Shuk Muni

Paramhansas

Shukanand Swami (Shukmuni) was a native of Nadiād and lived in Dabhān. His name was Jagannāth. In childhood, he was brilliant in his studies. He also possessed vairāgya. Moreover, he was proficient in practical dealings. When he was studying in Dabhān, he met Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s sadhus and learned he is the manifestation of God. Therefore, he came to Gadhada for his darshan and just stayed there. He obtained the sadhu dikshā and remained with Maharaj, compiling historical documents and managing Maharaj’s correspondence. Once, he stayed up all night to write a letter that Maharaj dictated to him. In the morning, he did not have a companion sadhu that could accompany him for his bath at the river, nor could he break his fast. Therefore, Maharaj gave him sukhadi in Akshar Ordi to break his fast, without having brushed his teeth. He maintained divinity in all of Maharaj’s actions. After Maharaj reverted back to Akshardham, he very much longed for Maharaj and asked for an illness. He suffered from that illness for 12 years. Shukmuni was among the four compilers of the Vachanamrut. Gunatitanand Swami had explained to him that Maharaj was sarvopari based on Vachanamrut Gadiada II-9. When Dungar Bhakta (Shastriji Maharaj) was six months old, Shukmuni had given him the vartamān of Satsang.