Revered elder Shri Narayan Ramji Limbani and his 6 friends got their bodies purified (Dehshuddhi) on the banks of the Godavari river at Nashik in 1908 AD. They abandoned the mixed (Khichdiya) Satpanth, embraced the pure Vedic Sanatan Dharma, and started a campaign for Sanatan Dharma against Satpanth.

On Samvat 1979, Jeth Sud-5, Date 20-5-1923, a total of 161 people from Dayapar village underwent body purification atonement in the presence of Narayan Ramji, abolished the terror of the tyrannical community leaders (Gedheras), bid farewell to the mixed Pirana Satpanth, and took initiation into the pure Vedic Dharma. Due to this unprecedented event of Sanatani awakening in Dayapar village, an extraordinary stir against Satpanth began in the surrounding villages as well. Youths and sisters (women) also started joining this fight. Many sensible sisters started the movement of religious awakening in their in-laws’ homes and their paternal homes as well.

The first echoes of this Sanatani movement fell on Paneli village. Since the brothers and sisters of Dayapar had undergone purification, the brothers and sisters of Paneli village were eager to leave Satpanth and adopt pure Vedic Dharma as soon as possible. It was no longer possible to wait. Their patience had come to an end. Finally, on Samvat 1979, Aaso Sud-10 (Vijaya Dashami), on the holy day of 18-10-1923, 16 families and 67 people of Paneli village underwent body purification atonement at the hands of Maharaj Shri Manishankar Ambalal Tripathi of Dayapar and embraced the pure Vedic Sanatan Dharma.

Because 67 people of Paneli village underwent purification, a huge outcry arose in the surrounding villages and among the Satpanthi leaders. They prepared to counter-attack with double the force. On one side was the entire Satpanthi community and on the other side, a handful of Sanatani brothers. What was there to say then? The oppressors and schemers of Satpanth started harassing them. Threats of excommunication from the caste and harassment began to pour in. However, these 67 people were so intoxicated with Sanatan Dharma that they clearly told the leaders that no matter how much you harass us, we will not leave Sanatan Dharma.

This incident in Paneli village caused a stir in the neighboring village, Valka Mota. Khetabhai Jivraj Pokar was the Mukhi (Head) of the Khana (religious seat) of Valka village. That Kheta Mukhi’s daughter, Kankubai, was married to Patel Ramji Raja Nathani of Paneli village. Kankubai’s father was the village Mukhi. Despite being the Mukhi’s daughter, Kankubai stood by her husband, abandoned the hypocritical Pirana Satpanth, and embraced the pure Vedic Dharma; therefore, Kheta Mukhi’s associates instigated him. They explained that if the Khana Mukhi’s daughter joins the reformers, his twenty-one generations would go to Dozakh (Hell). Convincing him thus, they advised Kheta Mukhi to persuade his daughter and told him to spend whatever amount from the Khana’s funds was necessary for this task, adding that they would also help him.

Hearing such talk, Kheta Mukhi got more intoxicated with religious frenzy. He called Kankubai and tried to persuade her. Despite much persuasion, Kankubai did not budge. Finally, he started scaring, threatening, and harassing Kankubai. But, her name was Kankubai! She clearly told her father Kheta Mukhi that I will remain in the pure Sanatan Dharma with my husband only. No matter how much you harass me or cut my body into pieces, I am not going to return to your sinful sect. Even if the sky and earth merge, my resolve is firm. How long could the power of the sinful Pirana Panth last before such a majestic, firmly determined heroine (Virangana) Kankubai?

In the end, Kankubai’s father, Kheta Mukhi, became helpless and declared his daughter and son-in-law dead, performed a ritual bath in their name in their presence, and took back the jewelry given by him from Kankubai. Kankubai then said, “Not only the jewelry, but I am also returning the clothes you gave me, and if that does not satisfy you, the clothes I am wearing right now were also given by you; I will take them off right now and return them to you.” Kankubai immediately threw away the clothes she was wearing and said that from today, the water of your house is forbidden to me. Saying this, with flowing tears, she broke all ties with her paternal home for the sake of the holy Vedic Sanatan Dharma. Blessed are the revolutionary thoughts of the holy Kankubai who showed firmness and bravery during such a tragic occasion. Only a poet’s pen can describe the sacrifice these noble women have made for Vedic Dharma.

Many such revolutionary, brave noble women have dedicated their lives to Pujya Narayan Ramji Limbani’s Sanatani movement. Today’s generation needs to gain understanding from this.

Exactly 10 years after this incident in Paneli village, in Samvat 1990, since the establishment of Meghpar (Taluka Lakhpat) village in 1934 AD, this Ramji Raja Nathani family has lived in Meghpar village. The heirs of this family currently reside in Kosamba (Gujarat), and even today, the heirs of this family possess the same passion for Sanatan Dharma.

Reference: Pirana ni Pol