Gunatitanand Swami

Absorbed In The Murti Of Maharaj

During his travels, Swami came to Gadhada. Here, Maharaj was breaking his fast of the eleventh day of the bright half of Ashadh. He was eating khichdi and yogurt in the room of Vasudev Narayan. All the sadhus who were sitting there wished for some prasad from Maharaj. Only Gunatitanand Swami was engrossed in the darshan of Maharaj without any such expectation. The all-knowing Maharaj knew that Swami was standing there, not for prasad, but for the darshan of his murti. So, Maharaj called Swami and expressed his joy by giving him prasad from his thal. All the sadhus thus experienced the unique mutual tie of affection between Swami and Maharaj. During this time discourses on Ramanuj Bhashya, a commentary on the Bhagvad Gita, were being held in Akshar Ordi in the presence of Maharaj and other senior sadgurus. Once, the purani delivered a brilliant discourse, so Maharaj embraced him. Seeing this Brahmanand Swami said in a lighter vein, “You can’t be so partial. You should embrace everyone present here in the discourse.” The news spread that Maharaj would embrace all; so the next day there was a large audience in the discourse. Then Maharaj asked Nityanand Swami, “Everyone has come to the discourse, but ask how many of them understand it?” After the discourse Nityanand Swami asked everyone, and those who did not understand anything were requested not to come the next day. He asked Swami also. Swami passionately replied, ‘‘Oh! What a discourse! It is unparalleled.” So Swami was permitted to come. Thereafter Muktanand Swami asked Swami, “Do you really understand it?” Then Swami replied in the same passionate tone, ‘‘I am attracted only by the darshan of Maharaj.” Seeing such yearning for darshan, Muktanand Swami was happy.

Infinite Faith

Swami, the manifest form of Brahman, travelled to reveal the true identity of Purushottam Narayan to numerous jivas and to help them overcome maya. In every event of his life it is easy to discern his singular devotion towards Shriji Maharaj. Once, on his way from Gadhada to Vartal, Maharaj arrived at Barwala with a group of sadhus and devotees. Here, devotees offered ladoos to Maharaj and his group. Swami also got one ladoo as his share, but he was not interested in it. He was totally engrossed in the murti of Maharaj and craved for his darshan every minute. Compared to his enjoyment of the murti of Maharaj, the joys of other worldly pleasures did not interest him. When Maharaj travelled from one village to another he often went on horseback. So to have his darshan Swami would have to run. Moreover, according to the rules, a sadhu could not go alone. Therefore, he would have to have the company of another sadhu who would be prepared to run with him. So Swami requested one sadhu, “I wish to run with the horse in order to have the darshan of Maharaj. If you’ll give me company in running I’ll give you my ladoo.” The sadhu was tempted by the offer and consented. In this way, Swami ran backwards through hedges, fields, thorns, etc. without caring for his body, remaining constantly engaged in Maharaj’s darshan. Such was the yearning of Swami for Maharaj’s darshan!