Gunatitanand Swami (गुणातीतानन्द स्वामी)

Bhaktamal: Gunatitanand Swami
Real Name - Mulji Jani
Guru - Swaminarayan Bhagwan
Aradhya - Swaminarayan Sampraday
Born - 28 September 1784 (Sud Punam, Ashadhi Vikram Samvat 1841)
Place of Birth - Bhadra, Gujarat, India
Marital Status - Unmarried
Language - Sanskrit, Gujarati
Father - Bholanath
Mother - Sakarba Jani
Famous for - 1st spiritual successor of Swaminarayan (1830–1867) Mahant of Junagadh mandir (1827–1867)Gunatitanand Swami was the first spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He was the incarnation of Aksharbrahma, the best devotee of Parabrahma. He was the first Guru after Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He was the incarnation of Akshar, the greatest devotee of the Bhagwan and the divine abode (Akshardham).

Gunatitananda Swami had divine vision since childhood and he could see with his inner eyes what Ghanshyam (Bhagwan Swaminarayan) was doing in his childhood. Gunatitananda Swami continued to work under Swaminarayan and became a prominent member of the 500 Paramahamsa, a group of swamis respected for their spiritual knowledge and renunciation of worldly pleasures. He later gained fame as a preacher and summaries of his teachings were published under the latter title.

One of his legacies was the famous temple of Junagadh. He played a major role in its construction by serving as Mahant for 40 years, 4 months and 4 days. According to BAPS, Gunatitanand Swami had a central role in propagating the principles of Akshar Purushottam Upasana.

Founder and Successors
Bhagwan Swaminarayan
Gunatitanand Swami
Bhagatji Maharaj
Shastriji Maharaj
Yogiji Maharaj
Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Mahant Swami Maharaj