Whilst on a religious tour, Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasj Swami, arrived at a village and stayed there for a night. A disciple named Mitha lived in that village. He was over 100 years old and had met Shreejimaharaj. He had taken a vow to offer a meal (thal) to every sant that came to his village. He came to know that some sants had arrived at the temple, so he went for darshan. He lovingly bowed to Sadguru Swamishree and humbly requested him to accept his offer of a meal. Sadguru Swamishree said, “I will be leaving early in the morning.” The disciple Mitha begged, “No Bapji! You cannot leave without accepting my food. Sants are always merciful. I have taken a vow to offer meal to every sant who comes here. Oh Swami! Have mercy on me and allow me to keep my vow. Accept my food.” Hearing disciple Mitha’s affectionate request, Sadguru Swamishree accepted his wish. The disciple Mitha became extremely pleased.

Then, another devotee said, “Swami! This disciple Mitha has met Shreejimaharaj.” Sadguru Swamishree asked the disciple Mitha, “Have you met Shreejimaharaj?” He replied, “Yes Swami!” Again, Sadguru Swamishree asked, “Have you recognised Shreejimaharaj?” The disciple Mitha replied, “How can I have not recognised Him? He used to play with me.” Once again Sadguru Swamishree asked, “How great do you understand Shreejimaharaj to be?” The disciple Mitha replied, “Lord Shree Swaminarayan is none other than Shree Krishna himself.” Sadguru Swamishree exclaimed, “You have not recognised the Lord at all! Where is the status of Lord Shree Swaminarayan? And where is the status of Shree Krishna? Above Shree Krishna are the categories of Vasudevbrahm. Above these are the categories of Mulakshar. Above these are the categories of the Param-ekantik-muktas who live in the abode, i.e. in the vicinity of Lord Shree Swaminarayan. Above these are the Anadi-muktas who reside within the Murti. The master of all these, is Lord Shree Swaminarayan.” Saying this, Sadguru Swamishree compassionately placed his hand on the head of the disciple Mitha. The disciple Mitha experienced an extraordinary peace. By the grace of Sadguru Swamishree, the tenets of the supreme upasana became firmly embedded in his heart. He became filled with emotion and cried, “Swami! You have eliminated my misconception. The reward of my vow has been given to me today. Shreejimaharaj has sent you here for me. Until today, all those who came here, praised me and said that I was extremely great because I had met Shreejimaharaj. However, no-one told me the truth. Swami! You have given me the true perspective and have rectified my ignorance.” Saying this, the disciple Mitha placed his head at Sadguru Swamishree’s lotus feet. Tears of love rolled from his eyes.

The next day, Sadguru Swamishree accepted his meal and travelled to another village. A short time later, Lord Shree Swaminarayan and Sadguru Swamishree gave the disciple Mitha their divine lustrous darshan and took him to Akshardham. Such was the divine might of our Nidar Siddhantvadi Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swami.

Nidar Siddhantvadi Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swami

Extracted from the scripture, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi, by Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj. Chapter 30 – The Everlasting Site of Pilgrimage