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Words can significantly change a person’s thinking and emotions. Nishkulanand Swami’s extended family probably said a lot of things to discourage him; however, like a firm rock on the seashore frequently hit by strong waves, these words did not weaken his vairagya.
So, was he just some heartless person who showed no emotion? No, his vairagya meant fleeing the temptations of this world; but it also meant racing towards God.
Gunatitanand Swami has provided a unique definition of God’s murti in addition to the traditional type: katha, kirtan, varta and dhyan (Swamini Vato, 1.173). Nishkulanand Swami always connected himself to God’s murti in one of these forms throughout the day.
As a carpenter, he grabbed the opportunity to engage in any mode of devotion whenever he found free time during his working hours. Every night after work and dinner, he walked about 11 kilometres from his village, Shekhpath, to a shrine dedicated to Bhagwan Shivji. There, he would meet Mulji Sharma  who walked the same distance from Bhadra. They would spend the entire night discussing God’s greatness, and before the break of dawn, would walk back to their homes.
True vairagya is detachment from the world accompanied with spiritual wisdom and bhakti for God. Despite Nishkulanand Swami’s aversion for the materialistic pleasures, he never failed to offer gifts to Maharaj. How else could he have designed and constructed the ornate 12-pillared hindolo, or swing, in Vartal for Maharaj?
Furthermore, shastras written by Nishkulanand Swami, such as the Bhaktachintamani and Hari Smruti , explain Maharaj’s divine incidents in great detail. These narrations, amongst other things, in-clude vivid descriptions of the delicious food items served by Maharaj, along with the elaborate gar-ments and ornaments he wore. These sacred texts describe how to serve God throughout the day with different offerings.
All these writings seem to contrast his natural inclination for vairagya. Nishkulanand Swami avoided temptations; but if he was cornered by them, he fought courageously to avoid becoming attracted. Despite his detached state of mind, he expressed his devotion to Maharaj with various offerings.
Nishkulanand Swami had developed true vairagya. Today, the living example of true vairagya is the Ekantik Satpurush, Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
The only difference is that it is not a developed trait in him; it is an eternal quality. Whether Swamishri is near the panchvishays or far from them, he is always focused on Shriji Maharaj. The panchvishays have never tempted, cannot tempt, and will never tempt him. Moreover, those who truly connect themselves to Pramukh Swami Maharaj become free of all desires, and ultimately reach God.
