Blessed, blessed is Dhuva village, where devoted people live; how Shyamal aided them, I now tell a little.
There was an ironsmith devotee named Luki; the time of his body's death arrived. At the time of death the Beloved One himself came to fetch him. Together with sadhus, Shyamal came in person, giving darshan to his servant; all who beheld became sinless. Both satsangis and non-satsangis had this manifest darshan -- know it was not a dream, but truly the wise Shyam came.
Luki fell repeatedly at his feet, and Nath's eyes were never satisfied. Nath said, "Luki, we have come today to fetch you. So be ready at once, do not delay even a little." Then Luki gave up his life-breath, and departed with Nath, the Wise One.
Everyone present watched in astonishment, and said "Blessed, blessed." "Many die in this village, and Yama comes to take them away, but that Maharaj himself comes to fetch someone -- this we have seen today." "So this account is beyond measure -- a miracle occurred, witnessed by all."
There was also an ironsmith devotee named Prananath, who had great love for the Lord, worshipping the sacred image daily. Govind came to his house and gave the imprint of his lotus feet. He also gave darshan to everyone there, and Nath's joy knew no bounds. They said, "Blessed, blessed, Maharaj -- today we have received a miracle." "Manifest darshan occurred, and footprints were left, the Lord being pleased." "This is an exceedingly great matter -- a sinner might call it false."
There was also Prananath's father, named Kesar -- let me tell his story. He belonged to the sect of Kabir, and had no faith in the Lord. When the time of his body's end came, the messengers of Yama came at once to fetch him. He had been desirous of sensual pleasure, and he escaped from the hands of Yama's messengers. He immediately took the body of a ghost, and returned to dwell in his own home. He made much noise and commotion, dressed up like a Kabirpanthi.
He entered his wife's body, calling out to her. He said, "Swaminarayan is the truth, all else is false. Swami is the true manifest Lord, without him there is no liberation. Great teachers of the Kabir sect -- know that they have all become ghosts and spirits. Those who denounced pilgrimage and vows -- their sin has come upon them at once. Those who said the incarnations of Bhagwan were false -- through that sin they became great ghosts. So let no one become a follower of Kabir -- become believers and sing Hari's praises.
Listen to the accounts of Prananath, and do as he says. Prananath is pure and holy -- through him I have become sheltered. Hearing the devotion of his mouth, at once I was freed from this ghost's body. Now I go to Hari's abode, hearing the name Swaminarayan."
Thus he spoke, remaining in the woman's body, and everyone listened with attentive ears. They said, "Blessed, blessed is Swami today -- other doctrines are worthless." "Look, the Kabirpanthi, having become a ghost, spoke from within his own wife. 'True is Sahajanand Swami,' he confessed; 'others I called true were deceitful and lustful.'" This is a greater account than the others told -- a true miracle occurred, without doubt.
I also tell another uncommon account -- listen, satsangis, in bliss. There were also devotees of this village who worshipped the manifest Lord; with true faith held in their hearts, they spoke no word except of Swami. They observed all festival days carefully -- Ashtami, Ekadashi, Diwali; whatever were Hari's birth-days, they held celebration on those days without fail. Thus, as time passed, Holi arrived, and men and women played together in groups.
They threw colored powder, spoke merrily and made noise, clapping hands. Seeing the satsangis play in this manner, no one else played like them; all would gather in the temple and speak again of Bhagwan.
Thus, as Hutashani (Holi) arrived, it was pleasing to the heart of every devotee of Hari. They brought gulal and prepared colors, eager to play among themselves. Then all the people prepared, knowing it a great festival day. They threw color and scattered gulal, and everyone became colored red. They chanted the name Narayan and clapped hands, so that the whole village knew. All were overjoyed in intense love, with great love and affection in their hearts.
Seeing their love, Hari-Rai, the Beloved One, came there at once. Nath came and joined the gathering, delighting to play with the devotees. He clapped his hands together with theirs, and joined in their chanting too. He played, drenched in color, with the devotees, celebrating the Hutasani festival. Bhagwan himself, manifest, played among the people, the wise one; all had darshan of the servant and Lord, the Imperishable, an ocean of beauty.
Both satsangis and non-satsangis present were astonished in their minds, and said, "Maharaj is normally in a distant land -- here he has come in an uncommon guise. Whoever wishes to look upon him, look; whoever wishes to recognize him, recognize him now." As they spoke thus among themselves, Bhagwan became invisible at that moment.
Then everyone was left wondering, and said, "Where has the Imperishable One gone?" One said, "He played with me"; another said, "I clapped hands with him." One said, "He was near me, I hoped to meet him." "We did not know this at all -- we were caught up in the excitement of playing." Then one said, "Listen, people -- this was a matter of great fortune, this darshan. Now do not regret anything -- keep his image in your hearts."
"A miracle occurred, know this, devotees -- consider it great fortune, blessed, blessed." In this manner, without limit, miracles occur by the thousands and thousands. He comes and eats at someone's house; to another he brings and gives a garland; to another, while performing worship, manifest darshan occurs. He comes daily and joins in the chanting, clapping visibly with both hands; thus he gives countless miracles, beyond telling or writing.
At the time of death he surely comes -- this vow he never changes. Whoever says "Swaminarayan," upon that person's head there is no fear from anyone. So remain fearless and free of doubt; once Maharaj is attained, one need not remain poor. Whoever possesses the wish-fulfilling jewel -- how could its owner remain unhappy? If some man remains destitute even so, there must be some flaw in his thinking. Likewise, once Maharaj is attained, all one's affairs are accomplished in every way. If among these anyone remains unhappy, such is only his own way of thinking. Hari is like the wish-fulfilling tree, truly, so sings Nishkulanand.
Thus ends the one hundred and fifty-fifth chapter of the Bhaktachintamani, describing the miracles of Shri Ji Maharaj toward his devotees.