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Shree Jeenabhai

Jeenabhai was born in the small village of Panchala. His father was the famed Thakore Manubha, the Solanki Vaghela Rajput a descendant of the great King Siddhraj Jaisinh. He was born in S.Y. 1848. Thakore Manubha was a disciple of Ramanand Swami. Once, Ramanand Swami along with Nilkanth Varni came to Panchala in S.Y. 1858 to visit Thakore. Jeenabhai was blessed by both at that time.

After Swami's passing, Jeenabhai's love for Maharaj grew. His mother Gangaba and sister Adiba also became devoted to Maharaj.

Though of royal heritage, Jeenabhai was unaffected by this and was totally averse to sensual pleasures. His interest in Satsang multiplied. His income was spent in serving Maharaj and satsang. His deep attachment for Maharaj meant that he often used to stay with Maharaj to gain the bliss of association with him. In addition, he invited Maharaj and other Santo/haribhaktos to stay with him at least once a year in Panchala.

Jeenabhai was also proficient in the handling of affairs. And so Maharaj often instructed him to manage the organisation of Yagna's, congregations etc. which were a complete success in the hands of Jeenabhai.

He was himself very strict in his religious observances. Seeing the dedication of this Bhakta, Maharaj celebrated Fuldol (Holi) festival with great fanfare at Panchala in S.Y. 1879. Thousands of saints and haribhaktas attended and all were well catered for.

On the night of Purnima, Maharaj adorned rich golden clothes and Raas dance was enacted there to the pleasure of Santo/haribhaktos. Nine circles were formed. The inner circles consisting of Sants, followed by the Parshads and then the Haribhaktas. Maharaj took multiple forms to give all the pleasure of performing Raas with Maharaj next to them. What a sight!!

On the following day they gathered again for the sprinkling of colour. Purushottam Narayan Himself was sumptuously giving all present joy and divine bliss. Maharaj threw handfuls of gulal on the devotees. Huge storage tanks were filled with coloured water and Maharaj filled a syringe and sprayed the devotees. Maharaj then asked the saints to play and so they too enjoyed divine bliss of Maharaj spraying them. After playing to their hearts content they all went to the river to bathe.

The richest of meals were served at the celebrations. Maharaj himself served food to the saints. It was here also that Maharaj gave new directives to revive the tradition of keeping a small tuft of hair (chotli) and unveiled the Urdvapundra tilak mark for the Swaminarayan Sampraday to all devotees.