ChhappiyaChar dham yatra, pg 526

This is the most auspicious tirth for a Swaminarayan satsangi as it is the birth place of our beloved Lord. Why is it known as the most auspicious place? Ghanshyam Maharaj has performed many leelas at each and every corner of Chhappiya, He has made each and every grain of sand on the land of Chhappiya pious and very sacred. It is said, once in a satsangi’s life one must go to this tirth, we will look at this closely in the mahima section.

Just before Ghanshyam Maharaj was born there was so much evil around, each and every corner of this village had asuras. Dharmadev and Bhaktimata were the only ones in the village who were devoted to the Lord and did not get affected by adharma around them. Once the asuras found out they were performing many religious acts they would harass them. All the asuras were aware the almighty Lord supreme was able to take birth in the gaam of Chhappiya so they would do whatever they could so this would not happen. They would go into Dharmadev and Bhatimata’s house to take away any food they had or they would add meat in the food so they could not consume it. They both had to fast many times due to this and the suffering was unbearable to even witness. Even though they got all this unhappiness upon them they were still firm in their devotion to the Lord and never faltered all blamed the Lord for any sufferings they had to go through. How many of us would be able to suffer the pain Dharmadev and Bhaktimata had to bear? Would our faith stay as strong as theirs? Yet we make many excuses when it comes to perfoming bhakti even though everything has been handed to us on a plate. In Sarangpur Vachanamrut 16, Maharaj has said Nar-Narayan dev is doing thap for his devotees so they are kept sukhi (happy). So God Himself is going as far as helping us so why not help ourselves.

In Chhapiya there are 2 temples, one is above the janam sthan (birth place) where there is a murti of Ghanshyam Maharaj in the Mandir. As you enter the main gate of the temple there is the main Mandir which has the murti of Ayodhyprasdji Maharaj, Ghanshyam Maharaj, Dharmadev and Bhaktimata. This makes up the middle singhasan. To the right of these murti’s is Harikrushna Maharaj, Baldevji and Revtiji. To the left of the middle singhasan is Vasudev Narayan, Kunjvihari and Radhikaji.

Mahima of Chhappiya according to Ghanshyamlilamrut sagar (14th Tharang):-1. All the devs pray to Maharaj to give them birth in Chhappiya2. There are countless tirths residing in Chhappiya3. The land of Chhappiya is considered the land of Akshardham4. Who ever travels around Chhappiya never gets affected by kaal, karma and maya5. Who ever believes in the mahima of Chhappiya never have the fear of yamdoots approaching

them6. Whoever stays in Chhappiya for one night is freed from the cycle of birth and death. As well as

this Akshardham is not far from him

One time during Chhappiya Dharmadev with his 2 sons Rampratap and Ghanshyam Maharaj went for bathing in Narayan Sarovar. Once they got there Dharmadev saw that the water is very little and the many animals and fishes living there will die without water. So he thought it will not rain for many months still and these species in the water will die from the heat. Ghanshyam Maharaj being all knowing knew what His father was thinking. So Ghanshyam Maharaj went in the middle of Narayan sarovar and put right big toes into the ground. All of a sudden water emerged from Patal (Lowest of world in this universe) in the form of Ganga and started to fill up. Dharmadev saw the water filling and thought what is happening here? Ghanshyam Maharaj said, ‘Father I knew your wish so I requested Gangaji to come from Patal to fill this sarovar. The water will keep filling until you wish. On hearing this Dharmadev became happy and said the water should fill until 3 dhanushya (measurement). Ghanshyam Maharaj

waited for the water to fill until Dharmadev’s wish and then stopped the water filling. Once the sarovar was full many birds, fishes etc came to drink this water thinking it to be prashad given by Ghanshyam Maharaj. Ghanshyam Maharaj then shouted and said, ‘Dada! This parrot has come in the disguise of Sukhdevji for my darshan. The parrot heard this and came to sit near Ghanshyam Maharaj. Ghanshyam Maharaj picked up the parrot and stroked the feathers on its body. Ghanshyam Maharaj then told the parrot, ‘Sukhdevji, you must come into this Satsang and will be named as Shuminu. I will always keep you very close to me.’ Upon saying this Ghanshyam Maharaj let the parrot free. The parrot then disappeared and everyone was amazed to see this.

AyodhyaChar dham yatra, pg 519 & Ayodhyani tirthyatra

Valmiki rushi in the Ramayan has greatly praised Ayodhya, which is the birth place of Lord Ram. Ayodhya was 12 yojan’s in length and 3 yojan’s in width. Dashrath raja performed many yagnas in Ayodhya. As he never had any sons he once performed the putrashtiya yagna, so he could attain a son. The fruits of this yagna enabled him to have a son and Lord Ram took birth at his palace, due to this birth Lord Ram performed many leelas allowing the village to be very kalyankari.

Sadguru Nishkulanand Swami has written in Bhaktachintamni the mahima of this great place. He states this is such a place with many Dev’s and Mandirs where everyday the aarti is heard far and wide. They perform utsavs with great devotion using many musical instruments such as the Zaaz, Mrudang, Shankh etc. In such a pious place Lord Ram took birth. This is a place of great vidhya (teaching), in such a place was where Ghanshyam Maharaj came to make a pious place even more sacred than it is.

Nishkulanand Swami further says as the age of 3 Ghanshyam Maharaj along with His family came to Ayodhya. Everyday Dharmadev use to go bath in the Saryu River and accompanying him would be Ghanshyam Maharaj. At the age of 5 Ghanshyam Maharaj would go and bath alone in the Saryu River. Ghanshyam Maharaj came to Ayodhya to make all the presents tirths more pious than ever before by visiting each and every tirth place in Ayodhya. As He went to each tirth place he would sing the greatness of it helping others see the greatness of this wonderful village. He would visit all these tirths everyday early in the morning and then would return home and then take food. This was a daily niyam and an example set by the Lord Himslef. Even though he is God of Gods he has done all this to set a strong example to us, yet we let laziness creep in and stray away from Maharaj. As maya (illusion) takes over we start forgetting the Lord as we get older.

The Swaminarayan Mandir there has the murti of Radha Krishna and Harikrushna Maharaj. Just outside in the courtyard of the Mandir there use to be Ramanand Swami and Dharmadev and Bhaktimata’s house.

There are many darshan places in Ayodhya which Ghanshyam Maharaj visited which are listed below:-

1. Ram bhagwan’s janma sthan2. Hanuman gadhi3. Kanakbhuvan4. Ratna singhasan5. Saryughat6. Anandbhuvan7. Kopbhuvan8. Nandi gaam (where Bharatji did thap)

9. Suryaghat with a Suryanarayan Mandir present

10. Govind dasji’s Mandir11. Ahalyabai’s Mandir12. Bhatteshvar Mahadev13. Mitai Shop (opposite Swaminarayan

Mandir)14. Laxmanghat15. Ramghat

16. Jankighat17. Vidhakund18. Brahmkund

19. Sitakund20. Saryu River (which Ghanshyam Maharaj

crossed with His family from Chappaiya)

The main leelas that happened at Ayodhya that Ghanshyam Maharaj performed which are briefly described below:-

Ram Janma sthan & Shree Ghanshyam MaharajOnce Dharmaseva and Bhaktimata went for darshan at the janma sthan of Lord Ram. Ghanshyam Maharaj had gone there with His parents. They did darshan of the small paraniyu of Lord Ram and Laxman with the poojari of the Temple gently swinging the paraniyu. Ghanshyam Maharaj had gone close to the paraniyu and the thakorji from the paraniyu opened His hands to Ghanshyam Maharaj and said ‘He prabhu, please take your place on this paraniyu.’ Instantly Ghanshyam took a second form of His self and one form went to sit in the paraniyu and the other form stayed beside Bhaktimata. The poojari saw this and was amazed at what had happened, so the thakorji from the paraniyu spoke and said ‘He poojari, this Ghanshyam Maharaj is none other than aksharadipati Purshottam Narayan and beside Him standing there are His parents Dharmadev and Bhaktimata. He has taken birth and has come to give moksha to all devotes that come into contact with him. So poojari please do pooja to Him’ Upon hearing this from the thakorji the poojari did pooja to Ghanshyam Maharaj, once the pooja was over the poojari started dancing. Upon seeing this bhaktibhav from the poojari, Ghanshyam Maharaj became very happy and got off the paraniyu and gave a garland to the poojari. How lucky must this poojari have been?

Anguthi leelaOnce Ghanshyam Maharaj was very hungry so Suvasini bhabhi had said to wait a while and she will make some food. Just as she started she removed a ring from her finger. Ghanshyam Maharaj saw this ring and thought for a little while standing there. He then took the ring and got all his friends together and told them you always say the Ghanshyam doesn’t give us (mitai) sweets, so today I will let you eat as much as you desire. They all went down to the kandoi’s shop and Ghanshyam said give us some mitai, the kandoi said I hope you have money. Ghanshyam said I have this very nice looking ring. The kandoi took this ring looked at it and then gave mitai to Ghanshyam and His friends. Ghanshyam then said this is not enough we want more and you need to give us until we are happy. The kandoi looked at the ring again and thought this ring is worth a lot and I cant give it back. So he decided to give Ghanshyam as many mitai as he desired. Ghanshyam took the mitai to Saryu nadi and all His friends ate it at their hearts content.

Meanwhile the food was ready back home by Suvasini bhabhi, she shouted, ‘Oh Ghanshyam’ but there was no reply, She thought where must he have gone. She washed her hands and went to put her ring on but to find the ring was missing. It was just here a minute ago, this must be Ghanshyam up to mischief. Bhabhi was now upset and worried that her expensive ring was missing. She went and told Rampratapbhai, he got angry and pulled out a stick and went out looking for Ghanshyam. Rampratapbhai after searching far and wide came to Saryu nadi and saw Ghanshyam. Ghanshyam realised Rampratapbhai coming and told his friends ok now all of you go home and eat this mitai at home. Rampratapbhai came and asked Ghanshyam what is all this? Why are you here? Ghanshyam replied my friends called me here. Rampratapbhai asked where the ring had gone, Ghanshyam replied I don’t know. Rampratap then took Ghanshyam home.

When they reached home, Suvasini bhabhi went to Bhaktimata and said lovingly ‘Sut maat jashomati gori tare laal anguti chori maiya’. Your Ghanshyam has taken my ring. Bhaktimata asked Ghanshyam, have you taken the ring? Ghanshyam replied, No mother. ‘yeh bolat gvalan juthi, maiya mein nahi lini anguthi.’ Mother I have not taken the ring. Bhaktimata said where has it gone and who could have taken

it from our house? Ghanshyam said I don’t know, I haven’t taken it. Bhabhi then said he is not telling the truth, I know he has taken it.

‘Sab kahat haye juthh kanya, sachi mat mano tum maiya’ Mother Ghanshyam he is making all this up, I just saw Ghanshyam’s friends go with mitai packets, when I asked where they had come from they told me Ghanshyam took us to the mitai shop to eat mitai and now we are going home. ‘Naam nishaan sahit unahi ne chor kaan kareya’ So I have proof you see. At that point Ghanshyam looked down and Bhaktimata took Ghanshyam and is saying, ‘Brahmanand kahe hasi jashomati, ab nahi aesi kareya. Sut aeso kaam na kije, chain vastu kabhu na lije.’ Bhaktimata is saying you shouldn’t do this, we have a lot in our house so don’t steal anything,

Rampratapbhai then went to the mitai shop to get the ring back and said give me the ring back, why did you take it from Ghanshyam. The kandoi said I took it in return I let Ghanshyam eat as much he desired. Now he has emptied my shop and I have nothing. The next day the kandoi went back and he found his shop full of mitai just like it was before Ghanshyam came. Not only that but his business grew very quickly. Even today this mitai shop can be visited just opposite the Swaminarayan Mandir in Ayodhya.

Saryuganga does pooja

Ghanshyam Maharaj use to bath in the Saryu River everyday. But on this particular day was Ekadashi so with Ghanshyam were accompanied by Dharmadev and Rampratapbhai. The removed their clothes and went for bathing. At this point a beautiful lady dressed with beautiful clothes came out and it was none other than Saryu ganga herself. She went up to Ghanshyam did kumkum chandlo and then put a garland around His neck. All the devotees around the area were amazed to see this. Saryu ganga thought herself to be very luck to have let Ghanshyam bath in the Saryu River.

Yagnopavit leela

Dharmadev decided that it was time for Ghanshyam Maharaj’s yagnopavit sanskaar. So he decided to gather all his family members and asked them that he wants to do Ghanshyam’s yagnopavit sanskaar in Ayodhya, what do you all think? Everyone agreed and started preparing for it. They went to a pious pandit to find a suitable day.

‘Joy josh joshi boliya, varsh aatmu che aa anupMaag sudi dashmi dine shubh muhrat che such roop’

The pandit decided the best day would be Maha sud 10. They invited learned Brahmins, the whole of Chhapiya and invitations were sent far and wide, ‘Come and attend our Ghanshyam’s yagnopavit ceremony.

All the relatives started coming and Dharmadev started accomdating them, mandap was then put up and the vidhi for a wearing a janoi was started. Once this was over the janoi was put on Ghanshyam by the vedic mantras spoken by the Brahmins and he was looking adorable. Once the vidhi was over it was time for Ghanshyam to obtain some biksha, he stood with a bag attached to a stick and was looking like a batuk brahmachari. He then went towards Bhaktimata who gave mitai, Suvasini bhabhi then gave him, Ghanshyam’s mami gave thaal. By the time you knew it Ghanshyam’s bag was full. He then offered all his bhiksha to his guru. At this time musical instruments are playing, all the ladies are singing kirtans and the Brahmins are saying the vedic mantras. The whole of Chhapiya has become joyful and everyone has announced JAY!!!

The last vidhi was left where Ghanshyam has leave home and Vashram mama is running behind him to catch him. But His mama could not catch him and so His mama sat down for rest. Ghanshyam Maharaj is still running ahead but then stopped and thought if I leave now who will do seva of my parents? He decided it was not an appropriate time to leave. So he let His mama catch him and took Ghanshaym back. All the relatives and Brahmins were fed and donations were given. All the vairagis in Ayodhya were fed and given gifts.

Hanuman gadhi Hanuman gadhi is a very famous Temple which Ghanshyam Maharaj use to visit daily, the Ramayan katha was being read so after doing darshan Ghanshyam Maharaj sat to listen. Mohandas was reading the Ramayan katha and the mahima of Ekadashi and vrat came. Ghanshyam Maharaj thought Ekadashi is the highest of vrats but people are not practicing it. Ghanshyam is all knowing so knew that Mohandas did not do this vrat and thought it is not right that he reads the katha and does not practice the vrat. Ghanshyam thought I will give Him a niyam of doing the vrat.

While the katha of Ekadashi came Ghanshyam Maharaj asked Mohandas the Ekadashi vrat is mentioned in the Ramayan but why is it that no one perfoms this vrat? Mohandas replied, oh young child you won’t understand such things. The Ekadashi vrat is right but only is satyug. At that point by the wish of Ghanshyam Mohandas went into Samadhi (deep trance) where he ended up in Yampuri. There the Yam started beating Mohandas and saying you have just insulted our Lord. He is no normal child, ask for His forgiveness and start the vrat of Ekadashi. Mohandas came out of samadhi and fell at the feet of Ghanshyam and asked for forgiveness saying I will start this vrat today. Mohandas also told the whole sabha this is no one else but Lord Ram Himself. He told all to bow to Ghanshyam. Ghanshyam became happy and said if the vakta (the one does katha) improves himself then only will the shrota (listeners of katha)improve themselves.

MathuraChar dham yatra, pg 597

There is a Shikarbandh mandir .In the centre there is Harikrishna, and Krishna Radhaji, on the right is Balswaroop Ghanshyam maharaj and Sukshaya in the left. There are a few places worth doing darshan of, Birla mandir where Krishna Bhagwan holds chakra. The chakra is in the right hand and sankh is in the lower left hand. There is also murti of Laxmi-Narayan there. There is a red stone there and on it are shloks of the Gita and meaning of them in Hindi. There is also a Yamuna river and near that is a Dwarkadish temple. Loads of poojavidhi goes on there. There is also a Bankebihari temple. There is also a Rangnath Mahadev present in Mathura. At this place Dharma and Bhakti on their way to Vrindavan to do tap stayed three nights here. There is an ashram built there by the name Shri Swaminarayan Ghanshyam and in there are the murtis of Dharma, Bhakti and Swaminarayan bhagwan installed. The murti installation was done by permission of Dharma Dhurandar 1008 Devendraprasadji Maharaj on the 8th of March of year 1964. It’s a small mandir but very famous. There is the birthplace are of Shri krsna bhagwan a mile from Mathura. There is a small temple there of lord Krishna. There is murtis of Vasudev Devki and Shri Krsna in that temple. The place where Vasudev and Devki were arrested is also there .There is a red stone there with Bhagwat Geeta shloks explained in Hindi. There is also a temple of Kubja in Mathura. There are 24 ‘ghats’ of Yamuna. The Vishwam ghat is one of the main ones. Shri Krishna rested here after a war. When Krishna bhagwan left from Mathura to Dwarika, he left his Mojdi and Mugat at Vishwam ghat. There is also a murti of Yamunaji there. Arti of Yamunaji takes place here every night.

VrundavanChar dham yatra, pg 596

Vrundavan is 6 miles north of Mathura. Many years ago Kushdvaj raja’s daughter Vrunda did thap in satyayug. Vrunda did thap in this van hence the name arising Vrundavan. Vrundavan is a place where Shree Krishna during His childhood performed very many leelas.

The great places in Vrundavan are as follows:

Shreerang nathji’s Temple from the Ramanuj sampradayaThe murti there is of Sheshshaya bhagwan together with Shreedevi and Bhudevi. There is a big golden pillar in the courtyard of the temple and is 25 feet high and weighing 12 and half manns (measurement). On top of the door and the pillar there is a shikhar (also called Gopur) with a goldon kalash adorning it. There are several other Temples in close proximity of this one.

VadvaraThe Temple is made up of marble pillars. The architecture of this amazing Temple was Biharilal from Lucknow.

Lalababu’s TempleLalababu was a great devotee of Maharaj, he had sent a perfume bottle for Maharaj. The Lalababu’s Temples is also known as Bankebihari. The shikhar of the Temple is beautiful. Shree Krishna bhagwan stands on Kalinaag playing the flute. On the side is a dharmshala.

Yamuna – Chinharan ghatThis place Shree Krishna Bhagwan hid the Gopi’s clothes on the Kadam tree.

Gajraj KundAt this place Bhagwan rescued Gajraj

Bansi vattThere is a Gopinathiji Temple at Bansi vatt. At this place Shree Krishna did raas leela for 6 months.

GokulChar dham yatra, pg 599

Gokul is about 8 miles from Mathura which is the birth place of Lord Shree Krishna. There is a new and old Gokul. The main Mandir here is the Gopinathji Mandir. On Murlidhar ghat Shree Krishna played His flute and from the sound of the flute a well was dug so the Gopi’s could satiate their thirst.

Old GokulThere is Nand and Yashoda’s house present with a paraniyu (cot) where Yashoda is using a silver chain to gently rock Shree Krishna to sleep. Near this there is a murti of Nand-Yashoda and Balram.Brahmanand ghatThis is the place where the leela of Shree Krishna eating mud occurred. He showed Yashoda the inside of His mouth where she saw the whole universe.

RamanretiHalf a mile away from Gokul is a place called Ramanreti. There is a Sanyas ashram there where many sanyasi’s come to stay in small huts and perform kirtan bhakti. There is a mahima of rolling around in the sand at this place. This signifies the same thing Shree Krishna use to do where he played around in His childhood by rolling around in the sand.

One time Baldevji came to Gokul with a desire to beat up Sahurado. Baldevji met the govariya (shepherds), he met his parents and got their blessings. Then he went to meet the Gopis, where they started crying as they were reminded of Shree Krishna after doing darshan of Baldveji. Baldevji calmed them down and roamed around the forest nearby. Baldevji had a desire to bath in the Yamuna but Yamunaji thought he had a lot of pride and did not come to his service. At this point Baldevji became angry pulled Yamunaji towards him and said, ‘when I called you never came so now I will break you to pieces.’ Yamunaji become very worried and went to the feet of Baldevji asking for forgiveness. Baldevji out of compassion let her go.

Dholka Char dham yatra, pg 330

By request of all the devotees, Lord Shree Swaminarayan constructed a temple in Dholka and the murti of Shree Murlimanohar Dev was installed in V.S. year 1883 on the fifth day of the dark half of the month of Vaishakh on Wednesday.

The Swaminarayan Mandir has the following dev’s as well:

Ghanshyam Maharaj Nilkanth Mahadev and Parvati

There lived a kashinath learned Brahmin who had upmost love for his son. One day his son fell into a oil drum and died. Upon hearing this news his mother died to. The Brahmin saw this and due to the love between him and his son and wife he died. After dying he became a brahmraskshas (demon) and whoever came close to him he would kill. The place he stayed then became known as the bhutiyu house, as he killed many people and many ghosts got together with the brahmrakshas.

One day Goplanand Swami came to the village and asked the villagers is there any place where I can take residence. The villagers being demonic and jealous pointed out the bhuityu house and said go there you will be able to stay there. The villagers knew this was not a safe place to go but still sent swami there. So Goplanand Swami and other Santos found a nice spot near the house and cleaned the area for them to stay the night. As they did this the brahmrakshas saw them and went over to the Santos and started scaring them. The other Santos started getting scared but Goplanand Swami got some prashadi water and sprinkled it on him. Swami said how many days do you want to live like a demon? You are giving dukh to all these Santos. Swami’s words of wisdom gave the brahmrakshas knowledge of who he is and then he stood with folded hands and said, ‘Please save me from this demonic body I am really suffering inside.’ Swami then replied, the more attachments we have the more dukh (unhappiness) we will get. Swami then told him go to Gadhpur and meet the Santos that are making the Gadhpur Mandir. By Swami’s ashirvaad he went to the Mandir and helped with the construction and foundation of the Mandir. Many of the other ghosts did the same and they were all liberated.

PulashramChar dham yatra, pg 612

Nilkanth varni while on His pilgrimage kept thinking about the katha of Bharatji and wanted to go to the same place to do thap. He is on His way to Pulashram and eats fruits that have fallen from the trees. One day he continued on His journey but lost the way and did not have any food hence had to fast for 3 consecutive days. On the fourth day Almighty God supreme as fallen to the ground and slowly recovering He made his way to a river in the Himalayas. He had some water to drink and sat under a banyan tree where he started thinking of Hanumanji. At that instant Hanumanji appeared in His service.

Nilkanth Varni during the night would hear very loud roars from Lions, Tigers etc. This would phase any ordinary person but not Nilkanth varni, there is lightening in the sky and during this time Nilkanth varni has gone into Samadhi remembering Shree Hari (himself).

Nilkanth varni after many days came to the ashram in Muktinath and did pooja of Muktinath Bhagwan. He bathed in the River Gandki just near the Mandir. Once he had bathed we went to the place where Bharatji did thap (penance) and started doing thap. The sanyasi’s of the ashram looked on and thought how is this young child able to stand on one leg with both hands in the air and do thap like this. It seems like He is an avatar of the Lord or it is thap in its murtimaan form. While doing this unsual thap Nilkanth varni’s body has become very frail, all you can see is His veins and bones. Yet Nilkanth varni has not moved even one bit and is so focused with His mind on Suryanarayan, who he is trying to please. Dharmadev and Bhaktimata are either side of Nilkanth varni giving him ashirvaad. This lasted for 4 very cold months and on the day of Prabhodini Ekadashi Suryanarayan dev has come in his human form to give darshan and Nilkanth varni has stopped his thap. With folded hands Nilkanth varni is doing stuti to Suryanarayan dev even though He is almighty God supreme. In this human form in the form of a leela Nilkanth varni is now saying, ‘He Suryanarayan, you give light to all the universes whether they are good or bad. So please give me a boon.’ So Suryanarayan replied, ‘Oh Lord please ask.’ Nilkanth varni said, ‘Please save me form the antashatrus like kaam, krodh, lobh, moha etc. May I remain a naishtik brahmchari and when I wish please give me your darshan. I will not ask for anything materialistic just this.’ Suryanarayan became overwhelmed and said, ‘All I powers I have have been given by you, but if you still insist then I shall grant your wish.’ This auspicious tirth comes in the country of Nepal.

JaganathpuriChar dham yatra & Shikshapatri

Jagnnaathpuri is also known as Purshottampuri. It is in the part of Orrisaa, Jagnnaathji’s temple is very big, and Jagannaathji is residing on the Purva (East side). The idols of Balbadhraa (fair), Subadhraa (fair), Shree Krishna (dark) and Sudarshan Chakra are present in the temple. In addition to the above, the temple’s shikar (pinnacle) is 121 haath (214 feet or 65 m) long.

At the time the raajbhog thaal is offered or any thaal, mountains of rice are offered and served by the pandyaa’s However, there is no harm having the prashaad at Jagnnaath puri as Lord Shree Swaminarayan has stated in Shikshapatri shlok 19 that;

No one shall eat food prepared by a person, taking (cooked) food from whose hands prohibited in the Shastras or drink water from the vessels of such a person even as a prasad (eatables offered to a deity) of Shree Krishna, in any place, except at Jagannathpuri (where prasad of Shree Jagannathji can be taken)

The question here arises – ‘Why is Jagnnaathpuri free from these laws?’ To answer this question we must realise the greatness of Jagnnaathpuri and the greatness of Prashaad (sanctified food) of Jagannaathpuri.

During the installation ceremony of Lord Jagnnaath, the main thirty-three God’s came to witness the ceremony. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva were present. During the ceremony, cooked rice was offered as Prashaad to the congregation. However, in the hustle and bustle of things, much of the Prashaad fell to the floor, not reaching many of the Gods, saints and people. Though the Prashaad was on the floor and crushed by the feet of those present, many picked the cooked rice from the floor and ate the Prashaad.

Lord Shiva also picked some Prashaad from the floor and ate it. Lord Brahma who began to ridicule Shiva, refusing to eat it himself witnessed this. Brahma then looked towards the idol of Jagnnaath but

could not see it – it had become invisible to him. He began to question “Where has Lord Jagnnaath gone?” Shiva then spoke, “We can all have Darshan (sight of) the Lord, why is it that you cannot?” Brahma deluded, then came to the conclusion that, “May be it is because I did not partake in Prashaad, I did not have faith in the Prashaad.” So saying he picked up some rice from the floor and ate it. Instantly the vision of Lord Jagnnaath came to him and so he was finally able to have Darshan of the Lord.

The Prashaad seemed unacceptable to Brahma for the greatness of such Prashaad deluded him. For this reason the Prashaad at Jagnnaathpuri is considered to be prominent and great and so Rishis have praised it adequately by allowing such Prashaad to be taken regardless of restrictions otherwise. Taking of such Prashaad has great benefit and results in great Punya (good deeds).Indeed any Prashaad in accordance with Shastras (scriptures) have great benefits to those who partake in it. Such blessed food leads to the person who eats Prashaad to be also blessed. Many say that the power of Prashaad is beyond comprehension, deriving Punya equivalent to numerous fasts (Upvaas). Prashaad is said to contain spiritual powers or even miraculous powers and hence the greatness of Prashaad can never be fully praised. It is food or drink that is first offered to God and then consumed by us and so it is divine food, pure food or sanctified food. Thus Prashaad should never be under estimated as ‘just ordinary food or drink.’ For such reasons it should be a point for all households, that they always make offerings to God before they themselves eat in the home as a family.

Shatanand Swami says, “I write this because many are unappreciative of Prashaad. Many fail to see greatness and so end up not taking Prashaad or even throwing it away and ridiculing it sometimes. There is a saying, ‘Jevu Ann Tevu Mann’ – The mind is affected by what you eat. Thus by eating such Prashaad, the mind also becomes pure and healthy.

Once, Nilkanth Varni reached the outskirts of Jagannaathpuri and he heard someone calling, “Oh Nilkanth varni.” Nilkanth turned back to see who was calling him. It was Jairamdaas. He came running and panting and shouting. Seeing Jairam, Nilkanth stopped. Jairam came running and fell at the feet of Nilkanth. He begs Nilkanth, “Oh Lord, please forgive us of our faults. Oh kind hearted one, please pardon our mistakes. Come back to our house. I shall not allow you to proceed any further. My parents are very unhappy. They do not eat or drink. They cry all day long. The whole village is sad. Please hurry up, and return to my house. I shall not leave you alone. “Nilkanth calmed him and gave him a lot of advice. It was only then that Jairam became silent.

Nilkanth and Jairam entered the city of Jagnnaathpuri. This city is a very holy place pilgrimage. A big temple has been built there on the sacred ashes of Shree Krishna. Thousands of pilgrims crowded this place for darshan daily. There was, however, much trouble from the asuras (devils). A large band of naked bawas lived there. They were very cruel and merciless. Even the priest of the temple was deceptive. He used to steal the ornaments and vessels of the deity and sell them. He did not strictly observe the norms of purity by taking ceremonial baths. He extorted money from the devotees in the name of the worship of the deity. Nilkanth Varni entered the image of Lord Jagannaathji daily by his divine powers and observed the devotion and deceit of the priest.

One day he booked the priest and ordered him to perform the services of the deity devoutly. He narrated to him all his secret deceitful deeds. The priest was amazed to hear this. He thought, “Nilkanth is surely the incarnation of Shree Krishna.” He apologised to him. Nilkanth forgave him for his sins. The priest then became a true devotee, and began to perform the worship of the deity with devotion and without deceit.

RameshwarChar dham yatra, pg 491

There is a Rameshvar Shankar Mandir in the east. There is another Mandir just close by and there is a ling there which Hanumanji bought from Kashi. There is also a Parvatiji and Sheshshayi Mandir in Rameshwar. In addition to these there are many other small Mandirs. In total there are 22 kunds.

We will now look at how Rameshwar bhagwan’s murti was installed in the Mandir. After Lord Ram defeated Ravan, Vibhishan was enthroned as King. Upon this happening Ram, Sita, Laxman, Vibhishan and Hanumanji sat in a pushpak (flower shaped) viman and flew back from Lanka. They reached the Gandhmadan pravat (Ramzarukho) as the viman would not go any further. Ram bhagwan got off the viman to see why it had stopped. At that instance, they heard a voice from Agathsya and other rushi’s saying, ‘As you have killed the Brahmin Ravan you have received the brahmhatya paap (sin) and for this reason the viman has stopped. To get rid of this paap you must get a shivling from Kashi and bring it here to Rameshwar. By doing this your vehicle will be able to move forward.

Lord Ram gave Hanumanji the job of bringing the Shivling from Kashi. Hanmanji attained this Shivling by doing thap (penance). The day of Jeth sud 10 was chosen for the installation of the Shivling, everyone was waiting for the arrival of Hanumanji but he did not arrive on time. The rushis said the time was passing by and we must do the installation now before the muhrat (auspicious time) passes by. To save this auspicious time by the orders of Lord Ram Sitaji made a Shivling made of sand (verunu). The rushi’s then did the installation ceremony of this Shivling even though the Shivling Hanumanji had gone for did not arrive. On the installation ceremony being complete there was a big festival to celebrate this occasion. Everyone was in a joyful mood. Meanwhile Hanumanji had got the Shivling he was suppose to bring and came back to Rameshvar. He asked what is the reason for all this happiness. The Lord replied, ‘It is due to installation ceremony being completed.’ Hanumanji mesmerised asked, ‘How can the installation ceremony be complete if I have Shivling in my hand, which I have just bought from Kashi?’ The Lord replied, ‘As the auspicious time was passing by Sitaji made a veranu Shivling and we did the installation.’ Hanumanji then said ‘The actual Shivling is here now so lets replace the current one you installed with this one.’ The Lord replied, ‘We cannot lift this Shivling now it has been installed, it has been installed so for into the ground it has passed atal lokh down into the patal lokh. So if you have enough strength to remove it then do so?’ Hanumanji tried to do this but the Shivling would not move even an inch. Hanumanji lost all his morale and Lord Ram tried to console him and said that he will install the Shivling from Kashi next to the current one. Upon hearing this Hanumanji became overwhelmed and agreed. This is how the installation occurred in the Rameshwar Mandir.

HaridwarChar dham yatra, pg 572

Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city, the River Ganga, after flowing for 157 miles from its source at the Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Indo-Gangetic plains of North India for the first time at Haridwar. Hence, the reason why thousands of devotees go for bathing in the Ganga to get rid of their sins. Near the station in Haridwar there is a Swaminaryan Temple.

On the second day of Nilkanth varni’s journey he reached Haridwar. He headed towards the flow of the River Ganga past the big Shiva Temple. He decided to bath in the Ganga and then took rest on the shore under a tree. In this region there is Kumbhmela festival that is celebrated every 12 years. Every 6 years a Ardhkumbh festival is celebrated. During these festivals thousands of saints and devotees from many sampradayas come together as one.

When Nilkanth Varni came to Haridwar the Kumbhmela as per normal was being celebrated. On that day there is a big importance of having a bath in Ganga river and hence big groups of saints and grahstas

go to have a bath. As people go in big groups there is usually a lot of pushing therefore many men with weapons are present within the crowd to control any outbursts of people fighting. Despite of this many people die during this festival. In today’s time organisation is much improved to avoid such deaths.

During one such occasion, Nilkanth varni was sat at the place where many people were stamping on each other to get to the river to bath. In the process many people died as mentioned above. On seeing this Nilkanth varni felt sorry for the people. In that same area Lord Shiva came in the disguise of a Brahmin bowed down to Him and took him away to a place safe shelter place. Shiva bhagwan disguised as a Brahmin asked Varniraj His name. Nilkanth varni replied, ‘My name is Nilkanth, I am roaming the forest on a pilgrimage and will now go for darshan of Nar-Narayandev’. The Brahmin then replied, ‘You are Almighty God and have come to give me darshan. It is my wish to cook food and feed you so please grant me this wish.’ On hearing such polite words He agreed to eat and the Brahmin started cooking. At that moment sati Parvati came there and began to ask the Brahmin, ‘you have not cooked before so how did you cook today.’ He replied, ‘This Varni is a great naishtik brahmachari and hence want to make food to feed Him.’ Parvati then said, ‘Many yugs (era’s) and naishtik brahmchari’s have come but they have all served you and still continue to do so. There is no one in this world greater than you so why are you serving this varni.’ The Brahmin then replied, ‘Go into meditation and you will find out who this varni is.’ Parvati went into meditation and saw Varniraj to be almighty God with Shiva in His service. In this meditation Nilkanth varni said Shiva was not a true yogi and he has not served great people. Hence, Shiva disguised as a Brahmin has come to my service. Parvati then said, ‘The Brahmin doesn’t know how to cook well, so if you are happy please give the honour of cooking and serving you to. Nilkanth Varni said, ‘Either of you can cook as long as long as I can eat and prepare the food as quick as possible.’ Parvatiji then made ras (mango) and rotli. She then offered this to Nilkanth varni so he could eat. While eating Nilkanth varni asked Parvati tell me honestly who and this Brahmin is? Parvati then replied, ‘Despite knowing you are still asking who the Brahmin and I am. The Brahmin is Mahadev and I am Parvatiji. In the previous era’s Shivji had come to do penance and that is the reason why it is called Haridwar. This was all being narrated while Parvatiji went into meditation.

After coming out of meditation the Brahmin has now come with food. Nilkanth varni laughed and said to the Brahmin, ‘You took so long to make the food, I have now got gastric build up in my stomach. Hence, he was not hungry anymore. At that time the Brahmin replied, ‘If you eat you will feel better.’ Nilkanth varni agreed by eating some food and then gave some prashad back to the Brahmin which he distributed within his family and said this prashad is very rare to obtain. It is our great fortune to do darshan of such a great yogi. Afterwards the Brahmin did aarti and pradikshana of Nilkanth varni.

MangrolChar dham yatra, pg 246

There is a Shikharband Mandir present with the main murti of Dharm-Bhakti Harikrushna Maharaj, on the left is a small Ramchandraji murti from the old prashadi Ram Mandir. Most people know this murit as small Ghanshyam Maharaj. On the right of the main murti is Sukhshaya.

When Nilknath Varni arrived in Mangrol he went near the vaav (well), he left his mrugcharma, kamandal, pustak, balmukund no batvo and other items near the well and then went for bathing. When he reached the bottom there was a Ganchi Voro washing clothes. Nilkanth Varni said, ‘I want to bath please can you move to one side. Ganchi then moved to one side and said, ‘Maharaj, do you know how to swim?’ The Ganchi replied, ‘No I don’t know.’ The Ganchi then advised, ‘Once you go into the water there is no chance of coming out of it due the weeds that have grown in it and hence fill buckets of water and have bath like that. If you don’t want to do that then I know how to swim, you can sit on my shoulder and hold me tight, I will have a dip in water and you will get soaked as well and we will hence get out of the water after.’ Maharaj agreed to it. Maharaj sat on top of the Ganchi’s shoulders and held

his neck, and both fell in water. The Ganchi dipped in the water until Maharaj’s head was under water. Maharaj at that time did something miraculous in that both Maharaj and Ganchi and Maharaj both came out at Meghpur bank from the dip in water. Near the Meghpur river bank , there were people and Maharaj asked them what river bank they were at and the people there said it was Meghpur . Maharaj then asked the Ganchi where he brought them and Ganchi thought Maharaj was a bhoot (a ghost) and he started shaking and shivering and then Maharaj asked him to have a dip in water again and see where they come out. The Ganchi had a dip in the water and they came out where they were before and hence The Ganchi thought Maharaj was a ghost and Maharaj murti got etched in Ganchi’s heart and he would constantly see Maharaj’s murti. He thought he had been possessed by a ghost and he was seeing the ghost everywhere.

Many years later, after Maharaj had sat on the gadi, he had gone to Mangrol and was making people go in trance (samathi). At that time, the King’s brother-in-law and some muslim men came to Maharaj. Among them Ganchi was present as well.Maharaj asked Ganchi if he recognised him.Ganchi said to Maharaj that he did not recognise him.Maharaj told him that they had a dip in Mangrol and came out in Meghpur bank , that time Ganchi replied,’ he is true God’ and then he stopped believing that he had been possessed by a ghost. Ganchi took Maharaj as a sadhu in Mangrol before and had given him a bath in river and hence in return, Maharaj gave him askshardham.

During Maharaj’s vanvichran, he sat near the well in south of Mangrol village and he started meditating there. At that time, Govardhan seth came to bath there. He saw Maharaj meditating there and also saw the veins in his body and the sparkle on his face. He started to shoo the flies that were comin over Maharaj’s face and began to think that Maharaj looks like a great yogi, at that time maharj got up from his meditation and Govardhan asked him if he will have something to eat and Maharaj told him that he will eat if something was ready.Govardhanbhai said to Maharaj to go to his house where everything was ready.Maharaj told him that he did not go to any village but if any food was present there then he will eat it there.Govardhambhai said to him that he will go and get some food there. Govardhanbhai brought some food from the meal that had been prepared for the purpose of his aunt passing away. Maharaj began to eat the food and govardhanbhai got some water from the well.After eating, he helped Maharaj wash his hands. Govardhanbhai began to think that if Maharaj would help his aunt who had passed away to get salvation .Maharaj then Govardhanbhai what he was thinking. Govardhnabhai said that his aunt was dead and she is Yampuri in the Narakh kund and is in great misery. Then Maharaj asked Govardhanbhai if his aunt believed in somebody and Govardhanbhai said that she believed in Ramanand swami, Maharaj then asked that why she is in Yampuri if she believed in a great soul like Ramanand swami.

Govardhanbhai replied that once Ramananad swami had come to stay at his aunt’s house and stayed there for many days and whne he was about to leave , some Grahasthas gave Ramanand Swami a golden bangle and asked swami to use the bangle in charity and the grahsthas left after that. Ramanand swami asked Govardhanbhai’s aunt to keep the bangle as he was going away to some villages and when he came back he will ask for the bangle and Govardhanbhai’s aunt agreed to keep it. After a few days Ramanand swami returned and asked for the golden bangle and Govardhan bhai’s aunt refused having seen the bangle all together and said she did not know anything about it and that time Ramanand swami told her to return the bangle otherwise she will go to yampuri or hell after she dies and she will be in great pain but still his aunt didn’t give the bangle back. After that Ramanand swami left and a few days after his aunt died and went to Yampuri .Maharaj asked Govardhanbhai how he came to know that his aunt went to yampuri. Govardhanbhai said that due to the grace of Ramanadswami he can see her in Yampuri .Then Maharaj asked him to to to yampuri in trance , govardhbhai replied that if I go there then the yams will beta him up. Maharaj said to him that the yams will not come beat him up and when he takes the jeev of his aunt form there, the yams will follow him and all he has to do is meditate on Maharaj’s murti and his form will become virat. On hearing this , Govardhanbhai went to yampuri and

when he freed his aunt, Yams ran after Govardhanbhai and he meditated on Maharaj as he was asked and the yams got scared and ran to dharmaraja to complain that something strange has occurred in yampuri and hence dharmaraja went to see that and at that time two parsads came from vaikuth there as well. Dharmaraja asked them what was going on there . Gocardhanbhai replied that purshotam Narayan has incarnated on earth and that he was his devotee. Then Dharmaraja replied to him if that was really the truth and Govarndhanbhai said it was the truth. Dharmaraja said to the Yams to allow them to take the jeev of Govardhanbhai’s aunt. After that Govardhanbhai , his aunt and two parshad’s came to where Maharaj was sat on earth. Maharaj then asked the parshad’s to take Govardhanbhais aunt to Badrikashram and Parshads took her there. After that Maharaj asked Govardhnabhai if his wish was fulfilled and he agreed . Maharaj showed such a great miracle.

Once in sadavrat in mangrol, a fakir came to eat there. Maharaj asked him to sit in with other people and eat. He replied that he will only eat with the head of the sadavrat. Maharaj sat down to eat bhajrano rotlo and chilli ladoo and the fakir said he wanted to eat exactly the ame and hence Maharaj gave him half a rotlo and half a ladoo and the fakir started eating and after he started screaming that he is dying, he is dying and this is something so bad happened with him. Maharaj ordered a big mug of ghee for him and after he had the ghee, he felt better.

Maharaj often used to go to mangrol at Govardhanbhai’s and mulchand seth’s house to eat. When Maharaj used to go to their house, he used to wear chakdi (slippers) which had jingles on it and when Maharaj walked, the jingles will make the noise and people in the Mangrol village used to think Swaminarayan bhagwan is a magician. Any one who looked at Maharaj’s eyes would go into trance. People did not believe in going into trance and hence the traders on the street on hearing the arrival of Maharaj, they would shut their shops and hide inside. One day . Maharaj went to Govardhanbhai’s house to eat thad and he had worn the chakdi with jingles on it and when he walked the jingles would make noise, on hearing that noise, an old woman shut her house door and hid inside. When Maharaj was leaving, the old woman thought let me have a look and see how Maharaj looks and hence she looked through a gap in the door to see how Maharaj is and in that instant Maharaj looked at her she went into trance and Maharaj’s murti registered in her heart . When she woke up, she started screaming that she had been possessed by Maharaj and whatever work she did she saw Maharaj. People in the village began to come to her house to listen to what she had to say. Mulchandbhai reported to Maharaj and said to him that an old woman is saying that she has been possessed by Maharaj and she is crying and is in agony and people have gathered to see her and hence Maharaj release her from her pain. Maharaj said that we will go to her house. Maharaj went to her house and asked her what her problem was and the old woman said that whatever she did, she saw Maharaj constantly and she wanted Maharaj to take that pain away from her. Maharaj asked to the old woman to start following vratman and she will not see Maharaj constantly. The old woman said she will follow vratman if she will not see Maharaj and hence Maharaj got her to start following vratman and the old woman did not see Maharaj’s murti anymore.

LojChar dham yatra Pg 238

There is a Shikarbandh mandir. Dharmabhakti Harikrishna Maharaj is the main murti residing in Mandir. On the left is Nilkanth Varni and Sukhsaya is on the right. The stone Nilkath Varni was sitted on near the well is in mandir, there is also Charnavind in the place where there was hole in the wall which Nilkanth Varni got filled. There is also an otto where Muktanand Swami used to do Ramkatha. The place where Nilkanth Varni used to do Ashtang yog is also there. The place Nilkanth Varni placed the bundle of chibhda is also there.

When Nilkanth varni was doing Vanvichran, He left Mangrol and reached Loj. He had a bath in the well which was at the end of village and sat there near the well and began to meditate. At that time, many ladies from the village came to fetch water in the well there. The ladies were amazed to see Nilkanth bhramchari who was sat in meditation. They started discussing among themselves as to who the bright, handsome bhramchari would be and why would he have left home and they all got attraced by Nilkanth varni so they all went near him. They bowed down to varni from far and asked varni where he had come from and where he wanted to go. They also asked him how he had attained vairagya from such a young age and why had he left his parents and family. They also asked him if he had a fight with his brothers and left home in anger. They also asked that his body was so petite and why he did not have a servant with him. They asked lots of other questions but Varni did not answer any of them. The ladies fetched the water and left to go to the village. The ladies went and told the whole village about the Varni. Many people from the village hence went to have darshan of the Varni.

Varni looked so handsome that even kamdev would be ashamed infront of him. His shika looked very good. Beautiful hair was on his head . People from the village were amazed by his darsan. At that time Sukanand swami came to the well to fill water. Sukanand swami saw varni and saw the tej on varni’s face and the veins in his body. Sukanand swami thought that he looks like a very tapasvi person. Sukananad swami asked Nilkanth varni who he was and his parents name and his deity. Varni said he believed in shri Krishna bhagwan. Nilkanth varni asked sukanand swami whose sadhu he was. He replied that he was Ramanand swami’s sadhu and he was in bhuj at the moment and he has 50 sadhus at loj at the moment. Sukanand swami also told Nilkanth varni thst their head at the moment was Muktanand swami. Muktanand swami was an intelligent sadhu and he knew Ramkatha as well. Sukanand swami asked Nilkanth varni to come and meet him. Nilkanath varni replied that he did not go in any village and that he liked forests and jungle better. Sukanand swami asked varni to go meet Mukatanand swami as he was ill at the moment otherwise he would himself come and meet varni. Nilkanth varni agreed and went to meet Muktanand swami with Sukanand swami.

In the dharmashala, Sukanand swami asked nilkanth varni to sit on an asan but nilkanth varni insisted to sit on the earth. Mukatanand swami who was ill and lyn down in his room came out to see Nilkanth varni. Sukanand swami told nilkanth varni that he was their head, Muktanand swami. Nikanth varni asked Muktanand swami five questions; what jeev, ishwar, maya, bhram and parbhram are and their qualities. Muktanand swami told Nilkanth varni that he will answer the questionas according to his abilities and the rest his guru Ramanand swami can answer in more depth. Nilkanth varni asked Mukatanand swami to answer according to what he knew. Mukatanand swami thus replied that jeev is indestructible and eternal, and eshwar has three forms, virat, sutratma and avyakrut and creates, preserves and destroys the universe. Maya is the cause of bond in everyone and everything in the world and whoever goes in the refuge of bhagwan can get liberated from maya. Bhram is asksar and has got universe in each and every hair in his body and Krshina parmatma is beyond all and greater than all. On hearing such answers, Nilkanth varni got very happy with Mukatand swami and asked swami if he could stay with him. Muktanand swami said to Nilkanth varni that he will be honured to have him as his mind was fixed on varni now. Muktanand swami called all the sadhus and told them Nilkanth varni will stay with them and he was to be fed well. Afterwards Nilkanth varni and rest of the sadhus ate.

Muktanand swami then told Varni that due to the ongoing Shravan month, Muktanand swami used to do ramkatha at Jeevrajsheth’s house. He invited varni to go and listen to the katha. Nilkanth varni agreed to go to the katha. All the sadhus and Varni got ready and went to the seth’s house for the katha. Muktanand swami sat down and started the katha. Many people from the village came to listen to the katha as well. Varni took a tulsi mara and closed his eyes and began to listen to katha. People looked at varni and thought who he was. When varni opened his eyes and saw that gents and ladies were sitted together to listen to the katha, he asked Muktanand swami what he was doing. Varni explained that it was wrong for the ladies and gents to sit together in the katha and it was also wrong that the other

sadhus were sat in the same sabha with ladies. Nilkanth varni explained what happened to narad, parvat and great sages like Saubhari when they came in association with ladies. After saying all theses, nilkanth varni got up and went to the mandir. Some sadhus got up and went behind him. Muktannad swami finished the chapter of ramayan and said to the sabha that this was the last time he will be meeting them in a mixed sabha. When muktanad swami went to the dharmashala, Varni told him that ladies should not be allowed in where they were staying and he also asked swami to fill the hole in the wall where sadhus used to exchange coals and food . Varni said that it did not look good when ladies would touch sadhus hands when they exchanged thing and hence asked Muktanand swami to fill the hole up and explained that sadhus should not have any association with ladies and money and if they did then they will go to yampuri. Hence in the year 1856 shravan vad 6th varni came to loj and by staing there, he separated the sabha which had gents and ladies sitting together.

Sadhus used to go and collect cowdung in the village so they could use cowdung as a means of fuel to cook food. Varni decided to do the same. Mukatand swami told nilkanth varni that he should not go as he was very weak in the body. Varni replied that he ate with the rest of the sadhus and hence he should also go to collect cowdung. Upon saying this Varni went to collect cowdung with the other sadhus. Varni went to collect the cowdung but ladies from Saadh village came collecting it all. At this point Varni showed them many universes within the cowdung. Upon seeing this, the ladies were baffled and Varni would in this way go and pick the cowdung up.

Padyo podro le koi nar, hethe brahmand dekhe the tharShayl sagar saritao bhare, chaud lokh rachna nihare

Dekhe sur nar nagni srushti, dekhe vadra vidhut vrushtiMele podro pacho thekane, sarjudasnu jadu te jane

In this way Varni would have a lot of cowdung compared to the others so Muktanand Swami asked him, ‘Where do you get all this cowdung from, did no one else come to collect any cowdung?’ The other sadhus then said exactly what had happened and everyone was mesmerised to hear such talks.

One time a bhakt from Shil village came to Muktanand Swami and said, ‘We have got many melons on our farm so please send some sadhus to collect them so you can make pickles out of them.’ Muktanand Swami asked to sadhus to go and collect the melons but Varni spoke and said I will go and collect them instead. The sadhus said your body is very weak so let us go. Varni then said I will go with Devo bhakt. Muktanand Swami then agreed and let Varni go. They both then walked to the farm picked up the melons on a big cloth and then Varni said to the farmers there to tie the ends of the cloth and place the bag of melons on His head. The farmers said we will sink to the ground if we do that. Varni replied I am not the sort of person to sink or get crushed. The farmers then agreed and placed the big cloth full of melons on Varni’s head. This took 10-12 people so we need to imagine how big and heavy this must have been. Varni started walking and all the farmers could not stop watching. They all said no human can pick this heavy load up, this must be an incarnation of God. On the way to Loj, Devo became tired so Varni said place your bag on top of mines. Devo did exactly that and placed his big load on top of Varni’s bag. They both reached the ashram and Varni took the load off His head and placed it on the floor. They both entered the ashram and Muktanand Swami said has the bull cart carrying the melons arrived? Varni said we have bought the melons ourselves. When they went outside Devoo bhakt was standing there and saw the load they both carried. Varni had a load of 16 mann and Devo 2 mann. After witnessing this they all become astonished and overjoyed. Such is our Lord who has had to work hard even though He does not need to lift a finger.

KariyaniChar dham yatra Pg 288

There is a Shikarband Mandir present in Kariyani with the main deity residing there being Laxminarayandev and Hari-Krushna Maharaj. With Ghanshyam Maharaj and Sukhshaya murti’s either side of the main singhasan. There is a prashadi kundi where Maharaj used to bath. Vastakhachar darbar was a where Maharaj often stayed during His time in Kariyani. There are many other prashadi places such as Garavel lake where Ramkund and Bhimkund are present.

During one time Maharaj was making a lake for the devotes of Kariyani due to a lack of water. He would always hold many sabhas on the outskirts of the lake. Many Santos and bhaktos would work late into the night where their clothes would be full of dirt. Maharaj being overwhelmed would out of love go and hug all Santos and bhaktos present there. Maharaj would often give them flower garlands, give his charan (feet) or even put his hands on the heads of these great souls, all this to show appreciation for their hard work. When Maharaj used to come to the gaam in the evening to see the progress of work Santos used to sing kirtans accompanied by musical instruments like the Zaanz, pankaj etc. During these kirtans Muktanand Swami would go in the middle of the sabha with gugra on his feet and a kartal in his hand and sing/ dance away. Maharaj upon seeing this would sit on Manki godi riding away and happily smiling.

The next day Maharaj wakes up and comes to the seva of His devotes by offering them prashad to those that are hungry working hard in the heat. The night before 15 mann (measuring unit) of bajra would be prepared and 5 mann of tal would be added so the next day they can serve this at their hearts content. This is how hard the people used to work to get this lake dug.

“Tran maas lagi teha tam, rakhyu khodanu chaltu kaam,Purva pashchim kund karavyu, ram bhim kund tharavya,Tema naya mota mota sant, ganivaar naya Bhagvanta,

Tethi tirthmotu eha aaj, kon matra te pushkarraj”

Once the lake was dug water appeared and the water was the sweetest as ever just like that of amrut. Maharaj made this lake equal to that of the Ganga and Gomti. Once the work was complete Maharaj started a big vishnuyag where thousands of Brahmins were fed. During this vishnuyag a sabha was seated on the banks of the lake where 2 Jain priests were present. They were very staunch Jain devotees who decided we should not look at Swaminarayan, if we do we will become like these Swaminarayan lot. So they hurryingly left but as they were leaving one of the Jain priests looked at Swaminarayan bhagwan and he went into samadhi instantly where they got darshan of the tirthankars (Jain gods). He was amazed to get such darshan. The other priest was stood on the other side of the lake watching what was happening. Swaminarayan bhagwan again looked at the priest that went into samadhi and he woke up scared and started to run. The whole sabha laughed at this as his clothes were full of dirt and he was running away as quickly aspossible. Eventually he met with the other priest and thought that Swaminarayan is some magician doing some magic on us and told the other priest what he had seen in Samadhi. Both Jain priests were astonished to hear what had gone on.

One time Maharaj was seated in Vastakhachar’s darbar and at that moment a person came with a bag full of mangoes. He put the mangoes at Maharaj’s feet and then touched Maharaj’s feet and took his place in the sabha. Vastakhachar’s son Joitokhachar was present in the sabha and went and stood next to Maharaj. Maharaj picked up the mango and stretched His hand forward to offer it Joitokhachar. Joitokhacher went to accept the mango but Maharaj said to him I will give you this mongo if you give me the gold chain around your neck. He instantly took off the gold chain and exchanged it for the mango. Maharaj then told the sabha the soul is such for one mango it will do anything, whereas a gold chain can buy you a whole cart full of mangoes. So make sure devotees don’t get attached easily to this material world just like the mango and dont leave God’s side who is a gem.

Once Maharaj went to bath in the Baarkoshi well with Patel’s and Kathi’s of the village. They set a condition where everyone should wear a fento (fan shaped paag) and then jump into the well but they fento should not get wet. Everyone had so much fun playing in the water with Maharaj. Everyone had a go at jumping in the water and not getting the fento wet but to no avail. It was now Maharaj’s turn to jump in the well as soon as he did everyone saw His fento was dry. This urged the rest to try and keep their fento’s from getting wet but no one could achieve this condition set. In the end everyone with folded hands prayed to Maharaj and said you are God how can we compete with you? Everyone present agreed no one was good enough to compete with God himself and bowed down to him.

SarangpurChar dham yatra pg 294

There is a mandir of Hanumanji. Sadguru Gopalanand swami has done pratishta of Hanumanji there. That hanumanji is miraculous . There is a chatri in courtyard of the mandir and there is also Narayan kund near Falguni river. There is another chatri in the vando and there is an ottli in darabar of Jevvakachar in the village.

At one time, maharaj was sat at Jeevakhachar’s darbar in Sarangpur. He ate there and was sat on the bed in the courtyard. At that time, the wives of the Haja sheperd came and sat there. Maharaj said to them that he wanted to do a yagna and he thus wanted some money. Maharaj asked them to give him their ornaments. They started to remove their necklaces, anklets from their legs, big earings from their ears and gave to maharaj. Maharaj told them that their husband might scold them. They replied that instead of scolding he might get happy. On hearing such words, maharaj thought what can I give them more than Moksh.Afterwards , the ladies did darshan of maharaj and went home.Haja bhaghat came to darshan of maharaj and maharaj said to him to take his wives ornaments. Haja bhagat said now the ornaments belonged to maharaj and he can do what he wants with them. Maharaj said take this ornaments as ours as prasadi and take them . Haja bhagat accepted them afterwards.

Maharaj was sat at Jeevakhachar’s darbar. Maharaj said to Jeevakhachar, he wanted to do a choryasi of bhramins, meaning feed the entire clan of Bhramnins. Jeevakhar agreed to maharaj’s decision. Afterwards the invitations were sent out to all saints and bhramins and all the food ingredients were gathered together and food was cooked and all bhramins and saints were served. Food was served continuously for seven days . Thr bhramins got tired of eating and asked for permission to leave. Maharaj asked the bhramins to gather at the bank of Falgu river. The bhramins were asked to line up and maharaj wanted to give them dakshina. Maharaj started giving dakshina but he ran out of money. Maharaj asked Haja bhagat if he had money and he replied that he had two hundrend rupees and he will go home and get it. Haja bhagat went home and the money was buried in earth. Haja bhagat took it out and gave it to maharaj in a cloth. Maharaj gave the money out as dakshina from that cloth but the money never got over. Maharaj after giving the dakshina gave the remaining money back to him.A lot of food remained from the choryasi. Jeevakhachar asked maharaj what they will do with the food. Maharaj replied that they will feed the whole village.Then they fed the whole village but the food still remined. They fed the poor and beggars and also sent food to kariyani and thus concluded the festival of doing choryasi.

Once Gopalanand swami with other saints went to Botad. Vaghakhachar had a lot for respect and affection for Gopalanand swami and he went to Botad to Gopalanand swami. Swami asked Vaghakhachar if he was ok. Vaghakhachar thought that such a great saint is asking me how I am, if I don’t tell such a great saint how I really am then who will get rid of my misery. He said to swami that he was in a lot of misery and was in great pain and trouble. Swami asked what kind of pain was he in and Vaghakhachar replied he had two types of miseries. Swami asked him to say what they were and he

replied that for three years there had been a drought there and hence economically everyone was affected there.The other problem was that , Kariyani was on one side of Sarangpur and Botad on the other side and thus Saints would never reach Sarangpur, they would either go to Botad or Kariyani and hence from Dharmik point of view they were in trouble as well. Swami began to think that a place like Sarangpur had such kinds of problems despite of having had Maharaj visit that place before. He thus thought he had to look for some solution. He thus began to meditate. Swami afterwards said to Vaghakhachar that to get rid of poor economical situation, he will install Hanumanji’s murti there and it will not incur him any cost at all and will get rid of poverty there. Other saints would also come and to darshan and hence from Dharmik point of view they will have no trouble at all. Vaghakhachar got very excited and happy. Gopalanand swami left Sarangpur only to arrive after a few months to fulfil the promise he had made. At that time, the sculptor was Kanjibhai Kadia. Swami called for him to make Hanumanji’s murti on the selected stone. Kanjibhai assessed the stone and said it would be perefect to built murti out of that particular stone.He said he can make any type of murti needed out of that stone. Swami asked him to immediately begin with the work and he agreed to start but he asked swami how he wanted the murti to look like. He asked swami to draw it up on a paper. Gopalanand swami remembered the wish he had made in Gadhda regarding hanumanji’s murti. He took pen and paper and drew the type of murti Swanminarayan bhagwan wanted.

It was like the swaroop of Shri Ramchandra in Ayodhya, the murti would have a mugat on the head, kundal on the ears, bracelets and bangles on the hands, shield on the chest and necklace made of jems, locket on the arms, rings on the hand fingers, gada in the right hand and holding plait of panoti and his left leg on panoti as well and a tail circling on top of the head at the back and an army of monkeys surrounding Hanumanji from all the sides. Any warrior by just looking at the swaroop of Hanumaji would get really sacred, such was the wish of Swaminarayan bhagwan and swami as well. The sculptor got the murti ready in just a few days as exactly as described by swami .Hanumanji came live from that murti, that’s how beautifully the murti was made. Gopalanand swami was very pleased by the murti. All other saints became really happy. Vaghakhachar was pleased as well. A small mandir for the murti was built as well. The murti was installed in the mandir. The pran-pratishta day was decided for thr murti. It was the auspicious day of savant 1905 Asadh Vad 5 chosen for the pran-pratishta. Invitations were sent out. Vaghakhachar took care of accommodation for people who came from outside. A small like Sarangpur was filled with people from far and wide. The day finally arrived, and the pran pratishta of Hanumanji began with bhramins chanting mantras and Abhishek of Hanumanji was done and after the murti was attired. By the order of Gopalanand swami, Shukanand swami and Gopalanand swami did the pranpratishta aarti. After that Gopalanand swami went and stood infront of Hanumanji and bow down with love. Swami had a stick in his hands, he held in under his cheek and his body became firm and then he looked at looked at Hanumanji’s murti with a firm mind and put his mind on Hnaumanji and went into yog Samadhi (trance). He forgot everything around him. Everyone just looked at swami. Swami’s eyes and Hanumanji’s eyes were fixed on each other and through Swami’s mind, he asked Hanumanji maharaj to come into the murti, He told Hanumanji Maharaj that he was great devotee of Shri Rama and hence he was praying him to come into the murti. He said to Hanumanji Maharaj that he had an oath to serve in this lifetime and hence to help the people in pain, Gopalanand swami was requesting Hanumanji to come in the murti. He was also the clan deity of bhagwan Swaminarayan and had also served maharaj in numerous occasions. Gopalanand swami continued to say that he was the disciple of bhagwan Shri Swaminarayan and was requesting Hanumanji Maharaj to come and reside in the murti. Gopalanand swami was staring at Hanumanji maharaj all this time. There is peace in mandir as Gopalanand swami is standing infront of Hanumaji Maharaj. Gopalanand swami slowly by slowly started to put aishwaraya (power) in the murti. As more and more power was being transferred into the murti, the murti begun to come alive. Everybody present there was witnessing this wonderful avan of Hanumanji. Eventually Hanumanji’s murti began to shake. Gopalanand swami had decided that not only did he want to avan of Hanumanji Maharaj but actually talk to him as well. As Gopalanand swami continued to put more power in the murti, someone shouted from the crowd asking swami to stop

adding more aishwaraya in murti. Immediately, swami’s continuous stare at Hanumanji broke and he turned to see who was shouting at him. Punjabhai from Dholera was the one who shouted. He explained to swami that if he continued to make Hanumanji maharaj more powerful then it would be a good thing but a bad thing at the same time. The bad thing that would happened if Hanumanji Maharaj got more powers would be that Gopinathji maharaj’s murti’s mahima would become less which was in gadhda installed by Maharaj Himself and also the mahima of Madonmohan Mahraj in Dolera would become less as well. Gopalanand swami took some power from Hanumanji Maharaj back and said to darbar that he wanted to Hanumanji Maharaj talk but not to worry. Gopalanand swami continued to say that, he has already installed Hanumanji and he will now reside here and take pain of people away and not only that but he will also grant boon to people who reside further away if they ask for one. He thus named Hanumanji as Kashtabanjan dev. He told Vagakhar to pray to Hanumanji maharaj and as long as they did that poverty will be eradicated in Sarangpur. He also said to offer sukhdi as Prasad to Hanumaji everyday and whoever will eat that Prasad after will have their pains eradicated. Many people will come from far and away with their pain and will go laughing and smiling from Sarangpur. The stick that was used by Gopalanand swami when installing Hanumanji is still present in Sarangpur. It is used to help remove ghosts from people.

Once Shriji Maharaj was sat in Sarangpur at Jeevakhachar’s place. Jeevakhachar then told maharaj that the harvest in the fields was drying away as there was no rain and hence he was asking maharaj to send rain in Sarangpur. Maharaj said that to send rain is not in his hands but in God’s hands.Vastakhachar then said tha to send rain was in Maharaj’s hands if he wished and if he didn’t want to send rain then its upto Maharaj. Then Maharaj got up from the Oshri and started walking in the compound and started walking about in the compound chanting the name Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan whilst looking at the sky and all of a sudden , a dark grey cloud formed in the sky and in a while it started raining and it rained a lot. Due to heavy rain, the roof of one of the room fell. Heavy rain continued for three days and due to that Jeevakhachar’s house fell down and the cattle got trapped under that. On seeing that, Bhramin, the owner of cattle came to maharaj and asked him to save his cattle, Maharaj then asked everyone in the sabha to get up but no one would leave maharaj alone. Maharaj hence went running to the place and released the trapped cattle. He then came in sabha and told Jeevakhachar that he was really hungry. Jeevakhachar went to stay in the other house because his house fell down. He went to the other house and told sitabaa to make rotlo for maharaj, she replied that the cowdung to make fire had got wet, and also the dry branches also became wet so she did not know how to make fire to do rotlo in it. Jeevakhachar then broke a storage vessel made of clay to make a fire place and also chopped the legs of the bed off to make fuel for the fire. The lady then made a rotlo and put in plate and put some curd in a bowl as well. She then gave it to Jeevakhachar to feed maharaj. Maharaj went to the bhramin’s house where maharaj was residing. Maharaj then ate the rotlo. After that Maharaj asked Jeevakhachar how he made the rotlo when his house fell down in rain. Jeevakhachar then told Maharaj what he did and Maharaj became really happy. The next morning the rain stopped. Jeevakhachar went to beg food from other houses for the saints and he did not allow Maharaj to go to people’s houses to beg for food. Maharaj got happy and asked Jeevakhachar to ask for a boon and he told maharaj that Yamdoots should not come to get anyone in Sarangpur and the person who dies in Sarangpur gets kalian. Maharaj granted that boon. At that time Vastakhachar said to Maharaj that Jeevakhachar did not know how to ask for a good boon and that many people will not die in village as it was very close to other villages and hence people could be moving around in nearby villages and not necessarily die in Saranpur. Jeevakhachar said to maharaj that he forgot about that and hence he wanted to ask again. He then asked maharaj that if anyone was to die within the boundry of the village then he would go to dham. Maharaj agreed to that.

Loya Char dham yatra Pg 306

Surakhachar’s house is still present even today and he was the darbar of Loya. Also a very stauch devotee of Maharaj.

Once Maharaj took residence at Hamirkhachar’s darbar. Loya’s Surakhachar came to know where Maharaj was and got ready to go meet Maharaj. Before leaving Surakhachar’s wife Shantiba told Surakhachar to make sure you bring Maharaj to our home.

“Kahyu kanthne jao, prabhu paas re, tedi lavjo aapne aavas re”

Surakhachar replied, ‘I will take your request to Maharaj, but what if he doesn’t come what shal I do?’ Shantiba replied, ‘Even after requesting he still says no, then you become a sadhu.’

“Tyare bai kahe tya jajo re, taji sansarne sadhu thajo reThap karjo sampeepma tevu re, karyu dhruv ane prahlad jevu re

Mota thapra lai mangvaya re, tema dhina krupa dhalvaya re”

After listening to Shantiba, Surakhachar left for Botad and did darshan of Maharaj when reaching there. Motiba then spoke and said, ‘Maharaj please come to Gadhada, in Laxmivadi there are a lot of bringals (ringna), you can eat them and feed the Santos. Maharaj then agreed and said yes to Motiba. At this moment Surakhachar did prathna to Maharaj and said, ‘Please come to our Loya gaam.’ Maharaj then replied, ‘I have already said yes to Motiba that I will go to Gadhada so will not be able to come to Loya.’ Surakhachar said, ‘If you don’t come then make me your sadhu,’ Maharaj said, ‘Why are speaking like this?’ Surakhachar then explained the truth and said Shantiba said to me before I left that bring Maharaj to Loy and if he refuses then I should become your sadhu and stay with you. Upon hearing this Maharaj said, ‘Are you incharge of household dealings or is Shantiba?’ Then Surakhachar replied, ‘You are almighty God, the knower of everything and after listening to Motiba you have decdied to stay in Gadhada. So in the same way I am a household man so what difference does it make if I listen to what my wife says. On listening to Surakhachar’s humerous words Maharaj said to Motiba, ‘I will now not be able to come to Gadhada but will have to now go to Gadhada.’ After this Maharaj left for Loya. The villagers and devotees sent many carts of bringals and Maharaj decided to make shaak out of it and celebrated shaak utsav.

After witnessing Maharaj make this wonderful shaak Adbutanand swami said, ‘I feel like leaving this slim rotli with ghee and eating the shaak alone that’s how great it it. In this way the shaak utsav lasted for 2 months. Once Maharaj served the shaak and stood far away. Muktanand swami asked Brahmanand swami everyone is praising this shaak besides you. Brahmanand swami replied, ‘The one who we should be praising has gone and stood far away.’ Maharaj being all knowing said, ‘I am listening so say what you desire.’ Kaviraj Brahmanand swami started praising Maharaj by saying this type of cooking cannot even be done by the best of cooks like Radha or Laxmi, muktos (liberated souls), devs etc. The taste of this shaak is so good demi-gods like Brahma, muktos from Akshardhaam are being attracted and are sitting in this sabha with us eating this shaak. Not only this but this tasteful shaak has never been eating and will never be eaten in the future. After listening to this Maharaj and Muktanand swami became very happy.

One time Maharaj came to Loya. Surakhachar asked, ‘Maharaj, please come.’ Maharaj replied, ‘I am feeling very hot due to the sun, so I will go to Botad instead.’ Surakhachar said there are many things we can buy in Loya gaam that can cool you down.’ Maharaj said, ‘can you get me some yogurt?’ Yes of course Mahara replied Surakhachar. He went home immediately and got some yogurt. He came back put a cloth on Mahara’s lap and placed the yogurt pot on his lap. Maharaj happily started eating and others around Him said should we not some prashad? Maharaj thought these people won’t let us eat happily. Maharaj gave a look to Manki godi This was the character of Surakhachar he would do anything

to make Maharaj happy. Many a times he has cheered Maharaj up, when he has been sad for one reason or another.

One time Maharaj asked Surakhachar by us staying here you must have incurred a great loss. Surakhachar replied before you came here we were very poor. My family and I had no food to eat and since you have come here I have got so many expensive horses, the storage vessles are always full with grains and wealth has stayed constant. Maharaj then left to go to Panchala. Nirvikaranand Swami’s group of Santos were leaving to go Panchala as well. Surakhachar sent a message to Maharaj via the Santos mentioned above that he had indeed did not occur any loss by Maharaj’s presence.

AasaliChar dham yatra, pg 363

Venibhai was a satsangi from this gaam. In the Vachanamrut Maharaj has come to this village and spoken 1 Vachanamrut here. Maharj came to this village and decided here to hand over the gadi and make to 2 gadi’s one for the northern sector and the ther for the southern sector.

PiplanaChar dham yatra, pg 218

Piplana has a Shikar Mandir on the western side of the gateway. In the middle resides Hari Krushna Maharaj, Dharmadev - Bhaktimata. Ghanshyam Maharaj resides on the southern side and Sukhshaiya on northern side. There is a Chatri under the sabha Mandap where Rananand swami and Nilkanth Varni first met and where Nilkanth Varni initiated from the guru (Diksha). There is a Chhatri in Vayu Koona and Banyan tree (Vada). Where Maharaj ate Thumroo (made from a grain called Juwar) there is Vedikaa is platform or pit where oblations are given to fire. There is also Ojata River bank.

Leela in PiplaanaOn the way to pilgrimage Nilkanth Varni meet Ramanand Swami in Piplaana and went to Narsiha Maheta’s house who was of Unevaada caste. Narshiha Maheta was privately doing pooja inside and his son Kalyaanji was sitting outside on platform outside. Varni came for alms from Kalyaanji. Looking at Varni’s brilliance, brightness; spiritedness, strengthened character, he said, “the food is not ready yet, if you take a sit for a while by that time food will be ready and I will serve you myself.” I have no spare time, I am in a hurry to go for Pilgrimage. Meantime in between their conversation a miracle happened, from Narsiha Maheta’s Pooja there was an endless, cool soothing lightening from Shaligraam and engrossed into Nilkanthha Varni. Everyone saw this miracle. Indside, Mahetaji lost his sense by looking at the divine strong lightening. Showing his power, immediately Varni walked away. When Mahetaji came to normal sense, came out and heard everyone talking about what had happened. He told his son, “Why did you let him go? Run after Brahamchaari and bring him back.” Kalyaanji ran fast and shouted stop! stop! when Brahamchaari had already reached halfway to Gangaamaa. Kalyaanji requested to Maharaj to go back as the food was ready. Maharaj came back sat on the raised platform . Narsiha Maheta bought Juwar’s Tuhumroo and milk in big in a mug and gave to Maharaj. While Maharaj was eating, several people came and sat surrounding Maharaj. At that time Narsiha Maheta said,” Hey Brahamchaari, Did you do severe penance(Tap) that these veins are seen. Is the penance done to achieve Bhaghawaan or for self-punishment? Maharaj replied, to meet Bhagwaan then Narsiha Maheta said, “By doing such severe penance, you will not get anywhere until you meet Ramanand Swami.” Maharaj said, “Who is he?” Narsiha Maheta replied, “He is my Teacher (Guru) and with his permission we are distribute food.” Maharaj said , very good I will go and meet him. In this conversation he finished his mixed Juwar Tuhumroo and Milk and at the end he drank last few bits and pieces. Then some ladies from the village said by looked like a God . Then Maharaj rinsed his mouth and left from there.

Nilkanthha Brahanchari walked hurriedly toward ganga. The river was flooded and water was flowing very fast, Nilkanth Brahanchari walked in between the river as if walking on a pathway and stood on the other side of the river. By seeing this behaviour Muktanand Swami, many Santos and Hari Bhaktos were shocked and they all sat on a vessel and reached on the other side of the river. They all went to a village called Piplaana to Nasiha Maheta’s house where they saw Raamaanand Swami and from faraway they did the dandvat and bow down to Raamaanand Swami on the 12th day of the dark half of a lunar month Jeth in the year VS 1856. At that moment Raamaanand Swami straightaway got up from his Aasan and went towards Nilkanth Brahamchari and greeted him by lifting him excessively, with great emotions and feelings. At that time asked him to sit comfortably. By seeing Nilkanth Brahamchari joyful Ramanand Swami said, today you came walking so you must be hungry, therefore Raamaanand Swami ordered fruits and served Nilkanthha Brahamchari. After that they all set in the congregation where they saw beautiful appearance of Maharaj, like a star in the moon came and ended the congregation blissfully. Then on the way to twilight, Raamaanand Swami did the Pooja and Aarti of Maharaj and when they did Jaagraan on that Ekadashi, Maharaj showered them for two hours with millions of sunrays from his Murti. Then when they were all praying and singing, they asked Raamaanand Swami that, Is he the Brahamchari that was going to come from the jungle? Yes! he is the one, Purana Purshotam Narnarayan who is the owner of Akshadham and is the only divine incarnation of God.

In this way he discussed and answered questions asked by saints and bhaktos. Where he discussed how Abrishraja’s faith was toward satsang that is why he was one of the great bhakta. Then he also said that there are many greastest bhakto’s in Kalyug. After giving the answers to all the question Narsiha Maheta was pleased and praised that no one can answer in such a way. At that time Muktanand Swami said that this Brahanchari did many miracles in Log.

Onces Jamadaar of Piplaana came to the sabha where he discussed and gave advice to Jamaadaar. While discussing and giving advice he took him to Akshardham on his meditation and gave Darshan of his murti. Jamaadaar bhakta was surprised by his divine power. He was awaken from his meditation by Maharaj and asked that why there is injustice that main person in Hindus sits at the top and our Allah sits at the bottom. Listening to this Raamaanand Swami said that in ours this rite has been followed from many years since Bhagawaan Raamchandraji was ruling as an example Ramchandra was god but still his Guru Vashishta used to sit on top and Ramchandraji used to sit under him. And I am sitting here on the command of Nilkanthha Brahamchari as he is higher than me. Listening to this Jamadar touched the feet and went away.

Then Ramanand Swami disclose that this Yogiraj Shree Nilkanthha Brahamchari has done a lot of penance and today is the Yogini Ekadashi therefore we all are going to bath in Ganga river. Having bath in Ganga river on this Ekadashi it is said that to achieve best fruits (puna). They all happily went for a bath in the river and Ramanand Swami said that having bath with this yogi on this day is not as good as having ceremonial bath taken at the time of Yagna but it is far more better than having ceremonial bath. While having bath they were singing and chitchatting, the water in the river was just level of their bust and Ramanand Swami questioned that, what kind of god head(Ishvar) are you? Like Ramchandraji or Shree Krishna? If you say so then, Ramchandraji broke the bow, burnt Lanka, killed Raavan and gave the kingdom to Vibhishan and bought sita back. In this way what have you done? Then Ramanand Swami thought and answered instead by saying that, I broke the absence of knowledge, burnt the body, killed arrogance and gave a kingdom to soul and gave away sita to god. In these way he answered question by himself. In this way my followers should all have bath on this day on the bank of Ganga.

On the day of Devdiwali all the bhaktos came to visit Ramanand Swami with lots of different presents. Then they all set in the congregation and then Nilkanthha Brahamchari said to Ramanand Swami, Swami! You are guru of my parents therefore give me Dikhsa as well. Ramanand Swami praised with all

sorts of deeds that he did without Diksha, but I will give Dishksha so that the Ved you invented should be followed by the others. Therefore he organised a big ceremony according to the Shastra and gave Diksha Mantra in his ear and gave two more new name known as Sahajanand Swami and Narayan Muni. He also announced that you keep the Dharma and ask every one to follow as well. At the end Ramanand Swami asked Maharaj, Saints and all the haribhaktos to sit in a line to have food. At night gave the advice to Maharaj and went to sleep.

Once Maharaj came to Piplaana and stayed at Narsiha Maheta’s house as usual where there is a temple there at the moment. There was recited on the mattress between the pillows and went for bath at the river bank of Ganga with many saints and bhaktos. At that time Maharaj engrossed many bhaktos in deep meditation and asked them to swim in running river for mile and mile. Then drags them back pulling with the power of his eye, sometimes when the river is still and the water is over the head, Maharaj sits in water folding legs for one or two sessions of three hours(pahor). Sometimes Maharaj engrossed many children of the village in deep meditation and threw them in the waterfall and came back to the village. After many hours he asks a child to go and call those boys who were floating like a wood in the river. When a child gives them call, that Maharaj is calling, at that moment they came from the deep meditation and walked off to see Maharaj. In this way he has done many leela’s in Piplaana and prepared many satsangis.

FaneniChar dham yatra, pg 160

In Faneni there is a Hari Mandir on the Northern side of the gateway. There is a Chatri, Bhadraavati River, in the farm there is a raised platform (oottoo) and well (Bhadiyoo Kuvo). In the temple there is Prasadina Hanumanji.

Leela in FaneniOnce Shreeji Maharaj came to Faneni from Junaghad and stayed at the temple that was since Ramanand Swami was alive. On that day a huge assembly was held where respected saints were present. Shreeji Maharaj asked respected saints to ask any questions. At that time Aanand Swami asked, “Hey Maharaj! You have appointed me as the leader, but no body followis my commands.” In that case. At that time Maharaj replied, “They are all the Devs and Muktos who came with me from Akshardham and now have become saints. How are they going to follow your commands. Therefore, let them do what ever they want to do, at the end of their life they will all go to Akshardham. By listening to this conversation Aanand Swami and rest of the saints understood the importance of Maharaj and they all were happy. Then in the congregation Maharaj made them understand the significance of himself. Then he asked one of the Hari bhakta to bring a bed and Maharaj questioned to saints, “who ever wants to go to Akshardham go to sleep in this bed.” At that time 60 of the saints camen one by one and they all went to Akshardham. In this way Maharaj gave Darshan to all these 60 saints in his Dham for 10 days.

There was a yogi Ghunghali Mal. He was harassing many people and was cursed, that destroy this village and was destroyed and in his next birth Ghunghali Mal became a son of Ramanand Swami’s Bhakta’s son. In this birth he kept on crying and his dad came near the cradle and tried to calm him down but instead he kicked Velo Soni and he fell upside down. Then Velo Soni went to Ramanand Swami and disclose secret. Ramanand Swami said that evil (paapi) Ghunghali Mal is born. Still he did not let everyone live peaceful, therefore he was force to give up his life and became Satsangi’s a son in his next birth.

On the of Mokshadaa Ekadashi, Ramanand Swami did a humungous festival and the very next day on Baarasa he invited all the Saints and Bhramins for a nourish. On Teras in the morning he went to Bhadra River for bath, came back in the Mandir and sat in a posture of Padmaasan. Within no time he went to

Akshardham through his Meditation. Due to cursing of Sage Durwaasa had to live and went to Akshardham. It was VS 1858 on 13th day, bright half of lunar month of Maagsar and day of Gudhavaara. At that time Muktanand Swami and many other saints had weeping eyes. Maharaj gave forbearance to all, pasted sandlewood on Ramanand Swami’s body and did the Pooja with flowers, Abir, Gulaal. Make him sit in the aeroplane made of special wood and took him to Bhadraa River’s shoreline. Using dry wood of Sandlewood, Tulsi and Pipadaa tree prepared funeral pyre. Maharaj used piece of wood of the Shami tree to kindle the sacrificial fire for cremation rites. After that they all had a bath in the Bhadraa River and gave handful of water(paani ni anjali) to their teacher (Guru). They all had bath again and observed fast on that day.

Jetpur Char dham yatra, pg 189

There is Shikharband Mandir where the main murti residing is of Iccharamji, Raguvirji and Hari-Krushna Maharaj. With Dharma-Bhakti Hari-Krushna Mahraj and Sukhshaya murti’s either side of the main singhasan. A murti of Ghanshyam Maharaj resides at the place where Maharaj had obtained the gadi from Ramanand Swami. The Bhadar river is very sacred nearby.

Ramanand Swami came from Mangrol and visitng many villages before reaching Jetpur. Swami told everyone sadly that this is the last utsav. No one except Parvatbhai knew what swami was trying to say. Ramanand Swami’s mind was so fixed upon Narayan muni he would keep Him very close to his heart.

In this way 1 and half years had passed and he had now come to Jetour and resided at Vara Unnad’s place. He had got all the Santos and bhaktos like Parvatbhai together and said, ‘I don’t know when I am going to die so you all tell me what I should do?’ Then everyone replied by saying, ‘We will do as you wish.’ So Swami said Sahajanand Swami is the greatest of all and I wish for Him to take over the gadi and take this Sampraydaya forward. But Sahajanand Swami said he did not want such a big role. Ramanand Swami then explained to Him that there is no one besides yourself. Ramanand Swami goes onto further say that even though Sahajanand Swami will give guidance to females or even stay with females He will never get attached to any females. After a long discussion Sahajanand Swami finally agreed and Ramanand Swami called all his followers to tell them this great news. All but one person agreed and applauded this decision by Swami. On the auspicious day of Samvat 1858 Kartik sud ekadashi, Sahajanand Swami was enthroned on the gadi under the guidance of the vedic scriptures. Ramanand Swami said from today do as Sahajanand Swami instructs and he is in my position. Ramanand Swami is now explaining to Sahajanand Swami how he should behave, Ramanand Swami is saying you may speak to females, accept gifts (money, clothes etc.) and use this money to feed Brahmins, in yagnas and for building Mandirs. Sahajanand Swami then accepted all the proposals put forward and bowed down to Ramanand Swami. Ramanand Swami was overjoyed that Sahajanand Swami had accepted His proposal and asked Sahajanand Swami for any boons he may want granted. So after some thought Sahajanand Swami asked, ‘I wish for 2 boons the first being, whoever is your Satsangi and if it is written that he will get a scorpion bite may that pain come upon me by a million folds but nothing should happen you your Satsangi. He second boon I ask for is, if it is written that your Satsangi will have to beg for food then may that pain come upon me but your Satsangi should never be without food, shelter and clothes. Ramanand Swami with joy granted these two boons and said this is a great day and from this day onwards who ever does shradh in this Bhadra river their ancestors will go straight to Swarag. In the future a great Temple will be built and many Santos and bhaktos will reside here.

How great is Maharaj (Sahajanand Swami) even though he came onto the gadi not once did he ask for something for Himself. He has always done what is best for this great Satsang. All he has ever wanted is for His true devotees to be happy as long as they follow His commands.

JetalpurChar dham yatra, pg 358

In Jetalpur there is a Shikhabandh Mandir where Thakorji is on the eastern side of the entrance. In the middle Hari Krushana Maharaj, Badadevji, Revtiji are installed and on the southern side Shree Hari Krushna-Radhaji. On the northern side there a Murti of Sukhshaya, in the courtyard of the Mandir where there was a house of Gangama there is a Chhatri and on the eastern side of the temple there is Gangamaa’s house, a kothi (big old type of container where grains are stored) and on the bench there are Charanarvind, in the Prayer Hall (Sabha Mandap) there is a Prasadini Murti of Radha Krushana. On the Lake of Devsarovar there is a Chatri, Yagnashaadaa and Hanumanji. On top of a Royal Palace there is a Chatri, Jonesia Asoka(Aasopalave ) Tree, in the Shankar Vadi there is raised platform touching a house for people to assemble where Ishavar Brahamin of Mahudhaa took out a demon. There is a chatri where Maharaj did a congregation of Vachnamrut and ate Cucumber and Boresali( a fruit of jujube tree). There is a tree of Tamarind (Aambli) on the eastern shoreline of the Lake where Shree Hari was swinging. There is a Chhatri on a Prasadini Tulsi and kotmaa kotha.

By the request of Gangaba and Asharam, Lord Shree Swaminarayan constructed a Temple at Jetalpur by Anandanand Swami and installed Shree Baldevji-Revtiji and Hari-Krishna Maharaj Dev on V.S. year 1882 on the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Fagan.

Leela in Jetalpur

Shreeji Maharaj was sitting southern side of the Royal Palace facing towards North. So many saints were sitting and studying under the sin destroyer Tamarind tree. At that moment they saw something like a shiny round missile thrown with three sling from the north side entering the elapsed Dwelling-Royal Palace of Shree Hari, seeing this all the saints were shocked. Within no time those shiny round missile thrown with a sling were hidden in the sky. At that moment all the saints asked, “Hey Maharaj! What was that?”, Maharaj answered, “those were Bhrahama, Vishnu and Shiv are the three Dev’s who comes to do the darshan of Myself and these saints assembly everyday. But today you could see only due to aspiration of Shree Hari.

Chopaai – Ae to Brahama Vishnu Shiv madi, Aavya sant ne darshan ne vadi INetya darsha ne aave che chana, pana aaj tamne dekhana II

One day Shreeji Maharaj came to Jetalpur to paise all the bhaktos on his way to a village called Gaamdi. When he decided to live all the bhaktos in Jetalpur requested, Maharaj! Tomorrow is Uttraayan the Kite Festival therefore you can go after this festival is over.Shreeji Maharaj asked, “What do we do in Uttaraayan?”All the Bhaktos answered, “ to give different kind of donations.” Then Maharaj replied that, “ I want to supply food to all the Brahamin’s in Jetalpur. So how much clarified butter (Ghee) will we need? At that time Bhakto’s replied, 1 Maund i.e. 40 Seers in weight (One Seer = 0.93310 kilogram X 40 =37.324kg.). Maharaj answered order 5 Maund (186.62kg)Ghee, bhakto’s said so much! Maharaj said order 50 Maund (1866.2kg), then Bhaktos’s said, 50 Maund? Maharaj answered, then order 500 Maund(18662kg). Then Bhaktos started thinking that this time is not to think but to order 500 Maund otherwise what if Maharaj request for 5000 Maund? -

Chopaai – Jema jema puchyu vadi janne, Tem tem vadhariyu jeevanne I Pahelu notru ne pache sidhu, Em yagna nu pariyaan kidhu II

And all the bhakto’s began to gather all the ingredients like clarified butter(ghee), jaggery(ghod), sugar(khand), flour(lota). grains/splited pulses (dada), etc and invited all the Brahamin’s. Brahamin’s

came and began to assemble marquee(Mandap) and prepared a tank(Kund).Brhamins began to say Mantra and offered an oblation (aahuti aapii) of Ghee to yagna. At that time Naanaabhai from Kaarjisan village came with more Ghee then Maharai said even cows and buffaloes will get happiness as we used their ghee in this Yagna. -

Chopaai – Tyare uchaaryaa em Shreeji ya, je je dhor nu aa hashe gheeya ITe te dhor nu kalian thaashe, ante akshardham ma jashe II

Thousands of Brahmin cane in the Yagana and they all ate where Maharaj himself served them. From them there were some brahamin who were against Maharaj therefore they decided that we must impediment in this Yagna, so they threw some of the Ladoos in the Lake(tadava).

Chopaai – Laadva te tadavama nakhe, ircha khutadva nit e rakhe IKaika rakhta hari par dwehsa, teto karava ne irchataa kalesha II

However, Ladoos were more than enough. Many Brahamin got up and said that eat as many Ladoos as you want because you want get similar Ladoos like this and do not worried if you become ill. Even if you become ill and if you die than your family will be respected.

Chopaai – Jamta jamta jaaya praan, tena kudna thaya vakhan

By hearing this bhramins kept on eating. Some of them were not able to get up after eating. Eventually, the amount of ghee was vanished, therefore Maharaj ordered some more ghee from Shreenagar (Ahemdavad), but on the way the cart was stopped to pay tax (daana) for it and here bramins became restless. That moment Aanandswami came to Maharaj and said what has happened to the ghee that we order as all the Bramins are waiting for it.

Hence, Maharaj went to the empty tanks with his cane and kept on hitting the tanks and said there is ghee in this and in this respectively.in this way there ¾ Maund ( poono=27.993kg )of Ghee in one of the tank and ½ Maund (addho= 18.662kg) in the other and said measure the ghee from this tank. Consequently , they kept on measuring and made 500 Maund(18662kg) Ladoos were made from that tank. Then the brahamins who were jealous they poured plenty on the floor and some of them took ghee with them, still there was plenty of ghee left over. Chopaai – Jamyaa jore na khutiyu jamana, khai khai ne kaayaa Brahamana I

In this way Maharaj did the Yagna for 18 days. -

Chopaai – Ati anade jamiya jana, toye khata khutyu nahi anah I Pachi modaka lai morari, aapyaa sarve ne sambhri II

Purva chayoo – Jeevan Jetalpur maa, karyoo yagna je muni raaya IDev daittya ne manushya, evo koya thaki nava thaaya II

In this way Maharaj gave gifts to Brahmins and some Snacks to all the bhaktos towards the end of the Yagna.

One day in the farm under the banyan tree (vada) all the Bhaktos and Aashjibhai of Jetalpur made a stunning swing using different materials and Shreeji Maharaj came and sat on this swing to give darshan to the Bhaktos. At that time a poor Brahamn cane with couple of cucumber to give to Maharaj. Poor

fearful Brahaman was thinking how am I going to do the darshan and give this cucumber to Maharaj. While thinking, Maharaj knew what he was thinking therefore he came to the poor Brahaman where he bow down, did the Pooja of Maharaj. Lovingly, Maharaj helped himself to couple of cucumber. He called upon thehis sevak Damodar Bhakta and ask him to look after a poor Brahaman everyday. On his way back munching the cucumber, Maharaj sat on the beautiful swings. At that time Muktanand Muni plead for little Prasad. Shree Hari said that this is not only for you but to give it to all the saints. While saying this Shree Hari gave cucumber Prasad to Muktanand Muni.

MuliChar dham yatra, pg 131

There is a Shikhar Mandir on the wesstern side to the entrance in Muli. These are the murtis instoled in the Mandir:

In the middle Shree Harikrushna Maharaj On the right is Dharamadev-Bhaktimata in white marble On the left is (Shyaam) Ranchod Trikamji and on next to them is Sukhshaiya In Surya Mandir there are two Prashadi Elephants

There are many other places for Darshan for Example in the farm there is Ganga Jadiyo Kuvo, umbrella, Alark Vaav, Braham Mhole, Prasadi no Kuvo, Bhogavo river, Selor Vaav, Limbado, and many more that were shown by Shree hari to Brahmanand Swami.

Leela in Muli

When Shree Hari came to Muli on the day of Ekadashi he stood in on the egde of a River Bhogavati (Bhogaavoo) and from there he went to Ghela Joshi’s house. Shree hari and many Bhrahmins were welcomed him and asked Varani to sit under the tree of Limbdo. Ghela bhakta bow down and offered him water and food. Varni said that today is Ekadashi, then Ghela Bhakta gave him some Penda and his wife gave him some Youghurt. From that Varni ate some and gave some back. After that he talked about different types of yogi’s. At that time came another yogi where he was welcomed the same way as other by the Ghela bhakta. The yogi began to talk about the his own different types of yog at that time Varni said ,”in this Kalyug it is very difficult to maintain the yog”. At that moment yogi showed others that gold changed into silver. Varni says yes there is gold and silver in yogi’s literation and showed golden earth and mountains while opening his mouth wide. While watching that scene everyone went to Samadhi where they saw the same Varni in various Akshardhams. Varni then bought them back to this world and they all began to describe what they saw. Then everyone went to bed , so did the Ghela Joshi and Varni. The next day Varni did his everyday routine and Ghela bhakta served him with delicious breakfast. While having breakfast he was talking to Ghela bhakta and said Joshi ask for a boon and Ghela bhakta replied that Hey Prabhu I have seven daughters but no son therefore give me a son . then at the end Varni replied that you will have three sons and from them only one will have children. This one of the leela that Maharaj did in Muli.

There are many other leela’s that Mharaj did in Muli. By that time came a season called Utraayan. On the southern side of Muli there is a Vaav of Alarkraja. Early in the morning after his bath, Maharaj came and sat on the Vaav. At that time saints, paarshards and 5000 satsangi’s got together in the congregation. Shreeji Maharaj began to talk about a King Alarkraja, that he was a big donor. He gave an example that one day a blind Bhramin came to him and bagged for his eyes. He donated his eyes and at that moment Dattatreya Bhaghwan became happy and said that your name will be praised on this Vaav until this earth is here. No one on this earth has donated something like this before. There is saying

that, “ A man is judged by his deeds, not by his words”. God will always recite on this Vaav. These were 3 bhaktos loved by Dattatreya bhagwan:-

1) Alarkraja 2) Prahalad 3) Sahastraa-arjun

In this way there are many memory on this Vaav. For example Bhaghwan Shree Krushna stayed for 3 years to create the Dwarika Nagari (town/village). Muli is the main root core of creating Dwarika Nagari that is why it is well known as Muli. Therefore whoever lives here will get ride of their awful deeds and who ever drinks a drop of water from this Vaav will get salvation at the end.

Shreeji Maharaj gave donation of sliver(Rupu), horses (ghoda), cows (Gaayo), food (Aan), clothes(Vastra), fruits(fad), flowers(ful) and many more to end the Makarsankranti Festival. All the Sankadiks came with 9 Yogashwars and asked for salvation. God was blissful and gave salvation. Many bhaktos contributed whatever they could. At that moment Shreeji Maharaj said to King Raamaabhai that in this Lok there are 3 types of pure donations mentioned below:-

1. Gaaya(Cows) 2. Pruthvi(Earth/apiece of land) 3. Sarasvati Vidya (Sarasvati Knowledge).

There was a temple of Shree Krushna in Mangrol therefore there should be a temple of Shree Krushna as this is his old habitat. Listening to this conversation King Raamaabhai said Hey Maharaj just mention how much land shall I give you as today is Uttrayan, I will be very thrilled to get this opportunity at this highly regarded time.

BotadChar dham yatra, pg 304

The Swaminarayan Mandir has a murti of Ghnashyam Maharaj. There are many prashadi places as follows:

1. Stone in the Ladies Mandir which Maharaj stood on and played with wrestlers2. Courtyard where Maharaj played with colours3. The place where Vyapkanand Swami bought a horse back to life4. Bhagadoshi’s house

During the installation of Hanumanji at Sarangpur, devotees from Botad requested Gopalanand Swami to make Botad village pious just like Sarangpur. After many requests from devotees Goplanand Swami came to Botad and said I will place these charnavind of Shreeji Maharaj on this oto (stoned seat). Swami then said, ‘These charnavind will be more powerful than Hanumanji at Sarangpur. Devotees would do darshan of these charnavind and all their wishes were fulfilled. Many years passed and devotees together decided to move the charnavind to the singhasan in the Mandir. With the utthapan vidhi the charnvind were moved but the chamatkar was removed as soon as they were moved.

One time Maharaj came to Botad to celebrate the Hutashani no samaiyo. This news spread to Gaaf village where devotees from there came for Maharaj darshan. They did danvat pranam to Maharaj. Maharaj then asked, ‘Where are the other devotees?’ The devotees replied, ‘The rest of the devotees have stayed back to collect the wheat that had harvested.’ Maharaj then said those that have not come will not keep their harvest and those of you that have taken time out to come for my darshan will keep their harvest. Later those who stayed back to harvest the wheat lost their wheat due to a fire that burned everything. Those that enjoyed the celebrations in Botad kept their harvest. This shows even though we take time out to go for darshan of Maharaj he always looks after us.

VelalChar dham yatra, pg 354

Some of the prashadi places at this village are stated below:

1. Daadro2. Jesangbhai’s madd3. Bhagore thalav4. Vadi nu vruksh where Maharaj tied His godi5. Prashadi items at Punjabhai Patel’s place

One day Maharaj become very happy upon Jesangbhai’s father Ragunathdas. Maharaj asked Ragunathdas to ask for anything. Ragunathdas said during my last moment during death come give me darshan and take me to your dhaam. Jesangbhai and Vakhatba (Jesangbhai’s sister) nearby hearing this spoke and said what will you give us? Maharaj replied, whoever comes out from below this maadh (big house/ Palace) will attain moksha.

Maharaj once went to eat at Jesangbhai’s kaka’s son’s (Haajibhai Amin) house. Maharaj then spoke and said I will eat one laadoo at everyones house. Jesangbhai sent out an invitation to say Maharaj will eat one ladoo at everyone’s house. Maharaj then left to eat at everyone’s house. He got to one house and saw the ladoo was so big and asked, at Jesangbhai’s house the ladoo’s were small and why are they so big here? Jesangbhai then said, the tradition is ladies from the city make small ladoo’s and the tradition for village ladies is to make very big ladoo’s. Maharaj then accepted this and eat on total 18 ladoo’s.

One time Jesangbhai came to Jetalpur and Maharaj said, ‘This year in our village we have had two big droughts. Maharaj said, ‘what sort of droughts?’ Jesangbhai said one is that no rain has come and the other is no saints have come to our village. So please send us ill and elder saints.

“Tyare Velalna Jesangbhai, bolya hari pratye em,Mare gaam manda garda, sadhu moklo kari prem”

Maharaj replied, ‘What will you do with elder saints?’ Jesangbhai said, ‘we will do seva to them, press their feet, bring them water when they are thirsty, wash their clothes etc. Also only elder and ill saints will let us do such seva young saints will not give this seva so please Mahara send elder and ill saints.’ After hearing this request Maharaj and saints came to Velal. Jesangbhai’s sister came to Velal with a basket of mangoes and asked Maharaj to eat the mangoes and feed the saints. Maharaj ate and fed all the saints but the mangoes in the basket remained the same amount that was given to Him. Maharaj then said this is greatness of the thap (penance) of this lady. Everyone believed that this was the greatness of Maharaj and no one else.

VisnagarChar dham yatra, pg 398

The following are prashadi places:1. Bhimnath Mahadev2. Garnara3. Talav4. Choro5. Lalji Suba’s house6. Shobharam Shastri’s house

Maharaj visited Visnagar and went to Pindariya lake, where He bathed. He adorned beautiful attire after His bath. Maharaj and Santos then went over to a Ambo tree and sat under it for some rest. At this point the Brahmins of Visnagar set off in search of Maharaj with intention of beating Him and the Santos up with sticks. Brahmins could not see Maharaj sat under the Ambo tree and because of the wicked Brahmins even the people of Visnagar could not have darshan of Maharaj. Maharaj just stayed under the tree for one night and left from Meu village.

This just shows how much hardships Maharaj and His saints had to bare for this satsang. So lets all remember we have got this satsang ready for us yet we are lazy in performing seva and bhakti to Maharaj. As we get older our desires take over us and prevent us from pleasing and attaining Maharaj. Just remember what we consider as hardships is nothing compared to what Maharaj and His saints went through.

One of the inhabitant Brahmin of Visnagar was Shobharam. He use to make satsangi’s sit in the heat of the sun. His sister Undiyakuvar was a satsangi and she use to sit with other satsangi’s in the heat. She use to make her son who was the age of 2 sit in the sun just like her. Shobharam was involoved in the decision making of the matters in the village and hence use to hassle the satsangi’s. He use to tell His sister why she would sit in the sun with the other satsangi’s. She replied, ‘Go away you childish man, you are not my brother.’ These people sitting in the sun are my real brothers. At this point he moved made all the people sitting in the sun. In this way whenever he hassled the satsangi’s, Undiyakuvar with her son would support the satsangi’s. She favoured the satsangi’s in this way.

VarnagarChar dham yatra, pg 399

Hari-Krushna Maharaj resides in the Banglaghat Shikhar Mandir. There is a Somnath Mahadev prashadi Mandir nearby also.

In Vadnagar, Vanmari’s mother told Maharaj, ‘When will this drought end?’ Maahraj said, ‘How many grains do you have?’ The Mother replied, ‘I have 2 manns (measurement) green grams in the kothi.’ Maharaj said never open the kothi from the top always remove from the bottom. The mother did as Maharaj requested and she would remove the grams and sell them to buy food and clothes. When the drought she was able to harvest the grains on her farm. She was very curious to see how much grams were in the kothi, so she opened the kothi from the top and saw the same 2 manns of grams that she had left a long time ago. The grams never reduced in number.

This just shows if we have enough faith in Maharaj, He definitely comes to the aid of His devotees.

RajkotChar dham yatra, pg 170

There is a shikhar mandir with Laxmi-Narayan and Swaminarayan as the main murti. With Dharma-Bhakti Hari-Krushna Maharaj and Ghanshyam Maharaj either side of the main murti. In the courtyard is a prashadi Bordi tree.

One time Maharaj came to Rajkot and the King of the village welcomed Him with love. Where the Mandir is present now Maharaj took rest at the same place and the King offered food to Maharaj and the Swami’s present. All the devotees thereafter offered Maharaj badri fruits as a gift from them.

Bhet bhakte badrifar dharya; hete hari e angikaar karya

Hata te far utam svadi, jami ne saune aapi prasadiLavi utam sarvsaman, bandhyo hete hindolo te sthan

Vyas adi sahu harijan, bhala bhave julave jeevanTyana raja ne che bahu sneh, aavya darshan karvane tehaTene prodh prathap janavyo, nij rupno nishchay karavyo

In this way Maharaj gave bliss to the soul present. Gopalanand swami in the sabha stood up and his pagdi (turban) got stuck in the thorns of the bordi tree. Swami then said to the tree, ‘Maharaj ate your fruits and yet you have not let go of your attitude. At this point the the thorn from the tree fell to the ground and all the devotees and swami’s present were astonished by this. In this way Maharaj and Santos stayed for a few days and then returned back to Gadhada.

JaipurChar dham yatra, pg 600

There is a Swaminarayan harimandir with thakorji facing the north. The temple is on 3 floors. Just nearby is a Galat ganga place where there is a big kund. Water is flowing continuously from the gaumukh. The water from here goes into another 3 kunds below the one mentioned above. These 3 kunds are always full of water. On the river bank there are many small Temples. There are many murti of Ram, Sita, Laxman and Radha-Krishna residing in the Temples on the river bank. There is a Galav rushi ashram present. A Nrushi bhagwan Temple and a Gopalkrishna Temples also resides in this auspicious village.

UdaipurChar dham yatra, pg 602 and Loya Vachanamrut 3

The wife of the king of Udaipur Jamkuba had heard many stories of Lord Swaminarayan and His divine leelas, His beauty and power. She thought I am living in this palace enjoying this material world why not pursue and experience the spiritual path for the betterment of the soul.

In the same way Maharaj was overwhelmed by Meera’s bhakti, he turned the bottle of poison into amrut (nector). He will surely make my wish come true. In this way she had a hope of following the path of righteouness even though she was living in royalty. As time passed by her life changed slowly where she started remembering the Lord more and more day by day. She started doing pooja and prathna to the Lord. The king seeing this change in Jamkuba did not like it so he decided to stop the progress of her bhakti but to no avail. Her life was pointing in the direction of vairagya.

One day she thought of leaving the palace during the night. She wore her saree and left from the back window of the palace. She is the Queen and has never stepped bare feet on the ground and today she is on bare feet running away. She is not aware of the way but taking Maharaj’s name she has passed 10 gau (distance measurement) just before sunrise.

Back at the palace the King has realised the Jamkuba cannot be seen anywhere. The king has sent out his men on horses in all 4 directions to find her. Jamkuba walking was slightly scared thinking the King will find me and take me. Just then she heard the horses coming from a distance behind her. Being very strong and brave she thought of an idea where she went and hid behind a dead camels skeleton. This way no one would be able to find her. She waited until the horses has passed and she had to stay within this dead camel where the smell was unbearable. In this way she stayed within the camel’s skeleton for 3 days without food and water. After she saw the kings soldiers return back she came out of the skeleton. She had a bath in a river and continued walking. There was a group of people travelling and among them were ladies. She asked these ladies for assistance and how she could reach Kathivaad. They

agreed to take her to Kathivaad. On the way she asked for some flour, added water to it and drank it. After some time passed the men travelling with her thought she was so beautiful. Their eveil minds thought they would not let her go anywhere and keep her with them. Jamkuba understood their evil intentions. When they stopped at Varnagar Jamkuba told the men she was going for a bath. On saying that she went to the lake to have bath. Near the lake there were many ladies chanting ‘Swaminarayan’ and were filling water. She explained to the ladies that she was in trouble. The ladies hid her and took Jamkuba to their home.

The evil men looked for her everywhere and could not find her so went away. After many days the haribhaktos of Varnagar took Jamkuba to Gadhpur. On reaching there and seeing Maharaj her mind and soul got fixed upon Maharaj’s murti. Tears were flowing out of her eyes. She told Maharaj how she left home and the troubles on her travels. Maharaj told her that to avoid people knowing her, he would rename her as Mataji. Everyone called her Mataji from then on. After many days Maharaj asked her to go to Kutch. Mataji agreed and didn’t even think for one minute she came here after going thorugh so much pain and Maharaj is sending me away. Maharaj sent her to Bhuj and throughout her life she stayed with Ladiba. Maharaj prasied Mataji’s sacrifice and said that it would have been difficult for anyone else to do what she had done. In Loya vachanamrut 3, Maharaj has talked about Mataji’s tyag.

KundalChar dham yatra, pg 292

There is a Hari Mandir present in this village. Raibai’s house, Mahadevji, Limdo tree, well and river are all prashadi places that can be visited.

Maharaj came to Kundal and Raibai fed Him to her hearts content. She then said to Maharaj now you have come to our village please stay here for a long time. This way I can feed you well to make you strong and so you don’t become weak. Maharaj being attracted to the devotion of this lady, stayed at Raibai’s house for many days, where she did continuous upmost service to the Lord.

Kadhela dudh sakar nitya, paay Raibai kari pritChokhi tar dudh ne dahi keri, prabhuji ne jamade ganeri

During her service to the Lord she thought one day of making some ladoos for the Santos. Maharaj then spoke and said the santos will not eat ladoos, the ladoos will go to waste if you give it to them. To control their taste they eat simple food. Raibai said if the santos are not able to eat these ladoos then the people that live in this house (family) should not eat this food either. After hearing this Maharaj gave all the santos a niyam of eating all suitable foods but they should mix it all in one patra (bowl) and add water to it. By adding water the taste disappears and they are still able to control their taste in this way. The santos happily heard and accepted this agna (order) by Maharaj. Maharaj was very happy to hear the santos accepted this niyam.

One time Maharaj was in Kundal. Amra Patgar was ill so Maharaj went to give darshan to him. On reaching there Amra Patgar’s son Ram Patgar went to give water the Bulls but Maharaj saw that there mouths had been covered with a cloth. Maharaj witnessing this asked, ‘Why have you tied the bulls mouth? Rampatgar said, ‘We can’t drink unfiltered water that’s why I have tied their mouths.’ Mahara said, ‘That rule is for humans not animals so remove the cloth you have tied.’ Rampatgar then said, ‘If they drink unfiltered water how will they get moksha?’ Maharaj then replied, ‘Your darbar is very sacred so which ever animal leaves their mortal body will attain moksha immediatly.’ After such a vow by Maharaj Rampatgar removed the cloth around the bulls mouth and bowed down to Maharaj.

On a sepearte occasion Maharaj went to abth in the Jariya dhara. Many devotees had a bath by jumping in the water, everyone enjoyed it and had great fun. But no one took Maharaj’s name while doing this. Everyone bathed and came out of the water. Mahahraj said to Surakhachar, ‘You all bathed in blood’ Surakhachar then replied, ‘This water is like the Gangajar, why are you saying we bathed in blood?’ Maharaj then questioned, ‘While bathing did you remember the Lord? You bathed without remembering the great Lord so you in turn bathed in blood not water’ Once everyone realised this they all went back into the water to bath and they all continuously chanted ‘Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan…’ Then Maharaj spoke and said,’ Now you have all truly bathed in the Ganga. In the same way we Maharaj has mentioned in many pages of the Vachanamrit that we should always remember the Lord while eating, sleeping, ealking etc. In each and every activity our mind should be reciting the Lords name. This will then make each and every activity of ours pure.

Sources used in this document: 1. Shikshapatri2. Vachanamrut3. Bhaktachintamni4. Ghanshyamlilamrut5. Chaar Dhaam Yatra by Shree Swaminaryan Mandir Bhuj.6. Ayodhyani tirthyatra by Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Ayodhya