Bhagwan Swaminarayan

In Samvat 1866 (1809 AD), Shriji Maharaj celebrated the Fuldol Utsav in Bhuj. He sprayed so much color that the ground turned crimson (red). Such an abundance of gulāl was dispersed that the sky itself was painted a pink hue! The people of Bhuj experienced a festival of such captivating grandeur for the first time in their lives. The day after the Fuldol festival, the swamis and devotees seated Shriji Maharaj on a flower-adorned swing (hindolo) and swung him to their hearts’ content. Devotees traveled from far and wide to participate in this unprecedented celebration.

Following the festival, devotees from Kanthkot, Dhamadkā, Māndvi, Badadiyā, Mānkuvā, and other villages sought Shriji Maharaj’s darshan before returning home. Requesting his permission to leave, they said, “Maharaj, please bestow your mercy upon us!”

Shriji Maharaj replied with a gentle smile, “Please have mercy upon me!”

The devotees heard Shriji Maharaj’s words, but in their eagerness to depart, they began their journey home. Along the way, they reminisced about the festival, recalling the divine atmosphere, Shriji Maharaj’s radiant appearance, and the abundance of color he had sprayed. Suddenly, one devotee asked, “As we were leaving, Shriji Maharaj told us to have mercy on him. He is the one who graces us with his mercy. Why would he have said this?” No one could answer. To resolve their confusion, they decided to return. Upon their return, they asked, “Maharaj, you asked us to have mercy on you as we were leaving. Please explain why you said this. You are our Ishtadev, the one we pray to; you are the one who showers us with mercy.” The devotees looked anxiously towards Shriji Maharaj, awaiting his response.

Shriji Maharaj explained, “Your body is approximately three and a half arm-lengths long, and within it resides your small heart, only three fingers wide. It is in this heart that we reside. Therefore, keep your heart pure. If you harbor desires for worldly things, we will not wish to stay there. So, please have that much mercy on me.” Hearing these words, the devotees understood Shriji Maharaj’s meaning and resolved to remain vigilant, preventing worldly desires from overtaking their minds and hearts. They vowed to keep Shriji Maharaj’s words at the forefront of their thoughts.

The controller of infinite universes, Parabrahma Bhagwān Swaminarayan, along with Akshar, resides in the small mandir within our hearts. However, we must remain constantly vigilant to ensure that the “trash” of our negative tendencies (swabhāvs) and worldly desires and attachments does not infiltrate that sacred space.