Muktanand Swami’s Wish
All the members of Dharmakul were living happily in Gadhada and getting the benefit of Shri Hari’s spiritual association. One day, Muktanand Swami put forward a proposal to Shri Hari…
MAHARAJ INSTRUCTS BRAHMANAND SWAMI TO BUILD A MANDIR IN VARTAL
Shri Hari instructs Brahmanand Swami, “Swami, I have performed the foundation-stone laying rituals for the mandir in Vartal. Now, you go to Vartal and build the mandir.” Then, Maharaj called Harji Thakkar and said, “Since Brahmanand Swami will be going to Vartal for constructing a mandir, give him Rs. 12 for his expenses.”
Brahmanand Swami humorously witnessed Shri Hari’s divine lila. He asked Maharaj, “When do I have to leave for Vartal?”
Maharaj replied, “Tomorrow, after lunch. Make a small mandir in Vartal like the Hanumanji Mandir by the pond.”
Brahmanand Swami smiled and commented, “Maharaj, with Rs. 12 one cannot construct even a smaller mandir than the Hanumanji Mandir. So, the room in which you have installed the murtis of Nar-Narayan will suffice as a mandir.”
Shri Hari understood the purport of Brahmanand Swami’s words. Maharaj added, “Narayan Giri, who is there, is your friend. Take his help and build a one-shikhar mandir.” Brahmanand Swami remained silent.
The next day, Maharaj gave prasad to Brahmanand Swami from his own thal. After having lunch Maharaj went to attend the satsang assembly. Brahmanand Swami came to the assembly with his group of sadhus. He prostrated before Maharaj. Shri Hari blessed him, “Bhagwan will fulfill all your wishes.” Brahmanand Swami asked, “Maharaj, which Bhagwan?” Shri Hari replied with a smile, “The Bhagwan on whom you meditate and whose name you chant. Which other Bhagwan can there be?”
Shortly thereafter, Maharaj advised, “I had performed the foundation-stone laying ritual on the spot where the Nar-Narayan murtis are presently installed. Furthermore, acquire the title deed for the land that the devotees have promised to give.”
Swami asked, “If it takes time to get it done, what should I do?”
“Then start the construction work. It can be acquired later, however, you’ll have to remind them about it daily,” Maharaj advised.
Brahmanand Swami took leave of Maharaj and departed for Vartal. Swami and his group of sadhus traveled to Kariyani, Polarpur, Kamiyala and Sinjivala before arriving in Vartal.
I’M NO ONE’S FATHER-IN-LAW
With the Dharmakul staying in Gadhada, Maharaj daily dined, at the insistence of all, at Rampratapbhai’s and Ichchharambhai’s residences. Once, Maharaj went to Ichchharambhai’s residence to have lunch. Shri Hari sat down to eat. At that time Raghuvirji’s wife, Virja Devi, covered her head and face with her sari to observe the social protocol. Shri Hari smiled on seeing this and asked her, “By observing this protocol how will you meditate [upon me]? I am no one’s father-in-law; I’m everyone’s Parameshwar!”
On hearing this, Virja Devi uncovered her face and replied, “Maharaj, we are body-conscious, so in spite of your divine form we have family feelings for you. But, today, since you have revealed your divine form, I will no longer observe this social protocol.” Shri Hari was pleased with her new understanding.
The winter month of Posh (December – January) was coming to an end. One day, Maharaj was seated on a bed in the porch of the north-facing room in Dada Khachar’s dabar. At that time, Muktanand Swami came for darshan and sat down. He was happy because the Dharmakul had come from Chhapaiya. He then desired that Maharaj select and appoint an appropriate member of the Dharmakul as the acharya. On the other hand, Muktanand Swami was aware of Maharaj’s nature and dis-inclinations. He knew that Maharaj was not inclined to associate himself with his family. Shri Hari believed that whoever was a staunch satsangi was a part of his family.
Muktanand Swami gently raised the point, “Maharaj, with the arrival of your family, those who falsely said that you belong to a low caste and thus criticized you have been proved wrong. Thus, they will now refrain and resign from maligning you.”
Shri Hari smiled softly. Maharaj knew what Muktanand Swami was trying to get at. He always respected Muktanand Swami on par with guru Ramanand Swami and abided by his wishes. Muktanand Swami was humble and understood Maharaj’s divine glory. He staunchly believed Maharaj to be Bhagwan. He said, “Maharaj, no one will be able to criticize you once someone appropriate from the Dharmakul is appointed as the acharya of the Sampradaya.”
Shri Hari replied, “I believe you to be a senior sadhu. I will do whatever you say. Whatever you like is what I like. I am inclined to those who have love for God and dharma. Tell me one who has these two virtues. You can install one who is in tune with the Satsang traditions, has greater love for the scriptures than his material property and belongings, is inclined to listening to katha and doing bhajan, propagates the glory of God and dharma and reveres the God-realized Sadhu.”
Muktanand Swami was pleased to hear this because he felt Maharaj would definitely appoint someone from the Dharmakul as the acharya. He thus started pondering about the ideal candidate. Then, he asked Shri Hari’s opinion about who to select. Maharaj replied, “Ichchharam possesses saintly virtues. He has faith in me. His son is frank and without deceit. Whereas Rampratapbhai does not have faith and trust in what I say. However, his son Nandram has saintly virtues. Suvasini Bhabhi is simple, pure-hearted and loving by nature. Nandram and his two brothers abide by Rampratapbhai’s wish. Whereas, Ichchharam’s family do what I say.”
Muktanand Swami felt Maharaj had gauged the personalities of all the members of Dharmakul in a very short time. At that time Suvasini Bhabhi and her son, Nandram, arrived. Instantly, Muktanand Swami got up and moved away to one side. Then, Maharaj asked them both, “Muktanand Swami wishes to choose an appropriate member from the Dharmakul and appoint him as the acharya of Satsang. What is your wish?”
Suvasini Bhabhi replied humbly, “You know what is best for us in this world and the world beyond. How can we suggest to you? We have faith in you. One who has no trust in you, can never be happy despite all the talents he has.” Shri Hari was pleased to hear the candid words of his sister-in-law.
In the evening, Maharaj asked the opinions of other sadhus, brahmacharis and senior devotees. Muktanand Swami opined, “I think Sitaramji is most suitable to be appointed as the acharya.”
The next day, according to Muktanand Swami’s wish, a raised seat was arranged on the porch of the north-facing rooms of Dada Khachar’s darbar. Ichchharam’s seven-year-old son, Sitaramji, was told to sit on the raised seat and appointed as the acharya. A chorus of jais filled the air to mark the investiture. Muktanand Swami was very happy on the occasion. Shri Hari had a safo tied on Sitaramji. Then, sadhus, brahmacharis and devotees bowed to Sitaramji, and the devotees offered donations to him. Dada Khachar tied gold bangles on Sitaramji’s wrists. Shri Hari told Sitaram’s elder brother, Gopalji, “You sit next to Sitaramji and take whatever gifts or donations that are offered to your brother. Furthermore, you should not allow him to touch them because he is too young to understand their value. It would be foolish to touch money after sitting on a spiritual seat. I like an acharya who abstains from associating with women and wealth. In so doing, there is little chance of him getting sullied. One who is blessed with the seat of Satsang should understand and imbibe its principles and be free from lethargy and laziness. One who occupies the seat of Satsang and remains lazy should be dethroned because laziness is a form of maya. One who occupies the seat of Satsang should be respected and loved as long as he observes the moral regulations I have prescribed. To revere one who disobeys morality is contrary to the Satsang tradition. In fact, it is the way of kusang.” Thereafter, Maharaj went to the Akshar Ordi to have his meal.
O MAHARAJ, YOU’RE TRULY FIBBING
Soon thereafter, Sura Khachar arrived. He bowed and touched Maharaj’s feet and sat down. Maharaj asked him, “Have you had your meal?” He replied in a dejected tone, “Maharaj, ever since the day you started having meals at Dharmakul’s house no one has eaten. When I got prasad from your thal in Dada’s darbar I felt satisfied that I had eaten.” Shri Hari responded with a smile. Suddenly, there was a noise from behind the darbar. Maharaj told Sura Khachar, “Go outside and have a look at the back. What is the noise about?” Sura Khachar got up and he saw Manki eating grass. Sura Khachar informed Shri Hari about Manki. But Maharaj told him to have a look again and said, “ It seems as if Garud is there.” Sura Khachar commented, “Maharaj, you are really fibbing. I saw with my own eyes that it is Manki.”
Shri Hari merely smiled and was about to say something when Muktanand Swami spoke, “Sura Khachar, in spite of you having seen with your own eyes you need to see with Maharaj’s perception. He can transform Manki into Garud. Thus, say that you saw Garud.”
Sura Khachar was perplexed. He got up and went out to have a look, and to his surprise he saw Garud flapping its wings. He rubbed his eyes to make sure, but he saw Garud again. Sura Khachar returned and fell at Maharaj’s feet and said, “Maharaj, it is not possible to understand your lila!”
Shriji Maharaj replied, “You can do so providing you develop Muktanand Swami’s spiritual understanding.”
Translated by Sadhu Vivekjivandas from Gujarati text of Bhagwan Swaminarayan by Shri H.T. Dave
Swaminarayan Bliss | January / February 2018
