Let me describe more wonders, telling what I can of them — the renown of Hari and his devotees, telling of which increases love. In the Dhandhavya region, in Rajpur, lived a Kanbi devotee, Jekaran, who with his whole family took refuge in Swami Shriji. To him Maharaj foretold, a year in advance: "Twelve months from today, your body will fall."
When eleven months had passed, the Imperishable One came again and said, "Be prepared if you wish — death stands one month away." Then Jekaran called together the satsangis and told them his own account: "Brothers, this body will perish — one month remains before it.
"So let us begin building a temple for the sadhus to stay in, starting tomorrow." Then the satsangis said, "Very well," though what he had told them, they thought better not to speak of further. Then a fine temple was built, and death then drew near. He said to his wife, "There is no more time left for me to die.
"So you go on ahead, and I shall come behind you tomorrow." Then she sat down to worship, and the Lord came to fetch her, and she gave up her body. He gave her the funeral rites and returned home, then called together the elders: "Brothers, see the Lord's greatness — this is truly a great matter beyond measure.
"A plane has come to fetch me, with many sadhus and Bhagwan together. I must go tomorrow for certain — it is very close now, not far. So I shall take one son with me and go with joy to the abode of Brahman. Afterward you may tell what I have not told anyone — otherwise you would have asked me about it later.
"Ask now whatever you wish to ask, so you will not have doubts afterward. Swami himself is the complete Brahman, meeting whom burns away crores of karmas." Saying this, he then gave up his body, and the people beheld this wonder. They said among themselves, having witnessed it, "This wonder has occurred," said everyone gathered.
There was a Kanbi named Jatan, worshipping the Lord, living in Purgam, doing his household's work, chanting the name Swaminarayan. He kept the vows of a Sankhya-yogi, meditating on the manifest Lord. As time passed, his death approached, and the compassionate one came to fetch him. Seeing Jatan, he folded his hands: "Welcome, my Lord, you have come."
The Lord said, "We have come for your sake — we have brought lakhs upon lakhs of planes. Board the plane, do not delay," the Beloved said to him. Then the sadhus who were present with him folded their hands and made a request: "Today there is the suffering of cholera, from which many people are dying.
"If this woman (Jatan's wife) were to die in the midst of that, people would say she died of the illness. So leave her behind today, Maharaj, and come for her again later." Then the plane was turned back, and the whole village of people witnessed it. Seeing this wonder, the people were astonished, saying, "Blessed, blessed," this wonder had occurred.
Also in Umreth village there lived a Brahmin devotee, Jamuna Bai. There Bhagwan himself came, giving darshan to everyone. He stayed there seven days, then went on to Panasora. Jamuna Bai remained longing, as the Lord of her life had departed without eating at her house. Restless and distressed within, she forgot all bodily awareness.
When her inward attention turned back, Maharaj's darshan then occurred. He said, "We have come back today — prepare a meal for us." "Today we must eat by your own hand," the Lord said to Jamuna. Then Jamuna woke at that moment and prepared a fine meal.
Then the World's Lord came and ate, he who is the master of infinite powers. He eats at various times in various ways, giving up what others have prepared to eat at his devotees' homes. Thus he ate at Jamuna's home, showing Shri Maharaj's grace. The villagers were astonished, saying, "Blessed, blessed, Imperishable One."
Thus the all-knowing one gave this wonder, the joy-giving Swami Sahajanand. Also, in a village named Moraj, lived a Kanbi named Prabhudas. His body's time came, and he gave up his body at once. This devotee went to the halls of Brahman, where he saw countless liberated souls.
He saw light there beyond measure, thinking it thousands upon thousands of suns. Such happiness, happiness — it cannot be told; "May I remain in this unbroken happiness," he thought. There he saw Maharaj's form, itself an embodiment of bliss upon bliss. He fell repeatedly at his feet, joy overflowing beyond his heart's capacity.
Then Bhagwan spoke thus: "Now, devotee, go back home. We shall come to fetch you later; until then, remain in this abode." "For now, though, go back quickly, and lovingly sing Govind's praises." Then the devotee returned into his body, remaining there four watches.
He told everyone this whole account, and all who heard it rejoiced. They said, "Blessed, Prabhudas, you have gone and come back from the Lord's presence." He had attained this extraordinary wonder, without the slightest doubt in it.
Also in a village called Gana, there lived a Kanbi devotee, Aval Bai. She heard of the satsangi's account, but remained uncertain in her mind, believing and disbelieving both. Then she came for darshan and beheld the Enchanter of Minds, Maharaj. Seeing Nath, she turned back and went, and Maharaj's form went along with her. It remained before her eyes — wherever she went, it came along with her.
When she rose, sat, slept, or woke, she saw that unbroken form; eating or drinking, it never left her for an instant, wherever she moved or walked she saw it present. When she spoke, it spoke along in her mouth; seeing, hearing, it never remained apart. Doing all the household work, Shyam always remained with her.
This continued for many days, but she did not know its greatness in her mind. She began telling this to everyone she met, and then the form disappeared. Thus Maharaj gives happiness, accomplishing his devotees' needs in many ways.
Also in a village called Paij, lived a Kanbi devotee named Aval, who kept the vows of a Sankhya-yogi, himself worshipping the manifest Bhagwan. Meditating on the manifest one, he forgot his own selfhood. Forgetting his body, his speech changed, and he said, "Serve me knowing me as Swami."
"Also ask whatever you wish to ask, do not keep any doubt at all." He said, "I am Sahajanand Swami, the all-knowing one of everyone's heart." Saying this, he then began to speak of things — whatever thoughts anyone had had, he knew them.
Thus he showed this great wonder, and all who witnessed it were astonished. See Maharaj's greatness — he says as he wishes, from wherever he is. This continued for two or four days, then this thought arose in him:
"I am but a servant of Shri Maharaj — how have I sat here, thus surrounded (as if I were him)? This seat does not suit me," he said, and fell at everyone's feet. This account concerning this woman I have told — consider it and remain calm in listening. That this body could be forgotten for even a moment — how can such a thing happen at any time? Great is this Lord's power — what more can be said of it by mouth?
This account is not in the least ordinary — all of it is an extraordinary mystery. Thus the Lord gives joy — Nishkulanand cannot express it fully.