28. Redemptive Attributes of God Perceived in Swaminarayan

The herculean incarnatory task accomplished by Shri Swaminarayan was the result of His inherent divine qualities. In order to ennoble our lives let us recall those divine attributes enlisted below:

Lord Shri Swaminarayan possessed the virtues of knowledge, self-abnegation, renunciation, spiritual prowess, cleanliness, truthfulness, forgiveness, mercy, gentleness, non-attachment, self-content, firm determination, equanimity, tolerance and forbearance, austerity, elegance, sensitivity, proficiency, compassion, patience, steadfastness, solemnity, right conduct, humility, non-violence in thought, speech and action, non-stealing, complete control over six instincts viz. [hunger, thirst, sorrow, passion and delusion, aging and death.], selfless-service, non-possession, non-indulgence in sense-gratifying objects and activities, shunning bad company, saintliness and service before the self.

Now let us have some concrete examples showing how He translated these ideals into action:

(1) Once Sarangpur had torrential rains for nearly three days without any let up. Many houses were destroyed. A brahmin's house collapsed burying 10 to 20 heads of cattle. As soon as Shri Hari saw this, he rushed to the spot, lifted the cross-beam and saved the cattle. Moreover, He helped the poor to rebuild their houses.Thus the merciful Shri Hari used to rush to the needy and the miserable without waiting for an invitation.

(2) Once Lord Shri Swaminarayan as an asceticVarni was on his way from Jagannathpuri to Rameshvaram. He met a mendicant called Sevakram who was suffering from dysentry. His body was stinking with filth and nobody could go near him. He was groaning with pain. When Swaminarayan saw his suffering, His heart was filled with pity. He broke his journey to nurse Sevakram. He regulary bathed him, changed his clothes and cooked food for him. He used to visit different localities for His meals. Often, He didn't get any food and had to observe a fast. Although Sevakram was aware of this, he never said, "I've some money. Please cook food for both of us. Let us eat together." Thus, Swaminarayan by serving sick Sevakram gave proof of His selfless service.

(3) Maharaj (Shri Swaminarayan) was running a free community kitchen for the poor at village Lojpur. He used to move around with a Kavad on his shoulders collecting alms for the poor. He used to cook in the morning and evening to feed the poor. Only after serving the poor and His ascetics he would take his meals.

(4) When his preceptor, Ramanand Swami was breathing his last, he asked Sahajanand Swami to ask for two boons. Sahajanand Swami prayed: (i) O master! let your devotee be spared the agony which is as painful as the one causedby the sting of a scorpion. Instead of him let me suffer the pain all over my body even if it is crore times severer than that caused by a scorpion's bite. (ii) If it is in the destiny of your devotee to receive a ramapatra-beggar's bowl, let it be My destiny. He should never suffer hunger or want of clothes. The request for the first boon reveals Swaminarayan's concern, care and love for His devotees. While the second boon shows His desire to share the destiny of the devotees. No incarnation of God has ever promised to transfer the tragic fate of His devotees to Him, making their destiny His. Thus, He promised to suffer every sorrow of his devotees. Since then the saints and devotees of Swaminarayan with absolute faith in Him and in His commandments have been leading a life of tranquillity and happiness. This historical fact cannot be overlooked.

(5) Once a brahmin from Siddhpur approached Shri Hari and prayed: "Maharaj, my son has to receive his sacred-thread but I have nomoney for the thread-ceremony." Shri Hari, soon alighted from His horse and handing the reins of the animal to the brahmin said, "Take away this horse. Sell it off and perform the sacred thread ceremony." Later on, a devotee called Punjaji from the village Methan, offered money to the brahmin and got the horse back. Thus our Lord, the Merciful has come to succor in the hour of need and delivered the miserables from pains and sorrows.

(6) One night Shri Hari arrived unannounced and all alone to the hut of Saghram Vaghri at village Limdi. Saghram and his wife could not believe their eyes, "Maharaj, at this hour!" The merciful sat on the rags spread on the cot and preached the family and spent the whole night with them. The poor man's joy knew no bounds. Thus, Shri Hari had a special place for the poor and the so-called backward classes in His heart.

(7) Once Shri Hari organised a yajna at Jetalpur. He asked each family to grind 30 kg of wheat for the ceremony. A prostitute approached the Lord and prayed that she too might be allowed to grind the wheat. Maharaj readily complied with her wish but He told her that He would allow her to serve Him on one condition that she must sincerely repent for all the sins committed by her in the past and grind the wheat herself. Then only He will bless her and redeem her. The woman agreed to abide by the Lord's condition; she herself took the pains of grinding the wheat, gave up her sinful profession, followed the path of righteousness and became His ardent devotee. Thus, Shri Hari was always eager to absolve the fallen and pardon them. He was too generousto keep anyone out of His grace and love.

(8) During his tours, once Sahajanand Swami walked into a village called Langhnaj. In this village there lived two of His women devotees; Sonbai Bhavsar and Gangama who belonged to Nagar brahmin caste. Sonbai was very poor but Gangama had not to worry about financial support. Gangama approached Sonbai with a suggestion, "You may prepare food and serve the Sadhus. I'll use sweet-smelling rice and prepare special food for Maharaj." Sonbai realised that her poverty was preventing her from serving meals to Sahajanandji Maharaj. But the omniscient Lord would not disappoint her. He never discriminated between His rich and poor devotees. He straight away went to the house of poor Sonbai and ate the food that she had prepared for the saints. When Gangama approached the Maharaj with her rich food, He asked her tooffer it to Sonbai.

(9) During the severe drought of 1869 (Agnotero) Lord Swaminarayan sent His saints and householder devotees to different regions to provide relief to the drought-affected people. He had instructed his disciples not to discriminate between His believers, satsangies and non-satsangies while offering food and clothes. He himself visited many drought-affected places and brought relief to the people using his spiritual and divine powers. By his own example he proved that service to mankind is a form of divine worship.