3. Childhood

Our Lord was given the name of Ghanshyam. At the age of eight, He was given the sacred thread which marks the beginning of the study of the scriptures. At a very tender age He completed the study of all the scriptures including the Vedas and displayed extraordinary scholarship. During this period, young Ghanshyam accompanied His father Dharmadev to Kashi (Varanasi) to participate in a meeting of the scholars who believed in the philosophy of the Advaita [not dual or Monoism]. He humbled all the scholars by His logical convincing arguments. They were simply stunned by His scholarship and were struck by the deep insight, perseverance and persuasive power of this little boy.

Let us look at one more incident from his childhood. Ghanshyam must have been eight or ten years old. A fisherman of Chhapaiya had caught some fish from the Meen Sarovar(Lake of fish) and had kept them on the bank. Lord Ghanshyam arrived there and just with a glance brought the dead fish back to life.

He preached the message of Ahimsa, non-violence to the fisherman, saying, "Like you, these creatures too have a right to live." This brought about a change of heart and the fisherman gave up his profession. He was greatly struck by the spiritual powers of this child. Only an extraordinary child with divine attributes can perform and display such miraculous acts.

When Ghanshyam was hardly eleven, within a short period of just six months, both

His father and mother returned to Akshardham (the eternal abode). One day, it so happened, that Ghanshyam in a wrestling match hurt a boy by flinging him on the ground. Somepeople approached his elder brother Shri Rampratapji and complained against him.The elder brother mildly and lovingly reproached him. Ghanshyam promised his brother, "I won't give any cause of complaint in future." Rampratapji could not comprehend the significance of his brother's promise. But Ghanshyam had got the cause to renounce.