Bhagwan Swaminarayan

The renowned poet Ladudan Gadhvi was an expert in four languages, grammar, and the science of poetry (Pingal Shāstra). He had mastered 24 different arts, including equestrian knowledge (Ashva Vidyā), elephant training (Gaja Vidyā), and Samudrik Shāstra (the study of body features and their significance). Gifted with exceptional intelligence, a sharp memory, and an innate ability for spontaneous poetry, he was honored with numerous titles and awards from various royal courts. These included Suvarnachandrak (golden medallions), Rājkaviratna (royal poet), Pingalvidyāchārya (master of poetic science), Mahāmahopādhyāy (greatest of the great scholars), Mahāshighrakavishwar (supreme quick poet), and Shatāvadhāni (a rare format of performance where the human intellect is put to ultimate test of mental concentration on over 100 tasks at once).

Once, when Ladudanji visited Bhāvnagar, Mahārājā Vajesinh Bāpu summoned the royal jeweler to adorn him with gold ornaments. The jeweler had a striking Gopichandan tilak on his forehead along with a round red kumkum chāndlo. Curious about this, Ladudanji inquired about its significance. Before the jeweler could answer, Mahārājā Vajesinh Bāpu interrupted and said, “Ladudan! I need you to resolve a dilemma of mine. In my kingdom, there is a village called Gadhadā. A man named Swaminarayan has come there. The Kāthis (a warrior community) consider him to be Bhagwān. This appears to me as a deception, and I request that you investigate him.”

Ladudan agreed to test Swaminarayan. However, the jeweler, trying to caution him, advised, “Kavirāj! If a statue made of salt enters the ocean to measure its depth, it will dissolve into the sea itself. So, proceed wisely.”

Filled with the pride of youth, erudition, and fame, Ladudan set off to Gadhadā. En route, however, doubts arose in his mind. What if the rumors were true, and the goldsmith was right? Troubled by these thoughts, Ladudan resolved to impose four unspoken conditions upon Bhagwān Swaminarayan. He reasoned, “If Swaminarayan is truly Bhagwān, then may he remove a garland of roses from his neck and place it around mine, may he address me by name and introduce me to the assembly, may he reveal to me the sixteen divine marks said to be on the feet of Bhagwān, and may the Shrimad Bhāgwat Shāstra be recited before me while resting on a black cloth.” With these conditions, he reached the outskirts of Gadhadā.

Upon entering the village, Ladudan experienced a divine peace. Sahajanand Swami was seated beneath a neem tree, surrounded by swamis and devotees. Before him, the Shrimad Bhāgwat Shāstra was being recited while resting on a black cloth. As Ladudanji entered Dādā Khāchar’s court, Swaminarayan Bhagwān called him by name, welcomed him by presenting the rose garland he had been wearing, and introduced him to the entire assembly. Simultaneously, Ladudan observed the sixteen divine marks on Shri Hari’s feet. Overwhelmed with joy, Ladudan spontaneously composed a verse:

‘Ājni ghadi re dhanya ājni ghadi,

me nirkhyā Sahajanand dhanya ājni ghadi...’

(Blessed is this moment, truly blessed is this moment, for I have seen (met) Sahajanand Swami, truly precious is this moment.)

In that instant, the doors to Ladudan’s heart opened, and he entered a state of samādhi. In his trance, he beheld Shriji Maharaj seated in the magnificent Akshardham, more radiant than countless suns and moons. Within that divine abode, infinite liberated souls experienced the unending bliss of Shri Hari’s beautiful form. Even after awakening, this vision of Shriji Maharaj remained vividly etched in his mind. Ladudan was transformed from a royal poet into Shri Hari’s paramhansa (swamis initiated by Bhagwān Swaminarayan), Brahmanand Swami. The salt statue had indeed dissolved into the sea.

Many paramhansas underwent similar transformations, transitioning from worldly prominence to spiritual eminence. Nityānand Swami, a scholar of the four Vedas, possessed vast scriptural knowledge. Gopālānand Swami, with mastery over the eight yogic powers, could control the movements of celestial bodies. Santdas could enter samādhi at will, while Swarupānand Swami maintained constant awareness of his ātmā. Vyāpkānand Swami revived a deceased horse. Nishkulānand Swami embodied renunciation and detachment, and Muktānand Swami exemplified saintliness. Gunatitanand Swami was the incarnation of Aksharbrahma, whose every pore contained countless universes. Bhagwān Swaminarayan’s charisma and power were extraordinary. He initiated over three thousand virtuous paramhansas, inspiring them to renounce their worldly lives and adhere to niyam-dharma.