A PRAYER

There is no dearth of spiritual, philosophical and theological literature to guide and help man attain to 'atyantik moksha' -salvation or realization -'sakshatkar' of God. But as Shreeji Maharaj stated, one cannot understand the interpretations without the help of the brahmanized satpurushas or great souls. The Muktas who have secured a permanent place in the luminous swarup -form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, are themselves divinely lighted and they preach their message in two ways in order to guide the seekers. They educate the masses through their preachings or they set an example through their own action so that others may follow them or imitate them. Their divine speech as well as their morally sound and ethically correct actions instill a sense of duty and devotion in the minds of the devotees.

All those who had ever come into contact with Anadi Muktaraj Param Pujya Narayanbhai had never missed his profound spiritual power and his highest state of Mukta -an eternally released soul. Narayanbhai was not merely a spiritual guide or a saint but he was also a man of world, efficient administrator and an excellent academician and a committed teacher. He always insisted upon 'dharma-shuddhi' -sense of duty and 'vahivat shuddhi' -purity of means. With deep insight and wide experience of both social and spiritual aspects of life, with immense knowledge of the art of balancing between 'shreya'-beneficial and 'preya'-pleasant. Pujya Narayanbhai can be described as -teachers' teacher -'sadguru-varya' -a man with God-like attributes of compassion, love, vairagya and bhakti. Hundreds of people had benefited immensely by seeking his company and advice in their spiritual quest. But now the coming generations will have to quench their spiritual thirst by drinking at the fount of his written works of wisdom. Muktaraj, all throughout his stay in our midst was very sympathetic and we should all be grateful to him for the love and labour that went into the launching of many activities aimed at leading mankind on the path of righteousness. The publication of this small booklet covering his life and works is a token of our love and sense of gratitude towards our great master.

While publishing this booklet we experience a mixed feeling of joy and sorrow. We feel happy because we have been able to show to the world the deep devotional spirit of a satpurush, a Mukta who forever remained absorbed in and identified himself with and eternally resided in the luminous form of Supreme Lord Swaminarayan. We feel sad because such a great soul no more dwells in our midst in the manifest human form: This is an irrepairable loss. However, we should not forget that he dwells as the witness in every devotee attached to him and continues to guide us and sustain our faith in ourselves and our Supreme Lord Swaminarayan.

We note with immense joy and satisfaction that this little but in no way small life of Muktaraj is reaching you all on the auspicious occasion of Pujya Narayanbhai's 'pragatyadin' -birthday. This booklet is a tribute to Muktaraj's unique spiritual life and memorial to his everflowing compassion and divine inspiration which will be readily available to the readers of this book. We hope the readers will receive it with joy as a 'prasad' and mould their life in accordance with the tenets and principles preached by our Muktaraj.

We are reaffirming our faith in Muktaraj and praying to Lord Swaminarayan, Param Krupalu Bapashri, all Sadgurus and Guruvarya Muktaraj Param Pujya Narayanbhai to bestow on all devotees, their choicest blessings. On this occasion we cannot forget Prof. Maheshbhai A. Dave who helped us publish this work in English. We are thankful to him and all those friends for all their 'love's labour' in making this publication possible.

16 February, 1999

V. S. 2055, Maha Vad Amas

Publication Committee

Shri Swaminarayan Divine Mission