Chhappiya
Char dham yatra, pg 526
This is the most auspicious tirth for a Swaminarayan satsangi as it is the birth place of our beloved Lord. Why is it known as the most auspicious place? Ghanshyam Maharaj has performed many leelas at each and every corner of Chhappiya, He has made each and every grain of sand on the land of Chhappiya pious and very sacred. It is said, once in a satsangi’s life one must go to this tirth, we will look at this closely in the mahima section.
Just before Ghanshyam Maharaj was born there was so much evil around, each and every corner of this village had asuras. Dharmadev and Bhaktimata were the only ones in the village who were devoted to the Lord and did not get affected by adharma around them. Once the asuras found out they were performing many religious acts they would harass them. All the asuras were aware the almighty Lord supreme was able to take birth in the gaam of Chhappiya so they would do whatever they could so this would not happen. They would go into Dharmadev and Bhatimata’s house to take away any food they had or they would add meat in the food so they could not consume it. They both had to fast many times due to this and the suffering was unbearable to even witness. Even though they got all this unhappiness upon them they were still firm in their devotion to the Lord and never faltered all blamed the Lord for any sufferings they had to go through. How many of us would be able to suffer the pain Dharmadev and Bhaktimata had to bear? Would our faith stay as strong as theirs? Yet we make many excuses when it comes to perfoming bhakti even though everything has been handed to us on a plate. In Sarangpur Vachanamrut 16, Maharaj has said Nar-Narayan dev is doing thap for his devotees so they are kept sukhi (happy). So God Himself is going as far as helping us so why not help ourselves.
In Chhapiya there are 2 temples, one is above the janam sthan (birth place) where there is a murti of Ghanshyam Maharajin the Mandir. As you enter the main gate of the temple there is the main Mandir which has the murti of Ayodhyprasdji Maharaj, Ghanshyam Maharaj, Dharmadev and Bhaktimata. This makes up the middle singhasan. To the right of these murti’s is Harikrushna Maharaj, Baldevji and Revtiji. To the left of the middle singhasan is Vasudev Narayan, Kunjvihari and Radhikaji.
Mahima of Chhappiya according to Ghanshyamlilamrut sagar (14th Tharang):-
- All the devs pray to Maharaj to give them birth in Chhappiya
- There are countless tirths residing in Chhappiya
- The land of Chhappiya is considered the land of Akshardham
- Who ever travels around Chhappiya never gets affected by kaal, karma and maya
- Who ever believes in the mahima of Chhappiya never have the fear of yamdoots approaching them
- Whoever stays in Chhappiya for one night is freed from the cycle of birth and death. As well as this Akshardham is not far from him
One time during Chhappiya Dharmadev with his 2 sons Rampratap and Ghanshyam Maharaj went for bathing in Narayan Sarovar. Once they got there Dharmadev saw that the water is very little and the many animals and fishes living there will die without water. So he thought it will not rain for many months still and these species in the water will die from the heat. Ghanshyam Maharaj being all knowing knew what His father was thinking. So Ghanshyam Maharaj went in the middle of Narayan sarovar and put right big toes into the ground. All of a sudden water emerged from Patal (Lowest of world in this universe)in the form of Gangaand started to fill up. Dharmadev saw the water filling and thought what is happening here? Ghanshyam Maharaj said, ‘Father I knew your wish so I requested Gangaji to come from Patal to fill this sarovar. The water will keep filling until you wish. On hearing this Dharmadev became happy and said the water should fill until 3 dhanushya (measurement). Ghanshyam Maharaj waited for the water to fill until Dharmadev’s wish and then stopped the water filling. Once the sarovar was full many birds, fishes etc came to drink this water thinking it to be prashad given by Ghanshyam Maharaj. Ghanshyam Maharaj then shouted and said, ‘Dada! This parrot has come in the disguise of Sukhdevji for my darshan. The parrot heard this and came to sit near Ghanshyam Maharaj. Ghanshyam Maharaj picked up the parrot and stroked the feathers on its body. Ghanshyam Maharaj then told the parrot, ‘Sukhdevji, you must come into this Satsang and will be named as Shuminu. I will always keep you very close to me.’ Upon saying this Ghanshyam Maharaj let the parrot free. The parrot then disappeared and everyone was amazed to see this.
Ayodhya
Char dham yatra, pg 519 & Ayodhyani tirthyatra
Valmiki rushi in the Ramayan has greatly praised Ayodhya, which is the birth place of Lord Ram. Ayodhya was 12 yojan’s in length and 3 yojan’s in width. Dashrath raja performed many yagnas in Ayodhya. As he never had any sons he once performed the putrashtiya yagna, so he could attain a son. The fruits of this yagna enabled him to have a son and Lord Ram took birth at his palace, due to this birth Lord Ram performed many leelas allowing the village to be very kalyankari.
Sadguru Nishkulanand Swami has written in Bhaktachintamni the mahima of this great place. He states this is such a place with many Dev’s and Mandirs where everyday the aarti is heard far and wide. They perform utsavs with great devotion using many musical instruments such as the Zaaz, Mrudang, Shankh etc. In such a pious place Lord Ram took birth. This is a place of great vidhya (teaching), in such a place was where Ghanshyam Maharaj came to make a pious place even more sacred than it is.
Nishkulanand Swami further says as the age of 3 Ghanshyam Maharaj along with His family came to Ayodhya. Everyday Dharmadev use to go bath in the SaryuRiver and accompanying him would be Ghanshyam Maharaj. At the age of 5 Ghanshyam Maharaj would go and bath alone in the SaryuRiver. Ghanshyam Maharaj came to Ayodhya to make all the presents tirths more pious than ever before by visiting each and every tirth place in Ayodhya. As He went to each tirth place he would sing the greatness of it helping others see the greatness of this wonderful village. He would visit all these tirths everyday early in the morning and then would return home and then take food. This was a daily niyam and an example set by the Lord Himslef. Even though he is God of Gods he has done all this to set a strong example to us, yet we let laziness creep in and stray away from Maharaj. As maya (illusion) takes over we start forgetting the Lord as we get older.
The SwaminarayanMandir there has the murti of Radha Krishna and Harikrushna Maharaj. Just outside in the courtyard of the Mandir there use to be Ramanand Swami and Dharmadev and Bhaktimata’s house.
There are many darshan places in Ayodhya which Ghanshyam Maharaj visited which are listed below:-
- Ram bhagwan’s janma sthan
- Hanuman gadhi
- Kanakbhuvan
- Ratna singhasan
- Saryughat
- Anandbhuvan
- Kopbhuvan
- Nandi gaam (where Bharatji did thap)
- Suryaghat with a Suryanarayan Mandir present
- Govind dasji’s Mandir
- Ahalyabai’s Mandir
- Bhatteshvar Mahadev
- Mitai Shop (opposite SwaminarayanMandir)
- Laxmanghat
- Ramghat
- Jankighat
- Vidhakund
- Brahmkund
- Sitakund
- SaryuRiver (which Ghanshyam Maharaj crossed with His family from Chappaiya)
The main leelas that happened at Ayodhya that Ghanshyam Maharaj performed which are briefly described below:-
Ram Janma sthanShree Ghanshyam Maharaj
Once Dharmaseva and Bhaktimata went for darshan at the janma sthan of Lord Ram. Ghanshyam Maharaj had gone there with His parents. They did darshan of the small paraniyu of Lord Ram and Laxman with the poojari of the Temple gently swinging the paraniyu. Ghanshyam Maharaj had gone close to the paraniyu and the thakorji from the paraniyu opened His hands to Ghanshyam Maharaj and said ‘He prabhu, please take your place on this paraniyu.’ Instantly Ghanshyam took a second form of His self and one form went to sit in the paraniyu and the other form stayed beside Bhaktimata. The poojari saw this and was amazed at what had happened, so the thakorji from the paraniyu spoke and said ‘He poojari, this Ghanshyam Maharaj is none other than aksharadipati Purshottam Narayan and beside Him standing there are His parents Dharmadev and Bhaktimata. He has taken birth and has come to give moksha to all devotes that come into contact with him. So poojari please do pooja to Him’ Upon hearing this from the thakorji the poojari did pooja to Ghanshyam Maharaj, once the pooja was over the poojari started dancing. Upon seeing this bhaktibhav from the poojari, Ghanshyam Maharaj became very happy and got off the paraniyu and gave a garland to the poojari. How lucky mustthis poojari have been?
Anguthi leela
Once Ghanshyam Maharaj was very hungry so Suvasini bhabhi had said to wait a while and she will make some food. Just as she started she removed a ring from her finger. Ghanshyam Maharaj saw this ring and thought for a little while standing there. He then took the ring and got all his friends together and told them you always say the Ghanshyam doesn’t give us (mitai) sweets, so today I will let you eat as much as you desire. They all went down to the kandoi’s shop and Ghanshyam said give us some mitai, the kandoi said I hope you have money. Ghanshyam said I have this very nice looking ring. The kandoi took this ring looked at it and then gave mitai to Ghanshyam and His friends. Ghanshyam then said this is not enough we want more and you need to give us until we are happy. The kandoi looked at the ring again and thought this ring is worth a lot and I cant give it back. So he decided to give Ghanshyam as many mitai as he desired. Ghanshyam took the mitai to Saryu nadi and all His friends ate it at their hearts content.
Meanwhile the food was ready back home by Suvasini bhabhi, she shouted, ‘Oh Ghanshyam’ but there was no reply, She thought where must he have gone. She washed her hands and went to put her ring on but to find the ring was missing. It was just here a minute ago, this must be Ghanshyam up to mischief. Bhabhi was now upset and worried that her expensive ring was missing. She went and told Rampratapbhai, he got angry and pulled out a stick and went out looking for Ghanshyam. Rampratapbhai after searching far and wide came to Saryu nadi and saw Ghanshyam. Ghanshyam realised Rampratapbhai coming and told his friends ok now all of you go home and eat this mitai at home. Rampratapbhai came and asked Ghanshyam what is all this? Why are you here? Ghanshyam replied my friends called me here. Rampratapbhai asked where the ring had gone, Ghanshyam replied I don’t know. Rampratap then took Ghanshyam home.
When they reached home, Suvasini bhabhi went to Bhaktimata and said lovingly ‘Sut maat jashomati gori tare laal anguti chori maiya’. Your Ghanshyam has taken my ring. Bhaktimata asked Ghanshyam, have you taken the ring? Ghanshyam replied, No mother. ‘yeh bolat gvalan juthi, maiya mein nahi lini anguthi.’ Mother I have not taken the ring. Bhaktimata said where has it gone and who could have taken it from our house? Ghanshyam said I don’t know, I haven’t taken it. Bhabhi then said he is not telling the truth, I know he has taken it.
‘Sab kahat haye juthh kanya, sachi mat mano tum maiya’ Mother Ghanshyam he is making all this up, I just saw Ghanshyam’s friends go with mitai packets, when I asked where they had come from they told me Ghanshyam took us to the mitai shop to eat mitai and now we are going home. ‘Naam nishaan sahit unahi ne chor kaan kareya’ So I have proof you see. At that point Ghanshyam looked down and Bhaktimata took Ghanshyam and is saying, ‘Brahmanand kahe hasi jashomati, ab nahi aesi kareya. Sut aeso kaam na kije, chain vastu kabhu na lije.’ Bhaktimata is saying you shouldn’t do this, we have a lot in our house so don’t steal anything,
Rampratapbhai then went to the mitai shop to get the ring back and said give me the ring back, why did you take it from Ghanshyam. The kandoi said I took it in return I let Ghanshyam eat as much he desired. Now he has emptied my shop and I have nothing. The next day the kandoi went back and he found his shop full of mitai just like it was before Ghanshyam came. Not only that but his business grew very quickly. Even today this mitai shop can be visited just opposite the SwaminarayanMandir in Ayodhya.
Saryuganga does pooja
Ghanshyam Maharaj use to bath in the SaryuRiver everyday. But on this particular day was Ekadashi so with Ghanshyam were accompanied by Dharmadev and Rampratapbhai. The removed their clothes and went for bathing. At this point a beautiful lady dressed with beautiful clothes came out and it was none other than Saryu ganga herself. She went up to Ghanshyam did kumkum chandlo and then put a garland around His neck. All the devotees around the area were amazed to see this. Saryu ganga thought herself to be very luck to have let Ghanshyam bath in the SaryuRiver.
Yagnopavit leela
Dharmadev decided that it was time for Ghanshyam Maharaj’s yagnopavit sanskaar. So he decided to gather all his family members and asked them that he wants to do Ghanshyam’s yagnopavit sanskaar in Ayodhya, what do you all think? Everyone agreed and started preparing for it. They went to a pious pandit to find a suitable day.
‘Joy josh joshi boliya, varsh aatmu che aa anup
Maag sudi dashmi dine shubh muhrat che such roop’
The pandit decided the best day would be Maha sud 10. They invited learned Brahmins, the whole of Chhapiya and invitations were sent far and wide, ‘Come and attend our Ghanshyam’s yagnopavit ceremony.
All the relatives started coming and Dharmadev started accomdating them, mandap was then put up and the vidhi for a wearing a janoi was started. Once this was over the janoi was put on Ghanshyam by the vedic mantras spoken by the Brahmins and he was looking adorable. Once the vidhi was over it was time for Ghanshyam to obtain some biksha, he stood with a bag attached to a stick and was looking like a batuk brahmachari. He then went towards Bhaktimata who gave mitai, Suvasini bhabhi then gave him, Ghanshyam’s mami gave thaal. By the time you knew it Ghanshyam’s bag was full. He then offered all his bhiksha to his guru. At this time musical instruments are playing, all the ladies are singing kirtans and the Brahmins are saying the vedic mantras. The whole of Chhapiya has become joyful and everyone has announced JAY!!!
The last vidhi was left where Ghanshyam has leave home and Vashram mama is running behind him to catch him. But His mama could not catch him and so His mama sat down for rest. Ghanshyam Maharaj is still running ahead but then stopped and thought if I leave now who will do seva of my parents? He decided it was not an appropriate time to leave. So he let His mama catch him and took Ghanshaym back. All the relatives and Brahmins were fed and donations were given. All the vairagis in Ayodhya were fed and given gifts.
Hanuman gadhi
Hanuman gadhi is a very famous Temple which Ghanshyam Maharaj use to visit daily, the Ramayan katha was being read so after doing darshan Ghanshyam Maharaj sat to listen. Mohandas was reading the Ramayan katha and the mahima of Ekadashi and vrat came. Ghanshyam Maharaj thought Ekadashi is the highest of vrats but people are not practicing it. Ghanshyam is all knowing so knew that Mohandas did not do this vrat and thought it is not right that he reads the katha and does not practice the vrat. Ghanshyam thought I will give Him a niyam of doing the vrat.
While the katha of Ekadashi came Ghanshyam Maharaj asked Mohandas the Ekadashi vrat is mentioned in the Ramayan but why is it that no one perfoms this vrat? Mohandas replied, oh young child you won’t understand such things. The Ekadashi vrat is right but only is satyug. At that point by the wish of Ghanshyam Mohandas went into Samadhi (deep trance) where he ended up in Yampuri. There the Yam started beating Mohandas and saying you have just insulted our Lord. He is no normal child, ask for His forgiveness and start the vrat of Ekadashi. Mohandas came out of samadhi and fell at the feet of Ghanshyam and asked for forgiveness saying I will start this vrat today. Mohandas also told the whole sabha this is no one else but Lord Ram Himself. He told all to bow to Ghanshyam. Ghanshyam became happy and said if the vakta (the one does katha) improves himself then only will the shrota (listeners of katha)improve themselves.