Among several devotees of Swaminarayan way of life Parvatbhai found special mention in the sermons delivered by Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan. On one occasion Shree Hari said: “As described in the devotional song Vishnupada the devotion practiced by Jheenabhai is marked by love and the same was the case of Parvatbhai and Mulji” (Vachanamrit Gadhada Last – 22).
In their curiosity to know who he was the Kathi followers expressed their desire to meet him and said to Shree Hari: “O Great Lord we would like to be introduced to the great devotee Parvatbhai whom you refer so often in your sermons.” To this Shree Hari replied: “We will certainly introduce him to you when we have an occasion to visit his village near the city of Junagadh.”
When with the group of Kathis along with Shree Hari visited Junagadh the Kathis asked: “O Great Lord, how far must be Agatrai from here?” Shree Hari answered: “It’s about 20 miles from here and tomorrow we will camp at his house.”
They all were at the residence of Parvatbhai the very next day.
After welcoming all the guests Parvatbhai spread a spacious wooden bedstead and sat with Him on it. As per the custom in India none could sit beside the Guru. Still wondering the Kathis asked: “O Great Lord, where is Parvatbhai?” Shree Hari then revealed: “Can’t you see? He is just sitting next to me.” This gesture alone is the testimony of Shree Hari’s fondness for this devotee.
Parvatbhai offered millets and dry grass to the Kathis as fodder for their horses. The Kathis squandered with it and wasted a lot of fodder. Shree Hari did not like this sloppy behavior and reminded the Kathis that they were guests and should act in more dignified manner. When kamsar (a sweet dish) was served, the ghee poured over it was not containable by the leaf plates.
Parvatbhai was very charitable in nature and Shree Hari recognized this by mentioning to the Kathis about the ten carts of food grain that Parvatbhai had given to a center that offered free food for the needy. To this Parvatbhai added: “And then after giving away all that food grains I was surprised to see that all our granaries were still full.”
Humility was his core character. Even though he was a rich landlord Parvatbhai himself tilled the land. Once while working on his farm he felt as if he saw the man-lion incarnation of God. Shree Hari knew what was going in the mind of his devotee and sitting from a great distance showed Parvatbhai all the 24 incarnations of God emanating from Him.
Even when applying himself to mundane tasks of daily life Parvatbhai was internally meditating and remained in touch with the omniscient. He carried the image of Shree Hari wherever he went. He routinely discussed about his thoughts and ideas with Mayaram Bhatt who was another close devotee of Shree Hari. The book Shree Hari Charitramitra Sagar accurately describes his pious journey.
On one occasion Parvatbhai was serving curd and bread while internally he was consumed in mental worship of Shree Hari. Suddenly he was motionless and in oblivion. His brother shook him and the curd fell from his hand. On learning about Parvatbhai’s religious veneration the brother freed him from all agricultural activities so that he faced no hindrance in his meditation.
One day Mayaram Bhatt reached Parvatbhai’s place to deliver a message from Shree Hari. Here Parvatbhai was nursing his dying son. The message from Shree Hari was clear. He wanted him to come to Gadhpur at once. Against the advice of Mayaram Bhatt he left immediately. On the way he learnt about the death of his son. He bathed in a lake, changed his dress and continued towards Gadhpur.
When Shree Hari inquired about the health of his sick son Parvatbhai said: “O Great Lord, he is now quite all right at your holy feet in Akshardham – Divine Abode of God.” Hearing this Shree Hari praised his absolute devotion.
As Shree Hari sat chewing some pieces of sugarcane He offered some of it to Parvatbhai. Declining this honor he said: “O Great Lord when you have prohibited all the saints from having sweets in any form, how can I enjoy alone these sweet pieces?”Shree Hari was pleased to hear this and at once He rescinded the prohibitory order for saints.
Dada Khachar, the ruler of Gadhpur once fell sick and remained bed-ridden for days. None except Parvatbhai agreed to nurse and care him. He did all kinds of jobs associated with a bed ridden patient.
Once Parvatbhai accompanied by his wife visited Shree Hari and stayed there for many days. Parvatbhai would not move away from Shree Hari at any time. The wife thought he must be dining with Shree Hari. Seven days later she learnt that her husband had fasted for all those seven days.
The piety of Parvatbhai was so pure that all the sixty-eight prominent holy places used to assume divine forms and come to pay their holy respects to him in order to be free from the sins left with them by sinners. On knowing this Parvatbhai’s son Meghjibhai who was on holy pilgrimage he returned home, cancelling tour.
During the marriage celebration of Meghijibhai all the ingredients for cooking remained abundant in supply. Shree Hari’s favorite horse Roza was decorated with golden ornaments and Meghijibhai rode it.
Parvatbhai’s brother Bhimbhai was also a great devotee. He prayed to Shree Hari to redeem all the sinners from the hell and Shree Hari asked Swami Swarupanand to blow the conch. And all the sinners from hell were redeemed.