The Story of Harinarayan Ji
Harinarayan Ji was born in Maharashtra. His birth name was Neeraji.
His father, Narayanrao, gave him in adoption to his own brother, Anantrao, who had no children. It was Anantrao who named him Harinarayan Ji. After some time, Anantrao had a son of his own, and Harinarayan Ji became an unwanted presence in the house. He was despised and was eventually thrown out.
From childhood, Harinarayan Ji had a very simple nature. He had no interest in worldly affairs and was always immersed in thoughts of God. Because of this, people thought he was of no use.
After being cast out by Anantrao, Harinarayan Ji went to his biological father's house. But even his own father refused to take him in. However, his mother intervened and convinced him. She consoled Harinarayan Ji, saying,
'Do not grieve over your father's actions. When people are entangled in their own problems, they lose sight of right and wrong. True happiness lies in peace of mind. Peace can be attained only by renouncing worldly affairs.'
Once Harinarayan Ji started living at home, all responsibilities fell upon him. He was extremely kind and generous.
One day, while his parents were away on a pilgrimage to Kashi, he donated everything in the house to sanyasis and the poor. Upon returning, his father, enraged, threw him out of the house.
But true devotees do not fear or despair over such things. Harinarayan Ji prepared to leave for the forest.
By this time, he was already married. His wife was Annapurna. As Harinarayan Ji set out for the forest, Annapurna insisted on accompanying him.
Harinarayan Ji stopped her and said, 'Go back to your father’s house. You can live comfortably there. The forest is full of hardships and dangers.'
Hearing this, Annapurna wept and pleaded, 'Do not abandon me. If you must, then kill me, but do not send me away. I cannot live separated from you. Happiness and sorrow are the results of past karma. I am a part of you—your joys and sorrows are mine too. I have no other refuge. Please do not leave me.'
She fell at his feet, sobbing. Harinarayan Ji could not refuse her any longer.
The villagers regarded Harinarayan Ji as an incarnation of Sage Narada. Before leaving, he and Annapurna stayed under a tree in the village for three days, singing bhajans with the villagers. Annapurna donated all her jewelry to the poor.
On the fourth day, they bid farewell and left for the forest.
After visiting holy places like Kashi, Prayag, and Gaya, they arrived at a village called Jogai Che Aave. There, Harinarayan Ji left Annapurna in the village and built a small hut in the nearby forest to meditate.
After twelve years of intense tapas, Goddess appeared before him and said, 'Go to Narsimhapur. There, by the grace of Guru, you will attain divine realization.'
Obeying the divine command, Harinarayan Ji took Annapurna with him and set off for Narsimhapur.
One morning, during the Brahma Muhurta, he went to bathe in the river. As he was deep in meditation, a sudden flood swept through the river.
Harinarayan Ji was nowhere to be seen, and the entire area was submerged in water. Unaware of all this, he remained immersed in meditation.
At that moment, Sage Narada appeared before him, singing the Lord’s name sweetly. He awakened Harinarayan Ji from his meditation and bestowed divine knowledge upon him before disappearing.
His wife and the villagers were deeply worried about him, praying for his safety. The flood lasted for seven days.
On the eighth day, as the waters receded, the villagers searched for him. What they found was astonishing—inside a temple that had been submerged for seven days, Harinarayan Ji stood before the Lord’s idol, playing his veena and singing bhajans.
From there, Harinarayan Ji and Annapurna traveled to Pandharpur. There, the Lord embraced Harinarayan Ji and said,
'Your devotion has borne fruit. From now on, I will personally visit you on Harishayani and Prabodhini Ekadashi.'
Since then, Harinarayan Ji observed the Ekadashi fast with great devotion.
He also knew in advance when his end was near. With his permission, Annapurna left her body first.
At the time of his passing, the holy Ganga appeared before him at the very spot where he was seated. After bathing and offering prayers, he sat in yogic posture and attained samadhi.
Harinarayan Ji’s final resting place is in Benwadi, near Mumbai.
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