Nishkulanand Swami

Nishkulanand Swami ( निश्कुलान्द स्वामी) (1766–1848) was a saint of the Swaminarayan Sampraday.

Biography

Nishkulanand Swami was born to a Suthar family residing in a small village - Shekhapt. His parents were Rambhai and Amratbai and was named Lalji on birth. He grew up to be an expert at carpentry.

He became a follower of Swaminarayan after the passing away of his Guru-preceptor Ramanand Swami.

It is said that when Swaminarayan wished to leave this world, he informed Nishkulanand Swami 3 days in advance and asked to prepare a palanquin for his bier. Nishkulanand Swami prepared it during night only. When the Lord left the human body, all the other saints asked him to prepare a palanquin. He said, "It is ready" and brought it. Everyone asked him, "When Lord was alive, how did you prepare it?" He replied, "I am a heavy hearted obedient servant. Any damn or any hard order may be, I must obey it.

Works

He has composed a scripture named Bhakta Chintamani, describing the life history of Swaminarayan along with his sermons, his theory and the obstacles faced by him and his activities.

He has also composed twenty two other scriptures on various subjects (Purshottam Prakash, Yamdanda, among others). They are complied as Nishkulanand Kavya.

The swing with the twelve doors in the Vadtal Temple and the most artistic wooden thresholds in the inner temple of the Dholera Temple are a few of his works of art. In Gadhpur he used to display his art in diwali celebrations by presenting artistic plants and trees decorated with kindling lights and lighted canopy to cover the seat of Swaminarayan.