Shree Parabrahman Charitra Sar Sangrah

Transcription

1 Shree Parabrahman Charitra Sar Sangrah 1. Sadguru Ramanand Swami s First Visit to Dhamadka 2. Ladudanji s Birth in Khangaam 3. Purposes for the Lord s Manifestation 4. The Lord s Manifestation 5. The Lord s Pilgrimage (Vanvicharan) 6. The Boon Granted by Ramanand Swami 7. Ladudan s and Raidhanji s Divine Darshan of the Lord 8. Ladudan Learns the Language of Brij in Bhuj 9. Karniba Receives Divine Darshan of the Lord 10. The Lord s Vanvicharan Continues 11. Ramanand Swami Leaves Bhuj and Arrives at Piplana 12. Maharaj Sports in Dhamadka 13. Maharaj Removes the Arrogance of the Four Brothers 14. Three Sadhus Eat the Food Prepared for Three Hundred People 15. Maharaj Adorns the Clothes of a Gopi 16. Maharaj Grants a Boon to Karniba 17. Dhamadka s Downfall as a Result of Disobeying the Guru s Command and Raidhanji and Others Move to Adhoi 18. Maharaj Sports in Adhoi and Yagnas are performed at both Adhoi and Dabhan 19. Maharaj Protects Raidhanji and Others at the Battle of Kokhra Mehmedabad 20. Maharaj Comes to Take Raidhanji to Dhaam and Protects Dangarva s Amaraji 21. Maharaj Sports in Kanthkot 22. The King of Kanthkot Disobeys Maharaj 23. The King s Assistants Also Realise the Divinity of Maharaj 24. Devaji s Downfall 25. The Anger of Mehta Jagjivan upon Maharaj

2 26. Fateh Mohamud s Words of Advice to Jagjivan 27. Maharaj Prevents All Violent Yagna 28. Jagjivan Sends an Army to Kill Maharaj 29. Jagjivan Metha Meets His Death 30. Maharaj Makes Two Vairagis into Sadhus in Bhuj 31. Sundarjibhai Asks Maharaj a Question 32. Muktanand Swami Asks How Peace of Mind is derived 33. Maharaj Gives His Darshan in Khokhra 34. Khokhra s Sutar Rambhai Receives Darshan from Maharaj 35. The Powers of a Devotee of God 36. Maharaj Saves Khokhra s Hirji Bhakta from Robbers 37. Maharaj Saves Kala Bhakta and Dines at His Home 38. Maharaj Comes to Take to His Dhaam, Kumbaria s Misty Harjibhai and Sinugra s Ekbai 39. Maharaj Comes to Escort Bhimji Patel of Sukhpur 40. Maharaj Saves Lalji Bhakta of Netra Village in the Dessert 41. Maharaj Saves Mavjibhai Mistry and the Brahmin Sukdev 42. Maharaj Saves Devji Bhakta of Samatra Village 43. Maharaj Saves the Devotees of Rampur 44. Maharaj Installs Shree Narnarayan Dev in Bhuj 45. The Miracle Performed By Narnarayan Dev at Bhuj 46. The Procession of Mundiya Bawa 47. Radhakrishna Dev and Ganshyam Maharaj are Installed in Bhuj 48. Bhuj s Great Devotee Surajba 49. Maharaj Saves Lakhaji Bhakta of Bandara 50. Kaasu is liberated through Allegiance with Satsang 51. Maharaj Saves Kadamshi Bhakta from Robbers 52. Maharaj Performs a Miracle for the Prime Minister of Ider 53. Acharya Shree Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj Visits Netra

3 54. Sojitra s Bakorbhai and Motap s Babaram and Dakshini Brahmin become Satsangis 55. Maharaj Saves the Saints, Shivram Mehta and Kudera 56. Maharaj Saves Maandan Bhakta From Within the Ocean 57. Yama Tagra Ragvanand Swami Sends Yamas Fleeing 58. Maharaj Saves a Female Devotee 59. Maharaj Performs a Miracle for Chagan Parekh, a Brahmin of Madras and Vanik of Marvar Country 60. Maharaj Takes Ratanbai of Gagodar to Akshardham 61. Maharaj Performs a Miracle for Fulbai 62. Maharaj Liberates the Nawab of Junagadh 63. Two Saints Come to Get the Two Brothers from Hindustan 64. Maharaj Saves Manekdhar, Nandram and Others 65. Maharaj Saves Two Brahmins, Sitaram, Ayodhyaprasad and Raghuvira 66. Both Leave For Pilgrimage of Dwarika and Siddhpur 67. Rampratapbhai s Vow to go to Jetalpur for Darshan on Every Full Moon Day and Rampratapbhai s Displeasure 68. Maharaj Performs a Miracle for Rampratapbhai and Nandramji and Bhai Leaves For Akshrdhaam 69. Maharaj Performs a Miracle for Veniram of Luknow and a Wealthy Vanik from Janakpur 70. Maharaj Saves a Woman, Girdhari and his Wife and a Carpenter s Wife 71. Maharaj Performs a Miracle for the Son of a Luhar, Hukamchand and other devotees and Bhavani Datt 72. Maharaj Performs a Miracle for an Elderly Woman of Magroli and Kaliprasad 73. Maharaj Saves a Carpenter s Son, a Lady and Sankarprasad 74. Maharaj Gives Darshan to an Elderly Woman in the Jungle 75. The Greatness of Acharya Maharajshree and his Achievement of Greatness through Association with Saints 76. Acharyashree s Love in Serving Saints and How God is Pleased Though Such Service 77. How One Will Never Again Get a Chance For Liberation After Recognising the Manifest Pragat Bhagwan. The example of a Pandit. 78. Shreeji Maharaj is the Fountainhead of All Other Incarnations

4 79. One Should Not Liken God to Mere Man 80. One Should Realise the Difference in Correct and Incorrect Essence of Scriptures 81. The Sufferings Tolerated by the Foetus during Pregnancy 82. Bhulabhai is born in the Home of Jiva Kaka. 83. The Methods of Meditation upon the Tilas (Moles) and Cheens (Marks) 84. Non-Observance of Period of Menses Results in a Brahmin s Wife Being Reborn as a Dog and Her Husband Who Ate Foods Prepared by Her to be Reborn as a Bullock 85. Accidental Observance of Ekadashi Vrata Results in the Liberation of Their Parents 86. One Should Never Take Any Items without Their Owners Consent Incidents of a Brahmin and Parvati Highlighting This 87. One Should Practice Devotion to God Along With Dharma 88. Realisation That God Is The Creator And Destroyer Of All Things Is The Source Of Atyantik Kalyan (Liberation) 89. The Greatness of Vachanamrit 90. The Lord Has Brought Forth a Ship In The Form Of This Satsang 91. The Reasons for Maharaj s Manifestation upon This Earth and Maharaj s Departure Iti Shree Parabrahman Charitra Sarsangraha Granth Samapta (Sadguru Swami Nandkishordasji)

5 1. Sadguru Ramanand Swami s First Visit to Dhamadka In the midst of Goloka resides the lustrous Akshardhaam, home to Shree Krishna Purushottam Narayan the highest form alone worthy of worship. He alone is the cause of all causes and the source of all other incarnations. For purposes of establishing Dharma and to give his devotees divine bliss, the Lord of Akshardhaam manifested upon this earth in Chappaiya to Dharma and Bhakti. Other Muktas of Akshardhaam also manifested to aid the Lord. He gave all the bliss of worshipping him upon this earth. Specifically he gave the devotees of Kutch divine bliss during Samvat Years when Lord Swaminarayan extensively toured this area. Dhamadka in Kutch is famed for it s choicest devotees such as Ladhaji, Ramsangji etc and women devotees, Karniba, Jijiba etc. Maharaj s first encounter with Ladudanji (later to become Brahmanand Swami) also took place in Dhamadka. Ladudanji learnt Pingal Shastra (science of poetry and prosody) in Dhamadka. At the invitation of Manba, Ramanand Swami once came to Dhamadka. He resided there giving discourses and indeed initiated many into the Sampraday. At this time, Ladudanji was studying Pigal Shastra in Dhamadka. Ladudanji had developed a friendship with Raidhanji, the son of Ladhaji. Both used to daily go to Swami to hear his discourses and later realising the greatness of Swami, were initiated into the sect by him. Once, both asked Swami, O Swami! It is our belief that you are God. Swami replied, I am not God but am merely the drum beater for the God who will later manifest upon this earth. I am his servant. At that point both requested of Swami that he put them into Samadhi so that they can have darshan of the Lord in Akshardhaam. Swami explained to them, We have all come from this same Akshardhaam to be reborn upon this earth. Therefore Akshardhaam is not something which is new to you. 2. Ladudanji s Birth in Khangaam Swami then narrated to Ladudanji the details prior to his birth. Swami explained, Once I arrived in Khangaam where I met your father Shambhudanji. I spent a lot of time there giving discourses. One day, I was giving discourses to all those assembled there when like Sukhdevji you too spoke to me from the womb of your mother and said, Swami, you give such beautiful discourses, but why do you not narrate the details of the manifestation of Lord Almighty residing in Akshardhaam? Hearing this all assembled there were amazed. Indeed your father was also inquisitive about your greatness. I narrated to him the details of your life that one day you would go to Udaipur where you would greatly impress the King in his court there with your poetry and singing. At the instruction of the King you would then learn Pingal Shastra in Dhamadka at the King s own cost. True to this, you are now learning Pingal Shastra in Dhamadka. O Ladudanji! You have come from Akshardhaam and you will continue to become great. I am Uddhavji, and I have been sent here by Purushottam Narayan to establish the Sampraday and spread Satsang. I was therefore born in Ayodhyapur to a brahmin by the name of Ajay and his wife Sumati on Shravan Vad 8, V.K Lord Purushottam Narayan has also manifested upon this earth to liberate innumerable souls. Realise this as the truth! Hearing these words of Swami, both Ladudanji and Raidhanji were immensely pleased.

6 3. Purposes for the Lord s Manifestation After listening to Jagat Guru Ramanand Swami s nectar-like words of wisdom accepting that he was the incarnation of Uddhavji, to whom Shri Krishna himself had given supreme knowledge and instructed him to manifest upon this earth for the propagation of Dharma, Ladudanji asked, O Swami! Please tell us in which country has the fountainhead of all incarnations, the Lord of Akshardhaam; Purushottam Narayan manifested? Who are his parents? What is his Gnati (caste)? What Charitra (pastimes) has he performed? Where does he reside at present? Swami was immensely pleased by Ladudan s questions and replied thus, Once in Badrikashram Dhaam, Marich and other rishis came for darshan of Lord Narnarayan and sat before the Lord. The Lord enquired as to where the rishis had come from. They answered, We have been on a pilgrimage of Bharat Khanda (Earth) and have now come for your darshan. The Lord asked, Are the people of Bharat Khand worshipping Me and living in accordance to Dharma? Thus a discussion began to take place regarding the current state of Bharat Khand, when Dharma and Bhakti also came to the assembly and all were engrossed in discussions. I was also present there. At this time, Durvasa Maharshi came but as we were all deep in discussion we were not able to accord him a proper welcome. This angered Durvasa and in his fuming rage he cursed all those present, You have insulted me and therefore I curse you all to be reborn again upon the Earth. There you will face insults and difficulties from Asuras (demons, fiends)! All the rishis at once got up from their seat and bowed before the great sage and begged forgiveness but Durvasa could not be calmed. Dharma was finally able to pacify him with his soothing words. The Maharshi then said, I gave this curse to you not realising that you were deep in discussion with Lord Narnarayan. As I am unable to retract the curse I am offering you solace and blessing in the news that Dharma and Murti will be born upon the earth to a family of brahmins and the other rishis will also be born to families of twice-borns (upper three castes). Furthermore Lord Narnarayan will be born upon this earth to Dharma and Murti and will free both you and these other rishis from my curse and will protect you from the difficulties from asuras. Thus saying, the great sage left returning to Kailash. Lord Narnarayan further explained, If I wished to terminate this curse then I could easily have done so but it is evident that the duress of Kali is rampant and unrighteousness prevails on the Earth and it has become plagued with asuras. It was therefore my will that brought about this curse so that I may destroy these evil forces and uproot unrighteousness. I will therefore manifest upon the earth as your son O Dharma and Murti! I will provide succour for all of thee and will firmly establish Dharma. Therefore do not worry and prepare for manifestation on the earth. Ramanand Swami explained, Now I shall explain to you the details of the manifestation of Dharma and Murti. In the northern Kaushal town of Gorakpur on the northern bank of river Saryu there lived a brahmin by the name of Ramprasad who was of Sarvaria Samvedi Gnaati (class of brahmin). He was of Savarni Gotra and Kauthumi Shakha; who had three pravars of Bhargav, Vaithavya and Savetas. He was a firm devotee of Lord Surya. He had a son by the name of Dharanidhar. Dharanidhar was formally from Nepal and was the Rajguru for the King there. Their family deity was Hanumaan and family deity-mother was Lakshmi. To Dharanidhar was born Gangaprasad who had fine intellect. His son was Lakshman Sharma, who was of the Ramanuj Sampraday. He decided to leave Gorakpur because others there did not agree with his beliefs and faith in the Ramanuja Sampraday and therefore settled in his inlaws town of Itarpur. They begot a son Vansidhar who had a son Vedman who in turn had a son Kanhiram. Kanhiram was also of great intellect and well respected and served as the Rajguru for Tankoipur for King Sunetra. He had a son by the name of Balsharma who was

7 well versed in the Vedas and was an incarnation of Lord Brahma. His wife was Bhagyawati who was endowed with great qualities. To these was born Dharmadev on Kartik Sud 11 V.K just after noon. Sanskars (religious rites) were performed as required and on the 12 th day he was named Devsharma. Similarly, in Chappaiya of Kaushal Desh their lived a brahmin by the name of Krushnasharma, whose wife was Bhavani. To these was born Murti in the early morning of Kartik Sud 15 V.K As days past she became more and more dedicated to devotion and therefore earned the name of Bhakti from childhood. Later, Bhakti s father Krushnasharma decided to have her married to Devsharma, the very incarnation of Dharma. He also requested that both stay in the same town at his home. Both lived in accordance to the tenets of a householder and worshipped Lord Shree Krishna. Seeing Devsharma s aptitude for strictly observing Dharma, he inherited the name of Dharmadev. But they could not lead a simple relaxed life there as asuras continuously harassed them and therefore decided to leave for Vrindavan expecting peace and tranquillity there. There they met up with Marich and other Rishis and so decided to stay with them and continued their devotion in peace. The Lord of Akshardhaam was immensely pleased with their devotion and granted them darshan and said, O Dharma and Bhakti! These asuras harass you because you are my devotees and in my previous incarnation as Shree Krishna, I annihilated them and therefore they have hatred for me. Therefore, I Lord Narayan will incarnate once again to destroy them and will be born to you as Harikrishna. I will save you all from there infliction and free you from Durvasa s curse. I will destroy the evils in society and establish Dharma. Saying this the Lord disappeared. Dharma and Bhakti returned to Chappaiya and engrossed themselves in devotion of Lord Shree Krishna waiting for the day that God would incarnate. 4. The Lord s Manifestation After approximately ten months, the Lord manifested on Chaitra Sud 9 V.S They received the darshan of the Lord in the brilliance of light, which later dispersed to reveal the human form. Great celebrations took place on the birth of the son. The gods had assembled in the skies to witness the occasion and began to beat drums and sprinkle flowers. Apsaras were dancing with joy, Gandharvas were singing and Munis were giving their blessings. The minds of the demigods and saints alike were at peace and enjoying bliss whilst the minds of asuras were in turmoil. The women of Chappaiya were also overjoyed singing songs and were mesmerised by the divine form of Balswarupa Lord Hari. The moonlit sky was absorbing, the air had a touch of sweet fragrance and the night sky was calm with the brilliance of stars; it resembled Akshardhaam in all it s majesty. Dharmadev performed due rites and made donations to brahmins. On the sixth day an asura by the name of Kotra along with her accomplices tried to kill the Lord but the Lord sent them running with merely his drishti (inner sight). When the Lord was three months and eleven days old, Markandeya Muni in the guise of a brahmin came to the home of Hariprasad. Hariprasad requested that the Muni name the child and give details regarding his qualities. The Muni explained to Hariprasad, This child will destroy all your worries. Furthermore whomsoever becomes a disciple of this child will have their difficulties removed. As he is born in karkarashi he will be named Hari. As he has a dark complexion, which will attract the minds of many to him and he is born in the month of Chaitra, we are also naming him Krishna. By combining these two names he will also be known by a third name of Harikrishna. Your son will be endowed with the five qualities of renunciation, knowledge, penance, righteousness and Yoga like Lord Shiva and therefore will also be known by the name of Nilkanth. He continued to explain the very greatness of the child and then bid farewell to leave for pilgrimage of Prayag.

8 Both Dharma and Bhakti were immensely gratified by listening to the qualities of their son. The child grew month by month learning to sit in the fifth month, eat solids in the sixth month and in the seventh his ears were pierced. After three years his birth hair was removed. On this day an asura by the name of Kalidatt came to kill the Lord but again with his drishti he sent him into a state of delusion and he eventually died. Facing the tyranny from these asuras, Dharma and Bhakti with their family decided to leave Chappaiya and settled in Ayodhya. In his fifth year, the Lord began to learn to read and write the letters of the alphabet. In his eighth year he received the sacred thread (yagnopavit). He lived as a Naishtik Brahmchari and began study of Vedas, Puranas, Itihasas, etc. from his father. He took from them the essence, which consisted of Bhagwat Puranas fifth and tenth cantos, the Vasudev Mahatmya of Skand Purana, Mahabharat s Bhagwad Gita, Vidurniti and Vishnusahastranaam. From the Dharmashastras he took Yagnavalkya Smruti. Hence these four extracts were compiled by the Lord in the form of a Gutko (small handbook) which he kept with him for purposes of reading. When the Lord was eleven he gave both his parents sermons on Bhagwat Dharma and freed them from the curse of the sage. 5. The Lord s Pilgrimage (Vanvicharan) After which, the Lord left his home without telling anybody. Adorn in the garb of an ascetic with jata, kaupin, dear skin, staff etc, Nilkanth Varni headed north towards the Himalayas. After many days he arrived at Muktanath where he performed intense penance to please Lord Surya. He then headed south through thick jungles and after a year met Gopal Yogi. Residing with the Yogi for a year he learned eight-fold Yoga from him and after giving him the knowledge of his greatness and sending him to the Lord s Dhaam, he left to continue his journey. Visiting various places he converted and made disciples Siddhvallabh, Gopaldas and Pibek. He gave darshan to the navlakh yogis. He visited Balavakund, Gangasagar, Kapilashram, Jaganath Puri, Adikurma, Manaspur etc. In this way he extensively toured changing the hearts of all by uprooting evil. He went five days without food or water. On the sixth day he bathed Lord Shaligram with water that he found but the water was drank by the Lord in Shaligram form. Every time he poured more water it was drank by Shaligram. He thought that if the Lord is this thirsty then he must be hungry also, when Shiva and Parvati came to Nilkanth s aid and provided some food. They were delighted to see Nilkanth and after paying their respects they left. 6. The Boon Granted by Ramanand Swami Ladudan and Raidhanji were immensely gratified by hearing these nectar-like words of Ramanand Swami. Ladudanji asked if he would ever receive darshan of this Purushottam Narayan Bhagwan that has manifested. Swami replied, O Ladudanji! Yes you will surely meet the Lord. One day, on the banks of Sharan Ganga to the West of Dhamadka, you will meet a great Yogi. He will bless you and give you a boon that you will meet the Lord. Accordingly you will receive darshan of the Lord first and then subsequently the Yogi will also receive darshan. When Ladudanji asked, O Swami! When will I meet this great Yogi, Ramanand Swami replied, O Ladudan! This great Yogi is firmly dedicated to Lord Supreme and is immortal. He resides hidden at Mount Ratatal. He comes to the River Sharan Ganga daily to bathe. If you wish to meet this great Yogi then both you and Raidhanji must go to the river just before daybreak or at noon when the Yogi comes for bathing. The great Yogi will narrate details about your past and the Lord s past and then bless you with a boon to have darshan of the Lord. After telling you this he will disappear. The Lord Purushottam Narayan will give you darshan soon after. Sometime later you will have darshan of the Lord in Bhuj at the residence of one Ganagaram Mall. At this time you will request from the Lord

9 to reside with him forever but the Lord will instead send you for further study of Pingal Shastra. After completing the studies you will receive diksha in Gadhada, renamed Swami Brahmanand and stay with the Lord forever. Saying this Ramanand Swami blessed both Ladudan and Raidhanji and left for Bhuj. Ladudanji and Raidhanji, in accordance with Swami s words daily went to the river to bathe. Once, at the time of just before daybreak they came to the river where they saw a wonderful and divine Yogi with all the hallmarks of great penance. They fell at his feet. The Yogi enquired as to their identity and Ladudan explained that their Guru had granted a boon that they would meet the great Yogi and he would grant them darshan of Purushottam Narayan. The Yogi replied, I have been running hither and dither for aeons in anticipation of darshan of Purushottam Narayan. In my lifetime I have witnessed many major incarnation such as Krishna and countless minor incarnations but I have not yet been able to find solitude in such incarnations as my devotion is only for the Lord Supreme Purushottam Narayan. By instruction from a divine voice from the heavens I have come to the West where I will one day receive darshan. 300 years have passed here residing at Mount Ratatal where I occupy my time in devotion to the Lord but I have still not received his darshan. The great Yogi was immensely pleased with both Ladudan and Raidhanji and blessed them by saying that they would received darshan of the Lord to the West of Dhamadka in one months time and instructed them to return to their residence. The Yogi then disappeared. 7. Ladudan s and Raidhanji s Divine Darshan of the Lord A month later, Ladudan and Raidhanji went to bathe at Narayan Dhara, which is towards the West of their village. At this time Nilkanth Varni was passing this area. Both saw the divine form of Varni and fell at his feet. They would not let go of Varni s feet and requested to be made a servant forever. Varni explained, It is because Ramanand Swami granted you a boon that I am giving you darshan now. I am still touring the dense forests. Ramanand Swami is Uddhavji incarnate, who has manifested in accordance to my wishes and has established the Uddhavi Sampradai. I have still not met Ramanand Swami. Once I have completed my Vanvicharan I shall enter Loj where I shall meet Muktanand Swami a disciple of Ramanand Swami. I will later meet Ramamand Swami in Piplana and receive Vaishnavi Diksha from him and be named Sahajanand Swami and Narayan Muni. In Jetpur, I will become the successor to Ramanand Swami. After some years I will come to Bhuj where you will meet me there. Therefore please let go of my feet for now. But Ladudan and Raidhanji would not let go of the Lord s feet and so the Lord vanished from sight and continued his journey southwards to Mount Ratatal. There he gave darshan to the great Yogi and fulfilled all his wishes giving him immense pleasure. As for Ladudan and Raidhanji, they could not bear to be separated from Varni but found a sense of direction only after meditation upon the murti of Nilkanth Varni. They continued their studies of Pingal Shastra. Once, Ladudan was deep in meditation when he received the divine darshan of Lord Shree Hari in all his glory and majesty in Akshardhaam. News of this divine vision spread amongst those acquainted to Ladudan and all began to pray that they too would receive such darshan. They too all fell into Samadhi whereby they received darshan of Akshardhaam and within it s brilliance Lord Purushottam Narayan. From that day they too were firmly devoted to the Lord. 8. Ladudan Learns the Language of Brij in Bhuj After many years of study in Dhamadka, Ladudan left for study in Bhuj to learn Brij-bhasha (an old dialect associated with the area of Brij where Lord Shree Krishna used to reside). He

10 studied at a School set up by the Maharaja of Kutch, under the tutelage of Shree Abhaydanji. Abhayanandji was greatly impressed by Ladudan s aptitude, understanding and memory and thus decided that Ladudan was worthy of receiving all his knowledge spanning Pigal Shastra as well as other such science and arts. With blessings of his Guru, Ladudan became a master of these arts in no time. The Maharaja bestowed honorary titles of Rajkavi Ratna, Pingal Vidhyacharya, Sahastra Shatavdhani, Mahamahopadhyaya and Mahashidhrakavivar. In this way Ladudan attained great recognition and fame throughout India. He then returned to Dhamadka again to further his Sanskrit studies under the guidance of Pandit Shree Kanak Kusharji Bhattacharya Maharaj, a very great and learned brahmin teacher who was also firmly devoted to God. On meeting each other it was evident that they had mutual respect for each other s learning and greatness. In very little time, Ladudan attain advanced learning in Sanskrit and became fully versed in all scriptures. Furthermore, Ladudan became proficient in 24 of the 64 arts and sciences (which Lord Shree Krishna is famed to have mastered in 64 days under Rishi Sandipani). After completing his studies he left for Dhrangadhra, Morbi, Jamnagar, Junagadh and Bhavnagar where he greatly impressed the King s with his singing and other skills beating the King s singers etc. and achieving greatness. Finally he went to Gadhpur where he met the Lord again, received diksha and named Shrirangdasji which was later changed to Brahmanand as it rhymed better when used in his compositions. 9. Karniba Receives Divine Darshan of the Lord Once the Lord gave divine darshan to Karniba. Karniba at that time requested of Maharaj that he remain permanently at her residence so that she would always have darshan. Maharaj refused but instead granted her the blessing that whenever she required she would receive the bliss of divine darshan of Maharaj in Akshardhaam. On another occasion Maharaj came to Dhamadka and remained at the residence of Karniba for 4 days. Maharaj asked for permission to leave but Karniba would not give permission and tried to persuade Maharaj to remain there always. Maharaj seeing her love explained that it is impossible for him to remain as he has many other souls to liberate which cannot be done by staying in just one place but Karniba would not listen. She ensured that the place was well guarded and locked to prevent Maharaj from leaving but Maharaj left during the night. In the morning she saw that Maharaj was not present even though the locks were untouched. She realised that Maharaj could not be prevented from leaving. She found solace in meditation where she always had divine darshan. On those days when she did not have darshan she would not eat and would become overcome by illness. When Maharaj did give her darshan she would become revitalised and eat. In this way, Karniba had the divine bliss of darshan of Maharaj at will for the rest of he life! 10. The Lord s Vanvicharan Continues After meeting Shankar Parvati, Nilkanth Varni continued his journey to Bhutpuri. There he received darshan of Shree Ramanaujacharya and then continued to Kumarikakshetra. Then onto Padmanabh, Janardhan, Adikeshav and Maliyachal where he had darshan of Shakshi Gopal. Then onto Pandharpur where he had darshan of Vithalnath and stayed there for two months. After that he performed circumabulation of Danda Karaniya and left for Nasikpur where he had darshan of Trayambakeshvar Mahadev. He followed Tapi Nadi, leading to Narbada and Sabarmati taking him to Bhimnath where he had darshan of Gopnath Mahadev.

11 From there he moved onwards to Mangrol and then arrived at Loj in V.K 1856, Shravan Vad 6. Here he met Muktanand Swami and others who were disciples of the Ramanand Swami, an incarnation of Uddhav. With Nilkanth s deep found desire to meet Ramanand Swami, Muktanand wrote a letter to Ramanand who was residing in Bhuj at the time and had Nilkanth also write a letter to Ramanand. Muktanand instructed Mayaram Bhatt to deliver the letters to Ramanand Swami. Mayaram made his way to Bhuj at the residence of Gangaram Mull where Ramanand was staying. He offered his respects to Swami and proceeded to give him the letters. Swami realising the divine greatness of the Letter from Varni received them gladly and touched it with his forehead. He opened the letter, which filled the room with the brilliance of numerous suns, which later subsided. He read both letters with great joy. All those present such as Gangaram Mull, Sunderjibhai, Hirjibhai etc were wonder-struck. They asked, O Swami! What is this brilliance and who has sent this letter which is so divine? Swami then read the letter aloud and commented, O devotees! I have been telling you for so long that I am merely the drum beater and the real Lord worthy of worship will manifest later. I have been waiting for so long for that Lord to come and he has finally arrived. This letter is from him. How great is he? Well he is the source of all other incarnations. He is the cause of all. He is the one that resides in the greatest of heavens, Aksharbrahman. He alone is the cause of the creation, maintenance and destruction of countless universes. Shree Purushottam Narayan as Shree Krishna sent me (Uddhav) and gave me the knowledge to establish Dharma and a new Sampraday. That same Purna Purushottam Bhagwan has come to Lojpur and will one day come to Bhuj to give you all darshan also. Therefore it is my instruction to you that when he does come to Bhuj, you must become his disciple by worshipping and meditating upon him. He is the fountainhead of all incarnations and the Lord of Akshardhaam and therefore worship him incessantly. I will shortly leave to meet the Lord. 11. Ramanand Swami Leaves Bhuj and Arrives at Piplana After receiving permission from the devotees in Bhuj to leave, Ramanand Swami explained to all, O devotees! Accept these as the final darshans in human form that you will have from me! Those present were extremely disheartened by Swami s statement and could not bear to be apart from Swami. Swami pacified them by explaining the greatness of Varni and the happiness that they would derive when he comes to Bhuj to give darshan and then left. He stayed overnight at the village of Khokhra and again on leaving from there he gave similar instruction as he did to the people of Bhuj. Swami had a throne constructed in a locked room and blessed them all by saying, The Lord would come to Khokhra in the guise of a Brahmchari and would seat himself on this throne. When this happens accept him to be God and worship him. All the devotees there present were overjoyed with Swami s words. He continued his journey back stopping over at various villages and giving bliss to those he came into contact with. He finally arrived in Piplana in the area of Sorath. He resided at the home of a brahmin by the name of Narsinha Mehta and instructed a brahmin by the name of Kunverji to go to Loj and inform Muktanand Swami of his presence at Piplana. On receiving this news, Muktanand Swami, Nilkanth Varni and other saints hurried to Piplana and met Swami on V.S. 1856, Jeth Vad 12. All were immensely please to receive darshan of Ramanand Swami. Swami welcomed Muktanand and the others and embraced Nilkanth Varni with great love. He asked about his wellbeing. Nilkanth at that time introduced himself and provided information about who he was, where he had come from and extensive details about Vanvicharan. Swami was immensely pleased with Varni and explained, O Brahmchari! You are ours as both your mother and father were initiated into our sect at Prayag.

12 Swami initiated Varni into the sect on V.S. 1857, Kartik Sud 11 by giving Bhagwati Diksha and was given the new name of Swami Sahajanand. He was also given the name Narayan Muni. Later they all left for Jetpur and on V.S. 1858, Kartik, Sud 11, Sahajanand Swami was anointed as the Leader and successor to Ramanand Swami. In V.S. 1858, Magshir Sud 13, Ramanand Swami left his mortal body in Fareni and was freed from Durvasa s curse. On the fourteenth day after Swami s departure, a great assembly was called by Swami Sahajanand consisting of saints and haribhaktas. He pacified all those who were grieving at the loss of Ramanand Swami. They all later returned to Mangrol where a great Vishnu Yag was arranged and it was at this time that Maharaj began his Samadhi Prakran, whereby devotees would receive darshan of their own ishtadev. As a result many became firmly devoted to Maharaj. 12. Maharaj Sports in Dhamadka Once Shreeji Maharaj came to Dhamadka. On hearing news that Maharaj was due to come, the Darbar (Leader) of Dhamadka, Ladhaji along with his sons, Kalyansinhaji, Ramsinhaji, Raidhanji and Adaji as well as all the devotees of Dhamadka came to receive Maharaj from the outskirts of the city with great pomp and pleasure. They fell at Maharaj s feet and attained the bliss of performing Dandvat Pranam. Maharaj resided in Dhamadka for many days and passed his time by giving pleasure to the people of Dhamadka by accepting their service. He stayed at the Darbar of Ladhaji where he would give spiritual sermons. He gave pleasure to all by performing many leelas in Dhamadka and receiving the foods prepared by them. He would daily at times of early morning and noon go to Narayan Dhara for bathing along with all the saints and devotees. Once they all assembled for bathing at Narayan Dhara but there was a group of crocodiles in the water. All the devotees were frightened and began to retreat but Maharaj calmed them by saying, The crocodiles have come for my darshan therefore fear not, and so Maharaj lead the way to enter the waters. Maharaj put all the crocodiles into a still state of Samadhi by giving a divine glance upon the crocodiles, whereby all could bathe peacefully. Indeed the crocodiles were like planks floating upon the water and so Maharaj said to everyone, Sit upon the crocodiles and wash your clothes! All the devotees were mesmerised by this. After bathing and washing their clothes, Maharaj instructed everyone to leave the waters and Maharaj again gave his divine glance upon the crocodiles, which took them out of Samadhi state. In a nearby field there were date plants which were full of delicious dates. Maharaj used to eat first and foremost as prashad and then distribute to the devotees there present. Maharaj used to often dive into the waters of Narayan Dhara and would hide underwater and the saints and haribhaktas would try to find Maharaj. He would sometimes hold the hand of a blessed choicest devotee and enter the water with him and they would have the pleasure of splashing the water on one another. In this way, Maharaj performed some great leelas giving happiness to all devotees at Dhamadka. 13. Maharaj Removes the Arrogance of the Four Brothers Once, Maharaj asked the Raidhanji and his brothers, Who is the strongest out of you four brothers? Ramsangji replied, O Maharaj, Raidhanji is the strongest out of all of us! There is none stronger than he. Maharaj enquired, How strong is Raidhanji? The three brothers replied, O Maharaj! Raidhanji is so strong that he can crush eight green coconuts with his body in one go!

13 Maharaj in amazement enquired, How is it possible for him to break eight coconuts in one go? Ramsangji answered, O Maharaj! He places two coconuts under his armpits, two in between the lower and upper arms, two across his thighs and the final two at his knees. And then he breaks them all in one go! Furthermore he can break a betel nut with his fingers! Similarly it does not matter how thick a sugar cane is but he can break it easily with his bare hands. Maharaj said nothing in reply to this and they all went to eat. After eating, they took mukhvas (mouth cleanser/freshener) and assembled together. Maharaj asked Raidhanji, O Raidhanji! Do you know how to wrestle? Raidhanji replied, Yes Maharaj! Then wrestle with me, insisted Maharaj. Raidhanji in amazement asked Maharaj, do you know how to wrestle? Maharaj replied, Yes I do. When I was younger, I learnt to wrestle in Ayodhya. Therefore get ready! Maharaj commanded all four brother to get ready to wrestle but the brothers were hesitant as they thought to themselves that if they were to fight with Maharaj, who is God, then it would be seen as a great insult. Maharaj pacified them and said, There is no need to worry as we are all equal here! Hearing this they got ready to fight. Maharaj told all four brothers to grab hold of his arms but the brothers again became hesitant thinking that Maharaj s body was weak with the intense penance that he had subjected it to and so if they did grab hold and pull then they would surly break Maharaj s fragile body. But Maharaj convinced them to continue and as they grabbed hold of Maharaj, Maharaj was able to reverse the hold and grab hold of the two of the brothers in headlocks and the other two with his legs. In this way Maharaj was able to defeat all four brothers together. The four brothers tried with great effort to get out of Maharaj s hold but they were unsuccessful. Maharaj had them beat. After a while, the brothers were weakened and began to sweat profusely and accepted defeat. Maharaj released them. Maharaj asked, I thought you said that you were strong and this Raidhanji had immense strength? The brothers realised their mistake and thus their arrogance was removed. They now began to realise the greatness in strength and prowess of the Lord who in his previous incarnation as Shree Krishna at the mere age of eleven had defeated the elephant Kuvalyapid that had the strength of ten thousand elephants. He had grabbed the elephant by its tail, spun it and threw it miles away onto the army of Jarasandh. They also remembered how Shree Krishna had killed Kansa who also had the strength of ten thousand elephants and how he had defeated the wrestlers who themselves were immensely strong. Having fought with Maharaj they had now realised that the strength of the Lord was infinite and that their strength was nothing in comparison. They saluted Maharaj and begged for forgiveness. 14. Three Sadhus Eat the Food Prepared for Three Hundred People Once Maharaj came to Dhamadka to Ladhaji s residence where a wedding was taking place. Karniba and the others were all busy in preparations and tasks and so did not realise that Maharaj had come. Another person saw Maharaj and began to tell Karniba that Maharaj had arrived. All the womenfolk left their nominated tasks and came to Maharaj and performed his poojan. She asked about Maharaj s wellbeing and so Maharaj requested some food, as he was mightily hungry. After feeding Maharaj, three Sadhus arrived and they too explained that they were hungry, as they had not had any food for the last three days. Karniba extended an invitation to them but Maharaj said to Karniba, O Karniba! You will not be able to provide fully for these Sadhus and so if they do go hungry then they will surly make a point of this whereby diminishing you. Karniba replied, Maharaj, we have prepared food for three hundred guests at the wedding, I m sure that we can cater for these three Sadhus!

14 Furthermore it would not be right if we turn them away and they have to beg for alms when everyone else is here eating sumptuous meals at the ready. Karniba brought the food out and Maharaj began to serve it to them. But however much they brought out, it was all eaten by these three Sadhus! When the plates are empty, Maharaj asks whether they are full yet but they reply that they are still very hungry and so more is brought out. This happened many times over and Karniba began to think to herself, I have brought so much food out and yet they still do not say no and now we have nearly finished all that we had! In this was Maharaj had served all the food prepared for the three hundred guests to just these three Sadhus! Maharaj asked again, O Sadhus! You look like you are full now? But they replied, O Maharaj! We are still hungry. If there is more food then please bring it to us! Only Yoghurt now remained in the house and so Maharaj requested Karniba to bring that and served it to the saints. However the saints were still hungry! Finally Ghee was brought out and given to the saints but still this was not enough. Karniba was dismayed, as she now had nothing more to give. At the request of the family, she prayed with folded hands to Maharaj and accepted defeat. She requested that Maharaj do something to alleviate her problem. Maharaj was pleased with her and said, O Karniba! I told you from the beginning that you would not be able to satiate their hunger but yet you still went ahead disobeying me and now you ask me to sort things out. What can I do now? The saints are still hungry. At that moment another twenty Sadhus came and embraced Maharaj. Maharaj asked about their wellbeing. The saints all said that they were extremely hungry as they had not eaten for three days. Maharaj requested Karniba to bring some food out for these saints. She brought out Sidhu (basic food preparation) which she had in the house and Maharaj distributed it to the twenty saints as well as the previous three, which were there. As this was Maharaj s instruction, the saints were satiated by this and indeed the food did not seem to diminish at all there seemed to be an everlasting supply as Maharaj served it. This was also served to the three hundred guests and all were happily fed. In this way Maharaj performed many divine leelas in Dhamadka. Those who with faith read, listen or speak of these sports of the Lord will attain the Lord s Akshardhaam as all their sins will be washed away. 15. Maharaj Adorns the Clothes of a Gopi Once Maharaj left for Dhamadka from Manukuva on his own. On his way he gave away all his clothing s except for a Dhoti which adorned the lower part of his body. He came to Karniba where she enquired, O Maharaj! Why have you come in such guise on your own? Have you been looted on the way? Maharaj smiled and said, O Karniba! Leave such talk and please bring me some food as I am hungry. However nothing was prepared in the house and could not wait for Karniba to prepare some foods as he was so hungry. Karniba suggested Yoghurt, which Maharaj agreed to. Seven or eight containers of Yoghurt were brought out and eaten by Maharaj! Karniba then brought some ghee out for Maharaj as he was still hungry. Four measures of ghee were consumed by Maharaj and then Maharaj said, I can now wait for you to prepare some food and so please hurry and prepare me something. Karniba lovingly prepared some food and gave it to Maharaj. After satiating his hunger he drank some water and then took mukhvas. He then sat on his throne and began to stroke his feet and noticed splinters and requested Karniba to remove them. She took Maharaj s feet in her hands and removed eighteen splinters. Maharaj was immensely pleased with her and blessed her, O Karniba! Today you have removed the splinters from my feet and therefore accept that all the splinters of worldly life have been removed from you! Maharaj saw some new clothing that Karniba had recently acquired. Karniba requested Maharaj to purify them by adorning them and giving darshan as a Gopi. Maharaj decided

15 that he had manifested for the purpose of granting all the wishes of his choicest devotees and so decided to adorn the clothing. Karniba said to Maharaj, O Maharaj! You will not know how to wear our clothing and so let me help you put them on! In this was Karniba helped Maharaj wear the clothes and bedeck him with jewellery and other ornaments. All the women came for darshan of Maharaj as a Gopi and they sang songs. Raidhanji hearing the songs also came and received divine darshan of Maharaj as a Gopi. He asked, O Maharaj! Why is it that you have dressed as a Gopi? Maharaj replied, What can I do. I was just the one and the women were many and so they all got together and dressed me as they are dressed! It s not my fault, what can I do on my own? All the haribhaktas burst into laughter! They were immensely pleased with this manushya-leela of his. Brahmanand Swami and other saints also came in search of Maharaj and they too had darshan of Maharaj in the guise of a Gopi and were immensely pleased by it. Swami composed a kirtan of these events, Gopi baniya Giradhari Once after Maharaj departed to Dhaam, he gave darshan to Karniba and instructed her to donate the clothes and ornaments that he wore to the temple at Bhuj. These have been preserved within the Aksharbuvan at Bhuj temple. 16. Maharaj Grants a Boon to Karniba Once Maharaj had come to Dhamadka from Bhuj and all the saints and devotees were assembled in a congregation. Karniba noticed Maharaj stroking his feet and asked whether there were still some splinters, which were causing him pain that she was unable to remove previously. Maharaj replied that he did not have any splinters but was stroking his feet as he merely had a habit to do so and he continued to give sermons on Dharma etc. He took some thaal and then decided to go to Bhachau where he dined at Bhakta Shree Vaghasha. He continued to Adhoi and then onto Gujarat. After a while, he returned back to Dhamadka. He resided at Ladhaji s home where Karniba served him dearly. Delighted by her service, Maharaj granted her a boon and so asked her to request any favour from Maharaj. Karniba made Maharaj confirm that he would grant whatever wish that she so pleased and then said, O Maharaj! I request that my four sons reach and receive the happiness of your Dhaam before I do. Similarly I request that my husband also reach your Dhaam before me and are blessed by serving you always. Maharaj hearing this, for some time sat in silence shocked by what Karniba had requested and hesitated in granting such wish as it would be difficult and improper to grant whereby a mother outlives all her children. However Karniba insisted by saying, I would rather see my sons off to Dhaam first as if I was to leave before them then who knows what may happen to them and what actions they may do as they may even fight over the estate? Similarly if I leave before my husband then who will take care of him after I leave? Therefore I have decided thus. Maharaj was gratified by her words and granted the boon. Karniba requested a further boon, Whomsoever leaves their body in my Darbar be it man or animal should be accompanied to your Dhaam by either yourself or your saints. This was also granted. Maharaj then left for Bhuj. The boons granted by Maharaj came true just as she requested. It is said that even today, those that leave their mortal body in the Darbar at Dhamadka are promoted to Akshardhaam and Maharaj or his saints come to take them but the servants of Yama are banned from entering such place. Just before Karniba departed to Dhaam all the assets of her estate were transferred to the temple at Bhuj. 17. Dhamadka s Downfall as a Result of Disobeying the Guru s Command and Raidhanji and Others Move to Adhoi

16 The King of Bhuj was Bharmalji and the King of Dhamadka was Gajaji (Gajansinhaji). Both were related to each other and once Bharmalji sent a letter requesting help from Gajaji as Bharmalji was facing defeat at the hands of one Fateh Mohamud, who had become strong in Bhuj. Bharmalji read the letter and was astonished and saddened by the fact that Gajaji was facing such atrocities at the hands of this Muslim Moghel. He was ready to leave for Bhuj to vanquish him and went to his Guru Ramanand Swami for his blessings. Swami meditated upon the Lord and replied, Do not go to Bhuj as you will surely face defeat. It is God s will that this Fateh Mohamud gains power. Gajaji heeded the words of Swami and did not go to Bhuj. Swami left for another town. After some time, the request from Bhuj again arose. This time Gajaji decided to forget and disobey what Swami had commanded and came to Bhuj to where Fateh Mohamud was residing. Fateh did not realise his ulterior motive and so welcomed him. He did not realise that Gajaji had a sword hidden on him with Fateh s name on it. Waiting for the right moment he took out the sword and threw a blow to Fateh but Fateh had seen it coming and had moved just it time for the sword to hit the pillar beside him instead. The associates of Fateh came to his aid and grabbed hold of Gajaji and killed him. Fateh had learnt the Gajaji had disobeyed the command of his Guru, Ramanand Swami who was residing in Bhuj at present. He thought to himself that the Guru had acted in his interest and so he began to develop respect for Ramanand Swami and so wished for his darshan. Ramanand Swami also learnt of Fateh s affection for him and came to give him darshan. Fateh and his associates all arose and paid their respects to Ramanand Swami. After Ramanand departed from this earth, Fateh also accepted the greatness of his successor, Sahajanand Swami and had great respect for him. After many years, Gajaji s younger brother also tried to kill Fateh as his hatred for him grew. Fateh was angered by this and he took an army with him to Dhamadka to fight. He barged into the fortress there and destroyed Dhamadka in its entirety. The younger brother of Gajaji fled that same night. Raidhanji and brothers, Karniba, Jijiba and others all left also and decided to reside in Adhoi under the control of the King of Morbi. The King welcomed them and gave them shelter there as Raidhanji and his brothers were his cousin brothers (masyai bhai). 18. Maharaj Sports in Adhoi and Yagnas are performed at both Adhoi and Dabhan Maharaj once made his way to Rapar at the residence of Samatji Sarvaiya. Samatji was blind and Maharaj came and said that he was a Sadhu of Lord Swaminarayan but Samatji saw through this and correctly identified him as Lord Swaminarayan himself by feeling the body of Maharaj. When Maharaj asked how he was able to identify him, he remarked, When I felt your body I realised that such a beautiful body could only belong to God. Maharaj was greatly impressed and said, You are blind yet your internal eyes are wide open. Samatji then requested Mulji Brahmchari to prepare food for Maharaj and they all dined. Samatji was a great Vedantin and so he asked Maharaj a number of questions on this subject. For seven days and nights Samatji questions Maharaj who provided the answers and Mulji prepared foods. Maharaj then bid farewell and went to Adhoi to Ladhaji s residence where he stayed for two months and often went to bathe at the nearby lake with all the saints and devotees. Opposite the lake there is a well with steps in which Maharaj also used to go to bathe. Maharaj used to go for darshan of Pataleshvar Mahadev there.