“Bhakti devoid of ego is practiced only by a rare few like Ratanji and Miyaji; for most, the taste of pride is impossible to forsake.”
These words of praise, flowing from the lotus-like mouth of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan Himself, were for Ratanji, a native of Savarkundla. He was a sincere and humble Parshad who offered his entire life for seva. Ratanji served as another personal bodyguard of Maharaj. In the blooming years of his youth, he was colored by the hue of bhakti, which broadened his vision of gnan and brought divine grace upon him. The love for Bhagwan that arose from his devotion permeated his entire life, leading him to become an attendant Parshad to Maharaj. Ratanji would listen to the agyna of Maharaj and follow them word for word.
Once, devotees from a distant land came to Gadhpur for darshan. When they were ready to leave, Maharaj told Ratanji, “Go to the outskirts of the village to see them off. Stand at the outskirts once you get there.” Saying “Very well, Maharaj,” Ratanji walked with the devotees and said “Jay Swaminarayan” to everyone at the village boundary. The devotees continued their journey, but Ratanji remained standing right there and began chanting on his mala. Evening fell, yet he did not move from that spot. During the evening sabha, when Maharaj asked, “Why is Ratanji not seen?”, the other Parshads replied, “He has not returned since he went to see off the devotees.” Subsequently, by Maharaj’s command, two Parshads went to investigate and found him standing at the outskirts turning his mala. They brought him back.
Maharaj asked, “Ratanji, why were you standing there?” He replied, “Maharaj, it was Your command to ‘stand at the outskirts,’ so I stood there.” Maharaj smiled and showered him with flowers of praise, remarking on what a faithful follower of his word Ratanji was.
Ratanji was also present in the battle of Khabad and Mataro. In that fierce battle, Ratanji’s wrist was severed. He was immensely brave and earned boundless rajipo by serving Maharaj.