All the sadhus became paramhansas, with intense renunciation and dispassion in their being; the happiness described as belonging to all fourteen worlds seemed, by contrast, unappealing to them, like something meant for the ignorant. With only a water-pot, a loincloth, and a patched garment, they were subject to nothing for the sake of comfort. They begged for alms at midday and paid no heed to worldly talk.
Having renounced women in the eight prescribed ways, thus these fortunate ones wandered. They never, even by forgetfulness, gave a thought to wealth, metal, or gold. Seeing fine food, drink, or clothing, their hearts felt no attraction; garlands of sandalwood and flowers offered in worship they regarded in their minds as serpents. Whatever worldly people desired as pleasure, they regarded in their hearts as suffering. They understood the body, senses, mind, and vital breath as enemies, these wise ones.
Pride and status held no appeal for their minds; whether lying down or sitting, they sang Hari's praises. Thus they wandered through the world, unbound, never entangled anywhere. They gave boundless discourse on true knowledge, by which souls are redeemed; having spoken, they asked for nothing in return, and considered everyone good and worthy.
People folded their hands seeing such renunciation, while the pretensions of other sects were shattered. Those false ascetics burned with shame even to speak of it, having remained falsely settled without true discipline. Whatever conduct the true sadhus maintained could not be matched anywhere else, one had only to reflect on it. The essence of all essences was entrusted to these sadhus, the support of life itself.
Whatever wealth was entrusted to the sadhus belonged, in truth, to the Lord of Shvetadvipa himself. The Lord, compassionate to the humble, watched over his own people with care. The sadhus, resplendent in their fine qualities, never transgressed against desire, anger, or greed. All the sadhus, devotees of Hari — Hari removed every obstacle from them.
He gave the sadhus incomparable happiness, cutting away the very root of all their enemies. "Sadhus, remain all in joy; now you will fall into no more traps. There are none like you today" — thus Maharaj spoke from his own mouth. "What need do you have for worldly activity? Hold instead to renunciation. Why remain bound to the free feeding-houses? Sing instead the praises of Govind. We shall now wind up the free feeding-houses; they only invite false trouble upon us. Whatever food-expense was needed for them, we shall now use instead for sacrifice."
Hearing the Beloved's words, all the sadhus recognized them as true. The sadhus said, "Listen, Maharaj — we now understand everything. We shall do as you say — give the command, and we shall place it upon our heads." Then the Lord said, "Listen, sadhus — leave Sorath and wander without worry." Then the sadhus went wherever he directed, while the Lord himself remained in Sorath.
Then, taking the satsangis with him, the Lord wandered from village to village. At Pan-khan, Loj, Mangrol, he met the devotees of Hari with deep affection. From there he came to the village of Kanak, to the home of the devotee Jetha Sagar; then he came to Kalavani, where the devotee Natho lived, as is known. From there he came to Madhada, where he performed many wondrous deeds; Jetho was overjoyed to see him, he who had once met Swami Ramanand.
From there he came to Agatrai, kept there lovingly by Parvatbhai; there a company of Kathis arrived, and the Lord set off with them. He came through the whole area of Piplana and Meghpur, the beautiful dark one arriving there, staying five or ten days, then returning to Piplana, remaining there two or four days more.
Then the support of life said, "See how this sun has risen — I sense danger ahead." He said to Mulji, "Maharaj, do whatever is needed today." So saying, the Lord set off, all his companions with him.
Maharaj came to Meghpur, saying, "We shall not stay here today." Knowing this, the people pressed him strongly to stay: "What offense have we committed, Hari? Stay tonight and be happy, and set off early tomorrow." Thus, unknowingly, they pressed him greatly, not knowing what was to come.
Then, as the Lord came into the village, a demonic band rushed to attack. Mulji there gave up his life; the demonic host came upon the Lord. Their weapons drawn and hostile, seeing them the Lord set off; Mulji then came near him, recognizing Maharaj as his own.
He kept his gaze fixed, his very life held in his eyes, to behold his supremely beloved Lord one last time. When he had gazed his fill upon the Lord with his eyes, his body released, and his soul departed with him. The dark Lord, forgiving, said nothing more.
Then he came to the village of Bhader, and from there proceeded to Dhoraji, coming by horse to Khandadhar. He then went to the boundary of Gondal, where the Lord stayed two nights; there lived the great devotee Mulubhai, who had immense love for Hari. He stayed at his home; the king then came to Sardhar, where he gave instruction to the Kathis, and himself went on to Halar.
He stayed one night at Rajkot, then went on to Khirasara, where the devotee Lakhobhai lived; he stayed there one night, giver of happiness. Then he came to Mode, to the great devotee, and from there to Alaiya and Shekhpat; Hari, showing great mercy, came to the home of the devotee Lalji.
From there he went to Bhadra, remaining there a full month. Then the support of life said, "Let us hold a sacrifice at Jetalpur. Go tell Govind Swami to attend to the arrangements for the sacrifice." He wrote a second letter as well, brief but conveying much: "Mancha, Sura, Somla, Alaiya, Mulu, Nanja, Matra, Marmaiya, Aja, Jiva, Virdas, and also Ladha, Kala, Kamalshi — all of you, abandon your homes and households, and become paramhansas for certain, just as great men before you have left great homes behind and worshipped Hari, forsaking the entanglements of the world. So accept this my command; let all of you set it firmly in your minds." Having given this instruction, Hari himself remained there a while longer.
Then Diwali arrived, and the people worshipped the garland-bearer of the forest with love; preparing fine food, they fed Hari with affection. Those who beheld dark Shyam entered samadhi, their breath ceasing; the giver of life woke them, and then Maharaj partook of the meal himself.
The people were made happy, seeing this play; on the new-moon day of Diwali in the dark half of Ashwin — that day he had gone to Bhadra, Maharaj showing grace, giving his devotees abundant darshan. Beholding the Lord, everyone was made happy. Blessed is that land, that village, that home where the support of life played! Blessed, blessed are those men and women who beheld Murari with their own eyes! This is no ordinary matter — the great sadhus know it as truth directly witnessed.
Whatever deeds I have described here are all transcendent in nature; whoever regards them as merely ordinary is the very crown of the deeply foolish.