Prasang 42
With Gunatit, Become Gunatit
Once, Dājibhāi, the Darbār from Kāmrod came to Junāgadh for official work. He decided to stay at the Swaminarayan Mandir, where Gunatitanand Swami, as per Shriji Maharaj’s āgnā, ensured hospitality for all visitors—providing lodging, meals, and other necessities. Anyone who experienced Gunatitanand Swami’s hospitality could never forget it. Gunatitanand Swami arranged Dājibhāi’s stay in Hokāmedi, a special lodging designated for non-devotees addicted to intoxicants like tobacco, opium, and alcohol. Gunatitanand Swami gave this separate accommodation so they could stay and smoke without being self-conscious of others’ judgment. Moreover, the hookah loft was separate from the rest of the mandir so that devotees would not be troubled by their bad habits. Gunatitanand Swami understood that sermons alone wouldn’t convince these darbārs to give up their addictions, but by interacting with devotees and observing their lifestyle, they would naturally be inspired to forsake their bad habits.
During the morning kathā, Gunatitanand Swami asked Dājibhāi, “Darbār! Have you found a guru?” Dājibhāi replied, “I am searching for one, but I haven’t found a true guru yet. Whenever I approach someone to be my guru, they demand two bottles of alcohol and two goats. I wonder, if they engage in the same activities as I do, how can they uplift me?”
Hearing this, Gunatitanand Swami laughed and said, “Darbār! Such people are not true Gurus. We guide individuals to follow the five vows of no alcohol, no meat, no thievery, no adultery and purity of conduct. while leading them to devotion toward Swaminarayan.”
Upon hearing Gunatitanand Swami’s words and beholding his divine presence, Dājibhāi felt a profound change within him. His inner conflicts ceased, and his heart was drawn towards Gunatitanand Swami. With folded hands, he vowed: “Swami! From today, I will never drink alcohol or eat meat. I will not steal, and I will no longer engage in adultery, deceit or manipulation.”
Recognizing Gunatitanand Swami as a true Mahāpurush, he then hesitantly yet openly confessed: “However, Swami, in my youth, I consumed trāmbā (an intoxicant to get high) and even ate the tongues of sparrows (meat considered delicacy). Because I consume such tāmsik substances, I will not be able to uphold the vow of celibacy.” Gunatitanand Swami, pleased with Dājibhāi’s honesty, reassured him: “Follow these four vows sincerely. As for celibacy—I will help you uphold it.”
Gunatitanand Swami then initiated Dājibhāi into Satsang and told him to do five mālās while focusing on him. Dājibhāi did five mālās while looking directly at Gunatitanand Swami. Gunatitanand Swami looked into Dājibhāi’s eyes and destroyed the lust in his heart. Through Gunatitanand Swami’s grace, Dājibhāi experienced tranquility in his heart, and all thoughts of lust subsided. Dājibhāi felt fulfilled. Then, taking Gunatitanand Swami’s permission, he returned to his room.
The next day, after completing his government work, Dājibhāi took Gunatitanand Swami’s leave and returned home. Freed of inner obstacles, he began to do constant bhajan of Swaminarayan. Every day he would eat two pounds of puris along with 2.5 liters of whole milk sweetened with two pounds of sākar. Despite his prodigious appetite and strong physique, he no longer felt any lustful urges. Gunatitanand Swami had purified him completely!
Gunatitanand Swami was like a vadvānad fire, capable of transforming even the most hardened individuals. He turned:
• The most sinful souls like Munjo Suru from Lilākhān into virtuous ones
• The most notorious criminals like Vālero Varu into noble individuals.
Every soul who associated with Gunatitanand Swami was purified and enlightened. Shriji Maharaj had said: “Anyone who spends even a month in the company of Gunatitanand Swami in Junāgadh will have all their flaws removed.” Gunatitanand Swami established Junāgadh as a training ground for attaining Brāhmi state, where countless seekers became one with Brahma. Even today, this tradition continues through Mahant Swami Maharaj, preserving and passing down the legacy of Gunatit Sant!
