Gunatitanand Swami: A Brief Introduction

In the latter half of the 18th century when George Washington was appointed as the first President of the United States of America, when France lurched and buckled under a devastat­ing revolution, when Darwin’s Origin of Species stirred a furious controversy, when Beethoven entertained the halls and courts of Vienna with his wondrous music and Charles Dickens rose to the pinnacle of literary fame and immortality; the unassuming Gunatitanand Swami was enlighten­ing, pacifying, and immortalizing countless souls in Gujarat, India, with the magic of his spiritual wisdom and God-communion life.

His renunciation of home, initiation, vigil in the rain for a glimpse of Maharaj, suffering of persecution at the hands of his detractors with­out a murmur, routine rounds for bhiksha despite insults, steadfastness to truth, service to ailing sadhus and bringing of relief to suffering human­ity were a reflection of his character as a sadhu of the first rank.

He demonstrated his conviction for Bhagwan Swaminarayan, courage and desire to help others, genuine love for all people and a steadfastness through his saintliness.

CHILDHOOD YEARS

Gunatitanand Swami was born on 28 September 1784 (Aso sud Punam, AS. 1841) in a small village named Bhadra, on the west coast of Gujarat. His father, Bholanath Sharma, and mother, Sakarba, were pious Brahmins. From his childhood, he showed an extraordinary inclina­tion for spirituality. Many times his parents and relatives were perplexed by his mystic utterings and subtle questions.

Once, Mulji, his childhood name, asked a ma­hant of a group of wandering sadhus, “What is ‘cause’ and what is ‘effect’?” The mahant and the rest of the audience were dumbfounded by his question. Seeing that no one could answer him, Mulji replied, “God is the ultimate cause and this world is God’s creation — an effect.”

A monument and shrine dedicated to Gunatitanand Swami’s birthplace

His talent for presenting lofty ideas through simple examples was a hallmark of his spiritual genius. Once, while he was going to his farm with his friends, they all rushed to a nearby well. The water was covered with moss and algae. Mulji dropped a stone and his friends joined in the game. Soon, the layer of algae and moss parted and the children saw their faces. They were ex­cited and happy. Mulji explained, “When the sur­face was covered it seemed there was no water. Similarly, the layer of ‘bad habits’ prevents us from seeing God. Once that is removed our joy will be multiplied a hundredfold.”

This was not the first time that Mulji’s friends had heard him speak about God. Once, one of his friends, out of curiosity asked, “You always talk about God, but tell me have you seen God?”

Mulji replied, “I see God all the time.”

And it was to bless countless with this vision that Mulji left home to become a sadhu. He renounced home at the age of twenty-five and was initiated into the sadhu order by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in Dabhan and named Gunatitanand Swami.

HIS LOVE FOR MAHARAJ

Gunatitanand Swami had a deep attachment for Bhagwan Swaminarayan. A love so profound and eternal that he never allowed an opportunity for his darshan slip by. Once, he stood late in the night drenched in rain to catch a glimpse of him. On another occasion he ran backwards all the way from one town to another to have darshan of Maharaj travelling on horseback. Gunatitanand Swami thus never missed an opportunity of hav­ing his darshan.

Swami’s profound love for Maharaj was once revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan (Shriji Maharaj) to his sadhus and devotees, “He is my eternal abode, and dearest to me. His su­preme love for me is not of this life alone. He is eternally in loving communion with me.” And Maharaj spoke at length on Swami’s greatness as Aksharbrahman.

As a mark of Gunatitanand Swami’s love for Maharaj, we find many instances where he personally volunteered when no one was ready to fulfil Maharaj’s wishes. On one occasion, Bhagwan Swaminarayan, with a large group of sadhus, was on his way to a big festival in Vartal. Midway, nineteen sadhus were taken ill. Shriji Maharaj assembled all the sadhus and asked if anyone was prepared to stay behind and nurse the ailing sadhus. There was silence. Everyone was eager to go with him to the festival. At this point, Gunatitanand Swami stood up and said that he would stay behind. Maharaj was im­mensely pleased.

Gunatitanand Swami tirelessly nursed the nineteen sadhus with care and patience. Within a few days the sadhus recovered. With no further need of him, Gunatitanand Swami left for the festival. On arriving at the Vartal mandir, Maharaj welcomed him with a warm embrace for his ser­vice and obedience.

HIS SPIRITUAL DISCOURSES

In 1827, Bhagwan Swaminarayan appoint­ed Gunatitanand Swami as the head of the Swaminarayan Mandir in Junagadh. Three years later, when Bhagwan Swaminarayan passed away, Gunatitanand Swami succeeded him and took Shriji Maharaj’s mission forward. His life and discourses inspired thousands on the path of spir­itual living. People flocked to see him and to hear his wonderful homilies. He used the layman’s language, interspersed with simple examples and thought-provoking answers.

On one occasion, a devotee hosted Gunatitanand Swami during a visit to his vil­lage. The next day, while Swami was addressing an assembly, about two hundred people from a neighboring village thronged to the assembly. They had come to the vil­lage on business, but having some time to spare, they decided to come and listen to Swami’s discourses. “If you want to go and settle in an­other town,” Swami, looking at the newcom­ers, asked, “would you just pack your belongings and go or would you first make arrangements for a home and livelihood?” One of the newcomers who had made all the ar­rangements for a night’s stay replied, “I would never set out for even a night without making any prearrangements.”

“But when you leave this mortal body, where will you stay? Have you made any preparations?” Swami asked.

The man and all the newcomers remained silent.

Gunatitanand Swami revealed, “Satsang will strengthen you and prepare you for the eter­nal home.”

During his discourses Swami also emphasized the importance of spiritual association with the holy sadhus (satsang) as a panacea to life’s grave problems. Most actions in daily life are not merely a response to physical objects outside us but also a result of our desires that operate from within. Spiritual association with sadhus (satsang) make us aware of this and reinforce our spirit to overcome them. Swami spoke on the significance of this aspect with a simple example. “Once dur­ing a rat-infested year,” Swami began, “a barn was teeming with rats. The barn became a feast­ing ground for a snake. Each day he would feed upon the rats. Many months passed in this way and the snake grew in size and strength. But the day arrived when there were no more rats left. Finding no food, he became more ferocious, bit­ing anyone who entered the barn. Now, tell me, would any of you enter the barn? Similarly, when one feeds one’s desires they fatten and grow in strength. But if they are not satisfied one’s crav­ing increases and like the hungry snake pounces upon any available opportunity. If however, one decapitates the snake, which is similar to sever­ing the base desires, one is freed from its tyranny. This, however, is only possible through disciplin­ing oneself under the guidance and blessings of a holy guru.”

Tulsibhai, a witness to the good effects of dis­cipline always found his pious son happy and equipoised in all his activities. He believed it was all due to the blessings of his guru, Gunatitanand Swami. When Swami came to his village he took the opportunity of asking him to bless him just as he had blessed his son. Swami told him to attend his discourses. But Tulsibhai had little time for this; he would go to his business every morning and return late in the evening. To sit and listen to Swami’s discourses was something he was not used to. On the last day of his stay Gunatitanand Swami called Tulsibhai.

“How old are you?” Swami asked gently.

“Seventy-two,” replied Tulsibhai.

“Tell me Tulsibhai, would a few bucketful's of water suffice to cool a giant red hot plate?” Swami asked.

“No,” replied Tulsibhai.

“Then how can you hope to experience peace when your heart has been boiling with worldly desires for seventy-two years? Tell me, will a few hours of listening to my spiritual discourses fill you with inner tranquility? Come and stay at Junagadh and I shall bless you with the peace and happiness your son is experiencing.”

A couple of weeks later Tulsibhai went to the Junagadh mandir. And in the course of time Tulsibhai, who served in the mandir and listened to the Swami’s discourses, was blessed with eter­nal bliss. Like him many prospered spiritually from Swami’s divine company.

TRANSFORMING LIVES

Gunatitanand Swami’s entire life was cen­tered on reforming the lives of people he met and moved with. He clothed them with the fabric of moral and human values, thus transforming them into respectable citizens of society.

Munja Suru of Lilakha village near Gondal, was notorious for his drunkenness and criminal habit of looting in broad daylight. The citizens of Lilakha village abhorred Munja Suru. But no one had the courage to stand up to him and throw him out. This intense repulsion for him prevailed until the day Gunatitanand Swami arrived.

Munja, on hearing of Swami’s arrival, imme­diately went to him. This was rather surprising! What were his intentions in going? Did he want to drive away Gunatitanand Swami and retain the cloud of fear and notoriety hanging over the village? Or did he go in earnest?

When Munja Suru saw Gunatitanand Swami, he felt a wave of guilt overwhelm his conscience. He looked down in shame and regret.

“Munja,” Swami spoke with love, “why do you ruin yourself ? The more you pursue your evil ways, the more sin and suffering you will incur upon your body and spirit.”

In spite of Swami’s gentle words Munja felt a sharp pang. His uneasiness turned into a frown. He did not like anyone crossing his path. His blood boiled, and then, he felt another sharp blow.

“You have lost the respect of your family, your friends and of the whole village. Now stop and mend your ways.”

He felt he would erupt like a volcano, but all that steam and fury evaporated into a clumsy laughter.

“I am happy,” he said, “and not miserable at all. I believe your sermons will be better received by the villagers. Such talks are for those who are meek and gullible!”

He felt some satisfaction after saying some­thing. But it was a poor attempt at brushing off Swami’s rebuke from his conscience.

Swami tried again. But it was of no use. It was like talking to a thick wall. So without further thought Swami shot a glance at him. Munja in­stantaneously fell into a samadhi and experienced the tortures of hell.

Many miracles have been catalogued in Gunatitanand Swami’s biography. His touch had revived a dead man, his blessings had saved many from fatal diseases and paupers were blessed with wealth. But he performed a miracle only when the need arose and that, too, to reconcile people towards righteous and godly living.

A few minutes elapsed before Munja regained consciousness, and like a frightened child that clings to its mother, Munja clasped Swami’s feet and pleaded for help. Gunatitanand Swami placed his hands on Munja’s back as a gesture of bless­ings for a nobler and happier life. From that day onwards Munja became a changed person and the village enjoyed peace that had eluded it for many years.

Many more were transformed by this peren­nial stream, cleansing their hearts and nourish­ing them with the waters of holy living. Swami’s immense sacrifice sprang from his love and spirit to do good.

In spite of physical hardship, he never disap­pointed the devotees by refusing their invitations to visit their homes. On the very night he passed away, at the age of eighty-two, he honored the request of a devotee and sanctified his home.

On several occasions he was called to medi­ate between quarrelling parties and re-establish peace and friendship. He promoted respect for all gods, thus resolving quarrels and enmity that were frequent during his times.

HIS DISCIPLES

When his sadhu-disciples returned from their preaching tours, he would hurriedly step down from his seat, prostrate before them and embrace them with love. And then he would enquire about the places they had been to and the wellbeing of the devotees. If there were news of someone in need of food and help he would make immedi­ate arrangements. “The devotees are a part of our family,” he often said to the sadhus. “Their woes and afflictions are ours too. We should of­fer a helping hand and guide them as much as possible.”

In return for Gunatitanand Swami’s care and sympathy the devotees became attached to him. They rushed to him whenever he needed them, offering everything, and even themselves, if Swami so wished. Karsan Bambhaniya was one such disciple. Once, he came to the mandir and offered a box of jewelry to Gunatitanand Swami. Knowing what was in it Swami said he had no need of it. “But, please Swami, it’s not much,” entreated Karsan.

That year the monsoons had failed and so the harvest was very poor. Food had become scarce and thousands were affected by severe famine. Karsan Bambhaniya was worried about Gunatitanand Swami and his sadhus. He had come to offer whatever riches he possessed to Swami. To him Swami and his sadhus were more precious than his own self.

“We have no problems. Our granaries are well stocked. Please take back your box and look after your family,” Swami refused him a second time. A tear coursed down the weather-beaten cheek of Karsan, only to be followed by another and another.

“Won’t you accept a gift from me?” choked Karsan. “The sadhus will go hungry and starve.” And so saying he broke down. To pacify him Swami accepted the box from his hands. Lovingly wiping the tears off Karsan’s cheeks Gunatitanand Swami told him to go back home and take care of his family.

Karsan had given the precious heirlooms of the Bambhaniya family. Swami kept the box and returned it, unused, to Karsan the following year.

With 300 sadhus under his care Gunatitanand Swami shaped their lives into models of selfless­ness and a deep sense of sacrifice for God and his people. Through his personal attention and encouragement he produced astute scholars out of them. And above all he raised them to the level of God-consciousness and realization.

Gunatitanand Swami’s life was also an elo­quent symbol of service. Like the mighty banyan trees that stand unaffected, braving the scorching summers and providing their comforting shade to weary travelers, Swami provided refuge to wearied souls.

Deha Charan was overcome with a void in life. An urge to seek something substantial and perma­nent sprang from his gloom. He no longer wished to cling to worldly living and so he left his home in Rajasthan to search for a true guru. His sojourn eventually brought him to Mt. Girnar, but even there his search brought him no peace. When he climbed down and reached the foot of the mountain, he saw a man steadfast in meditation. A ray of hope gleamed for him. He went up to the young man and enquired about his guru. The young man talked about the glory and greatness of Gunatitanand Swami. Deha Charan felt at ease. He instinctively felt his pilgrimage would shortly come to a fruitful end. He rushed to the Junagadh Swaminarayan Mandir and his first feeling on see­ing Gunatitanand Swami was of immense inner peace. The impact was so penetrating that Deha Charan renounced the mundane life and accepted initiation into the sadhu-fold.

Even the Nawab of Junagadh, a Muslim, experienced a deep solace in the presence of Gunatitanand Swami. Whenever he found time, he unfailingly sought Swami’s company. Besides, people of different faiths came to listen to Swami’s discourses and seek counsel because he loved everyone and respected all religions. People flocked to him because they were impressed by his humility and asceticism.

Till the age of 82, Gunatitanand Swami served and inspired countless people, liberat­ing them of their base nature. He immortalized them with the nectar of peace, fraternity, mo­rality and exuberant love for God. On several occasions, before he passed away, he had pointed to Bhagatji Maharaj as his spiritual successor. Bhagatji was the greatest gift that Gunatitanand Swami bestowed to the Satsang Fellowship. In the years that followed the devotees felt that the spirit of Gunatitanand Swami was alive in the form of Bhagatji Maharaj.

Sadhu Vivekjivandas
Swaminarayan Bliss | Sep / Oct 2017