Virpur: The tactics of the Swaminarayan sect monk to project Sahajanand Swami or Gunatitanand Swami as superior to Hindu deities and revered Hindu figures continue. Though Swaminarayan monks have faced backlash over such tactics and remarks, another statement from one more monk has once again sparked controversy. This time, Gyan Prasad Swami, a monk from the Swaminarayan sect, made a fictitious claim that Gunatitanand Swami blessed Jalaram Bapa for his Sadavrat (continuous charitable food service).

Addressing his followers about the baseless history of Gunatitanand Swami’s connection with Virpur, Gyan Prasad Swami stated, “Jalaram Bapa stayed at the Junagadh Swaminarayan Temple for a long time. Once, when Gunatitanand Swami arrived in Virpur, ‘Bhagat’ Jalaram got to know that Swami was here, so he went to receive Swamiji. Swamiji came and was pleased. Jalaram Bhagat then sought Swamiji’s blessing, saying that his only wish was for the Sadavrat to continue forever so that everyone who comes here receives food as prasad. Swamiji appreciated this noble thought and said, ‘But first, serve us food’ (પહેલા અમને તો જમાડો). Jala Bhagat was overjoyed and served dal baati to Swamiji.”

“After Gunatitanand Swamiji had dal baati, he was very pleased and blessed Jalaram Bapa, saying, ‘Jala Bhagat, your Bhandar will continue forever.’ Today, we see this Sadavrat, which has continued for 200 years—such is the power of Gunatitanand Swamiji’s blessings,” Gyan Prasad Swami further said.

Meanwhile, anger has emerged among the followers of Jalaram Bapa and the Raghuvanshi community over these statements. Bharat Chandrani, a descendant of Jalaram Bapa, responded to the issue, calling Gyan Prasad Swami’s claims baseless. He stated that Jalaram Bapa’s Sadavrat (charitable food service) has been ongoing for 205 years, a fact well known to everyone, and that no one supports any other claim. “Bapa used to chant Ram Naam and serve hungry people with food,” he added. Bharat also stated the fact that the only Guru Jalaram Bapa had was Guru Bhojalram of Amreli, by whose inspiration Jalaram Bapa started the practice of Sadavrat.

This particular claim has deeply hurt the sentiments of several followers of Jalaram Bapa and Sanatan Dharma, after which the monk has apologized for his baseless and fictitious remark. Several other saints from Saurashtra have also condemned the statement, calling it irresponsible and yet another loose statement against Sanatan Dharma. DeshGujarat

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