Day of the Meeting

Bishop Heber was a Christian missionary who toured North India and the regions around Calcutta during the 19th century. As a result of his travels, the religion spread extensively and many people were converted to Christianity.

Bishop Heber

In March 1825 CE, Bishop Heber came to Nadiad in Gujarat , where he met Mr Williamson, the British Government's Collector of Baroda. Mr Williamson told Bishop Heber about Lord Swaminarayan and about the social and religious reforms that He had instigated amongst the people of the region. Mr Williamson said that Lord Swaminarayan's work was quite remarkable. He continued, "I came to hear more about Lord Swaminarayan when He recently visited Baroda . He has a great popularity amongst the people. His teachings are far superior to the other Hindu scriptures. He preaches simplicity in life and high morality. Women are treated with respect and honour. Killing and stealing is strictly forbidden. His work has resulted in a social reformation in all the problematic regions in which He has worked. All these districts have become peaceful and the people have become law abiding."

Bishop Heber became eager to meet Lord Swaminarayan. He sent a message to Vadtal, where Lord Swaminarayan was presiding at the time, asking for an audience. Lord Swaminarayan sent some of His disciples with His response. He also sent prasad and flowers for the Bishop.

Bishop Heber looked at the six disciples that stood in front of him with folded arms. Each was from a different caste. One was even a Muslim. Yet each had a tilak and chandlo on their forehead. Bishop Heber was surprised to see that such a differing range of people, from such varying cultures, could live together. The Bishop asked, "Are you all disciples of Lord Swaminarayan?" One disciple replied, "We all are extremely fortunate to be disciples of the merciful supreme Lord Swaminarayan. He has taught us all to live together as brothers. We are all His children. We all live together in peace, in accordance with His commands." Bishop Heber was quite amazed to hear this and said, "Someone who can instil such decency and fraternity amongst the people must be special. When will Lord Swaminarayan see me?" The disciples replied, "Lord Swaminarayan will come to meet you in Nadiad on Thursday." The disciples paid their respects to the Bishop and returned to Vadtal.

Day Of the Meeting.

On the day of the meeting, Lord Swaminarayan travelled on horseback from Vadtal to Nadiad. Approximately 300 disciples, Sants and gruhasthas, accompanied Him. Bishop Heber eagerly awaited the arrival of the Lord. He was extremely impressed by the Lord's convoy. Bishop Heber welcomed Lord Swaminarayan and bowed down to Him. The Lord was offered a seat, and then everyone sat down around Him. Bishop Heber said, "Lord Swaminarayan, You have a large number of dedicated and faithful disciples. My bodyguards travel with me and look after me; but they do not know me nor do they have any affection for me. They are merely doing their job, for which they will get paid. In contrast, your disciples will willingly give their lives for You. They have a deep love for You. They have freely surrendered themselves to You. And yet, they receive no payment. What a difference there is between Your group and mine. What a contrast!" Lord Swaminarayan gently smiled in response.









Lord Swaminarayan travelled on horseback from Vadtal to Nadiad.

Bishop Heber then asked about the Lord's principles and philosophy. Lord Swaminarayan explained in great detail and then said, "There is only one true God. He has created this world. He sustains everyone and everything in the world. He lives in the heart of all those who have love, faith and dedication to Him. The incarnation of this God has appeared amongst the various different religions. One incarnation is for the Christians; one is for the Muslims." Speaking in the guise of an incarnation, Lord Swaminarayan continued, "The incarnation known amongst the people as Krishna or Surya, is Me." Hearing the Lord's talk, the Bishop felt a deep sense of attraction towards Him.

Lord Swaminarayan presented Bishop Heber with a murti of Himself and a copy of the Shikshapatri. Bishop Heber accepted these gifts, stood up and bowed down to Lord Swaminarayan.

The entire convoy then returned to Vadtal.