Also in the city of Vadodara, having taken care of his devotees' lives, let me relate it briefly — listen, all men and women. The power that Shri Hari himself wields today is boundless; it cannot be told by anyone, such is this extraordinary way. Wonders were fulfilled before as well, in earlier incarnations undertaken out of love for his people; but the manner of the present incarnation is beyond all of those, without limit. However much I tell, how far can I go, with one tongue, of such boundless renown? But whatever comes to my knowledge, let me speak something of it.
There was a Brahmin devotee from the Deccan; let me now tell his story. His name was Narupant Nana, who conducted matters of state administration. Through this work satsang came to him, and its color rose exceedingly in his heart. He also understood, wisely, that he had met the manifest Lord.
No matter of debt remained unresolved for him, and he lived contentedly because of it. His satsang was truly understood, and he worshipped Shri Hari with enthusiasm. He said Swami Sahajanand is true, and all else besides is false — such a knot he tied within his heart, one that no one could ever loosen.
As time passed thus, a worldly difficulty arose: his son, named Bapu, became weak in body. Seeing this, his mother grew exceedingly anxious in her heart: "I have only this one son — may his body survive somehow." Then she called upon a goddess for his sake, growing distraught for her son's sake.
The goddess did not come, but the Imperishable One arrived, and a light like crores of suns appeared. Its brilliance was boundless, accompanied by thousands upon thousands of sadhus. Then Maharaj spoke thus: "I have come to fetch Bapu.
"Whatever crore remedies you might try, still your son will not be saved. So invoke Bhairav, Bhavani, or a spirit — summon whatever might keep your son." Then that woman said, "I do not care for that burden at all.
"But such is a mother's nature — do not hold this fault against me. Take my son away peacefully — I am, in fact, most content." Saying this, she folded her hands, and then the sadhus who were present spoke:
"Maharaj, he is her only child — do not take him away, compassionate one. For worldly people, this alone is happiness — without a son or wealth, they consider it suffering." Then Maharaj spoke thus: "He will not be taken away today.
"I shall instead take the neighbor's child," said the Life of Life. Then he went and took that other child, giving darshan to many people along the way. Both satsangis and non-satsangis beheld this manifest proof, and everyone knew what had happened.
Thus, having given this manifest wonder, he departed, taking the other child with him. This was not hidden — know it as manifest; this wonder, they say, occurred as proof. The younger one said, with folded hands, "Blessed, blessed, friend of the humble, Nath. You are the treasury of compassion, compassionate one, protector of the humble and helpless."
Let me also tell one more fine story, beneficial to devotees of Hari. There was a Brahmin, Bapu Sarvariyo, who took up satsang with understanding. Seeing the true way of the sadhus, great conviction came to him; hearing the sadhus' account further, the confusion in his mind was dispelled.
He became a true satsangi of Swami, an unwavering soldier, firm; holding fast to his resolve, he would not let go even in death, playing with his head in his hands (i.e., risking everything). Exceedingly guileless and simple-minded — let me now tell his story. His son, Ramsevak, fell severely ill in body.
The time of his final hour came, and the compassionate one arrived, mounted on Garud, with a great host of sadhus accompanying — Muktanand Swami, Nityanand, Gopalanand Swami with him, water-vessel in hand, Nityanandji fanning with a chowrie — thus came Shyamsundar. Satsangis and non-satsangis alike beheld him arrive at Bapu Bhai's home.
Everyone bowed their heads, saying, "Welcome, Lord of the World." Then the Lord said, "We have come today to fetch your son." Then Bapu said with folded hands, "Take him peacefully, my Lord.
"His fortune is beyond measure, that the Support of Life has come at this moment." Hearing Bapu's words, the sadhus all said, "Blessed, blessed." Then the sadhus said with folded hands, "Today, Nath, leave him with us."
Then Maharaj said, "Very well — go, we accept your word." Then, giving darshan to the people, he departed, having removed Bapu's grief. Everyone beheld this manifest proof; this wonder, they say, was known to all.
Let me tell of one more day: the assembly of sadhus was invited to eat. The sadhus ate without any lack, yet many sweets remained. Bapu said, "The sadhus did not eat everything, so much food remains." Then Gopal Swami said, "Brother, we have not held anything back.
"Whatever remains has remained so, some devotee of Hari will eat it." Then Bapu gained faith: "Some devotee of Hari will come now." As this happened, the World's Lord arrived, accompanied by ten or twenty Sankhya-yogis, saying, "Wherever Hari is, there is food — these are hungry, prepare a meal."
Then Bapu fed them, having prepared a fine meal. They had come barefoot, and Prabhuji ate in an extraordinary manner there. Thus this wonder was given; let me tell you another, hear it. Maharaj gave a certain image (murti), and he made a vow to worship it and take water only after doing so.
For it he brought a garland, and placed it before the image, considering it. Seeing the garland too light, he threw it aside, casting it far away. Then the image spoke thus: "Why do you offer such a light garland?
"Elsewhere much wealth is spent, and there the mind is kept generous." Then Bapu folded his hands: "This was a mistake — you have shown me, Nath. Blessed is your greatness, Swami — today I, the greatly renowned one, have attained a wonder."
Also, one day Ganga Bai sat in mental worship (manasi puja). She had prepared a fine plate of food, and the compassionate one came manifest to eat. Having washed and given a towel, the Life of Life ate slowly, slowly; the manifest Lord ate the meal, and then departed after giving darshan.
The food remaining after eating was given as prasad to everyone. Everyone received this manifest prasad — how much of this account can I tell? Also on one day, let me tell what Ganga Bai saw in her concentration: she had darshan of Maharaj, along with many sadhus seen together.
When she woke from her concentration, she named them all; whoever's name did not come to mind, she named many others as well. All who heard were astonished, saying, "Blessed, Maharaj," bowing their heads. Let me tell one more day's account — listen, all of you, directly.
Her son Ramsevak was studying the Ganapati Ashtak (eight verses to Ganapati). Maharaj came to him in a dream and taught him instead the Krishnashtak. Waking in the morning, Ramsevak recited the eight verses from memory. All who heard were astonished, and everyone present said, "Blessed, Nath."
Great and fortunate are such men and women, who attained such boundless wonders. Blessed, blessed is the Lord's greatness, who gave immeasurable happiness to his people. This cannot be told or written fully; even a poet, thinking long, cannot capture it. Whatever joy he has given his people cannot be spoken fully by mouth.