Prasang 34
Blessing Thy Oppressors
Mul Aksharmurti, Gunatitanand Swami, was traveling with Krupānand Swami’s group of swamis. The group once reached Sāvar village on the banks of the Shetrunji River. The swamis set up camp near the river while some went to the village to collect alms.
At that time, opponents of Swaminarayan swamis were spreading hatred against them, calling them “mundiyās” (negative connotation of shaved-headed swamis) to insult them. These opponents saw the saintly Swaminarayan swamis as a threat to their own influence and livelihood. Their slander had spread to Sāvar village, influencing Ugā Khumān, the local ruler, who became a staunch opponent of Swaminarayan Satsang.
He ordered his servants: “Drive these swamis out of the village! Gather the youngsters, chase them, and rain dust, dung, and stones upon them!” Following the order, a mob of young villagers rushed toward the swamis, snatching their jholis (alms bags) and pelting them with stones, dust, and dung. Some even used thorny acacia branches to beat the swamis, injuring them severely before expelling them from the village.
These swamis, who wouldn’t even harm an ant, were now left wounded and bleeding. Despite the pain and hunger, they joyfully continued chanting “Swaminarayan.” However, some, unable to bear the pain, let out soft cries of suffering.
Nearby, some shepherds and village women fetching water noticed the situation and began whispering: “How cruel is this ruler! He mercilessly beat these poor swamis and didn’t even let them collect alms. How can such a man ever have a son?”
The swamis overheard these words. Gunatitanand Swami then told the swamis, “The ruler opposes us only because he doesn’t understand. Instead of wishing ill upon him, let us pray for him to have a son. When his son is born, one day swamis will be welcomed into his home.” The swamis began chanting for Ugā Khumān to be blessed with a son. Just as a tree struck with stones still gives sweet fruit, these gracious swamis blessed their oppressor instead of cursing him.
In time, Gunatitanand Swami’s blessings bore fruit—Ugā Khumān was blessed with a son, Jivnā Khumān. When Gunatitanand Swami later visited the village again, Jivnā Khumān himself came forward, held Swami’s hand, and led all the swamis into the palace. He arranged for a grand meal for them. Seeing this, Ugā Khumān wept tears of repentance. Gunatitanand Swami forgave him completely and instructed him to chant “Swaminarayan” doing five malas daily.
Shriji Maharaj has instructed in the Shikshāpatri: “Even if an evil person insults us, we must endure it and only think of their welfare. We should never even wish for their harm, let alone act upon it.”
Gunatitanand Swami effortlessly exemplified this teaching in his life, transforming hatred into love through compassion and selflessness.
