Brahmānand Swāmi

Paramhansas

Ladudānji was born to Lālubā and Shambhudānji on the day of Vasant Panchami of S. Y. 1828 in Khān, located in Rajasthan. He was very intelligent and had a vast memory, allowing him to easily master Pingal and other scriptures. He earned several titles from the Rāv of Kutch, including ‘Rājkaviratna,’ ‘Pingalvidyāchārya,’ ‘Mahāmahopādhyāy,’ ‘Mahākavishwar,’ and ‘Shatāvdhāni.’ Later, he was honored in many states such as Dhrāngadhrā, Jāmnagar, Dwārkā, and Junāgadh. He had impressed Vakhatsinha of Bhāvnagar by display of his mastery in poetry. Through Vakhatsinha, he learned of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, and he set out to Gadhada to expose him as fraud. However, Bhagwan Swaminarayan fulfilled his four wishes he made along the way, and realizing him to be God, surrendered to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He listened to Jivuba’s and Laduba’s updesh and renounced to become a sadhu. Shriji Maharaj named him Shri Rangdas. Using his mastery of poetry and his jovial nature, he often pleased Maharaj; therefore, Maharaj called him ‘Brahmanand’. Because of his brilliance, deep knowledge, and expert speech, many great scholars like Munibawa became disciples of Shriji Maharaj. Despite many financial and social hurdles, Swami build shikharbaddha mandirs in Amdavad, Vartal, and Junagadh. With his soothing touch, a mad horse became calm. Therefore, Maharaj called his a ‘yati’ (celibate). After Maharaj reverted back to Akshardham, he built a mandir in Muli and lived there till he passed away on Jeth sud 10, S. Y. 1888. He had written more than 8,000 kirtans that contained Maharaj’s teaching, gnān, bhakti, and description of his murti.