Bhagwan Swaminarayan

On the auspicious day of Kārtik Sud Ekādashi in Samvat 1858 (1801 AD), the city of Jetpur in Saurāshtra was filled with excitement from the morning. The fragrance of the sacred āhutis [offerings] and the flames of the yagna created a divine atmosphere. Devotees were swarming the streets and walkways.

The appointment of Sahajanand Swami as Guru of the Satsang was marked by a ceremony following Vedic customs. Rāmānand Swami placed a hār around Sahajanand Swami and applied sandalwood paste and a red chāndlo to his forehead. Rāmānand Swami then performed ārti and directed Sahajanand Swami to assume the responsibility of the Sampradāy by taking a seat on his own gādi [spiritual throne].

Then, speaking to the swamis and followers, Rāmānand Swami said: “Today, Purna Purushottam Narayan himself has blessed this earth to establish Bhāgvat Dharma and to guide countless souls to Akshardham in the form of Swami Sahajanand. Your kalyān is ensured if you fully comprehend this Sahajanand Swami’s divine form and cultivate an everlasting nishthā in him.”

Rāmānand Swami then invited Sahajanand Swami to ask for a boon on this auspicious day. With folded hands, Sahajanand Swami humbly prayed:

“1. If your satsangi is to suffer the pain of one scorpion sting, then may the pain of the sting of millions of scorpions befall on each and every pore of my body; but no pain should afflict your satsangi. 2. If your satsangi is destined to have a begging bowl (face severe hardship due to their past karma), then let that begging bowl come to me (may that severe hardship fall upon me); but your satsangi should not suffer from want of food or clothing. Please grant me these two boons.”

On seeing the magnanimous sentiment of Sahajanand Swami, the eyes of Rāmānand Swami and the devotees became with wet with tears of joy, completely awe-struck and filled with profound indebtedness upon hearing this deeply compassionate and unheard-of prayer.

Many people empathize with the suffering of others, but Bhagwān Swaminarayan took their pain upon himself and made his followers happy. In Vachanāmrut Kāriyāni-6, Shriji Maharaj says, “I have sacrificed my body for the sake of those who are devotees of God by word, thought, and deed.” Such was Bhagwān Swaminarayan’s profound love!