'Avya
Hari Undne Tire'
The little rustic village of Bhadra
was sanctified by the birth of Mulji Bhakta (Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand
Swami) in 1785 CE. In his childhood years Mulji performed many
divine acts that convinced his parents, friends and the people
of Bhadra about his divinity. Bhagwan Swaminarayan (Shriji Maharaj)
visited Bhadra and blessed the devotees with his bliss and revealed
the glory of Mulji Bhakta as his divine abode.
Once, Shriji Maharaj went to the banks of river Und on the outskirts
of Bhadra. On seeing the river flowing profusely on both banks,
Maharaj climbed on a banyan tree and dived into its cool waters.
The devotees, Dosabhai, Vashram Suthar and others, also plunged
themselves in the river with Maharaj. Shriji Maharaj then revealed,
"This spot will become a popular pilgrim place. And this
banyan tree and river have become holy through my association,
and a ghat* will be built here in future."
Thereafter Maharaj told Lalji Suthar (Nishkulanand Swami) to construct
a boat, because he wished to sail in the river. Lalji Suthar replied
that it would not be possible to build a boat immediately even
after getting the raw materials. Then, as an alternative, Maharaj
asked him to bring a 'chalakho' (a large square-shaped Khadi cloth
used by farmers to carry their harvest home). The surprised Lalji
Suthar brought a 'chalakho', and on Maharaj's word Mulji Bhakta
placed it on the river's surface. To everyone's amazement the
'chalakho' started floating on the surface like a raft. Then Maharaj
sat on it first, followed by Lalji Suthar, Vashram Suthar and
Mulji Bhakta. The fact that the 'chalakho' did not sink was a
cause of great wonder to all the devotees. Then to everyone's
surprise the 'chalakho' started sailing like a boat. Shriji Maharaj
sailed for some time, blessing the devotees with his divine happiness
before returning to the river bank.
A kirtan describing this memorable lila of Shriji Maharaj, 'Avya
Hari Undne Tire...', was written by Kana Bhagat.
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* Today there is a ghat on the banks
of river Und, and Bhadra is a famous pilgrim place.
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