Brahmananda

Not to be confused with Brahmanand Swami or Rakhal Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda, First President of The Ramakrishna Order, Belur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India).

Brahmananad Swami (Devnagari: ब्रह्मानंद स्वामी) (12/02/1772–1832) was revered as a saint of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and as one of Swaminarayan's Paramahamsa.

Brahmanand Swami was born Ladudan to Gadhavi Shambhudanji Aashiya and Laluba Charan in Khan village, at the foot of Mount Abu, in sirohi district of Rajasthan in 1772.

At a young age in the royal court he sang poems in Gujarati. The Rana of sirohi, impressed with him, directed that he be taught Pingal (the science of constructing poetry) at the cost of the state. Hence Ladudan was well educated and later became a part of King of Udaipurs court. Ladudan learnt pingal and Sanskrit scriptures from Ladhaji Rajput of Dhamadka, becoming a scholar in Pingal, poetry and scriptures. Ladudan earned fame and wealth by visiting stately courts of Jaipur, [[Jodhpthers, which were impressed by his poetry.

Ladudan was in Bhuj where he had heard about Swaminarayan and went to meet him. Swaminarayan was addressing a gathering in Bhuj. Ladunan was attracted to him. Swaminarayan returned to Gadhada with the poet Ladudan. Ladudan lived a majestic and royal life as befitting a courtier. He was always clad in the most precious attire, adorned with jewellery fit for royalty. Swaminarayan did not like such a luxurious life style but instead of preaching directly he gradually persuaded Ladudan who became an ascetic. On the way from Gadhpur to Siddhapur, at a small village named Gerita, Swaminarayan stopped and administered Bhagwati Deeksha (initiation as sadhu) to Ladudan by giving sainthood name 'Shrirangdasji.' After some time, he renamed him as Brahmanand Swami. Brahmanand Swami used to sing bhajans and also created a mimic character and used to please Swaminarayan. Apart from these he had a very sharp memory and he was called shatavdhani, which means one who can answer 100 questions in the same sequence at the same time.

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