Muktanandji was able to give correct satisfactory answers to the Lord's questions on Jiva, Ishwar, Maya, Brahman and Supreme Brahman, and then on the insistence of Muktanand Muni Neelkanth Brahmchariji stayed in Loj hermitage. Though Muktanand Swami himself was eminent saint he obeyed the suggestions of Neelkanth Varni very respectfully. Neelkanth Varni had Darshan of Shri Ramanand Swami in Pipalana village with Muktanand Swami. Muktanand Swami was senior to Shri Hari by 23 years, and in spite of his constant discipleship for 16 years under Ramanand Swami, when on 11th day of bright half of Kartik month in Samvat 1857 Ramanandji offered the Acharyaship of the Holy Fellowship and the Chief Seat to young Brahmchari Sahajanand Swami, he did not show any displeasure or oppose but offered supreme obedience. Though he could rightful claim the seat he obeyed his Guru Ramanandji's will and he expressed a high sense of devotion and generosity. Muktanandji composed the first Aarti song of this Fellowship, Jay Sadguru Swami and becoming the dearest disciple of Lord Swaminarayan, he expounded the glory of Shri Hari until his last breath.
He had an unflinching firm faith and high regards for Shri Hari. He presented the doctrines and precepts of Shri Hari in a lucid, graceful and matchless style so effectively that all the doubts of listeners were cleared. For this very reason he could raise a large groups of Satsangis in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Bharuch, Khambhat (Cambay), Umreth, Anand and Nadiad. Thousands of people waited curiously to be sworn and initiated into this religion by having tiny rosary tied round their necks by Muktanand Swami! Great grammarians, scholars, philosophers, and other well-read figures were left spellbound by the oratory and logical repartee of Muktanand Swami.
The scholars who described Swaminarayan sect as non-vedic were badly defeated by his sharp metaphysical arguments in the court of Sir Sayajirao the second, thus being impressed by him Gaekwad government permitted the construction of big Swaminarayan temple in Vadodara. His language was simple, quiet, direct, embellished, attractive and of mesmerising quality. He enjoys a special regard for his outstanding devotion for spreading Swaminarayan way of life. Shri Sahajanand Swami honored him with the title 'Mother of Satsang'.
His contribution to the literature of Swaminarayan way of life is outstanding as he being a poet himself, after getting the realisation of Lord Swaminarayan composed devotional lyrics and hundreds of verses, and offered help to compile valuable prose volume like Vachanamritam (nectarnal speeches of Shreeji Maharaj) is unparalleled contribution presented by him. He composed 6 volumes in Sanskrit and 23 in Prakrit language and many devotional songs.
Lord Swaminarayan regarded Muktanand Swami as His Guru. The work may be big or small, situation may be easy or crucial Lord Swaminarayan always sought the advice of Muktanand Swami. The saints received Diksha (initiation according to rules) at the hands of Sahajanand Swami but Muktanand Swami gave their new names. This exceptionally great disciple of Sahajanand Swami, one and half month after the physical passing away of the Lord, left his material body on 12th day of the dark half of Ashad month of Samvat 1787, and reached the imperishable Abode.
Muktanand Swami had received hearty blessings from Sahajanand Swami by sacrificing wealth, self and every thing he had in this world. Yet he was a scholar, profound and par excellent he was pride-less. Born in a humble family, in a small house in Amarapur village near Amreli town, this saint enlightened Swaminarayan way of life so brightly that we fold our hands and lower our heads to bow to him a thousand times. |
Our Saints - Muktanand Swami,
