In the history of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, Sadguru Shree Shukanand Swami was a saintly figure who lived a significant life. Known as an accomplished writer and honored with the title of being the “right hand” of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan, he was among the most beloved saints of the Lord.
Swamishree was born in Samvat 1855 (1799 C.E.) into a pious Audichya Brahmin family living in the village of Dabhan. His childhood name was Jagannath. With his brilliant intellect, he made rapid progress in his studies in a very short time. From a young age, his nature was naturally inclined toward devotion to God. Consequently, by the command of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan, he developed deep affection and friendship with the saints residing in Dabhan for Sanskrit studies, which led him into the Satsang. He later went to Gadhpur to serve Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan. At the time of his initiation (diksha), Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan sent him to Sadguru Shree Muktanand Swami. Muktanand Swami initiated him and named him Shukanand. At that moment, Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan remarked that even Muktanand Swami recognizes that this soul is Shukdevji himself.
Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan remained extremely pleased with Shukmuni’s scholarship, saintliness, and writing style. Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan provided him with a room (ordi) right next to His own Akshar Ordi in Gadhada. There, Swami constantly performed the service of writing letters and scriptures for Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan. Once, pleased by his selfless and sincere service, Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan raised Swami’s hand in a sabha and declared that even if someone performs various austerities like Dharana-Parana or Chandrayana, they cannot equal Shukmuni. It is recorded in the Vachanamrut that this Shukmuni is a very great Sadhu, and from the day he joined the fellowship, his spiritual fervor has only increased and never diminished; therefore, he is like Muktanand Swami. In short, Swami’s spiritual endeavors were successful, and he earned the immense rajipo of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan.
In addition to his service, he contributed greatly to literature, composing seven scriptures in Sanskrit and nine in Gujarati. Once, while Swami was writing a letter in the presence of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan, the lamp went out. At that moment, Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan emitted rays of divine light from the toe of His right foot, allowing Swami to finish the incomplete letter. Sometimes, in a state of great joy, Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan would say, “We like three things very much: the saint from Dabhan (Shukanand Swami), the mango tree of Dabhan, and the oxen of Dabhan.”After Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan departed for Akshardham, Swami constantly longed for Him in the pain of separation. Despite this, he traveled from village to village, giving unprecedented strength to the devotees. To teach others to overcome bodily attachment (dehadhyas), Swami allowed illness to remain in his body for twelve years. Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan eventually showed grace and removed Swami’s fever. After enduring the pain of fever for twelve years, on Magshar Vad 5 Samvat 1925, he left his ailing body in Vadtal and returned to Akshardham