I tell another story now, exceedingly beautiful, of how Hari came to the aid of his devotees.
Among the villages of Bara, there is one very fine, called Gudel village. There live true Kshatriyas, and one among them is named Jibhai. Upon this very village came a raiding party of thieves, who set upon looting everyone; the wicked ones raised a great commotion. Hearing this, the brave and steadfast at once made ready, taking up weapons in hand to fight a fine battle.
They struck the thieves and scattered them; those who remained fled far away. One thief remained hidden, and he struck a blow to the head of one man. Then, having killed that thief, they drove the raiders out of the village. Having won, they returned home, remembering Swami in a fine manner. Keeping their attention fixed on his form, they felt no pain at all from the wound. Five to ten days passed peacefully, and then Bhagwan came to the devotee. Jibhai beheld the Lord of the World, and in great joy bowed his head. He said, "Blessed, O protector of the poor -- you have looked after me at this time."
Saying this, he joined his hands, and Nath spoke lovingly: "From today, know that in three days you will no longer need to keep your body. Leave your body and come to Brahmamahol" -- saying this, giving his word, he departed. Then Jibhai was overjoyed, filled with great delight in his heart. He waited, watching for the appointed time, in order to go to Brahmamahol. Then Nathji made ready, taking ten horsemen with him. The Beloved came to Vadgam village, giving darshan to devotees there. Then he came to Gudel village, to do Jibhai's work.
He gave darshan to many, and everyone was astonished; equal to millions of suns, Bhagwan was seen together with his companions. The Life of the World came to Jibhai, knowing him his own servant, the Friend of the Poor. The Beloved said again and again, "Jibhai, now be ready." Then Jibhai was pleased, and at once gladly gave up his body. Taking leave, as he left his body, the people watching were astonished.
They said, "Blessed, blessed, my Lord -- you have taken Jibhai away with you. We have never seen or heard of such a way -- today we have seen it together." "So what greater miracle could there be than this -- a sinner will not accept it in his mind." "In this way a body departs -- what greater account could there be than this?"
There was, in Chorotar, in Bochasan, a foremost devotee named Kashidas. He understood the true account, but his father remained doubtful. Kashidas said to him, "How do you understand Swami?" Then Kandas said, "I have taken him to be like a wise sage." Then Kashidas said, "Father, Swami is Shri Hari himself, manifest." Then Kandas said, "Perhaps so, but the doubt in my mind has not gone."
As some days passed thus, Kandas had a darshan. He saw paramhansas by the lakh, their bodies more radiant than the sun. Some he saw resembling Narada, some resembling Shuka; some he saw resembling Sanaka, some the sage Valmiki. The eighty-eight thousand sages were there too, seen as a mass of radiance.
Seeing this he was astonished within, and all doubt left his mind. Then he fell at the feet of all, greatly pleased in his heart. He said, "Blessed, blessed, sage-devotees; blessed, Sahajanand Bhagwan. You are sages, and he is Maharaj -- you have come to redeem souls. Having received such a manifest miracle, only a wretch would not believe it."
I also tell now, in Chorotar, in Meghva, an account of a Kanbi. Narottam and Nagardas mocked satsang; relying on their wealth and youth, they did not step back in fear of the Lord. They constantly slandered devotees, and through that sin, six ghosts attached themselves to them.
Two palanquin-bearers, two sweepers, one Khatri, and one Muslim -- these six ghosts attached to Narottam, causing constant suffering in his body. When the bearer-ghost entered his body, he would take up loads on his head to carry. When the mullah-ghost entered, he would demand something or other. When the two sweeper-ghosts came together, they would demand to eat unclean things. When the Khatri entered, he would cry out strangely. Whatever ghost dwelt in him at a time, he would behave accordingly. Thus six ghosts possessed him, and they did not leave him until his death. Also a headless ghost possessed Nagar. And another was possessed by a ghost of the Koli caste, joined together with the band of ghosts.
Some ghosts would confuse him, some make him weep, some wake him, some put him to sleep; some made him shake and tremble, thus all together giving him suffering. Many remedies were tried to exorcise them, bringing together exorcists and night-vigil keepers; shaking and trembling, much money was spent, yet no difference was made.
Then the three of them went together, and came to Vartal, hearing of Swami. They had darshan and fell at his feet: "Swami, we have come under your shelter." Then the ghosts became afraid, unable to remain, and fled out. Seeing Maharaj's power, the ghosts' bodies suffered torment; unable to bear it, they departed, having dwelt in these three. Then the three became satsangis, and went to their own homes keeping the vows.
Seeing this everyone was astonished, and said "Blessed Swami," bowing their heads. It became known as a miracle to all -- Bhagwan himself had cast out the ghosts.
There was also, in this same region, in Mumadha village, a Brahmin named Ishwar. A demonic Brahmin-ghost had attached to him, giving him suffering that would not leave. To exorcise this ghost, they had scriptural recitations performed at his home. They shook and trembled and became distressed, but even so the ghost paid no heed. He recited verses, and the ghost recited verses along with him; the ghost had become learned, knowing grammar and logic, speaking Sanskrit fluently in return. He would not accept any manner of persuasion, giving suffering day and night.
Then the Brahmin came to Jetalpur, to Shri Hari's assembly. He came and fell at Maharaj's feet; then the ghost spoke through him: "Now where shall I go, Murari -- this Brahmin has come under your shelter." Nath said, "Stay among the sadhus." The ghost said, "How can I come near them?" Then Nath said, "Go to the forest of Badrinath, and have darshan of Narvir." Then the ghost took leave and departed, and the Brahmin Ishwarji became well. Such is the power of Shri Maharaj -- how much can be said of it by mouth?
There was also, in Jetalpur, a Kanbi woman named Raibai. A cunning female ghost had attached to her, causing suffering continually. It would take away the clothes she wore, and snatch away the utensils for food. After five or ten days it would throw these things down, broken and torn. Thus the ghost remained attached, even climbing onto the roof carrying a calf. Then the woman came to the Lord's presence and made her plea. Then Shri Bhagwan said, "Become a satsangi, take up the vow." Then the woman did exactly this, and the ghost fled away.
Such is the power of Shri Maharaj -- how much more can be said by mouth? Thus he gives joy to the people; having seen it with my own eyes, says Nishkulanand.
Thus ends the one hundred and fifty-sixth chapter of the Bhaktachintamani, describing the miracles of Shri Ji Maharaj toward his devotees.