Then he came to the region of Panchal, where the compassionate servants dwell, who have renounced all worldly pleasures and are devoted solely to the feet of the Lord. Having withdrawn their affection from the five senses' objects, they lovingly held to the five great vows; having cast away all bodily comfort, they kept the Lord established within their hearts.
To such people, detached from the world, the imperishable one himself came; seeing the love in the people's hearts, Prabhuji came together with his companions. He gave them the gift of darshan, with the greatest love, being God himself. The blind, the crippled, the aged and the young, the weak and the shy women —
to them Hari himself showed mercy, granting darshan and removing their suffering. Then he asked the people for news, and Hari told them all in detail. Whatever the people asked as they went, the giver of life answered them as they went. Then he asked about the account of the sacrifice, and, being told, was pleased and delighted.
Even those who had not been able to attend the sacrifice felt joyful upon simply hearing of it: "Blessed, blessed, Maharaj — who else could accomplish such a sacrifice today? Others spend much, much money, yet cannot bring it off without obstruction; we have heard that in some sacrifices lives are even lost — thieves plunder, or funds run short, there is disgrace, the vessels are broken. But you have accomplished this without any hindrance at all, O Lord of the world, Lord of sacrifice."
The Lord said, "What do you think of it — shall we hold such sacrifices repeatedly?" They said, "If you wish, let us hold them year after year, each one finer than the last." So saying, he made his resolve, and summoned the wise sadhus near him — Muktanand and the elder brothers, Brahmanand, Nityanand, and others.
The Lord said, "Listen, sadhus, gathered here — let us hold one more sacrifice, a Vishnu-yajna. Consider carefully throughout Gujarat which location would be best." The sadhus said, "Listen, Shyam — a place as fitting for sacrifice as the village of Jetalpur cannot be found; it has a fine fort and lake, and moreover the village people hold much devotion."
Then the beautiful dark one said, "That village does not please us. Its master is hostile to dharma — how would he ever allow a sacrifice to be held? Earlier, when the Brahmins had gathered, we had asked them a question: how do Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras alike worship the Mother Goddess together? All four classes follow the same rite — is there some particular reason for this?
Then the learned scholar replied, 'Listen, I shall tell you according to the testimony of scripture: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, properly so called, are not to be worshipped with meat and liquor offerings. But whoever belongs to the Shudra class, their practices fall outside the bounds of Vedic sanction.'
Then I said, 'Let me understand what I have heard — what, then, do you call those who do otherwise?' The scholar replied, 'Such are to be called outcastes — sinners, lower than the Dhedh and Bhangi.' Then I said, 'Listen, everyone — whoever behaves in such a manner, let them go and join that company.'
Since that day, these malicious people have been burning with resentment, and word of this has reached the king through slanderous tale-bearers. So he will certainly cause obstruction, and the sacrifice will not be completed there." Then the sadhus said, "The Brahmins will simply eat — how would he throw stones at his own plate?" Then Maharaj said, "Very well then — do as seems best to you in your own judgment."
Then Jetalpur was settled upon, and all the provisions were brought and gathered. Ghee, jaggery, and abundant wheat were taken, and heaps of rice and dal were made ready; nothing at all was left lacking. Then Swami himself arrived. He came together with the whole gathering, taking with him whoever came, invited or uninvited — the sadhus who were summoned came, and countless others besides came too, the whole assembly beyond counting.
He gave darshan, being pleased, and the people found happiness merely in beholding his face. Then the giver of life spoke: "This will be the greatest sacrifice we have yet held — whether another such sacrifice takes place after this or not, that is not our concern." So saying, he made this known to the people, giving his darshan day and night.
The people worshipped the giver of life together, bringing offerings of worship in various ways; they applied sandalwood, offered garlands, and wove flower-wreaths and tassels for him. They made bracelets of flowers, and tied beautiful floral armbands upon him; they made floral turbans and shawls, and, having led him to his lodging, fed him.
He continued to give darshan, exactly as he was; the giver of life is indeed a sight worth beholding. Thus he performed his boundless play, and men and women found happiness upon beholding him.
Seeing this, the malicious ones burned with resentment, and, bowing their heads, went to the king: "Listen, O king," they said, "the sacrifice which Swami is performing so well — on the very days this sacrifice takes place, your royal power diminishes. Your father died because of a sacrifice such as this — now your turn has come. So if you wish to live, O king, do not let this sacrifice take place."
Hearing this, a great fury seized the king: "Go and bring him here bound." Thus they conspired there, but the knower of all hearts understood. He saw and reflected that they would cause an obstruction, and that if he himself remained there, the people would suffer for it.
Then Prabhuji mounted his horse, and, taking the gathering with him, went to Charod. Then a hostile band arrived from behind, wicked men coming to do harm. Hearing that Swami had departed, they went off in frustration, disappointed. Then, in the evening, Nath himself returned, his companions bearing swords with him.
"Sadhus, for your protection, your companions have taken up weapons today. Now we shall go to Dabhan; you, wise sadhus, remain here." Then Shyam himself set off, taking his companions, to the village of Dabhan. Arriving there, whatever provisions were on hand, he had all of it sent for.
He had many people fed there, all eighteen classes together as one; he had them fed and given clothing besides — thus did Nath perform this sacrifice. Then the hostile band came and said, "We were mistaken — you, Swami, are truly all-capable. We acted wrongly, taking on a fault without cause."
Then Maharaj said, "It is nothing at all — go and eat at Jetalpur." Then, having fed the whole troubled gathering, the malicious ones had brought only ruin upon themselves. They had wished to prevent the regular sacrifices, and the king had not allowed them to take place — but what he had spoken before came true in the end, exactly as it had been said.
Thus this sacrifice took place, know this, on the fifth day of the bright half of Magh. Seeing it, the devotees of Hari rejoiced, while the sinners suffered anguish in their minds.