Let me tell one more story, told with love for a devotee of Hari — hearing it brings happiness, and even one's whole family is saved by it. Whoever hears the fine renown of the satsangi again and again will cross this ocean of worldly existence without effort. Whoever tells the story with delight, and whoever listens with attention, their wishes will be fulfilled by the manifest Shri Bhagwan. Such is the power of this story — believe it true, all of you. Now let me relate once more the renown of the devotees of Hari.
There was a good and devout devotee named Kalo, dwelling in Kundal, who did the work of a farmer (Kanbi) and kept the religious duties of satsang. He worshipped the manifest Lord, Swami Sahajanand, mine of happiness; whenever sadhus of Swami came to his home, he served them well. His understanding of true satsang was correct, and its color had risen fully within him; he would even speak with intoxicated fervor, saying, "Swami Prabhu is himself directly present — why remain bound elsewhere, come, all of you, into satsang."
Hearing Kalo speak thus, his other brothers rose up in envy: "Take away his farmland, do not let him sit in caste gatherings; force his satsang out of him, then he will come humbly and bow." Then the wicked ones did exactly this, seizing his farmland. Kalo then went to the local court and cried out for justice there. But bribes had already been given, and the ruler gave no fair judgment. Kalo said, "Keep this matter in mind — let someone give me righteous justice."
Then everyone settled the matter this way: "Take a true oath and walk through it." He then resolved to do just that, saying there was no other way but to take the oath. To perform this harsh ordeal, he went with the assembly to the field. All those who had come to witness the oath gathered — the landholders of the region and village came together. A red-hot iron ball was prepared, and they said, "If you are truthful, carry it." Seeing this, Kalo thought: "Lord, how will you bring me through this? I have only you as my refuge — beloved, do not forget me at this moment."
As he said this, Bhagwan came and gave his devotee darshan. Coming, the Imperishable One spoke: "Remain fearless, devotee. Cast away fear and take the ball in both hands — you will not be burned," said the Lord. Then Kalo took the ball in his hand and walked the required distance himself. Everyone said, "Listen, satsangis" — the wicked ones went away with blackened faces (in disgrace).
Thus the compassionate one gave this wonder, protecting his own devotee. Let me tell one more good story — devotees of Hari, hold it in your hearts. There was a devotee named Bhulo, living in Naki Nandasan village, of exceedingly simple and honest nature, without deceit or cunning of any kind. He did the work of a farmer (Kanbi), worshipped the name Swaminarayan, trustworthy and free of vice, guileless in his love for the Lord.
He did not know east from west, north from south — such was his extreme simplicity that he had no sense or awareness of direction at all. He set off to go for darshan, to where Maharaj was; he had no food or water with him, no skill even to beg for food. He knew neither left nor right of the road, and had no concern for heat or cold. Thus he set out for darshan, and then Maharaj came to meet him.
The Beloved took the form of a Brahmin and walked along together with the devotee, giving him water and food, taking care of him along the way. They came together into the city of Bhuj, where the Lord showed him a place to stay, and holding his hand, then the form became invisible, and Hari came and sat upon a seat there.
The devotee Bhulo had his darshan, and seeing the Lord he was overjoyed. Then the Lord asked him, "Tell me, how were you able to come here?" "You are exceedingly old and cannot walk well — how did you find your way to this land? Did you have any provisions or money with you — how did you manage to reach here, old man?" The devotee said, "A Brahmin accompanied me, who gave me food and water. He brought me here and then went off somewhere, leaving me at the temple."
Then the Lord said, "It was I who was there — I came watching over you. I gave you signs of the road and path, and you found the markers of rivers and villages." Then the devotee said, "All is true — you brought me here, giving me courage." This wonder was thus fully proven. Now hear another story I shall tell.
In the village of Kaju Kotesar there lived a devotee named Zaver. Satsang came to him in his childhood, and all bad company became distasteful to him. Holding a firm refuge deep within, he worshipped Sahajanand, the joy-giver. In the whole village there was but one household of devotees; the rest were wicked people who lived there. They bore enmity and slandered him, but the compassionate devotee paid no heed.
The wicked said, "You have fallen into sin — abandoning one you have taken another as father. Your satsang is false, and you puff yourselves up for no reason. If you truly know it to be true, give us a proof, and then we shall accept it." The devotee said, "However much I tell you, Bhagwan himself may give a wonder, yet still you will not believe — my own faith is settled in my mind." "Very well, ask together for a wonder, and the Beloved will grant it, listening to me." They said, "Climb this temple tower and let yourself fall — if your life still remains, then you and your truth are proven, and Swami too is truly Bhagwan."
Then the simple devotee, of childlike understanding, climbed the Shiva temple at once. He let his body fall from there, chanting "Swami, Swami" in devotion. His body fell upon the ground, and they thought his body would be shattered. But he remained whole, not a hair on his body harmed. The World's Life took care of him, thus saving his own devotee.
The wicked ones, the unbelievers, fell back, and the satsangis' devotion deepened. Thus was this well-known wonder given; let me tell you yet another story.
In Ahmedabad there lived a Brahmin devotee, Pranvallabh, who worshipped Swaminarayan constantly, but knew nothing else of impermanence. Once he went to Godavari and fell ill with plague. The illness did not remit for many days, and quickly his life left his body. Hari came to fetch him, and the Brahmin went along with Maharaj. The Lord said, "Listen, Jivan (Life), do you have any wish remaining in your mind?"
The Brahmin said, "I did not tell anyone — my family will suffer great doubt over this. People will say many die of this, and they will say I too simply died like the rest." The Lord said, "Go back into your body, and go tell everyone yourself." Then, when his life returned, they had already carried his body to the cremation ground.
They had laid him upon the wood when his body stirred, and everyone was astonished in their minds. One said, "He had died — how has his life returned again?" Astonished, they asked him to tell his story. The Brahmin said, "I had gone to the divine abode, and I have returned for this reason: this is a time of great and terrible mortality, it will strike down men and women alike. So say the name Swaminarayan, and you shall all remain alive.
"Accept this word of mine — clap your hands together and worship." Then, demonstrating the chant, he himself clapped along with it. Then, taking leave, he gave up his body, and lakhs of people were astonished. This wonder became well known — know it and let joy fill your hearts. See, all of you, within satsang, there is always happiness, never sorrow. Sahajanand ever comes to their aid — seeing this, his people remain joyful.