Again and again, what more shall I describe of the great Lord's greatness — he gives wonders beyond number to his devotees of Hari. Once the charming one held a great sacrifice (yagna) in the village of Dabhan; satsangis from every land came for Hari's darshan. Shyam's beautiful form was adorned from head to foot; seeing Maharaj's splendor, men and women were filled with delight. He wore a fine gold-brocaded gown and turban, adorned with plumes and crest; rings, bracelets, and golden bangles graced his arms and wrists. With canopy, chowrie, and royal umbrella, seated on horseback or in a palanquin, the Lord gave darshan to his devotees — but the Saurashtra devotees were left behind.
The satsangis of Saurashtra, hearing of the great sacrifice at Dabhan, were filled with regret at having missed this great divine play. "Maharaj held a great sacrifice to give people his darshan; those of us who were left out — come now, let us go for darshan." Then the satsangis prepared themselves, women and men setting out eagerly. Along with Parvat Bhai and Mayaram, well-equipped, they went together — children, elders, and young alike, to have Maharaj's darshan.
They walked four kos together, and there the Support of their Life came to meet them. Dressed in fine gold-brocaded garments, he stood there smiling with great affection; his fine ornaments shone splendidly, his beloved form incomparable. Many horses accompanied him in a fine procession, shining beautifully with his companions; he himself rode a priceless horse, his turban and headwear shaded with flowers. Countless garlands of flowers hung from his neck, ornaments adorning every limb; his exceedingly beautiful form shone so that all who saw it were entranced.
He gave darshan to all who had come, and seeing him they were filled with joy. All fell repeatedly at his feet, their eyes never satisfied with looking. All together offered praise, saying, "Blessed, blessed" with their mouths: "Friend of the humble, you have given us darshan, today you have made us fulfilled. We could not come for the great festival, but Maharaj has soothed that ache today — all our wishes are fulfilled, having seen the Lord and his joyful companions."
"Now come, beloved, to our home," they said, and Maharaj, showing them grace, said, "This whole gathering — let us all turn back together." Saying this, they all turned back, and the Enchanter of Minds walked with them. He said, "We shall go ahead; you all come slowly behind." Saying this, Shyam departed, and all the satsangis came home. They asked one another, "Where did the charming one stay?" searching among themselves.
One said, "He has not come here at all — keep this in mind. That was an extraordinary darshan, which has made our lives fruitful." "The Lord neither came nor departed — he gave darshan out of his mercy." Thus the Lord, being pleased, gave an extraordinary darshan. Thus the compassionate one fulfilled this wonder, the protector of the humble, the friend of the fallen, giving the satsangis joy. Blessed, blessed is Swami Sahajanand.
Listen to one more story I shall tell, which will delight you to hear. There was a devotee of Hari named Uddhavji, a good satsangi of the Vaishya caste, diligent in his righteous work, worshipping the name Swaminarayan. One day thieves seized him and took him into the ravines.
To force him to pay a fine, they cut a hard, thorny acacia branch and said, "This will strike your body — we mean to beat you for the ransom. Give us the money we ask, or you will not escape alive today." Saying this, they raised the thorny branch, and the devotee grew fearful. "How will this hard thorn be borne — today my life will surely be lost. There is no money at home to give, and I will not escape alive any day now. So if Maharaj helps me, I shall be saved from this suffering." Saying this, he fell into despair, yet kept faith in the great Lord.
At that moment the compassionate one arrived, friend of the humble, protector of his devotees. He gave darshan to Uddhavji, and the devotee, seeing him, was overjoyed, tears in his eyes, voice choked, saying, "You have come, knowing my humble state. Had you not come at this moment, this would have been my death at their hands." Saying this, he fell at the Lord's feet, and the refuge of the refugeless spoke: "Devotee, do not keep any fear — remain now fearless in your mind. You will suffer not the slightest harm, and without paying any ransom you will reach home."
Saying this, the Imperishable One departed and went to the wife of that very thief. He said, "Your husband is a sinner, bringing suffering upon a devotee of Hari — release him at once," he told the woman, having come to her directly. Saying this, Shyam departed, and the thieves came back with their captive to the village. They kept him one night in a house, and the thief's wife spoke there:
"This is a devotee of Bhagwan, and you have committed a great offense — you have seized him and brought him here, having sinned against the Lord. So give him a parting gift and take him back to where you found him." The thief then did just that, sending him home with garments. Thus the Imperishable One released his own devotee, giving this wonder. Thus the charming one accomplishes his devotees' needs, giving wonders even today.
Let me tell you another story of a wonder — listen, all of you, I tell it directly. There was a devotee of Hari named Jadavji, of the Vaishya caste, a pure devotee, who knew the manifest Lord as truly present — Swami Sahajanand, mine of happiness — holding this firm refuge within, discerning the real from the unreal.
Let me now tell his story. He went to a village on some family matter; there was a feast in that village, and after eating he returned to his lodging. There was a court physician there who requested a purgative powder; unwittingly the physician gave poison, and after eating it, four of them died on the spot, calling for their last rites. Only Jadavji remained among them — hear his story with attention.
When Jadavji ate the poison, it took effect and began to overwhelm him; his pulse faltered, his throat closed, and he fell unconscious. His tongue grew short and stiff, and in broken syllables he cried out: "O Lord! O Lord! Sing his praise — Swaminarayan, help me! Friend of the humble, I am your servant — save me today from this suffering." Fallen in distress he cried out, and hearing it, the Beloved One came at once, his enchanting, beautiful form appearing before Jadavji, lord of his life.
Seeing the Lord, his eyes were captivated, and he said, "Welcome, giver of happiness — you have given me darshan at this moment; now let my body die in peace." Then the Lord said, "Listen — today your body must be preserved. Your companions have gone to the divine abode; your work too was thus concluded. But you have been saved in this very moment — now keep no fear at all." Saying this, Shyam departed, and at once the Vaishya recovered his health. Thus he saved his own devotee, giving this wonder himself, Bhagwan.
Thus he removes the suffering of his devotees, giving countless wonders moment by moment. As a mother watches over her child, so the compassionate one takes care; because of this, joy prevails among his devotees, and Shri Sahajanand gives happiness.