on the ground after the crops were over. She spun it herself and got it woven to a short dhoti from it, and went to Gadhada to offer it to Lord.

It was a festival there. Rich people gifted Lord, silken clothes, golden ornaments and other riches. She did not dare to give it. Lord called her and demanded from her. Lord wrapped it over the rich silken turban.

After the festival. Lord gave up everything to the poor and needy but that piece of cloth, He kept with Him for six months.

He kept it with Him because of her pure deep love.

Ranchhodji of Chanpar Ranchhodji of Chanpar was an ardent staunch devotee of Lord. He had no subsistence except begging. Once he had been to Gadhada. The temple was being constructed there. -All were giving their contribution.

Ranchhodji thought, “ One should eat one’s own food in the pilgrimage, otherwise, he or she may not get the fruit of it. He had only thirty six paise from begging. He thought “ of giving some contribution from it. He was thinking how much to give in contribution and how much to keep for his expenses to remain there. Lord asked, “What are you thinking?” Immediately he put down everything at Lord’s feet, Lord said, “this is the consecrated wealth of a poor brahmin. The temple is completed by his wealth. Now I don’t want any more contribution.” He asked Mulji Brahmachari to feed Ranchhodji till he stayed there.

Once Ganesh Sheth of Una had been to Gadhada. He presented Lord two hundred rupees for construction of temple.

His servant Khoda had only half a rupee and so he was ashamed

of giving. Lord said, “ Khoda, your half a rupee is more precious than these two hundred rupees. Give me.” He took from him lovingly.

There are too many such examples of insignificant presents by devotees and the pleasure of Lord.

The incarnation of Gods. The Gods and Goddesses declared the Supermacy of Lord Swminarayan Ramchandra Vaidya was a respected minister in Gaikwad, Baroda State. He was a staunch devotee of Ranchhodrai of Dakor, also a trustee of the temple. Ranchhodrai gave him His vision and said, “Almighty God Swaminarayan was incarneted for the salvation of innumerable souls. Worship Him for your salvation.

Govindji of Kharad had been from Dwarka to Jagannathpuri thrice for his salvation Lord Jagjmnathji gave him His vision and said,” Go to Gopalanand Swami the great saint of Lord Swaminarayan. He will lead you to salvation.

Mahanubhanand Swami formerly was at Dwarka.

Dwarkadhish gave his vision and said, “Almighty God has incarnated as Lord Swaminarayan. Go to Him for your salvation.

He came to Lord and became His devotee Saint.

Jetha Bhakta of Davol was devotee of Dwarkanath and worshipped for 22 years. Dwarkanath gave His vision and asked him to go to Gopalanand Swami, who would lead him to salvation.

Jhaver Bhakta of Sojitra was devotee of Lord Rama who gave His vision and told him to go to Shukanand Swami of Swaminarayan for his salvation.

Khoda Bhakta of Davol was devotee of Lord Shiva. Sh;va gave him His vision and said, “ Lord Swaminarayan is Almighty God Supreme. Go to his Saint Gopalanand Swami for your Salvation.’

Narharibhai Patel of Uttarsanda staying at Bamangam was devotee of Lord Shiva. Shiva gave him His vision and told him to worship Lord Swaminarayan for his salvation.

Dhaneshwar Trivadi of Nandol had been to Kashi (Varanasi) and worshipped Goddess Gayatri Devi, Gayatri gave him Her vision and told him, “Lord Swaminarayan is Almighty God.Worship Him for your salvation Similarly, so many people desirious of salvation, were told by their deities, that Lord Swaminarayan was Almighty God Supreme and sent them to Him for their salvation.

Revelation (Akashwani) told by His Supremacy Narasi Mehta of Piplana had been to pilgrimage to see God in human form, and practised fasts, penance, worshipping etc., but he could not see. So he tried to commit suicide by jumping from Bhairav Shila of Girnar. He heard revelation, “suicide is a great sin,” go home. Parabrahama Paramatma will come to you to give His vision.

He became a devotee of Swaminarayan and now there is a temple where he saw Him first.

Puja Dodia of Panavi could not see God inspite of many efforts and so he too tried to commit suicide by falling into the sea tieing heavy load with his body. The revelation told him, “ Lord Swaminarayan is Almighty God Supreme. Worship Him for your salvation.”

Mavji Patel of Thana-Galol had been to many holy places and was associated with many Saints but he could not see God, so he tried to commit suicide by jumping down from the Bhairav Shila.

He heard a revelation, “To commit suicide is a great sin. Lord Swaminarayan is Almighty God, worship Him for your salvation.”

Laxmiram Jani of Lunavada observed penance, fasts, worship etc, but he could not see God in human form, so he tried to commit suicide by jumping from Bhairav Shila of Girnar. To him also revelation told, “suicide is a great sin.” Lord

Swaminarayan is Almighty God Supreme. Worship Him for your salvation.

Similarly, many others were also told by revelation that Lord Swaminarayan is the Almighty God Supreme.

They all had become the ardent staunch devotees of God. Lord showed His supremacy by fulfilling the thoughts and wishes Four Patels of Vaso thought, “ It is told in the scrip tures, that if there are sixteen signs in the soles of one’s feet denoting the godliness, He is God Supreme.” If He shows us without asking, He is God. They went to Vadtal. Lord Swaminarayan stretched His feet and asked them to count the signs. They became the devotees. Two persons of Rajpipla went to see Lord at Gadhada They took a lump of molasses to offer to Lord. They put it at their relatives’ place and went to Lord. Lord said, “ why have you kept the lump of molasses at your relatives’ place? Bring it.”

They offered to Lord and became the devotees.

Bhaga Bhagat had a rupee in his hand. He thought, “ If Lord a allows me to put it on navel, He is God. When he went Lord lied down on the bed-stead and asked him to put it on His navel.

Bhaga put it and became His staunch devotee.

Saint Prabhatgar of Ranu came to Vadtal. He thought, “ When I reach there, Lord must be facing eastward on the bank of Gomati on a stage keeping hrimad Bhagawat on a black blanket and reading, it keeping a page in His hand. His body must be covered by a quilt. If He gives me the quilt, He is God Supreme.

When he reached, he saw everything as per his thought. Lord presented the quilt. He became His ardent devotee. The quilt presented by Lord is kept for display in the temple of Ranu.

Harisingh and Bhagwansingh of Kukad went to Gadhada and thought, “ If He calls us by our names, gives us the rose garlands, ask us to sit near Him and insist us to stay for four days there, He is God Supreme.” Lord welcomed them, but there was no garland of rose. Lord had a hankerchief. He threw it. It changed into two garlands of rose. They became staunch devotees of Lord.

A merchant of Div Bandar went to Lord, He thought, “ Ramanand Swami had declared his thoughts and his private events. If Sahajanand Swami tells like that, rte is like him. When he went there, a five years old boy was playing there. Lord called and asked him to tell the thoughts of the merchant. The boy told his thoughts and his private events also. The merchant was very much surprised. He renounced and became a great Saint named Prabhanand Swami.

Similarly, by declaring their thoughts and by fulfilling their wishes. Lord has shown His omniscience and His Supremacy.

Dulls and Dumbs recited Vedas and Kuran At Umreth, some Brahmins told Lord, “ If you make some dull or dumb to recite Vedas, we may know you as God.” They called a mad named Harishankar. Lord asked him to recite Vedas.

He started reciting fluently. Hearing this, they became the devotees of Lord.

At Ahmedabad, a Pandit named Keshavra came to Lord to test Him. Lord looked at a five year old naked boy ? He started reciting the mysterious part of the Vedas. Keshavram was surprised. He became His devotee.

In Meghpur, a Kaji named Abadasha came to Lord with ( Kuran in his hand. Lord said, “ this five year old boy Karsan is adept in Kuran.” Kaji told, “what this illiterate boy knows about Kuran?” Karsan immediately started reciting Kalmas fluently and clearly. Abdasha was astonished. He accepted Lord as Khooda.

Once Lord told in a huge assembly of Gadhada that Sachchidanand Swami was an incarnation of Vedas. All laughed, as he was quite illiterate. Suddenly, Sachchidanand Swami started reciting Vedas very efficiently.

Hari Bhatt of Chuda Was quite illiterate. At the time of Maha Vishnu Yaga at Dabhan, Lord askad him to sit in the ceremony, He said, “ I am illiterate.” Lord said, “ You are the pandit. Go and sit there.” Since then, he became an adept in the Vedas and the other scriptures.

At Bhuj, once Lord asked Pragji to read scriptures. Pragji said, “ I have just started to learn.” Lord said, “ you are a scholar in scriptures. Since then he was an expert in scriptures. He could read and recite even without the books. He became famous as Pragji Purani. Lord used to ask him to read all the scriptures.

Similarly, Lord had made dulls, dumbs, mads and illiterates as the experts in Vedas, Kuran and other scriptures.

THE PROMINENT SAINTS Gopalanand Swami, the Yoga Murti —S. Year 1837 to 1908 1781 to 1852 A.D. While returning to Akshardham, Lord had put the hands of both the Acharyas in the hands of Gopaland Swami, made him the chief and had given the charge of the whole Sampradaya. He had also shown too much divinity like, Tele-vision, Tele-hearing, Omni-science, control over the Kala (age), the Maya (divine power) the whole universe, the rain etc. By only a glance, he had put many vicious, sinful, devilish people into Samadhi and changed them into virtuous, moral, pious devotees of God Supreme. Lord made him the Chief of all and said, “All should obey him. If anybody does not obey him should not be known as my follower.

Swami’s Yougik talent Hemraj Shah of Sundariyana was a great Nadi Vaidya i.e. very expert in knowing the disease by the pulse only. He was chief in his caste, a learned and a staunch devotee of Lord Shree Krishna. He was very kind to all. He would serve all the ailing without any discrimination whether rich or poor caste higher or lower. His sons were devotees of Lord Swaminarayan. He disliked it.

Once Gopalanand Swami called him on the pretext of his illness, gave his hand in his hand and asked him to diagnose the disease. Swamiji stopped completely, the beating of his pulse.

He examined the whole body, but it was just like a dead body while He was speaking with him very actively. Hemraj Shah was

very much puzzled. He had heard of such type of divinity of Lord Shree Krishna only. He bowed at his feet and said, “ You are Almighty Lord Shree Krishna.” Swamiji said, “ I am only a devotee. Lord Swaminarayan is the Almighty God Supreme.

Hemraj Shah then became a staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan.

Swami’s control over the whole Universe Krishnaram Shastri was a famous astronomer in the assembly of Gaikwad of Vadodara State, Since he was a devotee of Lord Swaminarayan, other members envied him.

Once, it was the time to happen a lunar eclipse. Due to some counting mistake, Krishnaram, declared, “There will be no eclipse.” The others said, “ It will surely occur.” Once if a mistake is occurred, man may commit the same mistakes there. It cannot be rectified. Both sides were firm. They came on betting.

The Pandits asked “Are you betting your head if eclipse occurs ?’’ Krishnaram replied, “Yes. After reaching home, he counted calmly and knew that it was sure to happen. He was very gloomy. Gopalanand Swami called him and said, “ Never to bet of any sort. I’ll change the rotation, position and speed of moon and the earth to save you. Go to the assembly and declare firmly, “The eclipse is not to happen at all.”

All the Pandits came to Gopalanand Swami said, “ It is in the hand of Krishnaram to allow to happen eclipse or not, Since he denies it it will not happen. Really the eclipse did not happen. To save a staunch devotee of Lord Gopalanand Swami changed the position and the rotation of the moon and the earth.

Absolute celibacy by grace Once Gopalanand Swami was coming from Gadhada to Vadtal. He was ill and very much tired. A young Saint served him for the whole night. Early morning, Swami saw him serving.

Swami asked him, “ Have you taken rest or not ? “. He said “ You are old, ill and tired. I am young.

It does’nt harm if I don’t rest. I must serve you.” Gopalanand Swami was very much pleased. He told him to ask any desired boon from him. The young Saint said, “ I observe penance, fasts and try my utmost even then, I can’t get rid of the lust or passion from the inner body.” Swami said, “ since now you will be the absolute celibate. The lust or the passion in your sensorial body will be completely burnt away.

Thorough knowledge Gopalanand Swami’s grace A student named Tryarnbaknath was studing the scriptures from Apa Shastri since he could not remember and could not catch up the lesson Shastri drove him away He requested too much, yet, Shastri not take him in the class.

Tryambaknath was a devotee of Lord and disciple of Gopalanand Swami. He went to Swami and moaned. Any how, he wanted to learn. Swami asked him, “will you take the side firmly of Swaminarayan if you get a seat in the assembly of the Gaikwad of Vadodara State?” He said, “ Yes, “ Gopalanand Swami, said,” Go back and ask your tutor to ask you any of the hardest questions from Vedas any other scripture. Tryambaknath went to the tutor. The tutor insulted him and tried to drive him away, still he insisted him to ask a question from scriptures. The tutor asked a mysterious question from Magh Kavya.

Tryambaknath gave its five different meanings. The tutor was astonished. He said, “ Now you are my Guru ” Without any study, he became a great scholar with profound knowledge in every subject.

Narsiram of Manasa became an absolute celibate by the grace of Gopalanand Swami. Abhaysingh Darbar was passing his time in hunting was changed into pious staunch devotee, who used to meditate six hours at a squat by grace of Swamiji Divinity invested by Gopalanand Swami, Hanumanji at Sarangpur Lord had celebrated many festivals at Sarangpur, so it became a holy place. Amarakhachar and Vaghakhachar of Sarangpur could not serve the pilgrims fairly.

Gopalanand Swami asked Kanji Bhimani, the Mistry to prepare an artistic idol of Hanumanji. It was installed by Acharya Raghuvirji, in V.S. 1895 i,e, 1849 A.D., Gopalanand Swami invested a good deal of divinity in that idol which we can see even today.

Who soever is bewitched or haunted by any evil spirit like devil, demon, witch, ghost etc, goes there, the worshipper takes water and dips the stick of Gopalanand Swami in it and sprinkles water on the bewitched with charms of Hanumanji. Whoever and however obstinate evil spirit may be but it runs away crying loudly as burning, going, won’t come again etc, Even today people from whole India come there with agonies amd miseries but happily got rid of all sorts of the evil spirits and miseries. It has become a famous place to get rid of all sorts of evil spirits.

It is the greatness of Gopalanand Swami to invest good deal of divinity in an idol for the welfare of the people. words People were getting Samadhi and in that fhey had the vision of Almighty God, The vicous, devils and sinful people were changed into virtuous, pious, devotees. The people got profound thorough knowledge without any efforts. The rotation and the direction of the moon and the earth were changed. Gopalanand Swami who has shown such types of innumerable miracles, his greatness cannot be imagined.

Gopalanand Swami has composed many scriptures and commentaries over Bhagavat Geeta, Shreemad Bhagavat etc.

Muktanand Swami, the mother af Communion S.Y. 1814 to 1887 1758 to 1830 A.D. Muktanand Swami was an ideal Saint with austere penance and non-attachment to worldly objects. Eventhough he was very old, he used to dance in front of Lord Swami-narayan tieing the rattles on his feet, while Lord honoured him as His Guru.

Muktanand Swami had deep affection like a mother towards all the people. Enduring all sorts of pains and sufferings, he used

to lead all the people into devotion of God Supreme by endearing sermons with deep love. Since he cared everybody like a mother, he was known as the mother of the communion.

He decreased his austerity to give courage to others Once Muktanand Swami had been for preaching with sixty Saints. They did not get bhiksha for four consecutive days. On the fifth day, a devout fellow offered them food. Since ghee, oil, milk, sugar and the tasty food was restricted for the saints, Swami told him to prepare only khichdi i.e, mixing of rice and dal. The devout fellow put some ghee in it while cooking. While eating, it smelt. Many Saints got up. Swami asked them all to eat and said, •’ If Lord rebukes me, I’ll hear it or if he gives any atonement to expiate I’ll do it.” Yet some of them did not eat. They complained against Muktanand Swami for transgessing His order.

Lord asked Swami, “Why did you transgress my orders?”

Swami said, “All the sixty saints had four consecutive fasts. If they don’t eat, it would be the fifth day and the next day was Ekadashi fast day. So then they had to fast for six consecutive days. Now if we don’t eat-the food prepared for sixty would have been wasted, and the poor fellow might feel ill, might fall down from the salvation. It would be better to expiate myself only, instead all to suffer.

Lord was very much pleased and embraced him.'

Once the construction work of the grand temple at Vadtal was in full swing. The saints were working hard for the whole day. At night, they had to study. It was order for the saints to eat once only at noon everyday. Since they were working hard, they felt hungry.-So the young saints used to cook and ask for remaining food of previous day. The cook gave them loaves etc. One morning some saints were eating. Muktanand Swami happened to pass from there. The young saints saw him. They were ashamed and tried to hide that Swami directly went to the cook and asked for some food. The young saints who had remained yet brought

and gave him. He took only a piece and asked the cook to give them daily. He was very strict in his own observances, yet he took a piece here. Lord was pleased.

Once two hundred Khakhi Vairagis equipped with all the destructive weapons came to Gadhada to kill Lord Swaminarayan and His saints. Lord heard it. He asked Muktanand Swami to save from them. Swami took some Saints and went towards them.

Seeing them, he said, “ Oh ; look at those Muktas of Vaikunth the ‘ attendents of Lord Laxminarayan. It is our great luck to see them. It is their grace that they have revealed us.” So saying, started “ostratingthem.

Others followed him. Seeing, this their “anger energy deceased.

They bowed down at Muktanand Swami is feet and said, “We are the attendent of the Yama Raja i.e, the God of the death. You are the real attendents of Vaikunth.

Muktanand Swami fed them well and preached them the reality of human life, Many of them left all the vices and became the followers.

The Marvellous dancing of Muktanand Swami Once a music party of Gwalior came to Gadhada and asked Lord to arrange a competition with the Saints of Lord and asked a good reward if they won. Lord got the courtyard swept and the kum-kum was sprinkled over it. Lord asked Muktanand Swami to start. Muktanand Swami tied rattles on his feet and took Kadtal in his hands. He bowed to Lord and started. He took his one leg lifted up stood on the front part of his sole and began to hop backward along with his music, song and dance. All were attracted too much and were engrossed in his every activity of all the three. After half an hour, he completed. The musicians of Gwalior were impressed too much. They praised loudly. Lord asked them to get up and to see the footprints of Muktanand Swami. They were very much astonished to see an artistic picture of an elephant depicted by his footprints as if drawn by an artist.

The musicians of Gwalior bowed down to Lord and said, “It is our great luck that we got a chance to see such marvellous communation of song, music dance and an artistic drawing.

Muktanand Swami was a born poet. Over and above his poetical genious he was an efficient songster and a musician as well as a proficient dancer.

Muktanand Swami has composed many prayers, hymns of Lord’s glory and his divine activities and the songs on mystic preaching on various subjects. They are compiled and published as Muktanand Kavya.

Brahmanand Swami. A Jocular born Poet S.Y. 1828-1888 17721832 A.D. Brahmanand Swami was an expert and efficient in every subject and in every field. He was a born poet who could compose poems and hymns extemporaneously. He was an expert architect. He had constructed three grand temples at Vadtal, Junagadh and Muli. They are the models of his well designed architecture.

He was a very famous poet and highly respected by the great kings. Even after his renunication, the Kings of Vadodara, Bhavnagar, and Junagadh had offered estates of good income, but he refused.

Brahmanand Swami was an ever laughing, jolly, jocular Saint. He treated friendly with Lord in speech but he was an ardent staunch single-minded devotee, with very austere observances. Lord might be angry, sorrowful or serious, he would make Him laugh by any means.

Lord Swaminarayan used to keep a rosary made from betelnut. If enybody dozed he would throw it on him to wake him up.

Once Brahmanand Swami was dozing. Lord threw the betel-nut rosary. He got up and said, that he was not dozing but was composing a hymn of His glory and was engrossed in it. Lord asked him to sing it. Brahmanand Swami said, ‘I’ll sing first and you all follow me.” He started a hymn describing Lord’s

dressings, His highness and His glorious activities. He was Nityanand Swami was a great scholar in every scripture singing as well as composing extemporaneously the further line. having thorough profound spiritual knowledge. All Vedas and Thus he sang continuously for half an hour. Lord was very much scriptures were at the tip of his tongue. Nobody could debate with pleased. him. To declare Swaminarayan sect as Anti-Veda, all other sects tried their utmost, but Nityanand Swami reached everywhere and Effect of his devoted celibacy Brahmanand Swami had been to Dharangadhra for the defeated them all. contribution of the temple at Muli. People used to call him at Nityanand Swami has composed a scripture named Haritheir houses to give their contribution.

Digvijay describing the glory of Lord, His activities and His An envious jealous fellow came with a ruffian passionate victories everywhere. He has given deep and thorough horse and asked Swami, “ Please chasten it by riding on it and I’ll knowledge of Atma, Parmatma and the Maya with detail in it. give you my contribution.” He though, “ Swami is fatty. If he sits The Gujarati translation of Shikshapatri done by Nityanand on him, the horse will definitely fall him down and will break his Swami is authenticated by Lord, is studied and worshipped by all. bones, and won be able to collect any more.” Brahmanand Swami He has also composed many other scriptures. through his intuitive power knew his malicious intention. He Shukanand Swami, the Private Secretary of Lord V.S. 1855-1925 1799petted the horse and said, the horse is chastened now. Only by the 1869 A.D. touch of Brahmanand Swami the ruffian passionate horse became Shukanand Swami (Shuk Muni) was a Private Secretary of mild and passionless. He was surrounded by mares but did not lift Lord, He used to write for Lord whatever He wished. The his sight upward. Seeing this, the malicious fellow bowed at his extracts from the scriptures taken out by Lord were all written feet and begged for pardon. with good hand and were compiled by him.

If only by a touch a ruffian and passionate animal is changed Shuk Muni was very humble and obedient. Once he wrote into mild and passionless, what a high stage of devoted celibacy waking up the whole night. In the morning. Lord tore it off must be of Brahmanand Swami ? One can’t even imagine it. without looking into it. He did not feel at all as why it was torn.

Brahmanand Swami had composed too many hymns He started writing again. Lord was pleased very much. describing the divine glory and the divine activities of Lord. Also Nishkulanand Swami. An ideal non-attachment V.S. 1822-1903 1766-1847 he has composed many mysterious hymns, on various subjects.

A.D. Lord has announced ’ I shall give my divine vision to one who Nishkulanand Swami was an ideal example of penance, recites ardently 100 hymns daily composed by Brahmand renunciation, and non-attachment, to the worldly objects. His Swami.” His hymns are published in a great volume named hymns and kirtans describing the perishability of the worldly Brahmanand Kavya. Some of them are relayed on radio. objects, the unescapable severe pains and the sufferings there Nityanand Swami. The ever victorious Pandit S.Y. I832-I908 I776-I852 in, having no means to get rid of them are so impressive that Dinmani Sharma was an owner of a great state of Datia near even a cruel, a vicious or a sinful would also be declined to Gwalior. To have a divine vision of Almighty God, he left home. devotion of God. Seeing Lord, he renounced initiated at Meghpur and was renamed as Nityanand Swami.

He has composed a scripture named “ Bhakta Chintamani “, describing the life history of Lord along with His surmons. His theory, the obstacles faced by Him and His glorious activities.

He has also composed twenty two other very impressive scriptures on various subjects. They are complied as Nishkulanand Kavya. Many have obtained Ph. D. over them.

Many of his hymns are relayed on the radio.

Nishkulanand Swami was proficient in many arts, carpentry, smithy, masonry, sculpture etc., but he was a prominent famous sculptor for carving the moral character and virtuous conduct in the human heart & Nishkulanand Swami. The heavy hearted obedient Servant Lalji Sutar of Shekhpat had been with Lord as a guide while going to kutcha On the way at Adhoi, he was initiated as Saint, named Nishkulanand Swami, and asked to beg bhiksha from his wife.

When Lord wished to leave this World, He informed three days in advance to Nishkulanand Swami, and asked to prepare a palanquin for His bier. Swami prepared it during night only.

When Lord left the human body, all Saints asked him to prepare a palanquin. He said, “ It is ready.” He brought it. All asked him, “When Lord was alive, how did you prepare it?” He replied, “ I am a heavy hearted obedient servant. Any damn or any hard order may be, I must obey it,” Sidhamukta Santdasji. Shatanand Swami Santdasji (Shatanand Swami) was a staunch devotee having Akhand samadhi i.e, uninterrupted stage of Samadhi i.e, trance.

He used to see Lord in divine perceptible human form in every work and in every stage, even in deep sleep. Many a times, he remained in Samadhi for more than six months.

Finally Lord kept him at Gadhada, gave him intuitive power and asked him to compose Satsangi Jivan, a huge divine scripture describing the history of Swaminarayan Sampraday, Lord’s glory. His theory, His activities and the knowledge and sermons given by Him.

Shatanand Swami has written commentary over Shikshapatri and translation of Vachanamrut, Hari Vakya Sudha Sindhu and many other scriptures in Sanskrit.

Akhandanand Swami. An ideal patience Akhandanand Swami (senior) was an ardent staunch devotee with extreme patience. Once he was passing through a forest with his disciples. They saw four tigers coming towards them. The disciples hurried to climb up the trees. Akhandanand Swami said, “The death is destined according to one’s own previous actions.

It is sure to come. Nobody can escape from it. You may die by falling from the tree or even by stumbling. One should not fear from death.” The disciples climbed up the tree. The tigers came nearer. One of them ran forward and lifted his paw to kill him.

Almighty God gave them the knowledge of the greatness of Swami. The tiger was standing with his paw lifted up as if spellbound. Akhandanand Swami holding up his paw said, “ It is your food. Eat it.” To their surprise, all the tigers prostrated, circumambulated and went away.

Premanand Swami. PremSakhi. An idol of Love Lord Swaminarayan has praised Premanand swami as an idol of love. He was a born poet, a great singer, as well as a proficient musician. His hymns, songs of Lords glory and the hymns describing Lord’s daily activities are full of deep love. They are so effective and impressive that one who hears inclines to deep love towards Lord. While singing be used to be engrossed deeply and would make the whole atmosphere devout and full of affection towards God Supreme.

Once a music party came from Lucknow and proposed a competition with the Saints of Lord. Lord asked Premanand Swami to begin first. It was evening. Premanand Swami started Bhairav Rag which is sung in the morning only. Hearing it, the musicians of Lucknow laughed at him for his ignorance, saying, “ He has no knowledge of what to sing, and when to sing.”

Premanand Swami was deeply engrossed in the love towards Lord and the effective wordings of prayer. By its effect, the whole atmosphere was changed into morning-The birds started their morning songs. The eastward sky became red as if it is daybreak. The music prrty of Luck-now forgot the time. They were also engrossed in the song of morning prayer. As soon as swami stopped his prayer, the atmosphere was changed into its originality.

The musicians of Lucknow were very much impressed, bowed down to Lord and went away.

Premanand Swami’s hymns are daily sung by all the devotees as daily routine. His hymns are collected and published as the “ Premanand Kavya “, Many of his hymns are relayed on radio also.

Mulji Brahmachari. Mukundanand Varni Lord’s ever ready attendant Mulji Brahmachari (Mukundanand Varni) was Lord’s ever ready attendant. He used to remain always with Him, as if the shadow of the body, for His immediate service. While serving Lord, he did not care for his own body. Once he was sitting on the back side gallary of the Vadtal temple. Lord was sitting on the ground downward. Lord asked for water. Mulji Brahmachari jumped down and gave water. Lord asked, “ why did you jump from so high? You would have broken your bones He replied, “it would be a delay in your service if I climb down the steps.

Once Mulji Brahmachari (Mukundnand Varni) was dozing.

Lord threw the betel-nut rosary. He woke up lifted up Lord and started running with Him. Lord asked him, “What is this?. What are you doing?” He replied, “I was sleeping. I got a dream. You were in a house. Suddenly, it got fire. So I picked you up and ran outside. Thus, he was selving Lord in dreams also.

Once, Lord drove him away from His service without any fault and was ordered many strict restrictions, even then he did not feel ill at all. Similarly, Lord tested him very often, yet, he

was firm and innocent In his love and service. So, Lord took him back in His service and kept him always with Him. Devanand Swami Lord Swaminarayan had been to village Barol. An old woman offered Him food. He was served Khichadi. The plate was then filled up with ghee. Since He was called as Almighty God, a good deal of people came to see Him. To disperse them, Lord started to act like a fool. He started to lick up the flow of ghee from his elbow. Thinking Him a fool, people went away, while a boy of about six years came forward and said, “ You are Almighty God Supreme.” Lord asked, “ How do you say ? “ He replied, “ Nobody’s tongue can reach upto elbow, Yours is reaching so you are Almighty God. He renounced and became Devanand Swami. He was also a born poet.

His hymns and songs describing the effect of the vices and bad habits, the unescapable cycle of death and birth, the unbearable pains to be suffered therein, the very scarce availability of human life and its duty are very effective.

He had served for last twenty two years as the chief of the temple of Mull.

Vyapakanand Swami Vyapakanand Swami was an ardent staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan having Akhand Samadhi, i.e, uninterrupted stage of trance or meditation. He used to see Lord in divine perceptible human form in every stage and in every work, even in deep sleep.

While preaching once, he had been to Lucknow. Vaniram was a God fearing straight forward Diwan of the Nawab of Lucknow. Other Muslims Officers envied him. They put some false allegations against him, and declared him guilty. Nawab ordered that Veniram should either pay a penalty of rupees one lakh or to embrace Islam within a period of one month.

Veniram could not manage such huge sum. He was a devotee of Lord Shiva. Since, he was under pressure to become Muslim, he decided it better to end up his life. He went to a Shivalaya

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

away from city with a dagger in his hand. Luckily, by the same time Vyapakanand Swami reached there. Veniram saw him, reverently bowed at his feet and explained everything to Swamiji.

Vyapakanand Swami said, “ Human life is very precious.

Once if it is lost uselessly, one can’t get it again after a lapse of crores and crores of years. By human life one can worship God and can get ultimate salvation. It should not be thrown away by suicide under any circumstances. Suicide is an unpardonable sin.

Further said. Almighty God has manifested Himself as Lord Swaminarayanfor the redemption of innumerable souls. He has freed innumerable brutal, sinful, vicious, hearts from all the vices and made them ideal ardent devotees. You become his devotee, worship Him ardently with the strict observance of his five vows.

To obstain from Drinking wine, liquor any intoxicating drug in any form; Meat-eating in any form in any case; An act of stealing Adultery Partaking food and drinks from improper persons and improper sources.

If you observe and follow these five vows thoroughly and worship Him heartily, He will definitely save you in every respect. Be care free and worship Him ardently.” So saying, Swamiji left the place.

The very third day, Lord Swaminarayan went to the Nagar Sheth of Lucknow in a guise of a merchant named Purshottam Sheth with a chariot full of gold coins paid him the penalty on behalf of Veniram and took the receipt of it.

The Nagar Sheth handed it over to the Nawab and told him everything. Veniram was released. Hearing this, Veniram shed tears of gratitude, realising that it was none but Lord Swaminarayan Himself, who had played the divine role.

Veniram told everything to the Nawab who realised the result of hearty devotion of Veniram and the Supremacy of Lord Swaminarayan. He also became a follower devotee of the Lord.

When Lord Swaminarayan’s elder and younger brothers Rampratapji and Iccharamji were going from Ayodhya to Gadhada, they passed through Lucknow. Veniram knew this. He informed Nawab who highly reverently respected them in his Royal Court.

Swarupanand Swami. Ever engrossed in Samadhi Swarupanand Swami was an ardent staunch devotee of Lord having uninterrupted stage of samadhi i.e, trance or meditation.

He used to see Lord in perceptible human form in every stage and in every work, even in deep sleep. Mostly, he did not have consciousness of his own. In Satsangijivan a dialogue of Suvrat Muni and the King Pratapsingh is given. This Suvrat Muni and Swarupanand Swami were one and the same. He used to see and hear Lord even if he might be at a far distance.

Once, he came to Lord. Lord asked him, ‘ How is the communion, and how far it has been spread up ?” He replied, “ I have seen only one man that too under the neem tree.” Somebody doubted. “When he has not seen the people, to whom he might have preached?” Lord said, “You preach the people, they follow it, observe it and pray God accordingly then only people may get salvation, but for him people may get salvation only by seeing him lovingly because he is ever engrossed in God Supreme.” His vision is like that of the God. People doubted, “ If he is ever engrossed, in God, how he must be doing his daily routine work ?” Lord asked him to clear the doubt. Swami replied, “ If a man takes an arrow to shoot, and a lemon is attached on its wherever he aims, he can see the lemon, while the aim remains covered. It may strike or not but lemon is seen continuously. Similarly, my main aim is the divine

form of Lord. The bodily routine work is less important. It is done, but uncertainly.”

Lord praised him as of a very high stage known as Brahmaswarup.

Sachchidanand Swami, Excessive mad love Sachchidanand Swami an ardent staunch devotee having excessive mad love He also used to see and hear Lord in every stage and in every work. If he could not see Lord, he used to become mad. Then he used to wander everywhere asking the whereabouts of Lord, to animals, trees etc. People used to tie him and shut him in a house. Even then, he used to get out freely. He had no bondage of anything. He used to pass through solid walls also.

Lord was at Dharampur near Valsad. Ladha Thakkar once asked him for food. Swami replied, “ I had been to Dharampur in Samadhi. Lord fed me too much.” Ladha said, “ It is 450 kms. away from here. “ You are boasting in the name of Samadhi.’’

Sachchidanand Swami said, “You won’t trust me, see this.” So saying he vomitted and showed him Biranj, Dudhpak etc, fed by Lord in Samadhi.

He could not see anybody suffering or ailing. In the case of drought, people used to go to him for rain. Only by a shout in the name of Indra, it would start raining heavily. He is famous in the Sampraday as the Aishvayra Murti, the master of the powers.

Jiva Khachar of Gadhada once doubted and commented upon the incident of Durvasa who ate up the one thousand dishes of food. After some days, there was a festival at Gadhada.

Jivakhachar prepared sweets to feed all the Saints. Since Sachchidanand Swami was staying and working at Radha Baug, Lord asked Jiva Khachar to feed him first and to let him go.

Jivakhachar took him to the room where the sweets were kept. He opened and asked Swami to eat as much as he could. Swami opened his mouth and the sweets started to go gradually in it.

After some time, the room was empty. Jivakhachar was very

much surprised. Both came to Lord. Lord asked Jivakhachar, “ Have you fed him ? “ Sachidanand Swami replied, ‘ I am yet hungry.” Lord told Jivakhachar “ Not to doubt in the scriptures written by the great people.” Jivakhachar fell at His feet. He had to prepare sweets again , for all.

Sachchidanand Swami. An ideal love Once Lord asked Sachchidanand Swami, “ How is your love towards me?” Swami replied, “ I have known you as the cause of all the causes, Parabrahma Paramatma, the Almighty God Supreme. So without any cause or without any fault of mine, if you give a big hammer in the hand of any of these devotees and ask them to crush my kness and ankles with it, afterwards you don’t give or don’t allow to give any medical treatment even then I won’t feel ill of you or any of the devotee who would have crushed my knees and ankles. I won’t even leave this courtyard and go elsewhere to beg. I would remain here only and would collect the offal thrown away in the dunghill or dustbin to eat.

Why so? I know, There are no such type of devotees or saints anywhere. There is no God Supreme except you. There is no of ultimate redemption any where else.” Give me your the most cherished. Achyutdasji The great three Saints Swarupanand Swami, Santdasji and Vyapakanand Swami all were having Akhand Samadhi i.e, uninterrupted stage of samadhi, used to see Lord in every work and in every stage.

Once, they happened to pass from a village Dhufai. A boy aged seven to eight years saw them, bowed them and asked, “ It is noon. Will you please take some food ?” They said, “yes”. The boy gave them rice and dal and asked them to cook as his parents had gone for work. The Saints prepared Khichadi, offered to Lord with butter milk and ate. They ‘gave to the boy also, and the rest they kept for his parents.

The parents were not at home, even then, the boy showed politeness, mercy and offe’red alms to the hungry, Seeing this,

the Great Saints were very much pleased. They asked him, “ Boy, we are pleased with your politeness, mercy and your devout behaviour. You may ask anything you like from us.” The boy replied, “ Please give me the most cherished to you.” They said, “Almighty God Supreme is the most cherished for us, we will give you.” Since then, the boy also became a great saint of the same high rank. He also used to see and hear Lord in every work and in every stage, even though Lord might be hundreds of miles away.

The boy renounced home, became a saint named Achyutdasji. He used to work in the garden of Bhuj temple but did not go to temple. Once, Pujari, the worshipper asked him, “why are you not coming in temple to see God ?” He replied, “( can see everything from here”. He described everything adored by him.

Once he had been to Ahmedabad. He used to sit and meditate at his encampment. Hearing him as a great Saint, the pujari, the worshipper went to see him and asked, “ why don’t you come to the temple ?” He replied, “ I can see from here. Due to darkness you have dressed Lord reversely. Please check it”. The worshipper went to the temple and checked. They were reverse.

He was surprised.

Achyutdasji remained for many years as the chief of the Bhuj temple.

How great must be the three Saints by whose grace Achyutdasji reached to such a high stage.

Adwaitanand Swami. Magniram Deviwala A devout brahmin of Tamilnadu named Magniram worshipped Goddess Sharda with austere penance. The Goddess Sharda was pleased. She asked him for required boon. He said, “ Please get me the vision of Almighty God in human form.”

Goddess Sharda said, “ It is not in my hand, but I bless you. You try hard and you will be able to see Him in human form.”

Afterwards, he went to Jagannathpuri. there were too many Khakhis and Vairagis adapt in evil charms, and evil spirits. By their association he also became adapt in evil charms and evil spirits. Then he used to wander as head of a big group. Wherever he went he used to harass and snatch money and other rich amenities from the public, by the threat of evil spirits.

Hearing the reputation of Lord Swaminarayan, he went to Him at Mangrol in Saurashtra, and asked for 5000 rupees. Lord said, “ This is an alms-house take food if you want or go away.”

He gave threatening of evil spirits. Lord said. “A lion will never be frightened by a fox. Go away. Lord insulted him and drove him away.”

Magniram, who was then famous as Magniram Deviwala, went to his encampment, invoked the evil spirits, sent them to kill Lord Swaminarayan They went back and beat him. ‘ Finally, he invoked Sharda Goddess and asked her to throw away Swaminarayan in the sea with His Ashram. Sharda said, “ Remember, when I was pleased first, you had, asked the divine vision of Almighty God Supreme. You have been misled by evil association. Lord Swaminarayan is Almighty God Supreme. I pray Him. If you want your salvation, you also worship Him.” Early in the morning Magniram went to the Ashram, swept the court yard utensils etc. and in early assembly with folded hands asked Lord to forgive him. Lord got him insulted frequently. He went again and again and begged for pardon. He asked Lord to forgive him and to take him as His Saint devotee.

Lord asked him to make a bundle of the shoes of the devotees, to take it on his head and to take rounds around the geathering He did everything, leaving up pride, ego, self respect etc.

Lord Swaminarayan then initiated him as “tyagi” Saint and named him as Adwaitanand Swami. He became a great saint, yet he was famous by his old name Mangiram Deviwala Parvatbhai of Agatrai

Parvatbhai of Agatrai was an ardent staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan. He had no worldly attachment at all.

Parvatbhai had only one son. When his son was on deathbed, he received a letter from Lord Swaminarayan calling him to Gadhada. Without any hesitation he started. Just when he left the village, his son breathed last. A man rushed after him and informed about it. Yet he proceeded further informing him to perform the last rites.

When he reached Gadhada, Lord asked him about the illness of his son. Parvatbhai replied, “ My son is very happy now He got rid of all the pains, hardships and miseries of this human life.

Now he is very happy and experiencing the ecstatic bliss in Akshardham, the ultimate abode.”

Whenever Lord Swaminarayan went to Parvatbhai’s Place to collect the foodgrains to feed the beggars and poors, he used to give everything keeping no foodgrains in his house. He then used to borrow from others till the new Once Parvatbhai had been to Gadhada to partake in a festival He used to serve there and listen to the sermons keenly. When lord was taking rest, he used to sit there only and medit upon the divine lustre and the redemptive activ.t.es of Lord. Neither he went to the resting place of his family, nor he took any food for about a -week during the festival.

Parvatbhai forgot foods and even rest in the presence of Lord.

Realisation in Manasi Pooja i.e, Mental worshipping Parvatbhai was such an ardent staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan that he could see Lord in divine perceptible human form in every stage and in every work, even rjftdeep £& also. He could see and hear Lord even though he might be far away from Him. In Dhyan or in Manasi Pooja i.e, in Mental worship, whatever he offered. Lord accepted it lovingly hand to hand in perceptible human form.

Once, while ploughing his field at about eleven hours Parvatbhai started Manasi Pooja i.e, mental worship. He was offering curd and loaf to Lord His mind was deeply concentrated in offering and praying. His co-worker thought Parvatbhai might be dozing. He jolted him to his great surprise he saw curd and loaf fallen in front of them He asked Parvatbhai about what and’ how it happened. Parvatbhai said, “ I was offering Lord loaf and curd in Manasi Pooja, and He was accepting them hand to hand in divine perceptible human form. You disturbed me and everything fell down.”

The co-worker realised the greatness of Parvatbhai’s ideal devotion and meditation.

Lord Swaminarayan showed by this the importance of manasi pooja i.e, mental worshipping and the high rank devotion and deep hearty meditation of Parvatbhai.

Govardhan Seth of Mangarol Sheth Govardhan of Mangrol was also an ardent staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan like Parvatbhai. He also could see and hear Lord in divine perceptible human form in every work and in every stage. Even in dream also.

Once some devotee offered some sweets to Lord Swaminarayan. Lord asked Govardhan Sheth to feed Him. Govardhan Sheth started consuming sweets himself saying, “ Oh Lord ! Please take. Have more. Don’t be shy in eating “ etc.

Thus, he was offering to Lord but actually, he was eating himself.

The surrounded devotees were angry by such sort of his behaviour. They scolded him and questioned about what he was doing. To this. Lord Swaminarayan answered, “ He is right in offering me. He has no conscious of his own. ‘He has correctly offered the sweets to me. He fed me and I have accepted it lovingly. My stomach is full while he is hungry. People were still in doubt.

Lord Swaminarayan asked somebody to bring two dishes, one full of’sugar and another full of salt. Again Lord

asked Govardhan Sheth to feed Him. Govardhan Sheth again started taking handful from these dishes alternately, putting in his own mouth asking Lord to eat. Lord asked him “which is the sugar, and which is the salt? Govardhan replied, “Both are Sugar”, so saying, he emptied the dish of salt also. Govardhan Sheth swallowed half a kg. salt at a stretch. Seeing this, people were very much astonished. They realised the high stage of Govardhan Sheth’s devotion.

Dedication. Blessing of Lord.

Narharbhai Patel of Uttarsanda Narharbhai Patel of Uttarsanda had no land or house in village So he lived at Bamangam at his maternal uncle’s place.

He was staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased and asked for boon. He asked the vision of God in human form. Lord Shiva said, “ Lord Swaminarayan is Almighty God. Worship Him. He went to Lord and became His devotee.

In the S. year 1868 i.e. 1812 A.D., Lord told Narharbhai Patel, “ I want some money for Vishnu Yaga. Will you give me ?” He said, “ Yes.” He had no money so he borrowed Rs. 100/and went to lord and dedicated at His feet. Lord said, “Take toor from this money and keep it at yours. It was very cheap. He took 400 mounds of toor from it. Next year it was complete drought.

The foodgrain became too dear. There was fear from robbers and dacoits also. So he asked Lord to take away the toor. Lord asked him to sell it off. He got Rs. 1,600 from it. He went to give it to Lord. Lord said, I don’t want money. It is for you. Take land and house from that amount He took two buildings and some land from it. He became happy in every respect.

He invited Lord twice to Uttarsanda for the spread of communion and served Him. Ratanji Bapu. An ideal brave Servant Ratanji Bapu was an ardent staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan of village Vataman, On the thirteenth day of his wife’s demise, when all the rites were over, Lord went there.

Lord started the same day to go from there. Ratanji Bapu followed Him to give send off. Lord did not tell him to return. So, he went to Gadhada and stayed there. He did not care at all for his house.

At Gadhada, he used to work as an ideal servant, leaving up even the self respect. He used to do all types of work. He took care of everybody and of everything as if his own house. So, Lord addressed him as the owner of the place. He used to go with Lord wherever He went.

There was a quarrel with Bhankhachar of Bhadli for a farm at Mandavdhar. The thirteen brave servants were kept there to protect it. Once Bhankhachar came there suddenly with 200 brave warriors equipped with all types of weapons. These thirteen fellows fought bravely. Many of the opposite side were killed and seriously injured. These thirteen brave warriors drove them away.

While returning they saw a hand cut off from wrist was lying on the ground. Ratanji Bapu asked, “ Somebody’s wrist is lying here. Whose is this?’ Bhaguji said, “ verify your fore-arm, whether it is there or not?” Really his forearm was not there. He took it and Lord attached it again.

Ratanji Bapu was such a brave warrior that he did not know even that his fore-arm was cut off.

Surakhachar the Jocular staunch devotee Surakhachar was the owner of two villages, Loya and Nagadka. He was fatty. He used to go with Lord wherever He went. He was ever laughing jolly, jocular and ready witty staunch devotee of Lord. Lord might be angry, serious or sorry but he would definitely make Him laugh by any means. He was very austere in behaviour.

Once, he had been to Bhoyara, a state nearby, for some private work. Vajsurkhachar the owner of the state gave him an encampment in a seperate building. Vajsurkhachar was envious with Lord as well as Surakhachar, He tried to make Surakhachar miss his religious austerity. At midnight, he sent a prostitute to

him. She went there and said, “ This is my house. It is vacated for you, but medicine of my son is remained in it. My son is serious.

Please open and let me take it, if not, he will die, and you will be the cause of it.” Surakhachar, took his sword in his hand and opened the door. The woman took off her clothes and became naked. Surakhachar put sword on her neck and asked, “Why have y’ou come?” Who has sent you?” She said everything. He got out immediately rode on his mare and started for Gadhada.

Lord was sitting in the early morning assembly. He said, “My unallured staunch devotee \s coming.” As soon as he reached, Lord embraced him and patted him, and asked him to tell the assembly that had happened the previous night.

Vajsurkhachar was his relative as well as of his neighbouring State. Surakhachar vowed not to see his face, or not to pass from his territory till his death.

Uplift of the females In the eighteenth century, the position of the ladies was very low. Males believed them as quite ignorant, senseless, cultureless, weak in every respect and not liable for any respect in any field. They were contempted everywhere by males. There was no educatien at all for them.

Lord Swaminarayan has also arranged seperate assemblies for females. He got constructed seperate temples for them, or made seperate arrangements in the great temples for darshan etc.

People commented and yet some ignorant people are commenting upon as “ In Swaminaryan sampraday ladies are disregarded, insulted and contempted etc. Truely speaking, Lord Swaminarayan has played a ,great role for the uplift of the females.

REASON FOR THE SEPERATE ASSEMBLIES It is observed that the males and the females are naturally attracted towards each other. By their association, and their frequent meetings, the attraction increases day by ay. Finally, it converts into lust or passion. It becomes the cause of their

downfall in every respect. Nobody can remain firm or unallured if they associate frequently and freely. Even the most penanceful, non-attached to worldly objects, the highly spirituated yogis and the great respected persons have fallen down from their high status by such co-association. Innumerable such examples are noted by the history and the scriptures. For the safety and for the precautions in the religious field, one should not associate with the opposite sex.

Lord Swaminarayan arranged seperate assemblies for males and females. Females may attend the male assemblies but should sit seperately from the males. They should sit away from the Saints. Since the Saints of Swaminarayan are the absolute celibates, they have to observe fast if by chance, they look at the face of a lady. It is not the insult or disregard of ladies, but it is for the safety, the austerity and the strict observance of the eightfold celibacy of the Saints.

Lord Swaminarayan asked the males to preach males only and females to females only. To preach females, they should be learned, well versed with scriptures, and they should have spiritual knowledge. They should also be able enough to preach.

For that, Lord encouraged the female education. He insisted them to learn. The females also took interest. Within a short time, many ladies were learned and highly spiritualized. Also they were efficient in preaching.

When Lord Swaminarayan got constructed the temples and established Acharyas, He made the house-holders as the Acharyas, who should initiate the charms to males only and their wives to initiate to females only with the consent of their husbands. Wife of Acharya is the Acharya of the females. She should be learned. She is given all the rights equivalent to the male Acharya. Such type of respect, honour, or high rank in religious field was not given in “any” Sampraday or in any other field till then.

Lord Swaminarayan got constructed huge temples, and installed there metallic or marble idols of Gods. They are adored and worshipped by males. Ladies can go there but the arrangement for their darshan is seperate from the males, so that no male or female may touch each other.

Generally, every town or every village must have two temples. One for the males and the other for the females. In these temples, the picture images of God are established. In the female temples, adoring worshipping and the management everything is done by the ladies only. Preaching is also done by them. By making seperate temples and seperate preaching Lord Swaminarayan saved the society from corruption, adultery and moral downfall.

If a male renounces, he can become a Saint, but there is no system of female Saint in Swaminarayan sampraday. While there is a very fine and appreciable system. If a female renounces, she is given the similar initiation like male Saint, Then she is called as Sankhya Yogi lady. She can remain in female temples, or with the wife of Acharya as her attendant. Also there are seperate arrangements to stay them in the huge temples in groups. They are forbidden to see faces of males. These females read scriptures for females and preach them.

When Lord left this World, there were 1400 Sankhya Yogi ladies. All were the idols of penance, non-attachment, ardent staunch, devotion without any desire or any remuneration from God Supreme having profound spiritual knowledge. They were preaching to the females in village temples, and were making them well aware of spiritual knowledge and were leading them to ardent staunch devotion to Lord. Some of them were adept in Samadhi also. Even today there are such highly spiritualized ladies.

The Prominent spiritualized ladies Jaya (Jivuba) and Lalita (Laduba) the two elder sisters of Dadaknachar of Gadhada and Rajbai his cousin sister, all “these

three were also adept in samadhi. They used to see and hear Lord even if He would be hundreds of miles away. They were very strict and austere in religious conduct, non-attachment, penance etc. They always remained twenty feet away from any male except Dadakhachar, their brother. If any male reached nearer, they would observe strict fast for a day. They were very efficient in preaching. If any lady used to come to listen them having male child in her womb, they used to know by their intuitive power and would say, “ Don’t come nearer. There is a male child in your womb. Listen from a distance.” They also used to tell the name to be given after the birth of that male child.

If anybody once hear their preaching, would leave up all the vices and the bad habits etc. and would become the most pious devotee of Lord.

Rambai of Gadhada, Minbai of Kariyana, Monghibai of Vadodara, Avalbai of Pij, Raibai of Kundal, Karnibai of Adhoi, Gangama of Jetalpur, Ladhiba and Mataji at Bhuj, Ladkibai at Akha, Ladkibai at Meghpur, Fulibai of Dholera and many more other ladies were adept in Samadhi having thorough profound spiritual knowledge. They also could see and hear Lord even though they would be hundreds of miles away Even today, there are some ladies having profound spiritual knowledge. A magazine named “ Bhakti Sudha” is published from Ahmedabad. All the articles of profound spiritual knowledge are being written by the ladies only. Its publication and its management is done by them.

The effective preaching of ladies Ladudan Gadhavi (Ladu Barot) of Khangam was highly learned and was very efficient in all the scriptures as well as the worldly knowledge. He was a very famous born poet. He was jocular and ready-witty. Many great Kings like Sayajirao Maharaja of Vadodara, Vijaysinhji of Bhavnagar, Nawab Hamadkhan of

Junagadh etc, offered him great estates, if he accepted the post of Raj Kavi i.e. the ; Poet laurate Dadakhachar’s two elder sisters Jaya (Jivuba) and Lalita (Laduba) were married but were not going to their husbands places and were worshipping Lord ardently. Lord was at Kundal.

Ladudan Gadhavi i.e, Ladu Barot went to see Lord. Lord asked him to go to Gadhada and convince them to go to their husband’s places.

Ladu Barot went to Gadhada and tried to convince them. If the milk is boiled, sugar and delicious spices are put in it, one is tempted to drink it, but if he has seen the deadly poison of a cobra falling in it, the same delicious milk then” look like a deadly poison to him. He will remain away from it. Similarly, by the preaching of Jaya and Lalita, all the worldly objects and its pleasure which was cherished to him, all became the deadly poison then. He was putting on his body one kilogram golden ornaments. He went to Lord again, threw away all the ornaments and all the other precious things. He renounced everything and became a very famous saint named Brahmanand Swami.

Such was the effective preaching of the ladies of Lord’s devotees.

The profound knowledge of Raibai of Kundal Raibai of Kundal was an ardent staunch devotee of Lord having profound knowledge and deep understandings. Once, Lord had been to Kundal with all the Saints. The Saints had to observe the austere vow of squeezing the bhiksha after dipping in water.

Raibai asked Lord to prepare sweet food for Saints also. Lord denied. Raibai said, “Since when you have given the strict orders of bhiksha to Saints, I and my family have never eaten milk, ghee, oil, sugar or any tasty food. We are also observing the same vows like the Saints.” Lord asked to prepare sweets for all. Lord himself served the Saints lovingly, and removed the strict vows.

Jogidas Khuman, an out-law had enmity with the King of Bhavnagar, so he used to rob and harass the public. The King of Bhavnagar asked Dadakhachar to intervene and to compromise.

Lord ordered Hathiya Patgar, the son of Raibai and some others also to accompany Dadakhachar. Before starting, Raibai adored Hathiya and his mare and said, ‘ If fighting is necessary, fight bravely. Return with victory, or don’t return at all. “ Dadakhachar with others went to the mountains. Before getting the sign of compromise, some of them started firing.

Hathiya Patgar was struck and died. The mare went home alone.

Raibai welcomed her and started to distribute sugar to all. People said, “ Raibai has become mad. “ She replied, “ I am not mad.

My son Hathiya is died while obeying the orders of Lord Swaminarayan. He has gone to the ultimate abode Akshardham and he has joined in the divine service of Lord and getting ecstatic bliss from Him. Hearing this, Lord acclaimed for her profound knowledge and her patience.

Deep knowledge and patience of Revabai of Nenpur Devjibhai, his wife”Revabai and their son of Nenpur near Mehmadabad were ardent staunch devotees oftLord.

Lord gave his divine vision to their son. He sang the the glory of Lord and passed with Him asking the permission from the parents. The relatives used to come and cry before them. So they could not worship peacefully. They locked the house. Devji went to the farm away from village to stay there, while Revabai took a pitcher full of ghee and went to Gadhada. When she reached, Lord was taking food in the courtyard.

Lord asked Revabai, “ Is Devjibhai happy ? “ She replied, “ He was happy and has became more happy.” Lord asked the reason. She replied, “ Formerly, he had a son and had to care for him. The son has gone to Akshardham, so the cares are over.

Now he worships you freely. “ Lord said, “ You had only one son, and he is dead. Have you no grief at all ? “ She replied, “

Had he not been your devotee, had you not come to take him, had he gone in the unes-capable cycle of death and birth, I would have grieved for him, but he is very lucky to get rid of all these pains and agonies of death and birth cycle earlier than us. So we are happy.”

Lord asked, “when you will become old and disabled, who will serve you ? “ She replied, “ One whose parents died in childhood or one whose a the young ones are died aT’the old age, who serves them ? One has to suffer the pains as the result of his own actions None can escape from it. We are your devotees. We shall think those agonies as your gifts, and face it bravely.”

Hearing this. Lord was very much pleased. He said, “ Her understanding, her knowledge, the patience and her boldness to face the agonies, overcomes or puts back than that of the sense and the knowledge of the well learned and highly respected people.”

Mataji’s Eagerness to see Almighty God Thegreat saint Sukhanand Swami went to the King of Udaipur, and said “Almighty God Supreme has incarnated as Lord Swaminarayan for the welfare and salvation of innumerable souls, in Gujarat. He has freed vicious devilish and sinful people from their vices and led them to staunch ardent devotion of God Supreme.”

The queen Zamakubai thought, “ If Almighty God has come on the earth, I must see Him, but the king won’t allow. “ At mid-night, she tied down a saree on the back side of palace, got down got out of the castle through drainage pipe. She was afraid of being caught, so she hid herself in the skeleton of a dead body of a camel without food or water for three days. Then she started with dirty clothes.

Almighty helped her and she reached Gadhada. She used to sweep, clean the utensils etc. there and remained busy whole day.

After a couple of days. Lord asked, “ Who is this new lady ?

“Jivuba said, “ I don’t know,” Lord said, “ She is the queen of the

Maharaja of Udaipur. Don’t allow her to do such low work. “ Lord changed her name from Zamakubai to Mataji and sent her with Ladhiba to Bhuj.

Both stayed there for many years together. Ladhiba once told that she was very old and wanted to leave the human body.

Mataji said. “ How can I remain alone?” Ladhiba said, “ Let us go together.” They called all the devotees, started to chant the redemptive name of Lord Swaminarayan, asked the permission of all. Lord revealed to all. Both said, “ Jai Swaminarayan “ and left with Lord at a time. Both were taken in one and the same bier, also were cremated in one and the same pyre.

The disgustful custom of Sati There prevailed a custom of ‘ Sati ‘ i.e, burning of a lady with her husband’s dead body. In ancient days, most pious devout ladies used to sit with their husband’s dead bodies on he pyres and would leave their bodies by their will power, by lighting the fire or even without fire. They were known as ‘ sati ‘ i.e. the chaste lady, Afterwards, it became a custom to show their chastity. Some ladies used to burn themselves by modesty. At some places, people used to burn them forcibly with their husband’s dead bodies.

Lord Swaminarayan persuaded as the human life is very scarcely available If it is gone, it can be had again after a lapse of crores and crores of years. Human life should never be lost by any means. The custom of Sati is suicide or homicide. Both are unexpitable sins. It is murderous cruel action. God may never give them human life again. So it should be stopped by any means.

By persuading, Lord Swaminarayan stopped the shameful custom. For widows, Lord has shown the codes of conduct in Shikshapatri as well as in Satsangijivan.

Strangling of new born female babies People have to spend too much on the marriage ceremonies of their daughters. In some families, they had to give hard cash

also, So some people especially Kshatriya Kings and rulers etc, used to strangle the new born female babies in the pots full of milk and kill them.

Lord Swaminarayan persuaded it as an infanticide or homicide which is unexpiatable sin. The guilty of such sins have to suffer very severe pains and agonies every moment for ages together,

By Lord’s endearing but firm persuation, the custom of ‘ sati’ and the strangling of new born female babies stopped.

Selling of Daughters By strangling of new born female babies, the percentage of females was reduced too much in the society. So, many males could not marry. Rich people used to give money to the parents of the girls. The poor or the greedy people in the temptation of more money, used to marry their daughters to even the old people. Many a times, such old people would die early, keeping behind small children and the young widow. Such widows had a main question of their maintenance. They had to depend upon other. They were scorned by the society, and had to live very distressed and oppressive life* Because of their unsatisfied life they resorted to adultery. The corruption and the demorality were increased in the society.

Lord Swaminarayan persuaded. If anybody takes money from the bride-groom, It is after all the money of his own daughter. The money of one’s own daughter, is the deadly-poison for the parents. It should never be taken. In the greed of money, if anybody marries his daughter to an old man and if she becomes widow, it is equivalent to her murder. It is an unexpiatable sin. As its result, they have to suffer unbearable pains and agonies for ages and ages. By such sort of persuasion, the selling of the daughters was stopped.

Lord Swaminarayan encouraged the female education. Also He has given them the higher rank in religious field. Lord has

stopped the custom of ‘Sati’ and strangling of new-born female babies. Also He has stopped the selling of daughters These reforms are impossible by the rules. Lord Swaminarayan has done it by the persuasion, endearing sermons and in the name of religious feelings.

The “Fatana” incedental songs in Marriages Marriage is an auspicious occasion as well as a day of joy and pleasure. In the excessive joy and pleasure, people used to sing indecent songs, violating the limit of elders or respecteds.

They were using vulgar and abusive language also. They were poluting the atmosphere.

Lord said to the devotees, “ Indecent songs and language should not be uttered in the marriages. It is an auspicious occasion and it should not be poluted by indecent songs.” Lord asked the Poet, Saints to compose the songs of piety, morality, devotion etc., in the same rhythm and same tune which can be sung in marriages. The saints immediately composed such type of songs, viz., Rukmini Vivah, Radha Vivah, Tulsi Vivah, Purshotam Vivah etc, The followers of Lord Swaminarayan are singing these.songs in the marriages.

Similarly, for Holi and Dhuleti also these Saints have composed the songs of Lord’s birth, the swinging of Lord, His glory and His prayers. The devotees sing these songs on these festivals.

More attention to the low class people Lord did not distinguish any difference in His love. May be rich or poor, virtuous or vicious, by caste higfier or lower, aged or a child, worthy or unworthy, may be Brahmin, Kshatri, Vaishya, Shudra, Kathi, Mason, carpenter, tailor, blacksmith, potter, barber, koli, cowherd, shepherd, cobbler,’ sailor, bhil, weaver, vaghari, sweeper, vagabond, caravan, untouchable or a labourer. All were equal for His divine love. He loved equally and tried to uplift them in every respect.

He used to go to the poorest and the down trodden in every village. He used to ask them about their troubles and showed them the way to overcome. He used to accept even the worthless gifts from them lovingly to satisfy them and to give response to their innocent love. At various places, he has prepared food with His own hands/ fed them and pleased them. He mixed with them, joked with them and got deep love from them. By sweet and loving preachings, he improved them all. He freed them all from all the vices, bad habits, bad customs, all the addicts, supersitions, meat eating, adultery, stealing etc., and led them all to virtuous, pious, moral, peaceful devotional lives.

People commented upon Him as he has looked to the down trodden only. It is not so. He has paid more attention to them is right. In the upper and the civilized society, there is education, sense of discretion, thinking power etc. So, it is necessary to pay more attention to the down trodden. The civilized can be improved ^automatically.

Once, Lord had been to Ahmedabad. Common people told Him as Almighty God Supreme, and worshipped Him. Some of the spiritual scholars adept in Vedas, thought to test His Godliness. A group led by Keshavram came to Him, Lord put Gopalanand (younger) into Samadhi. Keshavram tested his pulse, but there was no beating at all. He made cuts by knife and scorched him but he did not wake up. It was as if a dead body.

Lord woke him up. He described the outward universe and Lord’s glory. All were astonished.

Keshavram asked Lord, “Are you Almighty God ? “ Lord denied Again he said, “ People call you God. So, reply my questions from vedas.” Lord said, “ I have not studied at all,” Keshavram insisted to reply. Lord said, “ I am illiterate, but that half naked five years old boy is adept in Vedas. Please ask him.”

He said, “ What that indecent illiterate child can know about the Vedas?” The boy said, “ What do you want ? Please ask me.” So saying, he started to reply what he wished to ask. He told even

his thoughts. All were very much surprised. Keshavram thought, “ The boy is illiterate and quite ignorant. Lord Swaminarayan is speaking through him. He prostrated to Lord and said, “ You are Almighty God Supreme. Take me as your obedient servant and include me in your saint Lord asked him to remain as householder.

For learned, civilized, having good conduct and moral character, there is no need for preaching. If the down trodden is improved, they will be improved automatically.

Uplift of the down trodden Lord Swaminarayan uplifted innumerable people. All the souls were equal for his divine love. For the uplift and salvation of the people, he has not seen whether they were virtuous or vicious, righteous or unrighteous, worthy or unworthy, moral or immoral, rich or poor, may be from higher community or lower community without any discrimination or without any hesitation, He went even to the poorest, vicious, sinful, addicted, immoral people and by His unintentional universal divine love. He freed them from all the vices, all the addicts, superstitions and all the worldly attachments. He led them to virtuous righteous, moral life. They all were resolved to ideal and staunch devotion to God. Once Lord Swaminarayan was sitting in the courtyard of Surakhachar in village Loya. A few disciples were sitting in front of Him. At some distance, some ladies were also sitting under the tree. Lord was preaching.

A woman named Ganga whom the upper caste society treated as untouchables, came there, bowed down to Lord and stopped there to listen the sermons. She stood a little in the heat of Lord Swaminarayan asked her to come nearer to the ladies in the shadow of the tree. She” hesitated. Lord again asked her to come closer under the tree. Shantibai the wife of Surakhachar disliked. She frowned at her, Lord saw it.

Lord asked Shantibai “Who cleans the filth and dungs of your animals ?” Shantibai said. “ Ganga cleans it “. Lord said, “

At time when there is a fear from robbers or dacoits, you keep your animals in your house. You ask them to clean from there also. If anyanimal dies there, you ask them to take away from there. So, for your interest, you have no objection if they enter in your house. Hence, why do you object here? As a soul nobody is high or low All are equal. The souls are getting births in higher or lower castes according to the actions of their previous births, In the first generation of Brahma, all were Brahmins, The castes are formed according to their actions and occupations for their subsistence.”

Ganga’s former birth was in a higher Brahmin family. She was virtuous devotee of God, and was very strict in rites. But she was very haughty. She used to hate rudely all the low caste people, especially those who were treated as untouchables. As a result, she is given the birth in a low caste and is hated everywhere by everybody even though she is leading virtuous devotional life. She has to undergo and bear the insult very often.

To God Supreme, all the souls are equal, may be of any caste or creed. Everybody is His own creation. One who is virtuous, righteous, having non-attachment to worldly things and who worships Him ardently single-minded is worthy for His divine love, may be a female or a child. He will be pleased to give the ultimate redemption and ecstatic bliss in the ultimate Abode, the Akshardham. He will be permanently saved from the unescapable cycle of death and birth and the severe pains being suffered therein. i By the invitation of Maharaja Gaikwad, Sayajirao Second, Lord Swaminarayan had been to Vadodara. On the way, Lord came to village Chhani Teja Bhagat, an ardent staunch singleminded devotee lived there. He was born from lower caste to whom people treated as untouchables. He prepared a small but decent stage for warm welcome of Lord.

Lord arrived, was pleased by his worship, embraced him and accepted all his offerings lovingly. By his guidance and by his

propagation, all his caste fellows became ardent staunch devotees of Lord Swaminarayan. Leaving all the vices, they used to live pious, peaceful, devotional lives.

Two ardent staunch single-minded devotees were born in the same caste, named Narandas Pujaji and Narsidas Pujaji at Uttarsanda near Nadiad. The religious observances, the devotion and the spiritual and philosophical knowledge of Narandas was of very of high level. Also he was a born poet. He has composed many prayers and hymns. Also he had composed very effective poems on various subjects. They are all compiled and published in a book named “ Bhakti Prakash.” They are very famous and sung with devotion.

Narandas left Uttarsanda and went to Chhani. For the upliftment and welfare of his caste-fellows, Narandas took up the work of Teja Bhagat and continued it in full swing. By his effective propagations, the Swaminarayan sect is well followed and observed strictly in hiscaste in the villages like Chhani, Poicha, Sankarda, Pilol vasana, Atladara surrounding areas.

There is a small but a nice temple in their society at Chhani, at the same place where Lord was welcomed. from 10-00 to evening 6-00, they used to work and rest of theirtime except night, they pass in the temple worshipping jointly and reading scriptures. They don’t take any help from anybody.

By his preachings, the schedule caste followers of these villages were so pious, virtuous, moral staunch ideal devotees that the Maharaja Gaikwad Sayajirao Third of Baroda, when personally saw them in the year 1925, was very much astonished and acclaimed himself as the most lucky King as the people of the lowest community were found most orderly, most pious and most devotional. So he was very proud of them.

Similarly, all the low caste people of various castes were accepted as disciples by Lord Swaminarayan throughout Gujarat and surrounding areas like Rajasthan, Maharashtra etc. and all of

them were improved to a very high level in every respect and were also staunch ardent devotees of Lord Swaminarayan.

In Lord’s presence, there were too many Non-Hindu devotees also. Many Sheikhs, Mumnas, Khojas of Muslim community were His devotees.

Muslim devotees They were, Harji Thakkar and Ladha Thakkar, the managing personnels of the estate of Dadakhachar, Premji, Karim, Hayaji, Rayaji, Sheikhji, Amad, Makan, Hassan, Miyaji, Kesharmiya, Sheikh Mohammed, Vali Mohammed, Aliyas, Dosabhai, Alasi Ghanchi, Nawab of Junagadh, Hamad Khan and Bahadur Khan.

Nawab of Mangrol Badruddin, Nawab of Manavadar, Gajefarkhan etc., and many more Muslims were Lord’s ardent staunch devotees.

In the muslim community, meat eating is common. These devotees gave up completely, meat-eating and drinking etc., and worshiped Lord ardently.

There are too many Lord’s devotee at present in their descendants. Thare is a great question of the marriage of their daughters, but they exchange among the devotees only. The writer of “ Gadhapur Darshan” Mulji Panjwani of Gadhada is Khoja staunch devotee of Lord. In Bombay, ‘ Harjivan Habib Ali Shayada and their families are staunch devotees of Lord.

Parsee Devotees Ardeshar Kotwal, the Suba of Surat city and his brother Piluji were staunch devotees of Lord. They invited and gave a warm welcome in the city. Lord had given His turban in memory to Ardeshar which is still worshipped by their descendants. Today also, there are many families in Surat as well as in Bombay, who are the Devotees of Lord.

In Parsees also, meat-eating is common. These devotees gave up meat eating, drinking etc., and worshiped Lord Swaminarayan ardently.

English Devotees

Lord Swaminarayan improved the Kathis, Kolis, thieves, robbers, dacoits, the most cruel and sinful, and those who were full of all the vices, addicts, demorality etc., by love and endearing sermons, and made them virtuous pious, moral staunch devotees.

Looking this, the English administrators. Sir Andrews, Semar, Anderson, Sir Dunlop, Sir Eran, William Tomas, Blen, Governor of Bombay Sir John Malcom, Sir Autram etc, appreciated and gave warm welcome to Lord at Ahmedabad, Surat, Kheda, Rajkot etc. Many of them were the devotees of Lord. As an example, Sir Autram, the resident of Gaikwad of Vadodara State, used to come at Vadodara's Swaminarayan temple and used to chant the glorious name of Lord with rosary, standing on one leg.

Spanish Devotees

By The propagation of The saints and other diciples of Rajkot gurukul and other saints in Latin America 1000 spenish people have emberaced Swaminarayanism. They follow the principle of non-violence and all other rites of swaminarayanism very strictyly. They have beccome strict vegetarian. Some of them adopted Hindu names like Ma Saraswati, Suresh Bhagat, Ghanshyam Bhagat, Nand Bhagat Yogendra Bhagat Prashant Bhagat etc. They are about to lailed up a huge temple of Lord swaminarayan there. They have translated Shikshapatri Vachanamrit etc. Spanish language. They have compored new hymns and prayers also in their languaged.

Vishishtadwait Mat, Lord’s Philosophical principle The philosophical principle explaining the nature, form and the relations existing between Jiva (soul) Maya and the God Supreme, the way for salvation and the state of bliss in the Abode is called Mat. There are too many Mats. Kevaladwait of Shankaracharya, Suddhadwait of Vallabhacharya etc.

Lord Swaminarayan had accepted Visishtadwait Mat of Ramanujacharya with certain important changes, which is known as the qualified Monothism.

God Supreme, who is in respect of nature, form, quality, power etc, is quite different and independent from all the sentient beings and non-sentient objects, is described as their shariri (as a soul in the body). God Supreme qualified (as adjectives) by sentient beings and non-sentient objects is only one without second, is the meaning of Vishishtadwait.

The body and the soul are different from each other, yet they are incorporated as one. The soul pervades in the body, ‘ controls it and takes the desired work from it, and enjoys the , fruit thereof.

Here the Shariri Sharir (the soul and its body) relation of the God and the Jivas (souls) and Akshar, is not like that. Lord Swaminarayan differs in the meaning of the Sharir Shariri bhav.

Shree Ramanujacharya has defined the three infinite entities, Jiva, Maya and Ishwar, the Almighty God, while Lord Swaminarayan has announced as five infinite entities,Jiva, Ishwar, Maya, Brahman and Parabrahman. heir characteristics are as under;— Jiva (Atma, soul) : Jiva is an individual unit having its own consciousness. It is subtler than even an atom. It is different from the three bodies viz., the gross or apparent, the subtle, and the causal. It resides in the heart and pervades in the whole body by knowledge. It works through the organs. Weapons can’t cut, fire can’t burn, water can’t drench or wind can’t dry him. It is eternal, uncleavable, indivisible, unpenetabie immortal etc.

Jivas are innumerable. Each is a seperate unit. They are bound by the actions. God, the decider of the actions gives them bodies and the pains and the pleasure therein according to their previous actions. At the time of the universal rest (pralaya), they rest in the dormant stage in the womb of the Maya. At the time of evolution, they are procreated again and take bodies according to their previous actions.

Ishwar : The Chaitanya Varg i.e, the class having their own consciousness, through whom the creation, the sustenance and the destruction work of Jagat i.e. the universe is made by God by investing His divine power are known as Ishwaras. Ishwaras have also three bodies, Virat, Sutratma and Avyakrut. They have previously prayed and pleased God who has engaged them as the administrators in the cosmic service. There are innumerable universes. So, the Iswharas are also innumerable. Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the sustainer and Mahesh (Shiva) the destructor are the Ishwaras.

Ishwaras’ bodies are very large, while that of the Jivas’ are very small. Ishwaras’ talent and power -is too much, while that of Jivas’ are very little. The Ishwaras are omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent for that universe only.

Virat Purusha, Aniruddha, Pradyumna, Shankarshan, Bhuma Purusha, Pradhan Purusha etc. are the Ishwaras.

Maya; Maya is an astonishing shakti i.e., power of God. She is the cause of creation, sustenance and the destruction by the inspiration of God through Mahapurusha. She is known as the darkness of ignorance. She is the field for jivas to take birth and bodies according to their actions. She is the cause of eygljjtionary Changes. She is static, unborn, efernal , full of three gunas viz., Satwa, Rajas and Tamas, and having the attachment for Jivas and the Ishwaras with their bodies and the relations thereof, and also cause for Jivas to make them rotate or ramble in the cycle of birth death and the actions. As the perceptible universe, she is nonsentient but as the cause of its procreation, she is sentient. Since the non-sentient cosmos and the sentient Jivas are in her womb, she is the combination of both.

Brahma : Brahma has two forms. One, Sakar i.e, having divine perceptible human form. Second, Nirakar i.e, formless. As sakar swarup, he is in constant service of Parbrahma Purushottam Narayan in His ultimate Abode. As Nirakar, it is the divine abode of God Supreme as Akshardham, It is the form of unimaginable

mass of divine light i.e, pure consciousness which is called Chidakash or Brahma Mohol. It is endless and pervaded every where. It sustains all the released souls (Muktas) with parabrahman parmatman, as well as the innumerable universes out of the divine Abode Akshardham.

The other characteristics of Brahma's are, Satya Swarup i.e. the ever reality. Gnan Swarup i.e, the form of profound knowledge. It is eternal, ever pure, immortal, changeless, limitless, sustainer of all (Sarvadhar) etc.

Parabhrahma : Parabrahma, Parmatma, Purushottam Narayan is in glorious splendid perceptible divine human form in the midst of divine effulgent light i.e, Akshardham, the ultimate divine Abode. He is Prakash Swarup i.e, the form of unimaginable divine light. He is Satya Swarup i.e, the ultimate reality. He is Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent cause of all the causes, Ishwar of all the Ishwaras, giver of all the givers. He is infinitely the highest and the greatest goal to be attained by the souls. His other characteristics are, infiniteness, the highest controllership, the highest senciency etc.

He is the Almighty Supreme authority pervaded everywhere in all the Atmas (souls). Akshar and Maya i.e, in all the Universes. Atma and Akshar ere subservient, dependant and pervaded by Him. He resides in all Jivas (souls) as the controller, witnesses their actions and gives them the fruits according to their actions.

He is known by various names. Purushotam, Parameshwar, Narayan, Hari, Krishna, Vasudev, Vishnu Achyut etc.

Parbrahma, Paramatma manifests Himself at various places in all the universes simultaneously wherever He wishes without leaving the Akshardham.

The Cosmic evolution Parabhrahman, Purushottama is the ultimate reality. He resides in His divine abode Akshardham in divine body, as well as He is pervaded in all Atmas, Akshar and all the universes by

His omnipresence and intuitive power. He manifests Himself when and where He wishes.

At the time of cosmic rest (Pralaya), the maya was in equilibrium state, and all Jivas (souls) were resting in the dormant state in her womb.

Parbrahma, Purushottama is the material and efficient cause of the cosmic evolution, but His activity is not direct. He inspires an Akshar Purusha i,e. a released soul in Akshar, through the Akshardham, and joins him in cosmic evolution, investing His divinity. He is known as Maha Purusha.

Maha Purusha is invisible, eternal, infinite, unaffected by factor of time, self-luminous, omniscient possessing divine body, cause of cosmic evolution, knower of Maya and her evolutes.

Maha Purusha was dormant, but was inspired by Parabrahman through Akshar to start the cosmic evolution by investing His divinity. The Maha Purusha disturbed Prakriti, the Maha Maya, which was in equilibrium state. She became active and produced innumerable pradhan purusha i.e. Lower Brahman or the lower Prakriti (Maya). They are known as Pradhan Purusha. They are the unmanifested forms of universes. Pradhan Purusha is luminous, unaffected by qualities ahd full of sattva.

Pradhan Purusha procreated Maha tattva, the cosmic intelligence. From the Maha tattva, three types of Ahamkaras are procreated.

Satvik Ahamkar. the ego of beneficient attributes. Rajsik Ahamkar, the ego of earthly position. Tamasik Ahamkar, the ego of maleficient instinct.

From these Ahamkaras, twenty four tattvas are procreated.

Five Bhutas or gross elements, earth, water, fire, wind and ether.

Five sense organs : nose, tongue, eyes, skin and ears.

Five motor organs : Mouth, hands, legs, anus and genital.

Five principles of the elements : smell, taste, visual form, touch and sound

Four Antahkarans i.e, the inner instruments: Mana (Mental) Buddhi (intellectual) Chitta (mind) and ahamkar (ego) The function of mana is to think. The function of buddhi is to decide. The function of chitta is to reveal wisdom. The function of Ahamkar is to possess.

These twenty four tattvas has constituted the Virat Purusha i.e. the apparent universe. From the navel of the Virat Purusha, the Brahma is procreated. Brahma has further created four Sanakadiks, Narad and the Prajapati, Daksha, Atri, Marichi, Vashishtha, Bhrigu, Angira, Pulah, Pulastya etc. Kashyap, the son of Daksha has further created most of the subjects.

This universe has eight layers (1) Earth (2) Water ‘ (3) Light (4) Wind (5) Ether (6) Mahat tattva (7) Pradhan (8) Pakriti. All are procreated as shown above.

At the time of Atyantik Pralaya i.e. the final cosmic rest, earth, absorbs in water; water absorbs in light; light absorbs in wind; wind absorbs in ether; ether absorbs in Pradhan (lower Maya); Pradhan absorbs in prakriti i.e. Maha may absorbs in Maha Purusha who formerly had come out from Akshar for cosmic evolution. The Maha Purusha leaving all the cosmic activities joins in the divine service of Parabhahman Purushottam in the ultimate Abode Akshardham.

The way for ultimate redemption If a person gives up passion, anger, greed, fascination, pride, ego, all the vices, all the addicts, superstitions, etc., if he embraces truth, mercy, endurance, forgiveness, non-violence, penance, celibacy; if he observes strictly the religious binding with virtuous, moral behaviour and universal love towards all living beings; if he thinks himself as quite different from the three bodies; if he experiences himself as the pure Brahma Swarup, aloof from body, organs and its relations; if he gets profound thorough knowledge of Atma and Paramatma with glory and greatness of Lord as the releaser from all the bondages and the giver of ecstasy and bliss

in His Akshardham, if he worships Him ^ ardently singleminded without any desire of any remune ration, God Supreme will be pleased, will release him from all the bondages, give him the ultimate redemption, join him in His divine service and will bestow ecstatic bliss upon him in the ultimate abode Akshardham.

The Muktas. The Akshardham. The bliss therein Akshardham is the divine Abode, where Almighty God , Supreme and the Muktas i.e. the released souls reside. It is known as Brahmadham, Brahmamohol also.

Lord Swaminarayan said in His Vachanamrit, “There is limitless, unimaginable, dense, great mass of divine, light, downwards, upwards and all around. It is ‘ known as Akshardham. The light of Akshardham is crores and crores of times much more powerful than that of the Sun, while the divine light of Parabrahma Purushottama is crore; and crore of times much more powerful than that of Akshardham. There is a divine throne in the midst of that divine light Purushottama, the Almighty God sits over it. in divine perceptible made human form i.e. Purushottam immumerable Muktas i.e, the released souls are sitting all around Him. Their sights are deeply concentrated towards God Supreme, as if spell-bound. The pleasure in the diving abode is only” the vision of God Supreme.

There is no other pleasure. He feels all sorts of pleasures at a time from His vision only. Lord’s appearance is so divine, so beautiful, so glorious and so attractive that if a released from Maya and its bondage, gets a divine body and looks at God Supreme, he gets such ecstasy and bliss that he is unable to move his sight from Him for crores and crores of years, as if spellbound. He forgets even who is he ? and where is he ? It is so beautiful and so attractive. The divine light is not warm, but it is cold, calm and pleasurable.

Muktas. The divine servants of Lord

It is said in some scriptures that the Muktas i.e, the released souls absorb in the divine form of Almighty God, and remains no seperate entity of them.

Lord Swaminarayan says, “The absorbing of Muktas with God is not like the mixing of water into water or light into light, and thereby losing one’s seperate entity. God Supreme is so divine, so beautiful, so glorious and so that the Mukta s by the first sight of Lord is so attracted and grossed in His divine human form that he loses his own entity. He doesn’t know even who he is and where he is for ever. Losing of own consciousness and entity is the absorbing of Mukta with Almighty God. Mukta joins in the divine service of God Supreme. He has not to serve there because he has no consciousness of his own, but he remains with seperate entity in the service of God. If Parabrahma Paramatma wishes to take a birth in any universe for the welfare and saltation of innumerable souls, He awakes some of the Muktas to accompany Him to introduce Him, to attract and lead the souls in His devotion by their very austere, pious, virtuous moral devotional behaviour.

Those who believe in God as only the formless effulgent divine light i.e, Brahma Jyoti, can reach upto the light and stop there.

Since their belief and their goal ‘are incomplete, they can’t reach or see the divine splendid glorious perceptible human form of Purushottam Narayan beyond the light.

For the ultimate redemption, the devotion of divine perceptible human form of Supreme God is absolutely necessary.

For the realisation of Supreme God, there are too many sects.

Some believe in worshipping the formless divine light i,e, the “ Brahama Jyoti ‘’ while some believe Him as the divine human form in the midst of the divine light.

Lord Swaminarayan persuaded that by oniy formless light, nobody can get any sort of joy, pleasure, happiness, inspiration or any sort of comfort. Supreme God is in a glorious, splendid, perceptible, divine male(Purashakar) form in the

midst of effulgant light i.e, Akshardham, which is undescribable.

The light of Akshardham is crores and crores times much more divine light of the Supreme God is crores and crores times much more brighter. such huge effulgent light nobody can see His divine human form. They can see only the light, So, they believe that the ultimate form of the Supreme God is only the formless light, and nothing is beyond it. Their knowledge, their belief and their devotion are all incomplete. They are ignorant of the Supreme God. If we look at the electric welding, the light exposed therein is so powerful that we can’t look at it sven for a moment. If we are unable to glance at the light only, how can we see the end of the rod from which such effulgent light is exposed? Because, we are unable to seethe rod it does’nt mean that there is no rod at all. !n the same way, the Supreme God is in a glorious, splendid, divine, perceptible, male purushakar so powerful that nobody can even imagine for his divine ‘ form. By the help of the dark glass, the welder can see the end of the rod from which the radiant light is exposed.

For the divine sight of the glorious, charming, splendid, Dsautiful, divine, perceptible human form of the Supreme God the dark glass of staunch ardent. single-minded devotion of His divine human form male (purushakar) and His mercy are absolutely necessary.

If one is leading virtuous, righteous, cultured, moral and pious life with universal love towards all the souls, leaving all the worldly attachments ; and if he has got the thorough distinct knowledge of atma and parmatma i.e. soul and supreme God; and if he worships Him single-minded ardently, without any desire or without any remuneration, the Supreme God may be pleased and

by His grace He may reveal His divine human form to that devotee. At the end of his life, He may give him the ultimate redemption and bestow ecstatic bliss upon him in His Akshardham.

Even by doing so, if one does’nt get the divine sight of the Supreme God, there is some defect n his knowledge or in his devotion, or the Supreme God is not pleased so far to reveal his divine form to him.

Believing in God as only the formless effulgent light, nobody can get any sort of joy, pleasure, happiness or any inspiration from it. Since, it is not possible to perceive God without form, then how one can get any salvation without perception For ecstatic bliss, one should worship single minded ordently, the human form of God Supreme in the midst of effulgent light i.e. ultimate Abode Akshardham.

The proper meaning of the opposite Shrities The Shrities of the Vedas having the opposite meanings are twisted and taken out the meanings according to own likings, thinking, one as powerful and the other as of less importance.

Thereby they are creating confusion.

Lord Swaminarayan said, as all the shrities of Vedas are divine and giving the proper guidance. In shrities where Almighty God is described as having human form or human body, it should be known as God has the human form which is not made from worldly material i.e. Maya, but it is made from the divine material. Where God is described as formless, there the worldly material i.e. the Maya is condemned. If God is said to be saguna i.e. having qualities, there He is said to have all the divine qualities like omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, lover of devotee, the releas&r from Maya etc. Where, He is described as Nirguna i.e. having no qualities,-there the worldly qualities are condemned. Where He is said as the doer, there He is described as the God Supreme is pe”rvaded everywhere by His Omnipresence and the intuitive power. He witnesses each and every action of each and every soul. That means there is nothing which He does’nt knpw. Where He is said as non-doer, there it is said that He is doing nothing at all for Himself. All the cosmic activities are done by Maha Purusha, Prakriti, Pradhan, Virat etc.

He only witnesses it. His all the activities are for the welfare and benefits of others.

The difference in the Vishistadvait Mat of Lord Swaminar/an and that of Ramanujacharaya Lord Swaminarayan has accepted the Vishishtadvait Mat of Ramanujacharya but with some important changes.

Ramanujacharya has defined Sharir Shariri bhav i.e. the body and the soul. In Sanskrit. Dr. George Thibau has translated as under: “Any substance which a soul is capable of completely controlling anc| supporting for its own purposes and which stands to the soul entirely in subordinate relation, is the body of that soul. In this sense, all sentient and non-sentient beings together constitute the body of Supreme person for they are completely controlled and supported by Him, for His own aims are entirely subordinate to Him.” Lord Swaminarayan differs in this definition. He says. Lord Supreme is self sufficient. He has no aim to gain from the Atma Jiva and Akshar by becoming their Shariri. The learned scholars like Dr. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Das Gupta, Dr. George Thibau have criticised this definition.

Lord Swaminarayan has said that Atmas (Jivas) Ishwaras and Akashar are all being pervaded by God Supreme. They are all subservient and dependent to God. Lord Supreme is pervaded everywhere. He is independent controller and Almighty Supreme.

He is Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent. ./ A body being pervaded by a soul is dependent and subservient also to that soul. Similarly, Lord Supreme is pervaded in the Jivas (Atmas), Ishwaras and Akshar. So, they are dependent to God and subservient to God. In this sense, they are said to be the body of God Supreme.

Further, Ramanujacharya had said that the cosmic evolution is done by God for ‘ Leela ‘ i.e., for His pleasure or entertainments. Lord Swaminarayan says that all the activities of

Lord is for the welfare of the souls. The creation, the sustenance Dharma, Gnan, Vairaga, Premlakshana Bhakti, the main devices for and the destruction is done for the welfare of the souls. They may salvation get a chance of association of Saints, may worship God Supreme Dharma : The virtuous conduct enjoined by the Shrities and and may get redemption.

Smrities is known as Dharma, It is of two types. (1) Devotional Ramanujacharya further says that Lord Supreme Himself has and (2) Non-devotional. changed into Jagat (Maya). Lord Swaminarayan says. Lord The virtuous conduct with truthfulness, mercy, forgiveness, Supreme is the cause of all the causes, At the time of cosmic non-violence, celibacy, propagation of education, evolution, He only looks towards. A pursusha i.e inspires Akshar distribution of food and water to needies, to dig wells, step-wells invets mukta,the released soul gets up. Lord power and Akshar and lakes, to construct schools, colleges, hospitals etc., for the invests the power and inspire the Purusha.

He is known as welfare of the public. By such virtuous conduct, one gets good Maha Purusha also. He inspires and disturbs the prakriti i.e. reputation in this world as well as gets peace and pleasure after Maha maya.

Thereby innumerable pradhan purushas are leaving the human body, but he can’t get rid of the cycle of procreated. They further inspires Pradhan and Mahat tattvas and deaths and births, because in that virtuous conduct, there is no universes are procreated. Thus, they procreated further, Lord attachment with God Supreme.

Supreme only invests His power and inspires for cosmic Over and above, the public service, if he serves the Saints, evolution. He does not change Himself into evolution. devotees, temples and worship God ardently single-minded and if Ramanujacharya says that after the ultimate redemption, \ the he propagates the real redemptive devotional tenets, or helps in released souls are completely independent from Lord also. such activities, he may be released from cycle of deaths and They may take birth at any place in any universe at their births by the grace of God. own choice.

Lord Swaminarayan says, “ After the ultimate Gnan: The spiritual profound distinct knowledge redemption, he gets a divine body and stays there in the divine regarding the nature, form and the relations of Jiva, Ishwar,Maya, service of God Supreme. He has not to serve there because he is Brahman and parabrahman, the way for salvation and the bliss in so attached and engrossed in the divine form of Lord that he has Akshardham is called the Gnan. no conscious of his own body for ages and ages. He has not to Vairagya: The non-attachment to the worldly objects. If serve, even then he is ever dependent and ever subservient to anybody knows the creation, substenance and the Lord Supreme.” destruction of the Universe, if he knows the four cosmic rests, Ramanujacharya has described three infinite entities. Jiva, Nitya Pralaya (2) Nimitta Pralaya, (3) Prakrit Pralaya (4) Ishwar and Maya. While, Lord Swaminarayan has announced tha Atyantik Pralaya; he observes everything, which is seen are all five infinite entities. Jiva, Ishwar, Maya, Brahman and mortals, also if he observes the unbearable pains and agonies Parabrahman. every moment in the cycle of death and births, he becomes Thus, there are many more differences also. These are the horrified and the non-attachment is produced in his mind. examples. Swaminarayan’s Vishishtadvait Mat is modified which He then resorts to God Supreme to get rid of these agonies, may be said as unique Monothism. and worship God.

Bhakti: Devotion of God with love. Lord Supreme is Omniscient, Omnipresent, omnipotent, cause of all the causes, All in all, Almighty Supreme, pervaded everywhere. He is the accurate decider of all the actions of every soul. He is merciful, the purifier of the sinfuls, the forgiver of all the sins and evilness.

He is the lover of devotees and subdued to him. He is the releaser from the bondage of the Maya.

If anybody thinks over such qualities of God Supreme, a deep love will be produced for Him in his heart. He will then pray and worship God ardently, single-minded with deep love and will get ultimate redemption.

Navadha Bhakti: The nine fold devotion. (1) Shravan, to listen the glory of God and the scriptures (2) Kirtan, to sing the prayers, hymns of His glory and His activities (3) Smaran, to meditate upon God, (4) Pad Sevanam, to serve saint, devotees, the communion and temples and Lord’s idols with deep love. (5) Archanam, to worship His idols with sixteen fold ceremonies (6) Vandanam, to bow at His feet in sitting postures (for liadies) and sitting or prostating for males. (7) Dasyam, to serve God as if His obedient servant (8) Sakhyam, to pray God in friendly manners and to try to please Him by any means. (9) Atma Nivedanam, to dedicate one’s own self to God and to work for Him only.

The Bhakti i.e, the devotion is of these nine types. One should adopt any one of these as main for his salvation.

Nishkam Premlakshana Bhakti: One should experience himself as quite different from the three bodies i.e. Gross, subtle and causal. Also he should experience himself as a self conscious, only the sentient body. After knowing the glory and greatness of God, he should dedicate himself and worship single minded with deep love, without yearning any desire or any remuneration. By such devotion if he loses his entity and looks, God Supreme before him even in open eyes, it is the most superior and the highest type of Bhakti. The final stage known as the Prem Lakshana Bhakti

The necessity of the temples

By Lord Swaminarayan’s luminous personality, His propagation, His endearing sermons and by His mercy, people embraced single minded devotion with virtuous, moral, conduct, leaving aside all the vices.

To prolong the same flow. Lord thought three points (1) To construct temple and install idols of Lord Shree Krishna (2) to establish Acharyas, the heads to look after the divine mission (3) To compose scriptures of the Sampraday.

The temples are the missions to propogate the divine tenets for ultimate redemption, the resorts for the spiritual peace, the educational centres to cultivate moral, cultural, virtuous, peaceful devotional lives, and the art centres for spiritual embodiment.

A man whoever and however great he may be, but he can’t study worship or meditate calmly in house. There are too many obstructions., the enjoyment and the addicts in the house, the necessities and the responsibilities of house and the family members. All these disturb him.

In the temples, the idols are invested the divinity by Acharya and the great spiritualized Saints with the Veda Mantras and the divine ceremony. So the atmosphere in the temple is pious and peaceful. The social and family hindrances doesn’t disturb him there. He can concentrate his mind and study, worship or meditate deeply. By listening the great experienced Saints, one can understand profound spiritual knowledge thoroughly.

One can get a great deal of inspiration peace and pleasure while worshipping God in multitude with the great Saints and the other devotees. The devotional pleasure and peace increases day by day and it cultivates the brotherhood with the divine mission.

Thereby, the path for ultimate redemption becomes safe, easy and free from all the obstacles.

For these reasons, the temples are the most necessary for peace and pleasure in this life and for ultimate redemption thereafter.

The necessity of worshipping the idols An idol is a form of God through which we can worship and attain Him, It is a medium to expose our love and feelings towards God. Once a King invited a Saint in his Royal Court. After the welcome and paying honour, the king said, “ I don’t believe in idol worshipping. Is God an inanimate stone ? To worship a stone, is mere foolishness “. The Saint said, “ Be calm and don’t disturb me in whatever I do.” King agreed.

There was a great oily colourful picture of the father of the King near the throne. The Saint ordered the servants of the King to remove it, to throw dust over it and to break it. The king became angry.

The Saint asked the King, “ Why are you angry ? I have insulted the picture and not your father. This is an inanimate picture. The colour, the wood, the glass and the paper, out of these, who is your father? You believe this inanimate picture as your father. You honour it and pay homage with garland “.

Similarly, to pay homage, to serve, to worship, to expose the devotional feelings etc., towards God Supreme, the idol is the medium as if it is His perceptible human form in front of us.

The Bhilkumar Eklavya was not taught by Dronacharya.

Eklavya made an earthen muddy statue of Dronacharya. Keeping full faith in it as if Dronacharya was in that form, he started learning archery. From that statue, he got inspiration and become the famous and expert in archery. Had he not prepared the statue and had he not put faith in that statue, he would not have learnt archery. There are too many statues in their sculptor's shop.

Nobody prays them or nobody gets any inspiration from them. In the temples, the idols of God are anointed by holy water of main holy places and the holy substances. The Acharya and the great

spiritualized Saints invest the divinity in these idols by Veda Mantras and the divine ceremony, and then the idols are made worth to be worshipped as if the apparent form of God in front of the devotee.

If these idols are served, adored, prayed or worshipped ardently single-minded with full faith as if Lord Supreme is in that perceptible human form in front of them. Almighty God accepts it lovingly and fulfils his wishes, and gives him the redemption at the end of his life.

There are too many examples as Lord has come out from the idols, accepted the offerings, given the guidance and fulfilled their wishes.

A huge temple at Ahmedabad (Nar Narayan) The English Collector invited Lord Swaminarayan at Ahmedabad, gave Him a warm welcome and presented land for temple. Lord constructed a huge temple by the great Saint Anandanand Swami. Lord installed the images of Lord Nar and Narayan in v. s. year 1878 on the third day of the bright half of the month of Falgun on Monday 24-2-1822 A.D. All the Saints and thousands of devotees were assembled, Lord said, “ On this auspicious occasion, we should feed the brahmins of Ahmedabad and all the surrounding areas. There were about 60000 Brahmins. The leading Brahmins were called, Lord invited all the Brahmins of Ahmedabad and the surrounding villages for next day at dinner. The Brahmins said, “There is no preparations, there is no foodgrains, how will you feed us?” Lord said, “You are concerned with the dinner only not with the cooking materials. If I can’t feed, I’ll be disgraced. “ They agreed, At the time of cooking, the brahmins saw the heaps of all the cooking materials and huge utensils full of ghee, oil etc.

They all were fed forcibly. All were very much astonished.

A temple at Bhuj in Kutchh (Nar Narayan) The devotees of Kutchh-Bhuj, Shree Gangaram Mull Sundarji Sutar and Hirji Sutar etc., requested Lord to construct a

temple at Bhuj. Lord got it constructed by great Saint Vaishnavanand Swamy and installed there also Lord Nara Narayan in V. S. year 1879 on the fifth day of bright half of the month of Vaishakh on Friday 15-5-1823 A. D. At Vadtal. Laxminarayan and Harikrishna By the request of Joban Pagi, Kuberbhai Patel, Ranchhodbhai Patel, Narayan Giri etc., the devotees of Vadtal, Lord got constructed a huge temple by Brahmanand Swami and Aksharanand Swami, and installed Laxminarayan in the middle, Dharmavdev Bhaktimata and Vasudev in the Northern side, Radhakrishna and an image of His own named Harikrishna in the southern side in V. S. year 1881 on the twelfth day of the bright half of the month of Kartik on Thursday 3-11-1824 A. D. At Dholera, Madan Mohanji By the request of Poojaji Darbar of Dholera, Lord got constructed a temple by Nishkulanand Swami and Adbhutanand Swami and installed Madan Mohanji in V. S. year 1882 on the thirteenth day of the dark half of the month of Vaishakh on Saturday 19-5-1826 A. D. At Junagadh, Radha Ramandev and Siddheshwar Mahadev On the land presented by Jinabhai (Hematsingh) Darbar of Panchala, Lord got constructed a huge temple at Junagadh by great Saint Brahmanand Swami and installed Radha, Ramandev, Ranchhodji, Trikamji and Siddheshwar Mahadev with Parvati Devi in S. year 1884 on the second day of the dark half of the month of Vaishakh on Friday 1-5-1828 A. D. At Gadhada (Gadhapur), Gopinathji By the request and deep love of Dadakhachar and his two elder sisters Jaya (Jivuba) and Lalita (Laduba), Lord stayed at Gadhada for 25 years making it as the centre of His divine mission. On the very same place, by their request. Lord got demolished the Northern side buildings and got constructed a huge temple under His own super- vision or the supervision of Viraktanand Swami in His absence. In

the middle temple, He installed Gopinathji and Radhikaji, in the western side Dharmadev Bhakti Mata and Vasudev, in the eastern side Suryanarayan (the Sun God). All were installed in S. Y. 1885 (1884) on the twelfth day of the bright half of the month of Ashwin on Saturday 9-10-1828.

The idol of Gopinathji was engraved by Narayanji Mistry completely fit to Lord’s body in every respect.

Narayanji used to measure Lord’s body very often. Lord was not steady at Gadhada. So, Lord gave him television power, so that, he could see Lord, in front of him even if He might be hundreds of miles away.

When the idol was ready. Lord absorbed in it and said, ‘It is quite fit and appropriate to my body,” Lord Himself had done too much physical labour work in the construction of this temple.

The Shikharbandh (huge) Mandirs Worshipping procedure In the huge temples, where the idols of metals or of marbles are installed, the worshipping is done five times a day with Arati lighted with ghee or camphor. Arati means a prayer with Artanad i.e, with distressed low voice. (1) Mangala.

Early morning prayer (2) Shanghar. At about 730 a.m. with all decorations (3) Rajbhog at about 11.00 a.m. After offering meals to Lord (4) Sandhya. Evening prayer between 600 to 7-00 p.m. (5) Shayan. After offering supper and before sleep at about 9.00 p.m. The timings are varying according to season and the local situation.

Lord is offered food twice a day. At about 10.00 a.m, and at about 8.00 p.m. Before Shangar Aarti, Lord is offered milk, and at about 3-00 p.m. He is offered fruits. During 12-00 to 3-30 p.m., temple remains closed. Ram Navami, Hari Navami, Janmashtami, Deevali, Annakoot, Prabodhini, Vasant Panchami, Fuldol, Shiva Ratri etc., the festivals are celebrated with great pomp. All the ceremonies are performed with deep feelings and

piteous voice as if God Supreme is in that perceptible form and accepting their offerings lovingly.

In all the Swaminarayan temples, the courtyard or the front portion of the idols are very wide, so that everybody : can see God minutely, concentrate his mind and meditate, upon calmly.

Thereby, he can realize God easily.

In these temples, all the worshipping ceremonies are performed by the celibate Brahmacharis or the Saints. ln such huge temples, there is seperate arrangement for ladies to have darshan. So that a male and a female may not touch each other, and no corruption or any sort of demorality may occur in future.

Hari Mandirs, The small temples Lord Swaminarayan got constructed two temples in every village. One for males and the other for females. In these temples, the picturesque images of Lord Swaminarayan! in various different poses are installed viz., sitting in assembly, on mare Manaki, in the swing or with Acharya, Brahmacharis, Saints, devotees etc. In the temples for males, all the ceremonies are performed by males.Similarly, in the temples for females, all the ceremonies are performed by females only. Reading of scriptures preachings and all the festive ceremonies are performed by them, In these small temples, the Arati is generally performed twice only (morning and evening.)

Individual worshipping Lord Swaminarayan got prepared blocks by Narayanji Mistri for the pictures of Nar-Narayan, Radhakrishna, Vasudev Narayan, Nilkanth Varni in penancing posture. His posture of writing Shiksha patri, sitting in assembly, the sixteen signs in the sole of His feet denoting Him as Almighty God etc. These pictures were printed from these blocks and were given to all the devotees to worship them individually.

No devotee takes even water before worshipping these picturesque images. They worship them as the perceptible formof Lord.

Acharyas, the managing heads of Sampraday Swaminarayan Sampraday had been spread up far and wide in India. For the easy management. Lord Swaminarayan divided India into two divisions drawing a demarcation from Calcutta to Dwarka and declared the boundary places, viz., Calcutta, Kashi, Ujjain, Ratlam, Dohad, Godhra, Mehamdabad Kheda, Dhandhuka, Chotila, Rajkot, Navanagar, Okha, Dwarka etc.

North of this is known as the Uttar Desh i.e, North zone. South of this including the demarcation cities is known as the Dakshin Desh i.e, South Zone.

Lord Swaminarayan built up a huge temple at Ahmedabad, installed the images of Nar Narayan in it and made it the centre of the Acharyaship of Uttar Desh. Another huge temple was built at Vadtal, installed the images of Laxminarayan in it and made it the centre of Dakshin Desh. The North division is known as the Nar-Narayan Desh. The south division is known as the Laxminarayan desh.

For the installations of images in the temples and for the initiations of disciples, He selected two persons from the Dharmadev’s family. He selected Ayodhyaprasadji, the third son of His elder brother Rampratapaji, and appointed him as the Acharya of the North division i.e. Nar Narayan Desh. Secondly, He selected Raghuvirji, the second son of His younger brother Ichharamji and appointed him as Acharya of the south division i.e. Laxminarayan Desh. He appointed and declared them as Acharyas at Vadtal in S. year 1882 on the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of Kartik on Tuesday 21 -11 -1825 A. D. Lord Swaminarayan authorized these two Acharyas to install the images of God in His temples and to initiate simple i.e., Samanya Diksha and specific i.e. Bhagawati Maha Diksha, to his disciples in their respective jurisdictions only. Nobody else is

authorized for installations or initiations. Lord has promised to reside specifically in the images installed by these Acharyas.

These Acharyas are authorized to initiate the male disciples only. Their wives are authorized to initiate the female disciples with the consent of their husbands in their respective jurisdictions only.

In case, any devotee of Lord Swaminarayan is of higher religious and spiritual status in every respects than these two Acharyas even then he is not authorized to install images in the temples or to initiate the devotees.

Thus it is clear that in a temple, images are not installed by any of these two Acharyas, is not a temple of Lord Swaminarayan. And if anybody who is not initiated by these Acharyas or their wives, is not the Follower of lord Swaminarayan. Any other member of the Dharmadev’s Family except the Acharyas of Ahmedabad and Vadtal, is also not authorized to install the images or to initiate his disciples.

Desh Vibhag Lekh Desh Vibhag Lekh is the constitution of the Sampradaya.

Lord dictated personally and (got written on the full moon day of the month of Magsar in S. Y. 1883 (1827 A.D.) got attested and witnessed by respected persons and handed it over to the Acharyas, at Vadtal.

In this Lekh, Lord has mentioned the position and the status of the Acharyas in the Sampraday, their duties, the demarcation of the two zones, the management of the Dharmadav, the heir, the merit and the suitability of Acharyaship etc.

The Acharyaship is not on the hereditary base. It is on the hereditary-cum-merit base. Acharya should be selected form the Dharmadev’s descendents only. But he should be fit for the Acharyaship in every respect. He must be learned, pious, virtuous, moral, ardent, single-minded devotee of Lord and well aware of management. If an Acharya has more than one sons, none has got any right of Acharyaship. The fit and able should be

appointed as Acharya. If an Acharya has no son or he has sons but unfit for the Acharyaship, leaving themiaMaside,a fit and able person from the Dharmadev’s should beappointed as Acharya, but not one else who is not the descendent of Dharmadev.

If any Acharya violates the religious rites or if he is unfit for the Acharyaship, the tyagis i.e, the Saints and the other householder devotees jointly can remove him and select anybody else fit from the Dharmadev’s family only, and not anybody else who is not the descendent of Dharmadev, The visible signs of Swaminarayan’s devotee A policeman or a soldier has to put on his uniform with the badges. Thereby, they are recognized as who they are with rank they hold. Similarly, a devotee of Lord Swaminarayan has to put on some particular religious signs to be recognized as His devotee.

All the devotees have to put on Kanthi, the double threaded tulsi bead rosary around their necks. They may be from tulsi, sandal-wood, Awla, bili or any other pious wood. The brahmins, Kshatriyas,s Vaishyas and the Sat-shudras should apply on their foreheads, two arms and on bosoms, the tilak i.e, vertical double lined mark with the paste of sandal wood or gopichandan.. the remaining from the worship of Lord. They should make a round mark in the midst of it with the same paste. They may apply the round red mark of kumkum in the midst of tilak on forehead.

The ladies whose husbands are alive should make red mark of kumkum only on their foreheads. A widow has not to put on any mark except tulsi bead rosary. The Asat-Shudras, who are working with filth have to put on red kumkum mark on their foreheads and the tulsi bead rosary around their necks. The kanthi is common for all.

Also the devotees of Lord have to mark on his or her arms, the signs of four adorning weapons of God. The Shankh (conch)

Chakra (disc or wheel) Gada (Mace) Padma (lotus). The metallic blocks of these are heated and applied on their arms at Vadtal.

A lady, whose husband is alive, will never show her face to anybody without the red kum-kum mark on her forehead, so long her husband is alive. She has so much respect and honour for her mortal husband. The Kanthi, the tilak and the round mark of chandan or kumkum on forehead are the signs of the refuge^hess to God Supreme. If anybody feekashamed to put on these signs, he has not known the greatness of God Supreme similar to a lady has for her mortal husband.

The initiation (Diksha) and its types There are two types of initiations. Samanya Diksha i.e, ordinary and Bhagawati Maha Diksha i.e, the specific, One who wants to embrace Swaminarayism has to take first the panch vartaman i,e,the five basic vows from the leading Saints, then he can get Samanya diksha from the Acharya of his jurisdiction.

While initiations, Acharya repeats the ‘ Sharan Mantra’, the ‘ Ashtakshar Mantra ‘ i.e., the eight lettered divine charm in his ear. Similarly, the ladies may take this Samanya diksha from the wife of the Acharya of her jurisdiction.

If brahmin devotee renounces, he is given the Bhagawati Maha Diksha with the specific Brahma Mantra. He is known as varni or Brahmachari. If a Kshatri or a Vaishya renounces, he is given the same diksha, but known as Sadhu. If a Sat-Shudra renounces, he is known Parshad.

A Varni, i.e., Brahmachari has to put on white dhoti has to cover upper body with a saffron dhoti and to tie a saffron dhoti as turban on his head with a red cap inside it. A Sadhu has to put on all the saffron clothes. A Parshad has to put on all the white clothes.

The brahmacharis are utilized for the worshipping the idols of God in the temples. They may preach the public when and where they get time. The Sadhus are utilized for the preaching work. Due to shortage of Brahmacharis, Sadhus are also utilized

for worshipping the idols in the temples. Also, both are utilized for the management of the temples.

The Parshads have to do all the general work of the temples and to help in management.

The Sadhus and the Brahmacharis are strictly restricted to touch the money and to speak with ladies. So, this work is taken by the Parshads. They may remain in small temples for meals and perform worshipping duty also.

Initiations (Diksha) to ladies Both the types of Diksha are given to ladies also by the wife of the Acharya with the consent of her husband. The ladies who have taken Maha Diksha are known as Sankhya yogi. They may remain with the wife of Acharya as her attendent, or they may remain in the specific places in the huge temples in groups or they may remain in the village female temples. They worship the images in the temples, read the scriptures for ladies and lead them to devotion of God. A house-holder gurus of the Tyagis, A Novel procedure The status of a tyagi is always considered higher than the house-holder everywhere. So, the tyagis are appointed as gurus in the religious fields.

Lord Swaminarayan appointed the house-holder Acharyas.

These Acharyas are treated as the guru of even tha tyagis. The Maha Diksha to the tyagis is also given by these Acharyas. Only the saffron clothes and the worshipping materials are given by his tyagi guru.

It is already said that a male and a female are naturally attracted towords each other. Their frequent meeting converts into corruption in long run. Innumerable such incidents are noted by the history and the scriptures. To prevent such corruption in the religious field. Lord Swaminarayan has appointed the householder Acharyas.

There must be a guru for initiation. If the guru is tyagi, female may go to him for intiation and may serve him also. So, a moral downfall is sure to occur in long run.

Lord Swaminarayan has appointed the house-holder gurus and authorized them to initiate males only.

Their wives may initiate the ladies only with the consent of their husbands. The contact of males and the females in religious field and the demorality thereby, is completely avoided by Lord Swaminarayan. The path of the salvation became free from obstacles.

Lord Swaminarayan has given the highest authority to the wife of Acharyas for initiation to the ladies i.e, equivalent to that of the males, which is not given elsewhere in the religious field.

For preaching, the females, they must be learned. Lord encouraged the female education. Within a short time, many females were educated and were able enough to preach. Lord Swaminarayan uplifted them in every respect.

Genealogy.of the Acharyas of Swaminaranism Shree Ramanand Swami (Uddhavji) Shree Sahajanand Swami (Parabrahma Parmatma) Two Gadis (1) Ahemedabad (2) Vadtal At Ahmedabad Sr.

No.

1.

2.

3.

Name Death

Ayodhya1924 Prasadji 1868 Keshav1946 Prasadji 1890 Purushottam 1958

S.year/ A.D.�

Birth

Acharya

ship

S. year

1865

A. D.

1809

1826

S. year

1891

1924

A. D.

1835

1868

S. year

1926

1946

4.

5.

6.

7.

Sr. No.

1.

2.

1882 3.

4.

Prasadji 1902 Vasudev 1993 Prasadji 1837 Devendra 2025 Prasadji 1969 Tejendra Prasadji Koshalendra Prasadji (Lalji) Name Death

Reghuvirji 1919 1863 Bhagwat 1935 Prasadji 1879 Viharilalji 1955 1899 Laxmpriasadji left

A. D.

1870

1890

S. year

1955

1958

A. D.

1899

1902

S. year

1978

1993

A. D.

1922

1937

S. year A. D. S. yaar A. D.

2000 1944 2028 1972

2025 1969

S.year/ A.D.�

At Vadtal Birth

Acharya ship

S. Year

1868

A.D.

1812

1826

S. year

1894

1913

A. D

1838

1857

S. year

1908

1935

A. D

1832

1879

S. year

1948

1955

vo.ly

1882

A. D

1892

1899

tarily 5.

Shripati S. year 1935 1965 1987 Prasadji A. D 1879 1909 1931 6.

Anand S. year 1962 1987 2030 Prasadji A. D 1906 1931 1974 7.

Narendra S. year 1986 2015 2042 Prasadji A. D 1930 1959 1986 8.

Ajendra S. year 2005 2040 Prasadji A. D 1949 1984 9.

Rakesh Prasadji 10. Saurabh Prasadji (Lalji) The scriptures of Sampraday Lord has said in Vachanamrit, Gadhada Madhada 58. “A scripture describing the cause for Almighty God to take birth on the earth, His life long activities to propagate the Bhagawat Dharma with virtuous moral conduct and single-minded devotion to God Supreme, His redemptive principles, His divine glory and the upliftment of the society, will become the most helpful for the sampraday to prolong further for ever.

For this Lord Swaminarayan Himself first wrote Shikshapatri in Sanskrit. He asked other literate saints to write such type of scriptures in Sanskrit and in vernacular language.

Lord Swaminarayan wrote Shikshpatri at Vadtal in Sy. y. 1882 on the fifth day of the bright half of the month of Magh on Monday 122-1826 A.D. Lord wrote it in Sanskrit. It is tyranslated in many Language Viz. Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, English, Tamil, Kannad etc. Now it has been translat3d in Spanish Language also.

Shikshapatri is procreated from the heart of Almighty God Supreme, written by His own hand, the essence of all the scriptures, a code of conduct for welfare and the benefit of all the souls. It is the redemptive divine speech of Almighty God which will remain on this earth for ever for the welfare of all the souls whomsoever contemplate it, follows it and observes it, may be His follower or not. It is the divine perceptible form of Almighty God. In Shikshapatri, Lord has insisted on non-violence. He has forbidden killing of even the smallest insects, suicide, cutting any part of body, speaking of harsh or abusive language. Not to use water, ghee oil, milk etc, unfiltered. Not to take any medicine even, mixed with liquor or non-veg. Meat eating and intoxication are strictly prohibited. One who transgresses His panch vartaman (basic vows) is not accepted by Him as His follower.

He has written in Shikshapatri, the behaviour of an ideal human life with piousness of thoughts, speech and behaviour along with morality. He has given in it guidance for daily rites, the behaviour in the family and the society.

He has said not to slander any deity, holyplaces, brahmins, chaste, lady Saints, vedas etc. If one happens to pass by a temple of Shiva etc., he should pay homage or have darshan if possible. Vishnu, Shiva, Ganapati, Parvati, and the Sun are always treated as venerable. The birth days of Lord Shiva, Ganapati, Hanumanji, and the incarnations of God etc., should be celebrated. Not to slander any of them. All are the administrators of the cosmic kingdom, utilized by God investing His power in them. Thus, he has preached the Monothiesm. He has given the spiritual and philosophical knowledge in very short from verse 93 to 121. Thereafter, he has given the specific codes of conduct for Acharyas, their wives, House-holders, Kings, ladies with husband alive, widows, brahmacharis, sadhus etc.

He has given the essence required for the welfare of human life and the life thereafter very shortly in only 212 verses.

In the verse 209, He has told that the Shikshapatri is His divine perceptible form depicted in words. Thinking it as His perceptible divine form, if anybody adopts it, follows it, and observes it, thoroughly and worships God Supreme, Lord has assured to give him the ultimate redemption.

If anybody sips nectar knowingly or unknowingly, he becomes immortal. If anybody takes poison knowingly or unknowingly, he dies. If anybody touches the fire knowingly or unknowingly it burns him. Similarly, if anybody adopts, follows and observes these commandments knowingly or unknowingly, will definitely get redemption gradually. If anybody transgresses these commandments, is not accepted by Him as His follower.

Shikshapatri is the code of conduct within only 212 verses written by Lord Swaminarayan for the welfare and the benefit of all.

Shreemad Satsangi Jivanam Shreemad Satsangi Jivanam is a main divine scriptures describing the life activities of Lord Swaminarayan from His birth to the death for the welfare and upliftment of innumerable souls. Also it describes His philosophy and profound spiritual knowledge with ardent staunch devotion, non-attachmant towards worldly objects, the way for ultimate redemption, the obstacles therein, the way to get rid of them, the stage, the ecstacy and the bliss in Akshardham.

Lord Swaminarayan gave Omniscient power i.e, trikaldarshan to the great Saint Shatanand, enjoined him to write the philosophy, the movement and the life activities of Lord for the wide spread of His theory. It is written in Sanskrit. It was read day by day and was authenticated by Lord Himself. It contains 319 chapters and 17627 verses.

After its completion. Lord held it on His head and took it to Laxmi wadi with a grand procession with music bands, etc, all singing the glory of God, and came back with same pomp and

pleasure. Each and every point for redemption is described thoroughly in it.

Vachanamrit. The divine speech of God Supreme Vachanamrit is the nectar of all the spiritual and philosophical knowledge extracted by Lord Swaminarayan from all the scriptures for easy salvation of the souls.

It contains all tfie spiritual as well as philosophical mysterial as well as the simple questions asked by the Saints or the other devotees and the replies thereupon by Lord. Many a times, Lord has asked the question and answered also by Him. The answers given by Lord are so easy in very simple lucid language that even the illiterate or one who is only able to read can also understand easily. All the questions pertaining to the welfare in this world and the salvation thereafter, are asked and lucidly replied by Lord.

In each and every Vachanamrit, the day of the fortnight, with month, the time and, the year, the place, the name of the house owner, the type of Lord’s dressings, the ornaments the garlancfput on by Lord, the direction of His,face, the’ name of the main members of the assembly, is described in the first paragraph. It proves that these questions and the answers thereupon by Lord are not imaginary produced or created by some body. But they are the facts. The names of the persons asking question, is also mentioned in the Vachanamrits.

If anybody reads first paragraph attentively and meditate upon Lord along with dressings, garlands, ornaments etc., and then if he reads the questions and the answers, he will understand easily and thoroughly.

The great Saints Muktanandswami, Gopalanandswami, Nityanandswami, an^t Shukanandswami heard, collected and compiled the original words of Lord Swaminarayan and got them authenticated by Him. These Vachanamrits were thousands in number, but Lord has selected 262 only. The repeatations are avoided.

Vachanamrit contains all the spiritual and philosophical questions with their lucid and clear answers. If anybody reads them attentively, he need not to read any scripture further for his ultimate redemption.

Vachanamrit is the first prose volume in the Gujarati literature.

Bhaktachintamani Bhaktachintamani, is composed by Niskulanandswami by Lord’s order in 164 chapters in Gujarati in very simple poetic form.

He has described all the ctivities of Lord Swaminarayan from birth to death for the upliftment of all the souls. He has described all the Vishnuyagas, festivals, the obstacles in preachings, the temples and the spiritual and philosophical knowledge etc., Also he has given the names of all the devotees of Lord regionwise and villagewise.

People read and sing it lovingly some marvellous events of lord and devotees are also noted in it Hari Digvijay is composed by the great saint Nityanand . by Lord’s order in Sanskrit in 49 chapters. He has described in detail the characteristics of Atma (soul), Parmatman and Maya thoroughly and very distinctly.

Other Scriptures Gopalanandswami has composed Bhagwat Geeta Bhashya, Shatanandswami has composed Hari Vakya Sudha Sindhu, Vasudevanand Varni has composed Satsang Bhushan.

Mahanubhavanand Swami has composed Harikrishna Leelamrit, Akhandanand Varni has composed Shree Hari Charitra.

Achintyanand Varni has composed Hari Leela Kalpataru. Many other saints have composed many other scriptures.

These are alTgreat volumes composed in Sanskrit.

The Poets of Sampraday There were many born poets in Lord’s divine mission, viz., Muktanand, Brahmanand, Premanand, Nishkulanand, Devanand, for whom we have mentioned previously-Bhumanand, Manjukeshanand, Jayaram Brahmachari and Madhavdasji were

also the great poet Saints. Krishnanand, Dayanand, Purnanand, Yoganand and Sukhanand were the Saint Poets. Govindram, Bhoja Charan, Acharya Viharilalji and Dalpatram were also poet devotees. Acharya Ayodhyapradji was a poet in Hindi.

Muktanand, Brahmanand, Premanand, Nishkulanand and Dalpatram, have composed many works in Hindi also.

Adharanand Swami has composed Shree Hari Charitramrit Sagar in Hindi in one lakh chopais, which is equivalent to two lakhs verses. Narandas, who was treated as untouchable by upper society, became staunch devotee of Lord. He has composed “ Bhakti Prakash “.

Lord’s ever presence Lord has established the Acharyas in the pious Dharmadev’s family and said, “ These are my representatives, I’ll stay in them permanently. They are vice me. The images installed by me or by the Acharyas of Vadtal or Ahmedabad Gadi are also my perceptible forms. I’ll stay in them also permanently. The scriptures written by me or got written by me viz., Shikshapatri, Vachanamrit, Satsangi Jivan, Hari Digvijay, Bhakta Chintamani and Desh Vibhag lekh etc, are my perceptible forms depicted in words. I’ll stay in them permanently as ever present. Similarly, the Saints initiated by these Acharyas and those who are faithful and abide by the Acharyas, and the gadi and these scriptures, and who are very strict in observance of their dharmas with ardent, staunch, single-minded devotion to God are also my perceptible form. They are not God but I stay in them permanently.

If anybody resorts to all the four aforesaid with devotion, I’ll give him salvation. Slander of any of these four, is considered as my slanderer “.

Lord’s inspiration for physical labour Lord has done many works for the welfare of the public.

All were done by His labour with His devotees. When there were Alms-houses, He personally used to go to collect food-grains.

He used to grind them, prepare food from them, and feed the needies. He got dug lake at Kariyani and Gomati at Vadtal. He got dug step-well at Mangarol and wells at various places for the facility of water. He got constructed huge temples at Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Vadtal, Dholera, Junagadha Gadhada etc. wherever He was present, He has participated in every work. Even he has carried bricks, stones and the baskets of earth on His head and encouraged everybody. In His fellowship, there were many carpenters, blacksmiths, masons, architects and other artists also.

They all with other devotees worked very hard in the construction of temples and at the time of the festivals to make them more successful and splendid.

Lord has given an example of self labour to the public.

Lord Swaminarayan’s Saints from various provinces The great saints of Lord’s fellowship were from various provinces of India. Laxmandas, the head of Ramgalola monastery at Ayodhya, became a great Saint Anandanand Swami (Senior). Swayamprakashanand Swami was a head of monestary in Bengal. Nrisinhanand (senior) was also from Bengal. Magniram Deviwala the Adwaitanand, Ramanujanand and Gopalanand (junior) ware from Tamilnadu, Shatanand Swami was from Mithilapuri in U. P. Sukhanand Swami and Jijnasanand were from Bihar. Vyapakanand Swami and Nrisinhanand (junior) Iwere from Orissa. Swarupanand, Kripanand, Sadanand, Virbhadranand, Tatwanand, were all from Uttar Pradesh. Nityanand Swami was the owner of Datia state near Gwalior. Brahmanand Swami was from Khangam, near Abu. There were many saints from Khandesh.

There are at present, many temples of Lord Swami-narayan, out of Gujarat in Maharashtra, Marwar and Rajasthan.

The dedicated staunch devotee One who observes Bhagawat Dharma i.e. firm in virtuous, moral, pious behaviour with non-violence, celibacy etc. one who

has profound thorough knowledge of Jiva, Ishwar, Maya, Brahman and Parabrahman, one who knows the way for salvation and its bliss in the Akshardham, one who is not attached at all to worldly objects and one who worships God supreme ardently single-minded, is a firm and staunch devotee of God. These devotees must have three specific qualities.

(1) Most humble obedlience to God (Niyam) (2) Staunch and firm devotion (Nishchaya) (3) Affectionate attachment towards Lord and His devotees (Paksha) One who has these three specific qualities, is known as ti e dedicated staunch devotee of God. Niyam : one haS to abide by the commandments as an humble obedient servant. By obeying the orders, parents are pleased.

Masters, gurus, officers and the superiors are also pleased.

Similarly, one who obeys His orders, and observes all the commandments strictly, God Supreme will be pleased too much.

Only by a letter, the eighteen reputed persons left home and becanve saints. Dosabharxif Bandhia left home only by a letter.

Sundarji Sutar, the Secretary of the King °f Bhuj became a saint by only a word. Galuji of Dadusar ‘eft home by a letter and went back by order Lalji Sutar. of Shekhpat, while going with Lord as a guide, he renounced by a word on the way and became Nishkulanand Swami and begged aim from his wife. Prabhashankar of Piplav, while going with procession for his own marriage, went to Gadhada leaving it aside. Kalyandas of Kadu left from marriage altar and became Adbhutanand Swami. These are only a few examples. God Supreme is pleased too much over those, who obey His orders strictly without any doubt.

Nishchay: Unswerving firm resort of God. One who has thoroughly known and decided in his mind that there is a great deal of splendid glorious divine light beyond Maya, and Lord Supreme dwells in it in perceptible divine human form.

He is the cause of all the causes.

All-in-all Almighty God

Supreme, the creator and the controller of all.

He has incarnated as Sahajanand Swsmi, Lord Swaminarayarn on the earth.

He is worth to be prayed and worshipped for ultimate redemption.If rfe behaves improperly, then, even one does not doubt at all about His Supremacy, is the firm and staunch devotee of God. If he is not saved from the tremendous pains and agonies even then, he woun’t doubt about His Supremacy.

There lived in Suoedi village, near Dhoraji, a staunch devotee named Dahya Bhakta. His father was envious Lord and was very cruel. To make him leave up Lord’s devotion, his father tied his feet by rope, hanged him and dipped in well in water again and again, God saved him. Again, he was tied up high on a pillar. Lord released him and took him to Gadhada. He stayed there till his death.

A muslim devotee named Dosabhai, lived at Ahmedabad.

To leave up his devotion towards Lord, his father and other relatives tied him up with a pillar twice, but Lord released him and took him away. Again, they tied his hands and legs and burried him alive in a deep pit and built up a tomb over it.

Even then, he did not utter a single word except ” Swaminarayan.” When they all reached home, they saw ‘him there singing Lord’s glory.

To leave up the devotion of Lord at Sunderiyana Vanasha, Pujasha, Bhagasha, the descendents of Hemrajshah were excommunicated from their caste, but they did not leave up Lord’s devotion. Even now, they are out of their own caste. They are accepted by other devotee group. They worshipped Lord ardently.

When Lord Swaminarayan started His mission, many of His followers were beaten harshly, were held for false charges and were harassed too much, but nobody left His devotion. This is firm unswerving devotion.

Paksha : Affectionate attachment towards Lord and His devotees as if one’s own relatives. The relation of the relatives is selfish and it is only for some years. After departure, they ramble in the death and birth cycle. Their close association and affection also becomes the cause for others to ramble in that cycle. The relation with devotees is divine, real and everlasting, They will stay together in Akshardham for ever.

Kamalshi Vanza of Mangrol was a staunch devotee of Lord.

Since, he accepted Lord’s fellowship, his wife and sons left him.

He was ill and bed-ridden. Nobody served him. He was starving.

Darbar Jinabhai (Hemant Singh) of Panchala, was also a Private secretary of the Nawab of Junagadh. He had been to Mangrol. He heard this. He took him in a cot, but he could get only three fellows to carry. He shouldered himself and carried him to his house, served him, kept him, for six months, gave him foodgrains and clothes etc, and asked to stay seperate and to come again to him if any trouble arose.

Lord was very pleased. When Jinabhai left this world, Lord shouldered his pier, who had not shouldered anybody except His parents and Guru Ramanand Swami.

At Dhari, a staunch devotee named Raghavji and some other fellow had taken a contract for collecting the revenue. They had a loss of one thousand rupees. They could not pay. So, they were taken into custody. The Mahajan (the merchant union) paid the “amount vice them and released. While coming out, Raghavji said, “ Oh Lord Swaminarayan, you have kept my prestige.”

Knowing him as devotee of Lord Swaminarayan, some one of them refused to release him. They took back five hundred ruppes and Raghavji was put again into custory.

There lived two staunch devotees of Lord. They thought, “Had our parents a third son, he would have parted the property and we would have given. Adevotee of Lord is our real relative.

Tehy borrowed five hundred rupees from the Mahajan, paid vice him and got Raghavji released. Lord was pleased. At the time of

the next festival, Lord called and embraced them on the stage in the midst of the assembly.

One who has these three specific qualities, is a dedicated staunch devotee of God. For ultimate redemption, one must have these qualities.

Ultimate redemption is attainable only by experiencing the ever presence of Lord Lord has said, for ultimate redemoption, one should experience as Lord is ever present in the idols installed by him or

by His Acharyas. Further, he has said, the divine form of Almighty God in Akshardahm, the idol named Hrikrishna installed by Him at Vadtal and the innumerable sould, named Sahajanand Swami, Lord Swaminarayan, are alll one and the same.

The idols or the images installed by the Acharyas of Vadtal and Ahmedabad and the imagaes given by them for individual worshipping shoudl be known and expreienced as the ever present perceptible form of God Supreme. One should not feel it as metal, marble or a picture.

One should feel and worship the idols as His ever present perceptible form and whatsoever he offers, Lord accepts it lovingly. By such feeling only, the ultimate redempiton is attainable.

The actions of a devotte free from bondage A soul has to enjoy or suffer the result of all his actions, may be good or bad. Also he does not remain without actons and without a body. He acts through the three types of his body viz., gross, subtle and causal. He acts, To enjoy its result, he takes birth. There he acts again and takes birth again. Thus, he rambles in the ever lasting cycle of deaths and births. None can escape from it. To change the direction of his actions towards God, is ithe only remedy to get rid of this ever lasting cycle.

All the activities of a non-devotee is only for his enjoyment and his pleasure. A devotee of God acts similarly but his aim and

the direction of his action is towards God. He remembers God in all his activities. So they are connected with him.

A mangnet attracts the pieces of iron. By touch. it becomes also a magnet and attacts other piece of iron.

God Supreme is free from all the bondages. He has not to enjoy or suffer for His actions. Similarly, a devotee whose all actions are attached to God Supreme becomes free from all the bondages. It becomes devotional and divine. Such type of devotee gets ultimate redemption and the ecstacy and bliss in the ultimate redemption and the ecstacy and bliss in the ultimate Abode Akshardham.

Manasi Pooja. The mental worshippin Lord Swaminarayan has inisted on Manasi Pooja i.e. mental worshipping. In qutward worship, the mind of a devotee may shirk away and wander anywhere, In manasi pooja he has to concetrate his mind and has to perform the mental worship. Lord has asked to perform mental worship five times a day.

By daily constant practice, one can realize and attain God Surpreme very easily. So mental worship is absolutely necessary.

Moltotheism Lord has said, there is only one Almighty God Supreme, who is pervaded everywhere in all the universes. He is ‘worshipped by different names and different forms. He has incarnated on earth in various forms as and when required according to situation.

They may be in various forms but the power invested in them, is of one and the same God Supreme. Some of them are administrators of the divine Kingdom. They are associated with God Supreme, similar to a body and the soul in it. All are treated as form of God and are venerable.

By this understanding, Gods, Goddesses, Vedas, holy places, Sadhus, Satis, Brahmins should never be slandered. If one happens to pass by a temple of Lord Shiva. Ganapati etc. one should pay homage. Lord Vishnu, Shiva, Ganapati, Parvati and Sun God should be treated as Venerable.

Birth day of

Lord Shree Krishna, Rama, Shiva etc. should be celebrated. Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva work unitedly for one and the same universe. So they are known as one. All are the dependent forms of one and the God Supreme. All are venerable. This is his Monotheism.

For meditation and for worshipping, there should be only one form of God and only one name. One should worship ardently single-minded. Almighty God Supreme for his ultimate redemption. None except Him can make reach anybody to that highest stage. Others can make them to reach upto their own stages and not beyond them.

His unique Vow There are some examples noted in the scriptures that if a staunch devotee of God leaves his body, God has sent his attendents or Muktas to take him to His Abode.

Lord Swaminarayan has sworn, “ If any of my ardent staunch devotee leaves his body, I will go personally to take him to My Abode, Akshardham.

Kaal, i.e. the age, the power of God, Karma, his actions, Maya, the cause of ignorance and yama doot, the servants of the God of death, none of them can even look at such staunch devotees.

To a staunch devotee, whose death is in near future, Lord Swaminarayan gives him. His divine vision and tells him the day, date and the time for his final departure. The devotee declares it to other devotees, gathers them at his departure, sings the glory of God takes farewell and passes away with Lord.

At Bhuj, Ladhiba and Mataji both the ladies collected the devotees, sang glory of God, took farewell, said “Jai Swaminarayan “ to all and left at a time. Both were carried in one and the same bier and cremated in one and the same pyre.

Rana Rajgar of Golida, declared his final departure.

He called all the devotees and asked if anybody wanted to go with him. One of his brother's son and his mother both were

ready to go He told his mother to come to take heign the thirteenth day of his death. He and his son both sang the glory of God, took farewell with ‘Jay Swaminarayan’ and left at a time.

His mother left her body on the thirteenth day with farewell and ‘Jai Swaminarayan’.

A servant of Alaiya Khachar of Zinzavadar, named Jesal, who was also a staunch devotee of Lord, left his body without pre-declaration. The dead body was taken for cremation. Alaiya’s brother doubted about Lord’s arrival. Alaiya Khachar took him to the crematory. The pyre was about to be lighted. Alaiya Khachar called him by his name as ‘ Jesal’ thrice. Suddenly, Jesal got up on the pyre and asked, “ Why have you called me ?” He cleared the doubt, sang glory of God, took farewell, said ‘Jai Swaminarayan’and left again.

On 15-11-1990 Ramaben the wife of Bhogilal Bhavsar residing at Ghatkopar declared in the morning about her going to Akshardham. At night after supper She gave KumKum to Bhogilal and asked hime to apply on her forehead Bhogilal didi so. He wa sitting ob bed sted. Ramaben brought Vachanamrit and asked him to read she at on chair in front of him. After about five minutes She said “Lord Swaminarayan has come “Saying Jai Swaminarayan to all She Left body on chair itself in sitting posture There are too many such incidents of devotees declaring the day date and the time of their final departure. Even today, we can hear such examples. Many a times. Lord Swaminarayan gives His divine vision to the other devotees and non-devotees also to witness them.

Lord is spell-bound by deep pure love God Supreme can be subdued by deep pure love and not by any other means. Lord Vishnu serves Bali Raja as a doorkeeper due to his pure deep love.

Once Lord started with all the saints and other devotees for Vadtal for a festival there. Usually, Lord would ask Jaya (Jivuba), Lalita (Laduba) and Rajbai before going anywhere for festival or would atleast inform them about His movement. They would allow and request for His early return. That day. Lord started without informing them. These ladies grieved too much for long seperation of Lord and the uncertainty of His return.

Lord drove Manaki, His mare. She went to the gate and came back to those ladies and stood before them. She was driven thrice but she came back. These ladies meditated upon Lord with Manaki firmly and blocked up the sight of Manaki. She could not see anything beyond the gate.

Lord then requested to the ladies to permit Him to go. The ladies requested Him to return early. Manaki then started with astonishing speed. Premanand Swami, who was present and saw this, composed a hymn, “ Manakiye Chadyare Mohan Vanamali.�

It is a procedure that a devotee may ask the permission from Lord, but not Lord from a devotee.

Here Lord requests permission from devotees.

Due to the pure, deep and innocent love of these ladies. Lord was as if spell-bound. He could not leave the place without their permission.

Lord Swaminarayan Manifests Himself in various forms at various places On the twelfth day of the bright half of Kartik of Vikram Samvat year 1881 (1824 A.D), Lord Shree Swaminarayan established a huge temple at Vadtal. Hereafter, by the earnest request of the devotees of Surat, He went direct there with all the Sadhus and thousands of other devotees.

A great festival was celebrated at Surat from the eighth day of dark thalf of the month of Karik to the second day of the bright half of the month of Magshar.

A considerable time had passed since the departure of Lord Swaminarayan from Gadhada. The staunch ardent devotees of Gadhada had not seen Lord, since a long time, so they grieved too much. Some of them left food also and were very much anxious to see Him. To remove their anxiety and to give them peace and pleasure of His divine vision Lord manifested Himself at Gadhada with all the Sadhus and all the other devotees on the second day of the bright half of the month of Magshar, ie, on 2211-1824. All were very pleased. A grand meeting was held.

Questions were asked by the two Acharyas. Lord replied them and gave very effective sermons. After that all of them disappeared.

In the history of the Sampradaya, a great festival is recorded on the second day of the bright half of the month of Magshar in Samvat year 1881 i.e, on 22-11-1824 at Surat. On the very same day, a huge gathering is also recorded at Gadhada. The questions and answers and the effective sermons of that day are also recorded in the 62nd Vachanamrit in the second chapter of Gadhada with date month and year. Thus, Lord Swaminarayan took double forms of all the Sadhus, Varnis (Brahmacharis) and other devotees to remove the agonies and anxieties of the ardent devotees of Gadhada.

By the request of Jinabhai of Panchala, a festival of Fuldol i.e, the birth day of Lord Nar-Narayan, was arranged-At night, the Saint devotees started to sing devotional hymns (Ras) in circular form. Lord also associated with them. The minds of all the Saints were concentrated with deep love in the human Form of Lord.

They were so much engrossed in the glorious human form of Lord Swaminarayan that they lost their entity.

To give them the extreme divine pleasure. Lord manifested as many as five hundred most attractive, Glorious, splendid human forms because the Saints were, also five hundred, Lord took His position in between every two Saints. He also started singing devotional hymns with theminthe same circular form. The

resultant divine Ras was witnessed b^ heavenly bodies like In the Fuldol Utsav (festival) at Vadtal, Lord Swaminarayan Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and other deities. sat in a circular decorated swing having twelve portals all around.

The joy, the happiness and the pleasure bestowed upon them The devotees were in lakhs. It was very difficult to go near to see

by Lord, the thrill experienced by the Saints and the divine scene Lord and to offer their presents. Lord took up twelve forms (in took place, were all unimaginary and undescribable, None can each portal) so that everybody could see Him from every portal guess it or imagine it. It can only be self-experienced. simultaneously. He accepted all the presents from all the devotees Devotees of Akha and Piplana villages invited Lord in person and returned by stretching His hand upto the devotee.

Swaminarayan at their villages at one and the same time. Lord The unique swing with twelve portals is still kept for display agreed and told them to go earlier for the prior arrangements. at Vadtal, but the portals are seperated from the swing.

Lord took double forms of all the Saints and devotees i.e, one Thus, by various divine forms, he has pleased and satisfied extra of each of them and went to both the villages all the devotees. simultaneously. When people knew the dual forms of every Whenever and wherever the staunch, ardent, single-minded body, they rushed frequently from one village to another to see devotees remembered Him heartily, Lord has presented Himself this. They saw the same persons with Lord at both the places. All to that devotee, accepted his offerings, given him the pleasure of were very much astonished.

His glorious divine vision and bestowed upon him the blessings In the same way, at the invitations from the devotees of of ecstatic bliss at the end of his life.

Vadnagar and Visnagar, Lord Swaminarayan took the double Lord’s strange behaviour, A remembrance and meditation for devotees forms of all the Saints and all other devotees and went to both the Whenever Almighty God incarnates on the earth as a human places simultaneously and gave them the pleasure of divine being, He acts like an ordinary man. He also shows the feelings vision (Darshan). like pleasure, grief, happiness, unhappiness, bravery, cowardness, In the grand vishnuyaga at Dabhan, the prominent affection, bluntness, pride, humbleness, etc. like a common man. oppressive dacoit, Joban Pagi came there to steal the horses of the Love can be developed in equal status, and not in uneven one Kathis, especially the Manaki, the mare of ‘Lord Swaminarayan So, He also behaved like a relative, a friend, a disciple, a preacher which was very much famous. At every horse and at every mare, etc He shows humanity and divinity with such strange, in the stable, he saw Lord patting, feeding or serving them. He humorous, uneven and jocular behaviours that a devotee forgets saw Lord in the kitchen, in the meeting and at the Yagnshala, Him as Almighty God. Also, he forgets the difference between simultaneously. Looking to this, he fell at the feet of Lord, God and the devotee. God attracts their minds in such a way that Jgaving all the vices, all the atrocities, he became an ardent they forget themselves. staunch devotee.

In the divine activities, rio doubt, all are attracted. But they Parvatbhai of Agatrai and Rayadhanji of Dhamadka and think ft as not new or impossible for God Supreme. So, it some other devotees could not reach the grand vishnuyag of removes early from the memory of the devotees.

Dabhan. For them. Lord Swaminarayan manifested Himself at If God Supreme combines divinity and humanity with their places and gave them His divine vision. strange, humorous, uneven and jocular behaviour, they will

remain for ever in the memory of a devotee. It .plays a great deal jn the realization of God. , , Only meditation of His Idols is very difficult to attain Him. But, by rememberance of such activities, one can meditate upon and realize Him easily. So, Lord Swaminarayan has shown innumerable such activities for the pleasure, remembrance and the meditation for the devotees.

Both the legs in one sleeve of trouser A devotee, once offered clothes to Lord and asked Him to put on. Lord took trouser i.e, surwal, put both the legs in a sleeve and tried to push further, but could not. All laughed.

Surakhachar said, “ Maharaj, you don’t know how to put on the clothes, then how will you give us the salvation?” With a gesture of His finger. Lord put him into samadhi. He was taken to Akshardham. He saw Lord standing on the divine seat ana trying to put both the legs in only one sleeve,of trouser. Lord said, “ Sura Knachar, do I know how to give salvation ?” He replied, “ Lord, you may not know how to put on the clothes, but you know very well how to give salvation.

Please be kind enough so that we may not forget you as Almighty God, and may not doubt in your such human behaviour.”

Dining during incomplete shaving Bhav Rao (Bhavjibhai) of Savda (Burhanpur) had become the devotee of Lord, hearing His divine activities from Purrtanand and Naro Narayananand Swami. He went with them to Gadhada to see Lord. When he reached there, a barber was shaving Lord, besides the meeting under the neem tree. At the same time, Mulji Brahmachari said, “ Lord, meals is raady.” Lord told him to bring there. Brahmachari put it before Him and Lord started eating.

Bhav Rao saw this. He thought, “While shaving hair might have fallen on the body. One should take bath after it; It is indecent. He doesn’t know anything. He seems to be a mad man.

“These ignorant and blind-followers have declared him God. I

have come from about 450 kms, crossing the dense forests, even though I was prevented by my relatives. What shall I reply them ? He was disappointed, He started to rsturn from there.

Purnanand Swami stopped htm anyhow till evening meeting.

Bhav Rao while returning, passed by the assembly.

He looked at Lord. Lord with a gesture of His hand put him in to samadhi. He was taken to the divine abode Akshardham. On the divine seat, he saw Lord Swaminarayan taking meals with incomplete shaving. He was a devotee,.of Vithoba of Pandharpur. He saw Vithoba there. Lord Vithoba said, “ Lord Swaminarayan is Almighty God Supreme sitting on this divine seat, as well as He has incarnated on the earth for the salvation of innumerable souls and sitting under the neem tree at Gadhada, He is doing such strange activities to attract the minds of devotees and to give them pleasure.”

After coming out of samadhi, Bhav Rao prostrated Lord, begged for pardon and stayed for two months serving Lord lovingly.

Fear from Baba Saheb and his visit Baba Saheb, the diwan of Amreli region of Gaikwad State was maliciousto Lord Swaminarayan. Frequently he sent his army to capture Lord but they could not.

Once Lord was sitting in the court yard of Dehakhaehar at Kariyana in an assembly. Incidently, the army Saheb was passing from the river side. Lord saw it.-.

He started trembling with fear said, “ Please hide me. Baba Saheb will catch and kill me.” Saying so. He went into the house to hide Himself. Minbai said, “ Maharaj, you are Almighty God. Kala, Maya, Yamaraj, all are afraid of you, Why do you act like an ordinary man ? One who doesn’t knov\ you perfect perfectly by will fall down from your fellowship/ Lord came out of house put on royal dress and went tc river on Manaki.

Baba Saheb was just passing from there in a chariot surrounded by the brave soldiers. He looked at Lord. He saw

a great army of fifty thousand soldiers along with Lord. He was frightened. He went away After going to a distance, He thought, “Today He is with army. I’ll Him, if I find Him alone.” Lord rode after him. Reached him in the midst of army and said, “What do you wish to do? ‘I have come alone.” Baba Saheb thought, ‘ I thought in ‘my mind only. Lord Swaminarayan knew it. He is omniscient. He has got intuitive power.” He bowed down to Lord and said, “ You are Almighty God. Forgive me. I won’t envy you again.” Thus, Lord first showed fear and then visited also.

Fear from Baba Saheb and His declaration Once Lord was going to Botad. Lord was riding on Manaki.

Naja Jogiya was along with Him. On the way, they saw the army of Baba Saheb.

Lord said, “ Naja, Baba Saheb will catch me and kill. Let us run.” After sun set, they reached near Botad. The army had come previously and camped there.

Reaching near the tent of Baba Saheb, Lord said, “ Naja, fire your gun and say ‘ Jai Swaminarayan.’ They must know that I have come.

Thus, first He showed fear of Baba Saheb and then also the declared Himself Lord appeared fiercely to Jetha and Mehraman Govalia of Mandavdhar Jetha Gowalia and Mehraman Gowalia Ahir of Mandavdhar were very brave and envious with Lord and Dadakhachar, They had a dispute with Dadakhachar about the skirt of their fields at Mandavdhar.

Once Jivakhachar of Gadhada said to Lord, ‘Jetha and Mehraman have decided to come tonight with 200 armed men to kill you. Please go elsewhere. At about sun set, Lord started in a bullock-cart for Ugamedi, After going a mile or two, Lord returned the cart and drove it to Mandavdhar. Reaching there, Lord dashed the front portion of the cart to their verandah and made an explosive terrible noise

and said, “Where are Jetha and Mehraman? Come out. My sword is thirsty of your blood.” Saying so, he showed them such a form that they would be cut down with a stroke So they ran away form back door.

Marvellous scene for Piluji of Surat Ardeshar Kotwal, the city suba of Surat was a staunch devotee of Lord, but his brother Piluji (Pilusha) was doubtful about Lord’s divinity.

When Lord had been to Surat, Ardeshar welcomed Him in his orchard with all the saints and other devbtees. In the open ground, Lord put down a lemon. Lord rode on Manaki and started to move around it with good speed, As the circle becomes smaller, the mare and the rider has to lean inside. Lord made the circle very small and increased the speed marvellously. Finally, it seemed like a top (a toy) I rotating around itself. Lord looked as if the head of the top and the legs of Manaki seemed rotating around it. Lord bent downward and picked up the lemon by hand.

Piluji (Pilusha) was an expert rider. But, seeing Lord picking up the lemon by hand, he was very much surprised. He prostrated Almighty God.” He could see that scene in every work and in every stage. He worshipped Him ardently. At the end of his life, he saw Lord before him taking rounds very swiftly in a small circle and picking up the lemon.

He declared Lord’s arrival to his family members and left the body.

Similarly, Lord Swaminarayan has done many such strange and uneven life activities which attracted the minds of public and became a life long rememberance for them. It played a great part in their salvation.

Two great obstructions in ultimate redemption (I) Rejecting the divine form of Lord.

(2) A slander of devotee Lord Swaminarayan has said in Vachanamrit^ Almighty God forgives all the faults crimes and misbehaviours of a soul. But, if

one rejects the divine form of God and ons who slanders a devotee of God, are the two most serious offences of crimes which He never forgives.

Lord has given an example. If a king is bodily perfect in every respect even though anybody of his subject declares him as lame, blind or says, “ He has no hands, nose, ear etc.” is the foremost guilty of the king.

He will never forgive him.

Similarly, Almighty God is in splendid, glorious, divine, perceptible human form in the midst of the divine light i.e.

Akshardham.

One who rejects His divine form, is the foremost guilty of God which He never forgives. Such guilty has to ramble, in the deaths and births cycle for ages and ages.

There, he has to suffer tremendous, unbearable pains and agonies every moment.

Further, Lord has said. One who slanders, defames backbites a devotee of God will never be forgiven by Him. une who has killed innumerable brahmins, ladies, infants, cows or one who has committed adultery with his j reverent ladies can be forgiven by atonement. But the slandering of any devotee will never be forgiven by God. Such guilty has to ramble in the deaths and births cycle forever, and has to suffer tremendous unbearable pains and agonies. He becomes impotent for ever. Also, God ‘ Almighty never gives him human body again in his human m turn even.

If anybody has committed such serious sins. Lord has shown an easy atonement. One should beg for pardon’ from the person whom he has slandered, and to please him.If he is pleased, God forgives him, not otherwise.

King Ambarish was an ardent staunch devotee of God. God was so pleased that he had kept the Sudarshan Chakra for his protection. Once, he had observed Ekadashi fast with full ceremony. On the next day, Durwasa Muni, the austere penanceful great devotee Saint, came there. King Ambarish

invited him for dinner. Durwasa went to river for sandhya vandana ‘with bath and became too late.

The fast of Ekadashi was observed on the twelfth tithi. So, before the changing of the tithi, one should break the fast. So he sipped water with only tulsi patra (a leaf only). Durwasa knew it.

He felt it as his insult, So, he cursed Ambarish to bum him.

Before the curse reaches, the Sudarshan Chakra went against it.

Now the curse returned to Durwasa to burn him. Durwasa ran for protection to Lord Shiva, Brahma etc. Nobody saved him. Finally he went .to Lord Vishnu and begged tor protection. Lord Vishnu said, ”You are guilty of my ardent devotee, I cannot save you. Go and beg pardon Then, Durwasha went to Ambarish, prostrated before him and asked for protection, Ambarish said. “ Oh Sudarshan, in the morning when Durwasa Muni came to me, I had got a great respect for him as a great saint, if there is the same respect for him even after giving me the curse, you please go back to your place. The Sudarshan went back. Ambarish was such a great devotee having no anger at all. .

Narupant Nana was private secretary of Sayajirao (second) Gaikwad of Vadodara. Also he was an ardertt devotee of Lord.

The king respected himj^erymuch because he had brought Lord to his palace vadodara There was an ardent staunch devotee named Natti Bhakta. He had sold his buffalo to Narupant Nana, but he did not pay till six months. Nath Bhakta reminded it near the assembly when he had come to the temple. Narupant felt it as his insult for reminding in public. He became angry and lifted up sword against him.

Gopalanand Swami shouted, “ Narupant, what are you doing ?”

Narupant soon walked off.

It was a great crime to draw a sword against a staunch devotee It spoiled his mind.

He took Part in the plot to kill the king .He signed it first. The King knew it. All the signatorles were arrested and sentenced to death NaruPant had brought Lord to

him and Introduced him, but his everything was then.; stopped togoto After some years, Nath Bhakta took pity on him, - Gopalanand Swami called Narupant and told him to beg for pardon from Nath Bhakta. He prostrated before Nath Bhakta.

Both embraced. He again started worshipping Lord, Sayajirao Gaikwad again started giving him some subsistence.

If any slander may happens against any devotee, knowingly or unknowingly, to expiate it, one should perform one dandwat pranam (prostration) extra than ones own daily habitual routine to Lord.

Lord doesn’t endure pride at all A man dosen’t digest greatness or superiority of any kind, while Lord doesn’t like it at all. If Lord found even the slightest pride of any kind in any of His devotee by scorning, contempting, insulting or by some unnatural punishment, he has accepted him after making him quite humble, innocent and prideless.

Alaiyakhar of Zinzavadar was absolute celibate staunch devotee of Lord. He was in the eighteen reputed devotees, who renounced by a letter. He was then sent back.

Once, Lord asked Muktanand Swami to tell the natures of some devotees. Swami told Somla Khachar as bold and brave, Surakhachar as jocular and talkative etc. For Alaiya Khachar.

Swami stopped. Lord insisted to say frankly. Swami said him as a little bit proud. Hearing it, he lifted his sword against Swami.

Lord shouted and Alaiya Khachar left the assembly. He then became envious with Lord and the mission.

Alaiyakhachar became sick and the pain became unbearable.

He would cry loudly. Sura Khachar went to him and said that it was the result of lifting sword against Muktanand Swami, Alaiyakhachar called Lord and Swami, prostrated before them and begged for pardon. He then became very humble and prideless. Lord accepted him again.

Dinanath Bhatt was an ardent devotee of Lord, having all the scripturel at his tongue. He was a little bit proud of his knowledge.

Lord wrote Mayaram Bhatt’s name in the Shikshapafri’ and not his, so he felt ill. He left Lord and and went to Amod. His daughter was then bewitched by evil spirits. He personally tried too much but could not release her. He took her to Kashi (Varanasi). There also nobody could release her. Kandas’of Suva told him that it was the result of envying with Mayaram Bhatt.

Dinanath Bhatt went to Gadhada with his daughter and prayed Lord to release her from bewitchment. Lord said, “ I don’t know such charms. Request Mayaram for it.” He prostrated at Mayaram’s feet. Mayaram. only by a word ‘ Swaminarayan ‘ released her from bewitchment.

There are many such examples. It teaches us not to v keep any sort of pride at all. Lord doesn’t endure at all.

Daily prayer for the seven Boons A devotee of Lord Swaminarayan demands seven boons from Lord daily in the evening prayer.

1. Firm unswerving single-minded devotion of Lord Swaminarayan as the Supreme God. 2. Thorough profound knowledge of the greatness of Lord Swaminarayan. Asking his staunch ardent devotion without any desire or any remuneration.

3. There should remain no defect in him in the devotion, worship, or in the religious austerities.

4. There should be no ill-feelings or any malice intention for Lord or his devotees. Nothing wrong should happen knowingly or unknowingly by him to other devotees.

5. Asking Lord to give always the close company of His staunch ardent devotees.

6. Asking Lord to give him always his divine vision. Also he should remain as the humble slave of His devotees.

7. Requesting to keep him in His eternal close service.

The eleven commandments to be observed by devotees The followers of Lord Swaminarayan have to observe strictly the eleven behests to please Him. 1. Non-violence. Not to kill any living-being. Not even a smallest insect.

2. To abstain from adultery. Not to keep close contact with any lady except own wife and the nearest relatives.

Females should observe likewise with males.

3. Not to eat meat in any form in any case. Not even as the offerings to the deities or yagnas sacrifice or as a medicine to save one’s own life.

4. Not to take any intoxicant in any form. Not even as medicine. Gambling is also one sort of intoxicant.

It is also strictly prohibited.

5. Not to touch any widow.

6. Not to commit suicide under any circumstances, even in any unbearable calamities, or even if any atrocity occurred by one’s self.

7. Not to steal even a smallest thing. Even the worthless flowers should not be taken for offering to deities without the permission of the owner.

8. Not to put any false allegation against anybody.

9. Not to indulge in slander of any deity or any other faith and never to find fault with others.

10. Not to take food and drinks from improper persons or improper sources.

11. Not to listen the sermons from the heretics, the hypocrites or the atheists who are the indirect slanderers of the religions and theism.

Appreciations by the great personalities of India and abroad of Shree Swaminarayan and His Sect.

Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Nation :

“There are too many religious sects in India, but the Swaminarayan Sampraday is a very attractive and worthy to be praised. I have a great honour for it.”

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Ex-Dy. Prime Minister of India: “The fragrance of high morality was spread up all over Gujarat by the effect of the pious and virtuous conduct of Shree Sahajanand Swami and his Sadhus (Saints). This sampraday has played a great deal in changing over the thousands of ordinary illiterate brutal hearts into highly moral led and cultured ones.”

Once Shree Sardar Patel declared in a huge public meeting, “ If public adopt and act according to the ‘ Shikshapatri’ written by Shree Swaminarayan, the Police stations and the legal Courts will have to be abandoned.”

Kanaiyalal Munshi, Ex-Governor of Andhra Pradesh : “Shree Sahajanand Swami is the prominent of all the forerunners of India.” . Gulzahrilal Nanda. Ex-Acting Prime Minister of India : “I found the theory of non-violence of Shree Swaminarayan as the best of all. His extraordinary theory of non-violence affected me so much that I myself got converted into His fellowship.” Mahendi Nawaz Jhang, ExGovernor of Gujarat State : “The Sermons of Shree Swaminarayan are pure and pious beneficial to all like the flow of clean and clear streams of water.

A man may be of any caste of creed but he requires the divine light of such spiritual knowledge. One who give* such divine light may be Bhagwan (God) or Payagamber.”

Kishorilal Masharuwala, A Great Philosopher : “When darkness of ignorance was spread up all over Kutch, Gujarat and Kathiawad, Shree Sahajansnd Swami gave the divine light of spiritual knowledge to thousands of people by his unique power. For the wide-spread of His divine message to all, the people of all the castes, higher or lower, JHindus or non-Hindus, He had undergone too many risks,

obstructions, contrasts and difficulties and got ready thousands of highly spiritualized disciples. He was the pioneer amongst all the great personalities of his period. If the Almighty incarnates Himself on the earth, Shree Sahajanand Swami can definitely be called as the incarnation of God.” Appreciations from Foreigners R. Lord Bishop Heber of Calcutta : Lord Bishop Heber had a meeting with Shree Swaminarayan at Nadiad on 26-3-1825. He has written a book named “ Narrative of a journey through the upper provinces of India.” He has noted his meeting with Shree Swaminarayan. He has compared his military with the body-guards of Shree Swaminarayan on’page 147-148 Vol. II as under. “ But moral grandeur, what a difference was there between his troops and mine! Mine neither knew me nor cared for me; they escorted me faithfully and would have defended me bravely, because they were ordered by their superiors to do so and as they would have done for any other stranger of sufficient worldly rank to make such an attendance usual. The guards of Swaminarayan were his own disciples and enthusiastic admirers, men who had voluntarily prepared to hear His lessons, who now took a pride in doing Him honour and who would cheerfully fight to the last drop of blood rather than suffer a fringe of Mis garment to be handled roughly” I bid. P 147-148.

Collector Williamson’s message noted by Lord Bishop Heber on page 143 in the same book: His (Swaminarayan’s) morality was said to be far better than any which could be learned from the Shastras. He preached a great degree of purity^fo^ddtnq^hls disciples so much as not to look on any woman whom they passed.

He conderhned theft and bloodshed, and those villages and districts which had received Him from being among the worst were now among the best and most orderly in the provinces. Nor

was this all, in so much as He was said to have made considerable approaches to the truth, that I could but hope “He might be an appointed instrument to prepare the way for the Gospel. I bid. P. 143.

Henry George Briggs : “The genius of Sahajanand Swami was not confined simply to the rigid establishment of Hindu worship in virginal integrity, it was also directed against the irregularities of the age, and to the recovery of thousands of those unfortunate men to be found throughout Gujarat, whose means of subsistence hitherto were equally lawless and precarious. Of Jfis success in this latter respect there fs abundant testimony from the vast hordes, who have reclaimed to honest and industrious pursuits.”

James Burgess : “Sahajanand Swami was a propitious prophet. Without taking help of any ruler or any rich man, he released thousands of people from all sort of vices and unrighteousness and made them to lead moral, pious, virtuous and righteous life. Sahajanand was worshipped equally right from the great kings to the poorest in the society or from highly learned spiritual scholars to the illiterate and brute people. Hte humanity squeezed the devility or wickedness of His enemies.”

Also he has noted.

“At the death of Narayan (Swaminarayan) there were about 5,00,000 (five lakhs) heads of families holdings his his tenets and about 500 Sadhus ascetics.”

Mr. Bauls .

“Those who are initiated as Sadhus (ascetics) in this (Swaminarayan) Sect, are behested to endure all sorts of persecutions and tortures from wicked people. Also they are forbidden to oppose them and not to keep any grudge for them in their hearts. This is the magnanimity of this sect. By his sermons, the morality of the society was raised to a very high level.”

Prof. Pryns Hopkins, London University : “Swaminarayan had unique super talent and personality. He being Almighty was never found reserved. Even though he was living an austere life of an ascetic, he was always cheerful and humorous. He used to sing, play, wrestle arid cut jokes also. Such luminous wonderful extraordinary personality did not vanish after leaving this world. He has manifested himself to many people at the time of leaving this world and even after it.”

Thus, many more pioneer philosophers, spiritual scholars and prominent great personalities have noted and appreciated the social and religious reforms of Lord Shree Swaminarayan and his total change over of innumerable evil, vicious, and sinful hearts into leading them to pious, virtuous, moral, peaceful and devotional lives.

The Unique Glory At the end of Lord Swaminarayan’s twenty eight years of preaching there were about two thousand (2000) Saints (Paramhamsa) devotees. Each of them was an ideal specific model of penance, renunciation and non-attachment to worldly things, and having thorough profound spiritual philosophical and religious knowledge, with austere religious behaviour and an ideal ardent, staunch, single-minded devotion to Supreme God. There were about (1400) fourteen hundred such type of Sankhya yogi female devotees i.e, who also had renounced houses and were staying in the specific temples meant for the females only in various towns and villages and were preaching to female devotees only. There were about twenty five lakhs ideal, pious, virtuous moral, ardent single-minded grihastha (House-holder!-) devotees.

Lord Swaminarayan got built six grand temples and installed therein the images of Lord Shree K/ishna by different names, images of Nar-Narayan, Laxmi-Narayan etc.’ and He also installed His own image named Harikrishna at Vadtal.

There were about more than 650 small temples at various places. Without any distinction. Lord Swaminarayan accepted all the castes, may be Hindu, non-Hindu, Jains, Muslims, Khojas, Parsis and even the lowest casted to whom people used to treat them as untouchables as His disciples. He freed them all from all the worldly attachments and made them all virtuous, righteous, moral, pious, ideal devotees of Lord Supreme.

Males and females are naturally attracted towards each other.

By the co-assembly of males and females, a corrupthsn is sure to occur, To prevent such corruption in religious field, Lord Swaminarayan made seperate assemblies formates and females.

He got built seperate temples for males and females, and asked males to .preach to males only and females to preach to females only.

To preach females, the female preachers should be learned and well aware of the spiritual and philosophical knowledge.

Lord Swaminarayan encouraged females for education. Within a short period, many females became learned with high spiritual and philosophical knowledge and were expert in preaching.

Ladudan Gadhavi, the prominent born poet, very efficient in every respect and highly respected by “the great kings, renounced everything and became a great Saint named . ; Brahmanand Swami, by the. effective preachings of females i.e.

by Jayabai and Lalitabai, the sisters of Dadakhachar.

For the initiations i.e. Mantra Diksha, Lord Swaminarayan appointed Grihastha Acharyas. They should initiate to males only and their wives should initiate female devotees only with tha consent of their husband.

Thus, Lord Swaminarayan encouraged female education and by giving them Acharyaship, he uplifted the females in every respect in equal status with males The custom of burning a lady with her husband’s dead body and strangling of the new born female child was stopped by Lord Swaminarayan calling them as

the unpardonable sins of suicide or homicide and the latter as the infanticide.

Lord Swaminarayan has behested not to slander any deity, any religious scripture or any religious creed. Not even to read or hear their slanders. Thus, Lord has shown his respect and honour towards all of them and his generosity towards a!l.

For the welfare of all, Lord has extracted the essence from all the spiritual scriptures and written a small book entitled, “ Shikshapatri.” The code of conduct. Whomsoever observes, follows and acts according to it, will definitely be happy in the present life as well as in the future life also. If he is an ardent staunch singleminded devotee of Lord Supreme he will will be gifted ultimate Abode Akshardham.

The simple as well as the mysterious questions regarding spiritual philosophical and religious knowledge asked by the devotees and the lucid replies thereupon .by Lord Swaminarayan are collected and compiled as a scripture by great saints is known as Vachanamrit i.e. the nectar in words or in speech. The Vachanamrit is the first great scripture in prose in the Gujarati literature.

Lord Swaminarayan enjoined Shatanand Swami, giving him his ominscient knowledge (Trikal Gnan) to write the philosophy, the movement and the life activities of Lord_ for the wide spread of His religion and His theory is written distinctly in Sanskrit is read and authenticated by Lord Himself, known as the “ Satsangi Jivan” containing 17627 shlokas. There are many more great scriptures written by other great saints.

Before the death of a staunch ardent single-minded devotee, Lord Swaminarayan gives him His divine sight to that devotee, may be a saint, a house holder male or a female or even a child, and he declares the day, date and time , of his or her final departure from-this World. The devotee declares it in the society.

At the time of his or her departure, the devotee gathers other devotees as well as the family members. Lord reveals to the

devotees as well as the non-devotees in glorious splendid divine human form. The devotee ready for death takes farewell and passes away with Lord Swaminarayan who takes him to His ultimate Abode, Akahsardham, where he is given the ecstatic bliss.

Such incidents are not even heard any where else, while in the fellowship of Lord Swaminarayan, it happens very often even today in the case of ardent staunch single-minded devotee.

Lord’s final Farewell Parbrahman, Parmatma, Almighty God Supreme, Lord Swaminarayan incarnated on earth and stopped all the irregularities, immoralities, violation and evilness from the society. He established the Bhagwat Ekantik Dharma, i,e, the righteous, virtuous, non-violent, pious, moral, peaceful behaviour with ardent single-minded staunch devotion of God Supreme in the society. All became ideal human beings and ideal devotees of God. Lord got constructed the temples and installed images of God Supreme in them. He established the Acharyas. The scriptures were composed for the ever lasting flow his The divine mission was spread up far’and wide. The path of ultimate redemption became fearless and free from all the hitches. He then thought to leave up His visible body.

Lord Swaminarayan declared His thought to the leading Saints arid the other leading devotees. Hearing it, they fainted.

When they got their consciousness, Lord persuaded and inspired patience in their hearts by His divine power to forbear the agonies of His seperation.

He called all the Saints and the other leading devotees. He handed over the charge of His divine mission to Gopalanand Swami. He put the hands of both the Acharyas in the hand of Gopalanand Swami and said, “ From now and hereafter, all should obey him. One who disobeys him, will not be treated as my devotee.

Iln Samvat year 1886 on the tenth day of the bright half of the month of Jyeshtha on tuesday 1-6-1830 A.D. Lord asked everyone to take early dinner it called all the saints and other devotees, sat in Padmasan to meditate on His own divine form of Akshardham and left His visible human body just at noon.

Nishkulanand Swami had already prepared a palanquin by Lord’s order. All were very much distressed. Any how, they took His body in palanquin to Laxmi wadi on the west of Gadhada and cremated there. On the very place of His cremation, there is a temple in His memory and the idols of Lord Swaminarayan, His younger brother Ichchharamji and the first Acharya Raghuvirji are installed in it.

Lord’s divine vision to Dadakhaehar At the time of cremation, Dadakhaehar could not forbear Lord’s seperation. He rushed to jump into the pyrs Gopalanand Swami held him up and said, “ Go to the mango tree where Lord used to hold the assembly.

Dadakhaehar saw there Lord sitting in the assembly. Lord welcomed, embraced him and said, “ Dadakhaehar, have I gone?

No. Not at all. I am here. Don’t think that I have gone. I am ever, present. My visible form is disappeared. To take^a visible body and to leave it, is my mystic activity which none can follow. I’ll be ever present in the satsang i,e, in the divine mission. I’ll give you My divine vision whenever you remind Me.” Lord presented him a rose garland which he worshipped till his death.

Lord’s divine vision to Ramchandra Vaidya of Vadodara Ramchandra Vaidya of Vadodara after hearing the sickness of Lord, started to see Him, At Ugamedi, He saw Lord coming on Manaki. Ramchandra prostrated. Lord gave His hand in that of Vaidya and said, “ Verify my pulse. Is there any defect now?”

Vaidya said, “No. Not at all,” Lord said, “Go to Gadhada. I am going to see a devotee. When Ramchandra reached Gadhada, he saw the cremation of Lord’s body was in process.

Lord’s divine vision to Ladkibai of Akha Ladkibai and Rukmai etc, of Akha Piplana, hearing the sickness of Lord, prepared to go to Gadhada to see Lord. Lord appeared them before starting and said, “ I am alright now. Don’t go there. Next day they heard about Lord’s passing away.

Lord’s divine vision to two brahmins of Vadnagar Two brahmins of Vadnagar thought to see Lord. When they reached near Gadhada, they saw Lord coming Manaki. Lord said, •’ I am now alright, Go to Gadhada. I’ll come afterwards.

When they reached there, the cremation work was in process.

They renounced. Became brahmacharis. One was renamed as and the second as Ramchandranand.

Lord embraces Brahmanand Swami Brahmanand Swami was at Junagadh when Lord left His visible body. The next day. hs heard from Bhaguji and went to Gadhada. All were very much distressed there. All went to the temple and sat before the idol of Gopinathji.

Brahmanand Swami deeply grieved and started a hymn expressing the unberable agony by the seperation of Lord. “ Pataliye harya prare beni mara.” At the end of first canto, the whole temple became full of light. At the end Of second canto, idol of Gopinathji became shining and full of light. At the end of third canto, they all saw Gopinathji in smiling human form. At the end of fourth canto. Lord ran from the idol of Gopinathji and embraced Brahmanand Swami.

Lord said, “I have not gone at all. I am ever present. I’ll give you my divine vision whenever you remember me. Also I’ll give you pleasure as before.” So saying, he disappeared.

Lord’s vision to Mulji Brahmachari Mulji Brahmachari was Lord’s ever ready attendant for quick service. He was habitual of serving Lord. So, he would forget as Lord had gone. He used to sleep near Akhsar Oradi. He used to awake Lord, give Him brush and request Him to take bath. He

would prepare food and offer it to Lord. Only after Lord’s live without you ? How can I forbear your seperation “ Lord said disappearing, he would remember that Lord has alredy gone. It “ Don’t be gloomy or distressed. happened many a times with him.

I have established rny form named Harikrishna Maharaj at Vadtal. I am ever present in it. Whenever you go there, I’ll talk Premanand Swami embraced by Lord Premanand Swami could not endure the seperation of with you, and ask your welfare.

Lord. Once he grieved deeply remembering each and everything Ayodhya Prasadji, the son of Rampratapji was given the used by Lord, and the places where he acted strangely. He started Acharyaship at Ahemedabad. So, Rampratapji stayed there.

Lord’s rememberance in hymn. ‘ Sajani Shreeji Mujane Rampratapji used to come Vadtal in every samaiya i.e. in the Sambharya re.’ At the end of the fourth canto, he grieved too month of Chaitra and Kartik, singing the hymns and the glory of much and became unconscious. Lord immediately manifested God. When he reached Harikrishna. Maharaj would say, •’ How before him. Got him up, embraced him and said, “ I have not are you ? Are you OK ? go, take bath, be fresh and come again. gone. I am ever present and ever with you. To keep your mind All people would hear their talks. Lord would give him garlands ever attracted and deeply concentrated in My divine form, I am fruits etc. Lord talked with him from the idol of Harikrishna not seen by you.” Saying so. Lord disappeared.

Maharaj till S. year 1899 i.e, 1843 A.D. till Rampratapji lived on After complation of funeral ceremoney all went to their this earth. player but premanand and two othe saints remained there They Lord Swaminarayan has given His divine vision from the could not thier surpriese They swa Lord arose from the pyare idols or even without it whenever His ardent staunch devotee came to themn embrceed they nad said “ I have not gone. I will grieved deeply. He has inspired and guided many of His staunch give you My friend darshan whenever you meditate upon me devotees by giving His divine vision. Even today. He gives his depply so saying He disappeared. divine vision, guides the devotee and gives him pleasure.

Lord is ever present today also for His devotees. His Supremacy By killing or by punishing an evil, a wicked, a sinful, a Lord’s divine vision to Gunatitanand Swami Once, Gunatitanand Swami had been to Laxmiwadi. There terrorist, an addicted or a vicious, nobody can be improved. he saw green grass near the water channel. He thought, “ Grass is Nobody can be freed from all such vices. Nobody can be lead to a green, a*’ Jt is nourished by water. Lord Swaminarayan who pious life or to the salvation. nourished us so far has gone.” Thinking so, he fainted. Lord In the second half of the eighteenth century of Christian Era, appeared in divine form, lifted him up and said “ I have not gone the humanity had completely deteriorated in every respect in anywhere. I am ever present.” Saying so He disappeared.

India.

Lord Swaminarayan without killing anybody, by His unique Lord’s ever divinity in Harikrishna Maharaj at Vadtal. intellect,

by His luminous personality, by His universal love Rampratapji Rampratapji was elder than Lord by nineteen years. When towards all, by His mercy, forbearance, forgiveness and by His Lord became ready to leave His visible body, Rampratapji said, “ endearing sermons, He improved the evils, the sinfuls, the I am old and have come from Ayodhya to see you. How can I wickeds, the terrorists, the people full of all the addicts and full of all the vices. Their hearts were completely changed. Leaving all

the vices^, all became pious, virtuous, righteous, highly cultured, moral ardent devotees of Lord Swaminarayan.

The terrorists, the robbers, the thieves, the dacoits and the cruels who were always equipped with all the destructive weapons, had left their weapons. Instead of the weapons, their hands were adorned with tulsi bead rosaries.

Those who were always spitting vulgar abusive language from their mouth, were then constant chanting the pious redemptive name of Lord Swaminarayan.

The spell, charm, hypotism, hypocrisy, heresy, intoxications, meat-eating, adultery, gambling, addictness, and superstitions, all fled away. People were freed from passion, anger, greed, fascination, violence, pride, ego, haughtyness, jealousy, malice, fraud, deceit, and all such kind of vices. They embraced truth, mercy, forgiveness, non-violence, universal love towards all, forbearance and used to live virtuous cultured, moral, righteous, pious, peaceful, devotinal Simple lives. All the corruptions and all the vices followed in the name of religion vanished away.

The extreme pious, virtuous devotional behaviour of the ideal Saints and other male and female devotees of Lord Swaminarayan affected so deeply in the hearts of the non-disciple society that they all improved automatically. All the bad customs disappeaed from the society. All used to live peaceful pious devotional lives.

For such an extreme changeover of all the hearts of the whole society in every respect, Lord has not taken any help from any king or any ruling authority. It is done only by his intellect, by His divine lustre and by the endearing sermons.

No King, no ruler, no administrator or no social reformer has done such type of complete change-over of the hearts of all the people in every respect like Lord Swaminarayan. Observing all sort of His Supremacy, we can definitely say that Lord Swaminarayan is the Parbrahma Parmatma i.e. Almighty God

Supreme Himself, worth to be worshipped for the ultimate redemption and for the ecstatic bliss in his ultimate Abode Akshardham.