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(Vachanamrut Gadhada I-62: Acquiring the Virtues of Satya, Shauch, Etc.)
Extract:
On Fāgun vadi 4, Samvat 1876 [4 March 1820], Shriji Mahārāj was sitting on a large, decorated cot in the middle of the courtyard of Dādā Khāchar’s darbār in Gadhadā. He was wearing a white khes and had covered Himself with a white cotton cloth. On His head He was wearing a white pāgh that was decorated with garlands and tassels of white flowers. At that time, an assembly of munis as well as devotees from various places had gathered before Him.
…
“Moreover, one naturally acquires the virtues of whomever one has a rapport with. For example, when our eyes meet with an oil lamp, the light of that oil lamp enters our eyes, thus expelling the darkness present before them. In the same manner, one who has developed a rapport with God by having a firm conviction of Him acquires the redemptive virtues of God.”
[moral: Lives being transformed for the better, with the association of Bhagwan and the Satpurush.]
Discussion Points:Tulsidas says in the Ramcharitmanas, “Whoever engrosses themselves in God, experiences the fruits immediately. An obnoxious crow becomes a melodious songbird. An ugly duck becomes a majestic swan. That is the power of associating with God.”
- Joban Pagi was an infamous organised crime leader of India in the 18th century. His mob of thieves and warriors controlled the trade routes from Gujarat to Pune and even to Kolkata. After hearing about Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s famed horse, of the celebrated Rozo breed, Joban decided to steal it. He tried to break into the horse stalls for three straight nights, but each time he was met with the divine presence of Bhagwan Swaminarayan standing next to the stallion. Joban realised that Bhagwan Swaminarayan was no ordinary person—He was God. He came into the spiritual assembly on the following day and admitted all of his sins to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. From that day onward, he became Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s disciple and started following the dharmic codes of a devotee, completely transforming his life.
- The Kathi darbars were rulers; some ruled one village while others ruled many. They were powerful, generous, and, unfortunately, at times brute. Bhagwan Swaminarayan understood that transforming their attitude towards their subjects would make life better for tens of thousands of people across Kathiawad. He taught these rulers to care and provide for their subjects. Citing examples of great kings like Janak, Dasharath, and Harishchandra, Bhagwan Swaminarayan taught these darbars to love, appreciate, and reward their subjects. He insisted that it was their responsibility to educate, train, and set an example for their villagers. Bhagwan Swaminarayan transformed their lives.
- Bhagwan Swaminarayan also focused on individuals that the rest of society had neglected for years. Sagram Vaghri was one such example. Sagram was of the Vaghri, or ‘untouchables,’ caste. He was illiterate and did not appreciate basic moral, spiritual, or ethical codes. Bhagwan Swaminarayan visited Sagram’s home, a practice considered unorthodox at the time. Moved by the respect Bhagwan Swaminarayan had for him, Sagram started following the dharmic codes laid down by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Sagram stopped eating meat, beating his wife, and stealing. Once while traveling with his wife through a forest during the worst famine in Indian history, he found a gold bangle on the floor. Despite the difficult living conditions and rampant hunger due to the famine, He was not tempted to take it. He also wanted to ensure that his wife was not enticed to take the gold bangle. He tried to cover it up with dust before his wife, who was a few steps behind him, could see it. His wife took notice and said, “Sagram, why are you covering dust with dust? Anything that does not belong to us is as good as dust to me.”
- Hothiyo Patgar of Kundal was a hot-tempered, yet sincere aspirant. One late night, Hothiyo felt the sudden need to answer nature’s call. As he exited his house, half asleep, he stumbled into a bullock cart. Knocking himself out of sleep and pushing himself into a state of rage, he furiously bit the wooden cart. His rage-driven actions lead him to losing his two front teeth. A few years later, Hothiyo was ordained as Nirmananand Swami. Whenever Nirmananand Swami would go begging for alms, the villagers tried to stoke his temper by mocking him, “Swamiji, Swamiji… How did you lose your two front teeth?” However, Nirmananand Swami would react beyond everyone’s expectations. He would explain calmly, “Hothiyo Patgar is long dead; I am now Nirmananand. I do not become angry.”
Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s universal message was able to transform hundreds of lives, from rulers to the lowest strata of society.
- “God does not differentiate between high and low. However, such distinctions do exist in people because of their karmas. If your karmas are good, then you are virtuous. But several addictions and bad habits have become a part of your lives. Subsequently, your huts are as they are and you have been unable to progress. Even though you are people of ordinary means and live in humble huts you will be worthy of respect when you imbibe good values. If you cultivate character, then it will not take long for you to become rich.”
Swamishri’s words stirred the souls of the downtrodden Harijans and Vankars in the village of Bhoj. He had come of his own accord to the community of Harijans residing at the extreme end of the village. Here he gathered them in the middle of the ground hemmed by their ramshackled huts and preached to them about the true purpose of life and moral conduct. Swamishri’s loving words touched the community and they gave up their addictions at his holy feet.
A month passed after this incident. When the festival of Dhuleti arrived, a flock of guests and relatives came to Bhoj with the intention of celebrating it with a liquor party. But when they entered the Harijan ghetto they were surprised to see a small religious gathering in which the Shikshapatri was being read. They saw the festival being celebrated with purity and joy. The guests insisted that they have a liquor party. But the local Harijans refused and replied, “Ever since we have become disciples of Pramukh Swami Maharaj we have stopped drinking altogether.” Their words echoed with pride, joy and satisfaction.
Through Swamishri’s grace, the village of Bhoj, once a ground for bingeing, had become blessed with virtues. Their lives were transformed with the association of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
2. The villages of Kukad and Odarka in the district of Bhavnagar were notorious for a conflict that had protracted for 200 years. For generations the Rajput citizens of both villages were hostile to each other and fought bitterly over a piece of disputed land. Many had died because of the issue. And the volcano of hatred was still active, sometimes spitting its deathly lava to claim a few more lives. For 200 years, the villagers had abstained from drinking each other’s water. And every year their hatred grew more and more bitter.
Through the decades, many arbitrators, like the Maharaja of Bhavnagar Krishnakumarsinhji, and British and Indian government officials had tried to resolve the conflict, but they failed. For 200 years the cauldron of hate and revenge remained simmering as many more lost their lives.
But the deadlocked situation took a new turn when the transformation of Ramsangh Bapu, a hard-core criminal who wreaked terror in the region of Ghogha near Bhavnagar, took place through his association with Swamishri. Being a resident of Odarka, he expressed his remorse for his sins. He appealed to Swamishri to help resolve the hostility between Odarka and Kukad.
On 12 April 1990, Swamishri visited Odarka and went to the disputed land on its outskirts. Here, Swamishri ceremoniously bathed the memorial stones of those who had been killed in the conflict with panchamrut, and water mixed from both villages. Swamishri offered respects to all the stones with pujan, chanting of Vedic mantras and mahapuja. Prayers were offered for the redemption of all those who had died in the conflict and for an end to the pledge of not drinking water from each other’s village. Swamishri told the Darbars to bathe the memorial stones. Then arti was performed in the presence of senior members of the Kshatriya community of Saurashtra.
The occasion climaxed when the Darbars drank water from each other’s village offered by Swamishri. Two hundred years of vendetta was dissolved with the blessings of Swamishri. Finally, Swamishri addressed the gathering, “I am very happy today because you have given up your hatred for each other. You have resolved it with an open and compassionate heart. Bhagwan Swaminarayan will bless your villages. To give up past hatred is a sign of nobility. Progress is only possible if one forgets hate. You have pledged to drink water from each other’s village, but there is one thing you have to abstain from, and that is drinking liquor.
“The mission of God and His holy Sadhu is to bring people closer to each other. I pray that you attain the true purpose of human birth – liberation, through devotion to God and by helping and serving others.”
This historic event of extinguishing the fires of hatred and inspiring springs of love and friendship will forever be etched in the annals of history. Swamishri was extremely happy for the restoration of peace in the hearts of the people of Odarka and Kukad. Their lives were transformed with the association of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.