Birds fell into a trance

Khaiya Khatri was a devotee of Lord Swaminarayan. On one occasion Shree Hari went to Khaiya’s factory near the town of Mandvi in Kutch.

Many village people had gathered for His darshan. So Khaiya prayed to Shree Hari, “If you show a miracle, all these souls will become attracted to You.”

Shree Hari replied, “If they become attached to the religion only as a result of witnessing a miracle, their devotion to the religion will not last. One’s faith only remains firm if they become united with the religion through understanding its true glory and magnificence. People become pleased when they witness miracles. However, when the Lord shows human characteristics, it is possible that their faith can become unsteady if they have not fully understood His truly divine nature. Still, as you are insisting, I will accept your request. Look ahead.”

Everybody looked ahead. Fifty to sixty birds that were eating millet immediately entered a trance and fell onto the ground.

Shree Hari commanded, “Gather up all the birds and bring them here.” One person filled the birds into a basket and brought them to where everyone was standing. They stroked the birds and examined their condition. All the birds were perfectly still. Lord Swaminarayan then ordered the devotee to take back the basket of birds and then He awoke them from the trance.

All the birds flew away. Everyone stood in amazement as they witnessed this miraculous event.