Now I write of the miracles of Hindustan -- the power of Shri Maharaj -- listen, I shall tell them.
Blessed, blessed is the village of Dhuva, where devotees of the blacksmith caste live -- good devotees of Bhagwan, whose hearts hold boundless love. There was a devotee named Binda, who worshipped Hari with devotion. His aunt was averse to satsang, of a wicked nature in her heart. She would practice witchcraft continually, holding enmity toward Hari; knowing him a satsangi, angered, she would speak words like poison.
She would speak wrongly and cast false accusations, giving abuse continually without fault. Whether sitting, lying, waking, this was her constant refrain; while eating or drinking she would quarrel constantly. She said, "Binda has been ruined, becoming a satsangi of Swami. What did he see in Sahajanand?" saying this she gave abuse repeatedly. With every breath he only remembered Hari, never forgetting even until death came.
His pulse stopped, his life force suffered, and he saw the messengers of Yama coming to take him. They were extremely dark, wrathful, fierce, angry and cruel; seeing these messengers of Yama, he remembered the gods and goddesses at that time. He also remembered the ascetics he had served, recalling all of them, but no one came to his aid, and the old woman fell into great suffering.
The messengers of Yama cried "Strike, strike," tormenting the old woman greatly. Then at that moment she remembered Swami; hearing his name uttered, Yama's messengers grew afraid. Then the old woman repeatedly uttered Swami's name. At this moment the Beloved One came, accompanied by mounted companions. He himself sat in an uncommon chariot, shining with the splendor of millions of suns.
Seeing this wonder, the people came, having darshan by the lakh. The Merciful One came near the old woman; seeing Hari the messengers of Yama fled at once. Then the old woman had darshan and offered praise, saying "Blessed, blessed." "O upholder of the fallen, you did not look upon even a single fault of mine -- at this time you have given me aid, remembering your own vow." Offering such praise, with joined hands, she left her body and departed with Hari. All the people said, "Blessed, blessed -- what merit did this old woman have!"
This is a miracle fulfilled by Bhagwan -- a fool would not believe it. I tell one more account -- listen all, it is a true story.
Also in this village there was a renowned devotee named Thakurdas, whose wife was named Dhanubai, both with love for Maharaj. They said to each other, "Let us now give up sensory desire." They became like practitioners of Sankhya yoga, staying together while keeping a great vow. Neither would touch the other's clothing, and each would fast if this happened by mistake. If by chance they spoke to each other, they would not eat that day. When the wife was inside, the husband would sit outside; when the husband was inside, the wife would sit outside. They kept such a vow together, desiring nothing of sensual pleasure.
Thus many days passed, worshipping Swami Shriji. All satsangis knew they lived by Sankhya yoga; it pleased Hari's devotees but seemed bitter to others. The opposed said, unfortunate, "Look at these two, become renunciants -- what did they understand, giving up the world?" Many men and women spoke thus. "How can we say we practice satsang, if we would have to become like these two? So while the teaching is fine, if we hold to it, we would be ruined."
Knowing this, the Life of the World gave darshan to the two. Accompanied by brahmachari Mukund, the World-Worshipped One came to the devotees. He said to Thakurdas, "Swami, your vow of desirelessness is now complete. The vow you have held -- today we release you from it. Those who keep a householder's vow are equal to Sankhya yogis. So accept our word, become a karma yogi and worship." Saying this to him, the Imperishable One went to other devotees, giving darshan to ten or twenty, the Lord himself pleased.
Even some opposed to Hari saw him seated manifestly on his chariot; men and women were all astonished, and said "Blessed, blessed," bowing their heads. They said, "True is the Swami, true are his devotees -- we have had this great darshan. This is an uncommon miracle, know Sahajanand to be all-capable."
There was also, in this village, among the blacksmiths, a devotee woman named Gangubai. With intense love and affection she worshipped Hari, keeping all vows with devotion. One day, together with other women, she went eagerly to gather firewood. While gathering wood she sang songs, her heart overflowing with love, unable to contain it. Seeing her love, the Imperishable One came manifestly to her. He gave darshan to all the women, and they were overjoyed at Nath's presence.
The Beloved began singing along with them, seeing his devotee's love; seeing Swami, Gangubai fell into samadhi. She saw Brahmamahol, Goloka, Shvetadwip, sorrow-free Vaikunth, Aksharadham and its residents -- she saw the abode of bliss in that samadhi. Whatever abodes she saw in meditation, upon awakening she recited their names. Hearing this everyone was astonished, and said "This is a great matter." "Look, Bhagwan, manifest, gave darshan, the wise dark Lord -- this is a very uncommon thing, a miracle has occurred," said the men and women.
There was also, in this village, a Brahmin devotee household -- two brothers named Buddha and Madari. They worshipped the manifest Lord, knowing satsang to be true; they worked for their livelihood while worshipping Shri Maharaj with love. One day, over some matter of business, a quarrel of "mine and yours" arose between them.
Some time passed thus, and then Buddha reflected: "Shame, shame on this -- my own brother is a devotee of Hari. What did I say, quarreling? No one is as ignorant as I. This will displease Maharaj -- what greater loss could there be today?" Saying this, he sat down to worship, to perform mental worship. In this mental worship he offered praise to Swami and the sadhus. Filled with humility, in a choked voice he said: "I have committed an offense against you, Maharaj -- forgive my fault today."
Hearing this devotee's words, the Friend of the Poor came, knowing him humble. Nath gave the devotee darshan, appearing before brother and sister together. Buddha bowed and fell at the Lord's feet, and Nath's joy knew no bounds. He said, "Blessed, blessed, my Lord -- today you have made me fortunate."
Then he quickly prepared sweet milk pudding and good vegetables alongside; other foods were also made, various dishes. He fed the Life of the World, and Bhagwan ate with the devotee's affection. As he ate, Nath said: "Keep love among devotees. Know true satsangis to be true kin, in this world and the next. Do not quarrel and hold enmity with them; do not sow poison among yourselves." Saying this the Life of the World gave darshan to many people. All present had manifest darshan; then Wise Shyam was no longer seen.
Then everyone was astonished, and the men and women said a miracle had occurred. Saying this they were filled with joy -- know this for certain, says Nishkulanand.
Thus ends the one hundred and fifty-fourth chapter of the Bhaktachintamani, describing the miracles of Shri Ji Maharaj toward his devotees.