વચનામૃત પ્રસંગ

Gadhadā I-20

Once, Gopālānand Swāmi was discoursing on Gadhadā I-20 in Amdāvād. Sarvanivāsānand Swāmi heard Gopālānand Swāmi’s explanation and Swāmi’s words pierced him greatly. He decided: I want to do samāgam of Gopālānand Swāmi and eradicate all my shortcomings. When Gopālānand Swāmi was ready to return to Vadodarā, Sarvanivāsānand Swāmi also got ready to leave with him.

Sarvanivāsānand Swāmi was a gem among the sadhus in Amdāvād; therefore, Acharya Ayodhyāprasādji Mahārāj begged him to stay, “I’ll make you the mahant of Amdāvād, give you 20 pairs of Shriji Mahārāj’s footprints (charanārvind), give you attendants and a carriage; but do not leave Amdāvād.” However, Sarvanivāsānand Swāmi was not trapped in these temptations and left with Gopālānand Swāmi. He listened to Gopālānand Swāmi’s talks and became enlightened like him. After Gopālānand Swāmi reverted back to Akshardhām, the devotees who had affection for Gopālānand Swāmi felt as if he was still present through Sarvanivāsānand Swāmi.

Having observed Sarvanivāsānand Swāmi’s tale, Gunātitānand Swāmi said, “And what is bondage to the world? Sarvanivāsānand Swāmi overcame an infinite times more bondage and associated with a great Sadhu.”

[Swāmini Vāto: 2/109]