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Father: Sambhudan
Mother: Laluba
Birth Place: Khann (near Abu in Rajastan)
Born: Vasant Panchami 1828
Birth Name: Ladudanji
Caste: Brahmin
Ladudanji started studying at the age of seven by Pandit
Shiv Shankar Upadhyaya. His parents decided to send
their son to Bhuj for further studies as Bhuj was
recognised for its education. The parents were worried
how to send him as he was too young to go alone.
Ladudanji later went to Bhuj with a Brahmin. He
completed his study at the age of 28. After some
travelling in Gujarat, Ladudanji decided to find Lord
Swaminarayan which he heard while on his travels.
Ladudanji decided to test Lord Swaminarayan to see if He
is really Lord Supreme as described in scriptures.
Before Ladudanji had the chance to ask Lord Swaminarayan
the questions, He started talking about the journey that
Ladudanji had to Bhuj. Lord Swaminarayan also revealed
his lotus feet to Ladudanji and he realised he has met
the Lord Supreme himself.
Ladudanji remained at Gadhada for a while, where he met
Ebhal Khatcher and his daughters. Ebhal Katcher's
daughters Jeevuba, Laduba, Nanuba and Panchuba didn't
want to get married. Lord Swaminarayan asked Ladudanji
to persuade the girls to get married. Ladudanji relied
on his intelligence to persuade them. He thought he
could convince Laduba to get married but the reverse
happened. Laduba told him off for having one foot in the
world and one foot with Lord Swaminarayan (attachment to
the world or Lord Swaminarayan). Ladudanji decided to
become a saint all by the teaching of Laduba.
Therefore he was named "Shree Rang Das" because he got
his rang from 'Shree' Lakshmiji (Laduba), Diksha took
place in 1861. One morning Shree Rangdasji was singing
devotional songs. At the end, Lord Swaminarayan touched
the head of the poet and said "Oh Brahmanand you are now
drowned in an intoxication of Brahmin." Hearing the word
Brahmanand, Shree Rangdasji said "I like this name,
Shree Rangdasji does not suit to the poems." Lord
Swaminarayan approved the name and renamed Shree
Rangdasji as Brahmanand Swami. Brahmanand Swami was a
saint that could make Lord Swaminarayan laugh even if He
was in a bad mood. He supervised the building of 3
magnificent mandirs. These were Muli, Vadtal and
Junagadh.
Some time passed and in 1886 Lord Swaminarayan was ready
to return to his divine abode of Akshardham. Lord
Swaminarayan realised that He would not be able to leave
this world if Brahmanand Swami was present. Then, Lord
Swaminarayan received a letter from Gunatitananda Swami
at Junagadh which requested Lord Swaminarayan to send
Brahmanand Swami to solve a few problems in the
construction of a mandir. Lord Swaminarayan instructed
Brahmanand Swami to go and sort it out. While working on
the mandir Brahmanand Swami saw Baguji Bhagat coming.
Brahmanand Swami heard the news that Lord Swaminarayan
has left this world, he immediately went to Gadhada
where the Agni Sanskar was taking place of Lord
Swaminarayan. Gopalanand Swami consoling Brahmanand
Swami stated that Lord Swaminarayan would be ever
present with his astral body as He is Omnipresent.
Brahmanand Swami went straight to Gadhada mandir in
front of Gopinathji Maharaj. Lord Swaminarayan appeared
in front of Brahmanand Swami and garlanded him.
Brahmanand Swami realised that Lord Swaminarayan will
always reside in the Murtis of Himself.
Brahmanand Swami left this world on 10 bright half of
Jyesta in 1888. He lived for 60 years, 5 months and 5
days.
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