Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami

Once in Vartāl, following Shriji Maharaj’s āgnā, Gunatitanand Swami was engaged in serving sick swamis. He would prepare food according to their preferences, take care of them, and even wash their blankets. Seeing this, some healthy swamis also added their blankets with those of the sick swamis for Gunatitanand Swami to wash. In total, there were about eighteen blankets, but Gunatitanand Swami, without any complaint or reluctance, lovingly continued his sevā.

After washing the blankets in the Gomati Lake, Gunatitanand Swami carried the extremely heavy load on both shoulders and walked towards the mandir. His body was drenched in sweat from the physical exertion, and the wet blankets dripped water down his body.

At that very moment, Shriji Maharaj, after having his meal at Vāsan Suthār’s home, arrived at the Hanumān gate of the mandir. As soon as Gunatitanand Swami saw Shriji Maharaj, he became immersed in his divine form, gazing at him with unwavering devotion. Shriji Maharaj, too, was bound by Gunatitanand Swami’s thread of love and stood still. A divine exchange of glances between the Bhakta and Bhagwān ensued.

After a while, Shriji Maharaj asked, “Sādhurām! Shall we leave now? Gunatitanand Swami then withdrew his gaze. Shriji Maharaj then proceeded to the sabhā. However, after a short time, Shriji Maharaj started feeling physically uneasy. Seeing this, the sevak swamis started fanning him, and someone even brought cold water. But Shriji Maharaj said, “I do not need anything, but that Sadhu has placed a burden upon me. Take it away.”

Shriji Maharaj meant he felt the weight of the blankets on Gunatitanand Swami’s shoulders. Upon hearing this, Bhaguji immediately ran to Gunatitanand Swami, took the blankets off his shoulders, and brought them to Shriji Maharaj. Shriji Maharaj then called for those whose blankets they were. The sick swamis came to collect theirs, but the healthy ones, feeling ashamed, did not come forward.

Shriji Maharaj then called an immediate sabhā. He knew that Gunatitanand Swami was his eternal sevak, always eager to serve swamis and devotees. However, it was important for everyone else to realize that Gunatitanand Swami was no ordinary Sadhu to be engaged in such tasks.

Shriji Maharaj then asked Muktānand Swami and Brahmānand Swami, “What kind of sant is Gunatitanand Swami?” They replied, “He is a great sant. He has memorized many kirtans, delivers great kathās, serves tirelessly, and is highly austere.”

Shriji Maharaj smiled and said, “You have only spoken of his visible virtues, but he is far more than that. Just as one holds a snake tightly with tongs, he has grasped my divine form in all three states - waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.”

Hearing this, Mahānubhāvānand Swami, a swami from North India who took Maharaj’s words literally, remarked [towards Gunatitanand Swami], “Why have you caught hold of Maharaj, let him go!”

Shriji Maharaj explained, “He has held on to me eternally, yet I feel no distress. However, for others to hold on to my form as he does is extremely difficult. This Sant is my Eternal Sevak. Through him, my supreme form and worship will spread throughout the entire Satsang. No one understands my true greatness the way he does. So, how can it be appropriate for healthy swamis to make him perform menial tasks?”

Thus, Shriji Maharaj helped all the sadgurus realize the divine glory of Gunatitanand Swami. The fact that Shriji Maharaj physically felt the weight of the blankets on Gunatitanand Swami’s shoulders proves the oneness between Akshar and Purushottam - a bond beyond worldly understanding!