“Believe the Satpurush to Be My Form…”

Sadguru Nishkulanand Swami, a leading paramhansa of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, has profusely written poetry and lyrics that reflect the spirit of renunciation, detachment, morality and the glory of bhakti.

In all his works, he has predominantly focused on the glory of the Gunatit Satpurush. He sung them with enthusiasm and absolute clarity. A few examples of his literacy creations are as follows:

1. Kamdugha Kalpataru, paras chintamani char, Sant saman eke nahi, me manma karyo vichar. – (Bhaktchintamani: 2/7)

I have thought that out of four wish-fulfilling things, namely, the cow, tree, philosopher’s stone and gem; none are equal to the Satpurush.

2. Santkrupae sukh upaje santkrupathi sare kam, Santkrupathi pamiye puran Purushottam dham. – (Bhaktchintamani: 2/2)

Through the grace of the Sant one attains happiness, through his grace one accomplishes works and through his grace one attains the absolute abode of Purushottam.

3. Sant hu ne hu to vali Sant re, Em Shrimukhe kahe Bhagwant re, Sant manajo mari murti re, Ema fera nathi ek rati re. – (Nishkulanand Kavya: Purushottam Prakash, 41/9)

Referring to what Bhagwan Swaminarayan said Nishkulanand Swami explain, “The Sant is Me and I am the Sant. Believe the Sant to be My form and there is not an iota of difference between us.”

4. Ke’she sant to a bahu sara re, Khara kalian na karnara re, Etalo ja guna koi gre’she re, Te to Brahmamahole vas leshe re. – (Nishkulanand Kavya: Purushottam Prakash, 41/14)

If anyone says that this Sant is very good and the true redeemer; by appreciating this virtue he will attain Brahmamahol (Highest abode of God).

5. Sant desh pardesh fare chhe re, Sahu jivana agh hare chhe re, Ema darshan, sparsh je karshe re, Te to Bhavajal par utarshe re. - (Nishkulanand Kavya: Purushottam Prakash, 41/19)

The bona fide Sant travels to relieve the sins of all souls. Whosoever has his darshan and touches him will be redeemed from the ocean of life.

6. Dhanya dhanya e Sant sujan ne, Jenu ulati palatyu ap… Sant te swayam hari. Ap tali malya Bhagwan ma, Jena aapma Harino vyap.. Sant te swayam hari. – (Nishkulanand Swami).

Glorious is the Sant whose inner self is not mundane… (for) he is God himself. You have lost yourself and become one with God. In you pervade God…. Hence, he is God himself. 

64 Holy Places

The Annakut Festival in Junagadh had been gloriously celebrated. Pragji Bhagat was an idol of service. He had resolved to scrub and wash all the utensils used for the Annakut festival. While he was scouring the pots and pans, Gunatitanand Swami came to him. The flow of clean water touched Swami’s feet and fell into a trough. Gunatitanand Swami asked Pragji Bhagat, “Where are the 64 holy places?”

“At the holy feet of the Satpurush!” replied Pragji Bhagat.

Swami then smiled and tellingly said, “If one understands this, then one will be redeemed.”

Pragji Bhagat, out of his profuse reverence for Swami, jumped into the dirty water to sanctify himself. To others it seemed that he had dirtied himself but in fact he was bathing in nectar. 

“Gone, gone and gone…”

Gunatitanand Swami’s enlightening discourses attracted a large multitude of devotees from Gujarat, Saroth and Kathiawad. In his divine presence sins dissolved, pressures of life eased and the soul became enriched with the glory of Shriji Maharaj.

Two devotees from Pij arrived in Junagadh to listen to Swami’s discourses. On entering the mandir, they encountered a double-thumbed Sadhu. The Sadhu was averse to Gunatitanand Swami. He tried to stall both the devotees, but one of them walked off, while the other got ensnared in this sweet hospitality. The former devotee went to the assembly hall and prostrated before Gunatitanand Swami. Swami called him near, asked him how he was and then enquired about his companion. The devotee was amazed at Swami’s omniscient powers and replied, “He has stayed behind over there and said he’ll come soon.”

At this Gunatitanand Swami responded, “He has gone, gone and gone!”

The devotee did not understand Swami’s statement but Jaga Swami enquired, “Swami can you explain your words.”

“He will no longer be able to take refuge of the Satpurush. His soul will regress from Satsang due to words of hatred and ill will instilled by that Sadhu. For him the path of redemption has closed. His soul will be consigned to the miseries of hell and the cycle of births and deaths.” And so saying, Gunatitanand Swami remained silent.

The holy Sadhu is the means to redemption. By nourishing enmity towards him one closes the path to moksha. A true aspirant avoids blasphemous talks and never even thinks of it.

Dinanath Bhatt

Mayaram Bhatt was a genuine devotee of Shriji Maharaj. As an ideal householder, Maharaj wrote his name in the Shikhshapatri. This did not suit Dinanath Bhatt who was a great pundit from Amod. Though Dinanath revered Shriji Maharaj, he became critical towards Maharaj because of his jealousy for Mayaram.

The consequences of Dinanath’s blasphemy took its toll on his daughter. She became possessed by a terrible ghost. Dinanath sought all possible ways and means to exorcise the ghost, but failed.

Finally, he went to Shriji Maharaj who was in Gadhada. There, he repented and begged forgiveness for his sins. The all-compassionate Maharaj blessed him and said, “Go to Mayaram Bhatt, he shall exorcise the ghost.”

Dinanath obeyed and asked Mayaram to help him. Mayaram prayed to Maharaj, took some water and sprinkled it on Dinanath’s daughter. In an instant the ghost fled and Dinanath’s daughter began to behave normally.

By perceiving faults in a genuine devotee of God, one invites pain and misery. Even God becomes helpless to redeem a sinner who bears ill will towards His devotee.

 Faith in Discourses

Once Shriji Maharaj was in Gadhada. Every day, in the morning, afternoon, evening and late at night, He discoursed to the congregation. The paramhansas faithfully and untiringly listened to Maharaj’s divine discourses. Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami became engrossed and overwhelmed with bliss while he listened to His sermons.

One evening, after arti, Maharaj commenced His discourse. As He talked, Maharaj became so absorbed that He lost all sense of time. When Shriji Maharaj realized that it was 3 am He stopped and told the paramhansas, “It is quite late now. I shall continue my discourse later in the morning. You may now all go and rest.”

At that time Gunatitanand Swami humbly requested Maharaj, “If you are telling us to go for rest than we are experiencing peace and rest in Your discourses. Therefore, please continue Your sermons.” Shriji Maharaj was pleased with Gunatitanand Swami’s faith and inclination towards discourses. Maharaj continued His wonderful discourse and satisfied the paramhansas.

By listening to spiritual discourses with love and faith one’s frustrations and miseries are dissolved, one’s heart and mind become pure and one’s soul rejoices in the eternal joys of God.