His name was Ladudanji, born in the dusty village of Khan in the Shirohi district of Rajasthan. He was a charan (bard). Composing and singing poetry came as second nature to him. After graduating in Bhuj, his expertise in poetry and other arts was recognized by the royals of Bhuj, Dhrangadhra, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Junagadh and other places. He was hailed as the best poet and honoured with titles like Rajkaviratna, Pingal Vidyacharya, Maha Mahopadhyaya, Mahakavishvar, Shatavdhani and many more.

Once, Ladudanji visited Bhavnagar. He came to the royal court of King Vajesinh. There, he brilliantly sang verses in praise of the King. The King and his courtiers were impressed by his performance. Instantly, Vajesinh decided to honour him from head to toe with gold ornaments. The King’s goldsmith was summoned to take measurements of Ladudanji and make the ornaments. On meeting the goldsmith, Ladudanji was surprised to see a tilakof chandan and a round chandlo of kumkum on his forehead.

The bard asked what it was. Vajesinh explained, “That question keeps troubling me, too. A person called Swaminarayan has recently come to Gadhada. The Kathis say that he is Bhagwan. But I think he is a fraud. If you can go and test him, I am sure he will be exposed.”

The bard was young, intelligent and famous. With all these qualities, who would not be arrogant and confident! Ladudanji accepted the challenge, and he left for Gadhada. On the way he said to himself, “Today, I shall expose Swaminarayan to be false.”

But, something amazing started to happen to Ladudanji as he came nearer to Gadhada. His mind became entangled in doubt, “Supposing if Swaminarayan is truly God!” Then the next thought that came to him was how to decide whether he was God. So, he made four wishes: “If Swaminarayan is God then: 1. May he call me by my name, 2. May he remove the garland of roses from his neck and place it around mine, 3. May he reveal to me the 16 holy marks on his feet and 4. May the Shrimad Bhagavat shastra be covered in black cloth and be read before an assembly.”

The royal bard beamed with a sly smile because he knew that his four wishes were impossible to fulfil. When Ladudanji entered the village of Gadhada he experienced peace in his heart. Soon, he entered the courtyard of Dada Khachar. An assembly was in progress beneath the neem tree. Ladudanji observed that the Shrimad Bhagavat, covered in black cloth, was being read. Maharaj was wearing a rose garland around his neck. Before the poet could come to terms with what he was seeing, Shriji Maharaj called him by name, “Come Ladudanji!” Then Maharaj introduced him to the assembly, giving details of his achievements and where he had come from. After that Maharaj put the rose garland around Ladudanji’s neck. Maharaj then stretched his feet and showed to him the 16 holy marks. Thus, in no time, Maharaj fulfilled all the four wishes of Ladudanji. He felt happy and convinced that Sahajanand Swami was God. He broke out singing, “Ājni ghadi re dhanya ājni ghadi, me nirkhyā Sahajānand dhanya ājni ghadi.” (“This moment is most fortunate and precious because I have seen Sahajanand Swami.”)

The flood-gates of his heart opened up, gushing with love and respect for Shriji Maharaj. Like a salt-doll that dissolves while measuring the depths of an ocean, Ladudanji, too, got lost in Maharaj’s divinity. He thus renounced all his riches and honours to become a sadhu. He was named Shrirangdas Swami. Later, he came to be known as Brahmanand Swami.

How glorious and great Shriji Maharaj is! He is all-knowing – aware of what everyone is thinking and doing!