The Great Status of Gordhanbhai of Mangror

The supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayan left Gadhpur and reached Kariyani where He presided at the edge of a lake. Just then, Gordhanbhai from the village of Mangror arrived and prostrated at the lotus feet of Shree Hari. A devotee of the Kathi tribe who was accompanying Shree Hari commented to the Lord, “This Gordhanbhai is said to have attained a very great status. Many people say he can fall into a trance without any effort. In spite of such a high status, he has lots of children.” Shree Hari replied, “One’s greatness mostly remains concealed. Therefore, when one lives together with a wife, such things will happen.” The Kathi was not convinced and questioned, “It is understandable that all other actions can happen, but how can such a great person perform the action of procreation?” Shree Hari replied, “Such acts do happen. However, you will not be able to understand with your worldly point of view.”

When Gordhanbhai came to the assembly, Shree Hari said to Muktanand Swami, “Tell Gordhanbhai to go to the lake and see if there is any water in it.” Muktanand Swami conveyed Shree Hari’s request to Gordhanbhai. Immediately, Gordhanbhai turned his head and looked over the surface of the lake. He then said, “There is no water in the lake.” Muktanand Swami asked again, “Go to the lake and see. Make sure you are correct in what you are saying.” Gordhanbhai went to the edge of the lake but did not look down. Consequently, he did not see any water. He came back and told Muktanand Swami that there was not a drop of water in the lake. Everyone started to laugh. Shree Hari jested, “Even though he went to the edge of the lake, he still did not see any water. And to prevent his shoes from being ruined, he did not even dip his foot in.”

Shree Hari left Kariyani with His group of sants and devotees and headed off for Vadtal. On the way, they came across a small stream of water. Some people walked a long distance to avoid the stream. Some took their shoes off and went through it. Some people crossed the stream without even taking their shoes off. Gordhanbhai was walking behind everyone else. Everybody wondered what Goradhanbhai would do. Nityanand Swami too thought that he would wait there and see how Gordhanbhai crossed the stream.

Gordhanbhai was wearing new shoes. The shoes were studded on their soles so they made a tapping sound when Gordhanbhai walked. When he came across the stream, Gordhanbhai suddenly stopped. If he walked through the water, his new shoes would be ruined. In order to cross the stream, he walked back a little, so that he could run up to the stream and jump over it. As he ran to the stream, he realised that he did not have sufficient force, so he walked back even further and then ran to the stream and jumped with all his force. He managed to make it across the stream, but he fell on the ground on the other side. Everyone started laughing and teasing Gordhanbhai. They said to each other, “He is said to be a great devotee who can fall into a trance by his own will. Still, look how much force he jumped with to save his shoes.” Gordhanbhai truly had attained an incredibly high status. His inclination remained focussed always on the Murti of God. However, this was not visible to others.

Shree Hari visited many villages in the region around Dabhan and eventually reached Vadtal where He remained at the royal court of Vasan Suthar. One day, a devotee came with a large container filled with fragrant sandalwood paste (chandan) to perform adoration to Shree Hari. He prayed, “Lord! Have mercy and allow me to perform worship to You.” Immediately, Shree Hari called Gordhanbhai and said, “Place your foot in this sandalwood paste.” Gordhanbhai did as he was asked. The Kathis saw this and could not contain their disgust. They cried, “Gordhanbhai! Have you no shame? You have ruined this sandalwood paste, which was meant for worshipping the Lord. You are a complete fool!” Shree Hari laughed and said, “Other than My Murti, he sees everything else as being equal.”

Shree Hari was presiding amongst a large assembly, seated upon a lavish cot. Shree Hari wanted to see how much more the devotees could still endure. So He called Gordhanbhai to Him and said, “Gordhan! Sit down on this cot.” Immediately Gordhanbhai climbed up onto the Lord’s high cot and sat down. He sat with his back facing Shree Hari. All the Kathis started to scold him and said, “Gordhanbhai, do you not have any manners? The Lord gave you a command so you have to obey it. However, at the very least, you should have sat facing Him rather than turning your back on the Lord. Turn around and face Shree Hari immediately!” Shree Hari interjected, “Gordhanbhai is always facing Me.”

Shree Hari continued to test everyone. He said to Gordhanbhai, “Lie down on this bed and go to sleep.” Gordhanbhai immediately obeyed the command. Shree Hari continued in His extraordinary manner. He commanded the devotees to massage Gordhanbhai’s feet. Some devotees had faith in the Lord and eagerly started to massage Gordhanbhai’s feet. Other people began massaging his feet out of shame, because others were doing this. To Muktanand Swami, each of the Lord’s commands was as dear to him as his own head. Therefore, even he started to massage Gordhanbhai’s feet. The Kathis again became angry and cried, “Gordhanbhai! Why are you being such an idiot? Do you not realise that Muktanand Swami is massaging your feet. Do you not have any shame?” In response to the Kathis, Shree Hari said, “He does not realise anything. All he sees is My Murti.”

Shree Hari thought that the time had now come to reveal to everyone the true status of Gordhanbhai. He asked for two plates to be brought to Him. Shree Hari filled one with salt and the other with sugar. He then gave both plates to Gordhanbhai and told him to eat the contents. Gordhanbhai immediately grabbed a fistful from each plate and started eating. He ate some of the salt and then ate some of the sugar. Shree Hari asked, “Gordhan! What are you eating?” Gordhanbhai replied, “I am eating sugar.” Shree Hari queried again, “Which plate contains sugar and which contains salt?” Gordhanbhai replied, “There is sweet sugar in both plates.” Everyone was surprised and realised their mistake in thinking ill of Gordhanbhai. The Kathis confessed, “Maharaj did tell us his greatness, but we did not believe His words. Gordhanbhai has truly attained the great status. If we put even a small pinch of salt into our mouth, we immediately have to spit it out. Yet Gordhanbhai is eating mouthfuls of salt.” No-one now doubted Gordhanbhai’s greatness.

On one occasion, Shree Hari was seated besides Lake Gomti in Vadtal, amongst a vast assembly of devotees. It was quite early in the morning. Just then, a devotee from Khambhat arrived, carrying a large basket of sweetened sutarfeni. He took out some sutarfeni from the basket, placed in on a large platter and then took it to Shree Hari. He prayed, “Oh Maharaj! Have mercy on me and fulfil my wish of feeding this sutarfeni to You.” Shree Hari replied, “Today I will only eat if Gordhanbhai feeds it to Me. I will eat through him.” At the time, Gordhanbhai was still brushing his teeth. Shree Hari called out to him and said, “Gordhan! Today I want to eat this sutarfeni through you.” Hearing the Lord’s command, Gordhanbhai immediately rinsed his mouth, washed his hands and feet and went to where Shree Hari was seated. Shree Hari said to him, “Gordhan! Feed Me this sutarfeni.” Everyone thought that Gordhanbhai would place the sutarfeni in Shree Hari’s lotus mouth. Instead, Gordhanbhai took the sutarfeni and started eating it himself. He finished the entire plate, and then asked Shree Hari, “Maharaj! Will You eat any more?” Shree Hari replied, “Whatever you wish.” More sutarfeni was removed from the basket and put onto the platter. In this manner, Gordhanbhai continued to ask Shree Hari and then eat the sutarfeni himself. Eventually, Shree Hari asked, “Gordhan! Why don’t you eat some sutarfeni?” Gordhanbhai replied, “Maharaj! I still have not finished brushing my teeth. I have yet to bathe and perform my daily morning prayers. After completing my daily morning routine, I will be able to eat.” So Shree Hari said, “In that case, carry on feeding Me.” So Gordhanbhai continued saying, “Maharaj! Eat this sutarfeni. Eat this sutarfeni!” And as he said these words, he placed the sutarfeni into his own mouth. In total, Gordhanbhai ate 10 kg of sutarfeni. After some time, Shree Hari said, “Now is enough.” Immediately, Gordhanbhai took a sip of water and went back to brushing his teeth. He then bathed and performed his morning prayers. Mulji Brahmachari then came and requested Shree Hari to dine. Shree Hari did go to dine, but said, “Today Gordhanbhai has fed Me so much, I am not at all hungry.”

When Gordhanbhai had finished his morning prayers, he was called to eat. He went to the dining area and sat down. Gordhanbhai ate a full meal. He even asked the Brahmachari to give him some extra ladus so that he could keep them for the evening meal.

In this manner, Shree Hari showed Himself to be one with Gordhanbhai, so that everyone could understand his greatness.