This is an exceedingly astonishing story, telling of which brings great joy — the compassionate Sahajanand is capable of resolving his devotees' troubles. By water, on land, and through fire — how he protected his people — let me now tell it fondly; listen, all of you, with attention.
Let me tell, describing it, another account of the extraordinary within the ordinary — the true renown of Hari and his devotees, directly witnessed. Hearing it, troubles are removed; telling it removes the taint of this dark age. Whoever remembers it in times of pain, Shri Hari comes to their aid.
There is a fine village called Rajala, where there lived a goldsmith devotee named Nag, a truly faithful man, known as a true devotee of the Lord. He held one true refuge in Swami, giving no weight to anyone else; he knew Swami's true sadhus alone as genuine, considering others corrupted, unworthy. Recognizing truth from falsehood thus, he worshipped Swami, his understanding never wavering. One day, for business, he went to a foreign land, sailing there in a boat.
Having finished his business, he returned by boat, understanding nothing of seafaring skill. He sat too close to the edge of the boat and fell into the water, with no sky-hold to grasp. His body was heavy and he could not swim, and the boat sped away from him. In great distress he floated, seeing no way to survive.
Then the goldsmith remembered Swami: "Come now, all-knowing one. I have no other wish now — Lord, come and take this body." When the servant spoke in this humble voice, then the Wielder of the Bow (Sarangpani) came. He came down and gave him his hand, raising the man up out of the water. He said, "Keep no fear at all — you will not drown in this vast sea."
Then the boatmen took note: "Brothers, we have done a wicked thing — a man fell into the water and we lost track of him entirely. So turn the boat back for him — if he is alive, let us take him aboard." They turned the boat back to where he was, and finding him alive, took him aboard. Then the boatmen asked together, "How did your body survive?"
The devotee said, "By Swami Sahajanand's care, in the water." The boatman said, "That is certainly true — the true Shri Hari kept you safe. You have attained a wonder indeed, Nag — the true Bhagwan kept you safe. So bring me to him too — this I ask of you." Then the devotee took him along and introduced him to the charming one. He, having gained firm faith, went home; thus this wonder occurred for the devotee.
Let me tell also of his son, named Bhago, of great devotion, who did all the goldsmith's work while worshipping the name Swaminarayan. Then a Muslim spoke provocatively, saying, "Give up this dispute — your Swaminarayan is false, not greater than my Allah." Bhago said, "This matter is true — we know it and remain content in this knowledge." The Muslim said, "This cannot be so — you will not defeat me this way.
"Come, let us climb this tall building, and let ourselves fall from there. If you survive it, devotee, then I will worship Swami. If I survive it, Bhago, I will make you worship Allah." Saying this, both climbed up, and the Muslim fell first from above. He broke his hands, feet, and chest, his face shattered, covered in blood. The Muslim cried out in pain, "Bhago, you are truly my brother."
The village people, hearing this, gathered and said among themselves, "Brother Bhago has won the wager today — Swami Maharaj has protected him." Thus Bhagwan gave him this wonder — only a fool would fail to believe it.
Let me tell another praised story — devotees of Hari, take it as true. In the city of Bhavnagar there lived a Kshatriya named Rajo Bhai, and one Rupo Bhai, a devotee of Hari, went himself to his house. He sat there for a couple of ghadis, contemplating the Lord's form within, and his inner attention turned inward, and he saw there the white isle of Shwetadvip.
He saw Maharaj's form, the Lord of Shwetadvip's inhabitants; he saw many other liberated ones there, and among them Zino Bhai. That abode was exceedingly radiant, filled with luminous, desireless liberated souls, all glowing with intense light — nothing else could be found there apart from that light. Beholding this again and again, Rajo Bhai's eyes were dazzled by it. It was happiness upon happiness, indescribable in words.
The Lord said, "Listen, Rajo Bhai, you should now go back there." Hearing this, Rajo Bhai said, "I shall not go back now." The Lord said, "You cannot remain here — go back to your body." Then Zino Bhai said, "As for us, we shall go if you truly command it." The Lord said, "He has left his body — we brought him along with us. We had gone to his home, where he left his body most fittingly.
"We have kept the sadhus there, while the residents of Ayodhya remain there too." Saying this, Maharaj showed him, and Rajo Bhai heard it all. Then from there he came back into his body, saying, "Oh, oh," to himself. He then told of what he had seen there to everyone present.
He recounted Zino Bhai's departure, and all who heard were astonished. And within a day or two the account proved entirely true, in every particular. Such was the wonder that Swami Sahajanand showed. Let me tell yet another fine story — hold it firmly in your hearts, all of you.
There is a village called Panvi, where lived the Kshatriya devotee Punjo Bhai, exceedingly dispassionate, of a discernment beyond that of others. He formed this resolve deep within: "Either I meet the Lord, or I give up this body." He then went to the sea, having heard that Mahadev dwelt in the waters there.
With the incoming wave the lingam would be covered, and with the receding wave one could go to it. Then Punjo went near it, hoping to meet the Lord within his heart. But the water came rushing back, and he embraced the lingam in a wrestling grip; the water, in great force, then swept him and pushed him a full kos back to shore.
Then he thought to himself, "Why did death not come to me? This is astonishing — I lived even in that fathomless water. Now I must surely die — let me throw myself in when the next flood comes." Having thus resolved, as he set off, a voice sounded from the sky at that moment: "Why die here needlessly? You will meet the Lord — go home. Swami Sahajanandji — he is the manifest Lord today. His people have come to your village — become a satsangi, accepting his word."
Hearing this heavenly voice, Punjo turned back with faith restored. He saw sadhus when he arrived home, met them, and their account matched exactly, without any discrepancy. He came and fell at the sadhus' feet: "Sadhus! I am now under your refuge. You are truly the true sadhus of Swami, and you have met Shri Bhagwan himself. I have attained a wonder today — accept me now, all of you."
"He whose name is Swami Sahajanand is himself the fulfiller of all wishes. Let me have his darshan — grant me this, be pleased with me." Then the sadhus brought him to Bhagwan, and gave Punja his darshan. Knowing this an extraordinary matter, I have told it, having praised him, knowing it well.