A spiritually perfected sadhu, Sadguru Shree Atmanand Swami (also referred to as Bhai Atmanand Swami), who earned the title of “Dharma murti” (the embodiment of righteousness) by maintaining flawless conduct for 117 years, was a native of the village Untval in the Marwar region. He was born in V.S. 1799 (1743 C.E.). He cultivated wisdom from childhood and, in his youth, left home with a clever plan and a deep yearning to meet Bhagwan through pilgrimages. He concluded his travels at the feet of the incarnation of Uddhavji, Sadguru Shree Ramanand Swami, and surrendered himself. Due to his past meritorious deeds, he found the association of Ramanand Swami, who recognized his inner worth, initiated him, and named him “Atmanand.”
This great sadhu, who performed continuous spiritual practice, had his first darshan of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan in the village of Jodhpur in Sorath. At the age of 60, this sadhu surrendered himself as a servant to the commands of the 21-year-old Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan
Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan used to praise his religious steadfastness immensely. He was also known as “Vachan murti” (one whose words were true). He remained perpetually and entirely detached from his physical body. Once, in a sabha, Maharaj asked, “Those who have never asked for anything for their body until today, please stand up.” At that moment, only this elder, senior sadhu stood up with folded hands. Nishkulanand Swami has noted:
Pachhi nath kahe sant shura, ama kon kathan vrate pura; Jeva che aa Atmanand, teva ho te bolo muni ind.
This translates to:
“Then the Lord addressed the brave saints, ‘Who among you is complete in observing strict vows? Those who are like Atmanand, speak up, O chiefs of ascetics.’”
Along with his religious steadfastness, his devotion to Bhagwan was so strong that at the age of 90, he walked from Dholera to Gadhada for his final darshan of Maharaj. Many divine accounts of Swami are written in the scriptures of the Sampraday. During the Shakotsav in Loya, Maharaj did not just praise him with words, but adorned him with physical flowers to express His pleasure, saying, “May everyone become like this Atmanand.” Nishkulanand Swami writes:
Ek vruddh sadhu vikar vina, nathni najre aviyo; Prasann thai pachhi pote tene, sundar swang paherāviyo.
This translates to:
“An old sadhu, pure and without fault, came into the Lord’s sight. Pleased, the Lord then adorned him in beautiful attire.”
Such a sadhu maintained his physical body for 117 years and rendered boundless service to the Satsang. Swami concluded his life’s mission in Vagad Jeth Vad 6 VS. 1916 (1860 C.E.). At that time, the entire Sampraday, including devotee Shivlal Sheth of Botad, felt the profound loss of an elder father figure.