I remember one good story, a joy to the satsangi — I do not exaggerate what I recount, but tell what I myself have witnessed. Blessed, blessed is the satsangi, whose merit knows no limit; blessed, blessed is Shri Maharaj, who has given countless wonders. Whoever sees the wonders given to his people and does not believe is unfortunate indeed, though embodied — dying, he will go to Death's door. It is only those known as believers whose minds have truly accepted the truth. Now let me tell the pure renown of Hari and his devotees.
Blessed, blessed is Jetalpur village, which the Beloved made his own abode; even sinful men and women who die there do not go to Death's door. There the Beloved gave many wonders, known to all the people of that village. Great sacrifices were held there, and never did jaggery, ghee, or grain run short. Wonders were given there moment by moment — how can they all be written on paper? But let me tell one or two stories of the devotees of Hari, well known.
There was a Brahmin devotee, Dayaram, and the Lord came to his home, arriving mounted on a decorated horse, a garland on his chest and a whip in his hand. Seeing him, the devotee rejoiced: "Oh, what an astonishing thing." Overwhelmed with love he fell at his feet, spread out a cot, and had him seated. He fed green grass to the horse and stood before him with folded hands: "Give the order, let me prepare a meal — kindly stay and eat, compassionate one."
"My sister lives at another house — let her too have your darshan," he said. The Lord said, "We have come quietly — do not make it widely known. We must go to Dabhan village today, to fetch a certain devotee. We shall stay here only a couple of ghadis, then must be ready to go. So come closer, I will give you this garland — do not delay too long." Giving the garland, Dayaram departed, and the beautiful Shyam vanished.
Brother and sister came home, but did not find the Lord in the house. Then they made inquiry throughout the village, whether the Lord had come to anyone's home. They asked around, but the Beloved could not be found anywhere. A satsangi said, "Go home and sit — the Lord is now residing in Kutch." Dayaram said, "But look, he just gave me this garland." The satsangi said, "Blessed, blessed, you have had an extraordinary darshan."
"Bhagwan has given you a wonder today — blessed is your fortune, Brahmin." Also in that village there is another wonder — let me tell it with discernment. There was a desireless Brahmin devotee, whose name you should know — his life's end approached, and Bhagwan came a month before. The Lord came in an extraordinary form, and seeing him the man felt secure. He said, "Blessed Bhagwan, you have given darshan to your servant."
"Let me cook, we shall eat today — show me your grace, Maharaj." The Lord said, "You cook — know that we shall eat today." Then he asked what food there was, and the World's Life ate with pleasure. Then he was given a fine mouth-freshener, and sat with folded hands beside the Lord. Then Maharaj said, "We have come for your sake. There is something I must tell you — hold it in your heart with discernment.
"Your body will pass away — a month from now, this same day. You will go to bathe in the well, and it will collapse and strike your body; then your body will be released. Believe this word of mine. We shall come to fetch you — we will help you in that difficult hour. Remain joyful, devotee, and keep worshipping Narayan. Tell this to just one person, whoever is truly a devotee of the Lord."
Saying this, as the Lord remained there, the Brahmin folded his hands: "One satsangi, my sister, longs for you, poor thing. Give her darshan, compassionate one, and I shall bring her at once." The Brahmin went to fetch her, and Maharaj set off after he had gone. He brought his sister, but found only a leaf-plate lying there. Seeing it, the man was filled with regret: "Why did the Lord not stay?"
He said, "It was for my sake he was here — the charming Maharaj had come. He told me this word: after a month you will give up your body. So do not tell this to anyone else — keep it understood in your own mind." Then, when the month was complete, the Imperishable One came himself. He came to fetch the devotee, and others too had his darshan. Seeing this greatness of the Lord, all the people rejoiced.
Let me tell one more praised story — know Nath's greatness through it. On the bank of the Mahi river is the village of Chamara, where there lives a fine devotee, a carpenter. His name is Dhalji, counted a true devotee of Swami, exceedingly pure and gentle in heart, whose love was fixed on the manifest Lord. When his body's end came, Swami and his sadhus came to fetch him — a whole assembly of munis was with him, and Nath came before Dhalji.
The whole village ran for darshan, saying the beautiful Shyam had arrived. He gave Dhalji darshan, and seeing the Lord he was overjoyed. He said, "Rise, all my brothers, together, and serve the Beloved One. Give the horses fresh green fodder, and have a meal prepared quickly." "Maharaj and the munis will eat, having come after so long a time," he said, and rose himself, saying, "After so long we meet again."
All the household members stayed watching, but they saw only Dhalji — they saw no one else. They said, "We, the village folk, have seen Maharaj until now." Dhalji said, "Here he stands himself, my father, filled with great love. I am going along with Maharaj," and saying this, his body fell.
All present were astonished, saying, "Blessed, blessed, powerful Swami. You are true, and true is your satsang — a sinful soul would never associate with you." "How else could a body be released in this way — even great munis rarely attain this." This wonder, all present said, is proven; hear another story now.
There was a Kanbi woman, Kushal Bai, whose love for the Lord was intense. Overcome with longing to see Hari, she set off for darshan with companions. Coming, they stayed the night at Dabhas, hoping in her heart to meet Hari. No rest came to her, so great was her longing — when shall I see the joy-giving Shyam? Her body and mind ached greatly; growing restless she became agitated. Overcome with love, her life force wavered, her pulse failing, unrecognizable even to herself.
At that moment the Beloved arrived, playful, adorned, charming, exceedingly beautiful; his fine and lovely form shone as he came and stood before her, the giver of happiness. Smiling, the compassionate one called to her: "Have your darshan, take care of your body." Then the devotee of Hari regained consciousness and fell at his feet with great love.
She said, "Blessed, blessed, Maharaj, you have given an extraordinary darshan today." The Lord said, "Listen, devotee, I know your body was about to be released. So we came in haste, since you called with such longing. Now we shall go back; you all come and meet there." Saying this, he removed a garland from around his own neck and gave it — a fine sandalwood-scented garland; also a necklace of fine, delicate cashews he gave at that time.
Giving the garlands, Maharaj departed, having accomplished this extraordinary deed. Seeing this, the people were filled with joy, saying, "Blessed, Swami Sahajanand." The garland that was given from that very form — she still turns it, this swan-like devotee. Having given this extraordinary gift, Nishkulanand has seen it himself.