1. The Eternal Quest-the background

The main spring of Sastanga - Sadguru Muktananda Swami! Once Shreeji Maharaj asked him: ''Swami, what is the nature and significance of my 'self'? The Swami casually replied: ''Maharaj, it is quite simple. You are none other than Lord Krishna himself of the Mahabharata period.'' Shreeji Maharaj just smiled and said: ''Go to 'Kala Talav' (name of a pond), Ravjibhai will talk to you.'' Honouring the command of Shreeji Maharaj, the Swami set off on his way to 'Kala Talav'. On his way, he met a Saint who stopped him and asked him ''Sadhuram, where are you hurrying to?'' Muktananda Swami told him about the question asked by Shreeji Maharaj and his answer to it. The Saint remarked: ''So! you are identifying and equating Swaminarayan Bhagwan with Lord Krishna! Now tell me which of these images is of your Shri Krishna's?'' said the Saint showing innumerable images of Shri Krishna on his palm. Muktananda Swami was simply dazed by this divine spectacle. Unbelievable. A man who can show so many images of Shri Krishna on his palm must be far greater than Krishna Himself. Seeing Muktananda Swami amazed, the Saint said to him: ''Swami, Lord Krishna whom you call 'Paramatma' is 'Mula Purusha' or 'Primordial Purusha' and above Him is 'Mahakala', and above this is 'Vasudevbrahma' and above this sphere is 'Mula Akshara' above which are the Muktas of Shreeji Maharaj and this entire cosmic and spiritual realm is being controlled and sustained by Purna Purushottam Lord Shri Swaminarayan. Being the one and only Purushottam, He is the Lord of all with no superiors above Him. Thus, Parabrahma Purushottam is none but the eternally perfect, eternally blissful. omniscient, self-existent Lord Shri Swaminarayan. The entire cosmic evolution is because of Him. It is glowing with His grace. You and I are the 'Muktas' - God realized Souls of that Supreme Lord. But as were in a spiritually inhibited state of mind. You failed to recognise His highest position as the Supreme Lord. May be. He so desired.'' The saint disappeared from the scene, leaving Muktananda Swami guessing who the Saint could be.

Shreeji Maharaj sent various 'avtaras' -incarnations for the benefit of the 'jeevas' the created ones or the mankind. But they failed to inspire people to seek communion with Shri Hariji. On the contrary, people with limited vision when saw their prowess, they believed them to be the Supreme Lord Himself and began to worship these incarnations- the creation and missed the creator! Therefore, the Muktas prayed that Shreeji Maharaj Himself must manifest on the earth and end the confusion. Lord Swaminarayan, along with His 'Muktas' revealed His divine Self to mankind on Chaitra Sud 9 of Samvat 1837 i.e. 1781 A.D.

During His childhood and the wanderings through the dense forests of India, he displayed His spiritual sublimity and miraculous powers and then He founded satsanga by revealing His divine form of Supreme Lord. As desired by Him, Shri Ramananda Swami had already established the Uddhav school of worship. As soon as the two met, Shri Ramananda Swami performed the initiation rites and appointed Him as the chief of the sect. People were still worshipping the hosts of Avtaras [Devas/incarnations] who had preceeded Shreeji Maharaj. Therefore, Shreeji Maharaj first introduced Himself as devotee of Shri Krishna. But as people came into contact with Shreeji Maharaj and His Muktas, they were gradually informed by Shree Hariji Himself that He not only resembled Shri Krishna but that He was the Supreme One, Paramatma Himself, the creator of all Avtaras. With a view to imparting this knowledge to the people and to enable them to receive His bliss attain 'parampada'- refuge in God-Shree Hariji assigned His earthly mission to Sadguru Shri Gopalananda Swami and withdrew Himself from the mundane world unto which He had come in a human form. Shri Gopalananda Swami chose his disciple Sadguru Shri Nirgunadasji as his spiritual successor to spread the divine message. To accelerate the work of redeeming the souls through awareness of Lord, Shri Hariji sent to earth Maha Muktaraj Shri Abjibapa with all His attributes of divinity shinning from his person. Shri Abjibapa was born on 11th day of Kartik Sud of Samvat 1901.

Bapa Shri, under the divine command of Shreeji Maharaj contributed greatly to the spread and expansion of practice and precept preached by Lord Swaminarayan Himself. He toured widely preaching the gospel of Shreeji Maharaj as God incarnate, the Supreme Lord. He taught people the art of attaining to the Spiritual State of 'Anadi-Mukta [Released Soul] through communion with Shri Hariji. The Vachanamrutam, ''the Book of books'' contains the nectar of Shreeji Maharaj's divine discourses. During these discourses, taking into account the spiritual urge and qualifications of the individuals, the Lord revealed Himself as a devotee, God incarnate, Mukta and Purna Purushottam Shri Abjibapa, with a desire to reaffirm the character of Shreeji Maharaj as the Supreme Lord, interpreted the Vachnamrutam and published it under the title: Vachanamrutam Rahsyartha Pradipika in a clear, lucid style. As Bapashri was sent to propagate the worship of the Supreme Lord and distribute His divine grace, he incesantly worked among the people and drew them into Sastanga. He practically visited every home in every village that he passed through and bestowed upon the people the bliss that comes through communion with the Murti of Shri Hariji.

The emblem of Shreeji Maharaj's grace and the symbol of Sadguru Shri Brahmanand's faith, the Swaminarayan temple at Mulidham celebrated its centenary with much fanfare. Param Pujya Bapashri had graced the occasion along with a large number of devotees. In fact, he was the leading spiritual guide of all the festivities. The entire function owed its success to his divine presence. On his way back to Baladiya town, Bapashri arrived at Dhrangadhra. Although he was not feeling well, he blessed the Haribhaktas [devotees] and visited their homes. He bathed one and all in the divine joy that flows from the Murti of Shreeji Maharaj. One of the devotees named Gigabhai Thakker, a shy and poor man wished to invite Bapashri. But somehow he could not articulate his thoughts lying deep in his heart. The all merciful, omniscent Bapashri could read the mind of his devotees. Next day when he began his journey, he got his cart stopped in front of Gigabhai's home. With a desire to ease himself Bapashri entered Gigabhai's house. Seeing Bapashri entering their house, Gigabhai and his wife Shakuben almost danced with joy. It was a dream come true! Their joy knew no bounds. At that time Sheth Shri Shivlalbhai Parekh, Anadimukta Shri Divaliba, the sister of Param Pujya Shri Somchandbhai were present in the house. Shri Shivlalbhai lifted Gigabhai's youngest son 'Narayan' (age 11 months) from the cradle and placed the child on Bapashri's lap. Bapashri looked at the child with love, took some 'kanku' (red powder) from his own tilak (mark of devotee) and applied it to the forehead of the child. As if there existed some bond of love, since many previous births, the child constantly stared at Bapashri's resplendent face and smiled. Sheth Shri Shivlalbhai prayed to Bapashri: ''O Bapa! bless this son of devotee so that he too may become a renowned devotee.'' Bapashri caressing the child with love, announced: ''Know him to be the Mahamukta of Shreeji Maharaj! He has been sent to carry out 'omni-beneficial activities on earth'.''

This divinely blessed child 'Narayana' grew up into spiritual stature and founded Shri Swaminarayan Divine Mission. Anadimukta Pujya Shri Narayanbhai Gigabhai Thakker's name has become synonymous with Shri Swaminarayan Divine Mission which is in itself the embodiment of the divine grace of Shreeji Maharaj.