Muktānand Swāmi

Paramhansas

Muktanand Swami was one of the unique paramhansas of Shriji Maharaj. He was born on Posh vad 7 of S. Y. 1814 in Amreli to Anandray and Radhadevi. His childhood name was Mukunddas. Mukunddas was inclined toward God from a young age. He studied Gita, Bhagwat, and other scriptures at a young age. He favored kirtans and music. Due to his great past sankārs, he wanted to observe celibacy; however, not finding a guru who could help him, he was ready to die. But, a voice from the sky directed him to Sardhār. He met Ramanand Swami and stayed in his āshram. Ramanand Swami gave him diskhā and named him Muktanand Swami. Nilkanth Varni stayed in Loj because he noticed Muktanand Swami’s humility and saintly qualities. He was 23 years older than Maharaj, yet he maintained servitude toward Maharaj and perceived his actions as divine. He was known as the mother of Satsang. He was involved with an important task of editing the Vachanamrut. The 91 questions he has asked in the Vachanamrut shows his mumukshutā and self-interest in liberation. He wrote 7 granths in Sanskrut and 23 granths in other languages for the flourishing of the sampradāy, as according to Maharaj’s āgnā, till his pen fell from his hand. He lived till he was 72 years old. He died on Ashad vad 11 of S. Y. 1886 in Gadhpur.