Prasang 43
“Swami! Are you truly Akshar?”
Following a celebration in Vartāl, Mul Aksharmurti Gunatitanand Swami arrived in Sārangpur. Here, he stayed at the residence of Vāghā Khāchar. One day, Vāghā Khāchar asked him, “Swami! Shriji Maharaj says in Vachanāmrut Kāriyāni 12 that without focusing on Bhagwān’s divine form and words, the root ignorance due to the kāran-sharir (causal-body) cannot be eradicated. Yet, at night, when I sleep, I still see dreams where I feel as if I am in distress, bound in conflict, or even physically harmed. These subtle impressions do not seem to fade. If these sukshma sharir (subtle-body) impressions persist, then how and when will the causal-body impressions disappear? And if these impressions remain, how can one attain and reside in Maharaj’s divine Akshardham?” Hearing this, Gunatitanand Swami smiled and replied, “Vāghā Khāchar, if you wish to eliminate the impressions of the subtle and causal body, then come to Junāgadh. We will help you remove all these impressions there.”
To this, Vāghā Khāchar humorously responded, “Swami! I need a servant who can prepare warm water for me, massage my legs, and carry my luggage. If I get such a companion, then I will come.”
Swami promptly answered, “This Pragji is your attendant. He will serve you in every way—both in this world and the next. Stay with him and listen to his words.” From Sārangpur, Gunatitanand Swami set out for Gadhadā. Along the way, Pragji Bhakta not only served Vāghā Khāchar but also engaged him in deep spiritual discussions. During their conversation, Pragji Bhakta boldly declared, “Gunatitanand Swami is the Mul Akshar.” This statement shocked Vāghā Khāchar, and he immediately retorted, “Pragji! Do not say such things in my presence.”
Later, Vāghā Khāchar complained to Swami, saying, “Swami! This Pragji calls you ‘Mul Akshar.’” Hearing this, Swami laughed, covered his mouth with a cloth, and jokingly said, “Oh, he’s crazy! Don’t keep his company anymore.”
However, as the journey continued from Gadhadā to Vānkiā, Vāghā Khāchar found himself unable to proceed without the companionship of Pragji Bhakta. He admitted, “Swami! I cannot manage without a servant.” Swami replied, “I have assigned you Pragji. If you don’t like his words, then simply don’t listen to them.”
Thus, reluctantly, Vāghā Khāchar continued to stay with Pragji Bhakta. Along the way, Pragji once again said, “Only when you truly understand that Swami is Mul Akshar will the impressions of the causal body disappear.” These words did not appeal to Vāghā Khāchar, but he continued on the journey and finally reached Junāgadh with the group.
In Junāgadh, all the devotees were engaged in sevā, collecting pebbles as per Swami’s āgnā. The devotees from Mahuvā mandal were continuously discussing the divine form of Gunatitanand Swami. Their joy was evident on their radiant faces. Seeing this, Vāghā Khāchar wondered, “Why do all of them experience such bliss, but I do not?” He shared this concern with Dāmā Sheth, who replied, “If you develop faith in Pragji Bhakta and accept that ‘Swami is Mul Akshar,’ then you too will experience the same joy.” Vāghā Khāchar hesitated and said, “I may accept this, but only if Swami himself confirms it.”
Hearing this, Dāmā Sheth conveyed the matter to Pragji Bhakta, who then sat in meditation and, through his spiritual focus, called Gunatitanand Swami. Swami, who was seated in the sabhā hall, suddenly held a swami’s hand, walked to the garden where the devotees were, and asked, “Pragji! Why have you called me?” Pragji Bhakta humbly responded, “Swami! Vāghā Khāchar has a question for you.”
Gunatitanand Swami then turned to Vāghā Khāchar and said, “Ask whatever you wish.” Vāghā Khāchar asked directly, “Swami! Pragji says that you are Mul Akshar. Please resolve this doubt for me.” Gunatitanand Swami calmly responded, “What Pragji says is true.” Upon hearing this, Vāghā Khāchar, still in disbelief, asked again, “Swami! Are you truly Akshar?” Swami smiled, nodded in affirmation, and confirmed it with his divine presence.
At that moment, Vāghā Khāchar was overwhelmed with divine joy; his doubts, material desires, and faults dissolved. Even his terrifying dreams vanished, and he was blessed with the nirāvaran state (no barriers like walls, wood, metal, or distance could stop him from having darshan of Shriji Maharaj and Gunatitanand Swami). Through Pragji Bhakta’s guidance, Vāghā Khāchar established a firm conviction in Gunatitanand Swami’s divine identity.
Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj has also revealed his true identity to us on numerous occasions, affirming that he is Akshar. If we develop firm conviction in his divine form, then even in this very body, we can begin to experience the bliss of Akshardham.
