We read in Ghanshyam Charitra about Shirji Maharaj’s divine and miraculous childhood sports. After that Ghanshyam Maharaj renounced the world and sojourned in the forests. He was then known as Nilkanth Varni. He traveled to various pilgrim places in India for seven years. He undertook severe austerities. Finally he met Ramanand Swami who initiated him into the sadhu order and renamed him Sahajanand and appointed him as his spiritual heir. The account of the extraordinary life of the Lord narrated in Nilkanth charitra is based on the established scriptures of the Swaminarayan fellowship. For the convenience of readers a map indicating Nilkanth’s travels has also been incorporated.

Many interesting anecdotes found in the various accounts of Nilkanth’s life which may awaken the varied interests of youths and inspire them to higher spiritual endeavor are narrated here.

The present publication is a translation with slight modifications to suit the medium of the Gujarati book Nilkanth Charitra.

The book has been so designed as to serve part of the examination curriculum for youths. More specifically it is offered as a textbook for the second of the examination Satsang Pravesh in the series.

It is our earnest prayer that children youths and aspirants of knowledge will study these book carefully and pass the examination with flying colors and above all derive immense spiritual benefit and please Bhagwan Swaminarayan and our beloved Guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj.