Birth Place Nature had blessed the village of Mahelav with all its profuse wealth of lush vegetation,

birds, fresh water, serenity and fertile soil. The advent of spring cloaked the village in a thousand colours and sweet fragrances. It was a perfect setting for a special, auspicious occasion.

Birth Dhoribhai and Hetba, were profound devotees of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya (Fellowship). By the wish and blessings of Lord Swaminarayan, Dungar Bhakta (later Shastriji Maharaj) was born to them in Mahelav in 1865 (Samvat 1921, Vasant Panchmi) His mother, Hetba, experienced divinity in her new born child. As days passed by the village folks of Mahelav were attracted by the divine magnetism of Dungar Bhakta.

Blessings of Gunatitanand Swami Mul Aksharbrahm Gunatitanand Swami always stopped by in Mahelav each year while on his way to Vadtal. On one such occasion, Mathurbhai, the eldest son of Dhoribhai, brought the one-year old Dungar Bhakta to Gunatitanand Swami. The Swami placed his hands on Dungar Bhakta as a sign of blessing and prophesied, "This child will become a sadhu and spread the supreme glory of Lord Swaminarayan."

Divine Trance During a marriage function in the family, two-year old Dungar Bhakta became absorbed in a divine trance. On seeing her lifeless child, Hetba began to grieve. But several hours later, when Dungar Bhakta awoke, his mother, father and relatives experienced a glow on his face and a divine presence in their midst. A few years later Hetba, who had lovingly raised her child, passed away. Then, the responsibility of rearing him fell upon his loving father.

Divine Childhood Sports When other children of his age played games, Dungar rejoiced in making mandirs out of sand and mud. He installed the murti of the Lord, offered a feast (Annkut) and performed arti. At the age of six, Dungar remained firm in observing Ekadashi fast despite the persuasion of his relatives. When Dhoribhai, his father, read stories from the Ramayan and Mahabharat, Dungar would listen with rapt attention, and get absorbed in the Lord's divine form.

Faith and Fearlessness Once, in the middle of night Dungar Bhakta undauntingly set out to his farm. Chanting the name of Swaminarayan and a staff in hand he walked through the dark, eerie path. When Dhoribhai saw him arrive alone he asked in surprise, "Weren't you afraid of the ghosts on the way?" Dungar Bhakta replied bravely! "Had you not said that one who chants the holy name of Swaminarayan is accompanied by Maharaj. So I have brought Maharaj with me." Sometimes when Dhoribhai asked Dungar to help him in farming the land he would reply, "If you talk about God's greatness then I will work and help you in whatever you say." His spiritual inclination was further revealed through his regular visits to the mandir in Vadtal on Ekadashi and Punam.

Signs of Scholarship The young Dungar Bhakta's love for spiritual learning was immense. He was often found reading discarded manuscripts of Vachanamrut on the verandah of the assembly hall.

Schooling Dungar Bhakta began his first year of academic learning. He was highly intelligent and resolved to stand first in class. During this time a group of Swaminarayan sadhus arrived in Mahelav. Dungar Bhakta served them and studied the holy scriptures of Vachanamrut, Bhaktachintamani and the Shrimad Bhagvat from them. And along with his rapid pace of academic progress, Dungar Bhakta's spirit of renunciation also increased.

Remains Unenticed The wealthy Ravjibhai Patel of Mahelav was impressed by the illustrious ten-year old Dungar Bhakta. Whenever he saw him go to school he desired to adopt him as his son. Once he asked him, "Dungar, if you stay with me I will educate you in an English school in Petlad and make you an officer of the British government." But Dungar Bhakta rejected the proposal, saying, "Of what use is education that makes one dependant! I want to become a sadhu and a pundit and teach Brahmavidya to others." Dungar Bhakta was virtuous and talented.

Stunning Performance A pundit was delivering a discourse on the epic Mahabharat in the village square. Midway, the narrator passed away. At the insistence of all, eleven-year old Dungar Bhakta continued the narration in a fluent, scholarly manner. While he discoursed, he skillfully played the maan (a brass pot). The village folks were simply stunned by his unique performance and lavished praise on him. As time passed by, regular visits of senior sadhus from Vadtal saw the flourishing of Satsang in Mahelav. Through the spiritual company of Adbhutanand Swami, Dungar Bhakta's wish to become a sadhu was strengthened. He thus began his quest for a powerful Guru. His relatives however, on learning of his resolve to become a sadhu, tried to dissuade him with their love and affection.

At the Feet of the Guru In 1881 on Chaitra Punam, in Vadtal, Dungar Bhakta met Sadguru Vignananand Swami - a senior sadhu initiated and blessed by Lord Swaminarayan. He accepted Vignananand Swami as his guru and decided to go with him to Surat. But he was stopped by his relatives. A few months later he ran away to Surat, but Dhoribhai brought him back. From then on he was banned from going to Vadtal.

A Yogi At sixteen, Dungar Bhakta ran away to Vadtal. There, the Acharya, Viharilalji Maharaj, asked him, "What have you learnt from Vignananand Swami?" Dungar Bhakta sat in a swastik asan and performed the rosary. His calm and composed manner pleased the Acharya, who then instructed all the sadhus and devotees to chant in such a manner. Dhoribhai arrived at Vartal and took Dungar Bhakta back home. His anguish at being taken back was unbearable. Dungar Bhakta felt like a fish out of water. But the intensely attached Dhoribhai failed to understand his son.

Turning Point When Dhoribhai was taking him back to Mahelav, Dungar Bhakta convincingly preached to his father about the transitoriness of the world. His voice echoed with renunciation and thus pierced the heart of Dhoribhai. The stubborn father broke down in a stream of tears and realized the glory of his son. Soon Dhoribhai and his family happily permitted Dungar Bhakta to renounce and accept the saffron order.

Renouncing Home In 1882, in the month of Magshar, Dungar Bhakta was permitted to renounce home. With the blessings and good wishes from Dhoribhai and his relatives, Dungar Bhakta left for Vadtal. On arriving at Surat he prostrated before Vignananand Swami and received his blessings. By the wish of Vignananand Swami, Dungar Bhakta was enjoined in the services of the mandir. He also began the study of scriptures from his guru.

Daily Chores Dungar Bhakta happily became engrossed in his daily chores. During a festival at the Swaminarayan mandir in Vadodara, he got into and scrubbed giant utensils. Many were simply amazed by his spirit of service.

Bhagwati Diksha During a grand yagna in 1883, Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj initiated Dungar Bhakta into the saffron order. He was then renamed as Swami Yagnapurushdas. On returning to Surat, he remained in the personal service of his guru. Whenever time permitted he also concentrated on his scriptural and Sanskrit studies. Soon, he enthusiastically participated in the various services and administrative duties of the Swaminarayan mandir.

A God-communion Guru Pragji Bhakta had arrived in Surat for the consecration ceremony of the murti of Ghanshyam Maharaj. Once, he was stitching a cloth and discoursing to an assembly of devotees. Swami Yagnapurushdas was perplexed as to how he could do so many things at the same time. When Pragji Bhakta answered his query, Yagnapurushdas was impressed by his divine personality. Then through Pragji Bhakta he came to hear about the philosophy of Akshar and Purushottam. Swami Yagnapurushdas was further convinced of this when Vignananand Swami vouched for it.

Divine Darshan During the consecration ceremony of the murti of Ghanshyam Maharaj in Surat, Lord Swaminarayan appeared from the murti and gave darshan to eighty devotees. Swami Yagnapurushdas wished to have the divine darshan of the Lord. For eight hours he sat in single-minded concentration, chanting the name of Swaminarayan. And Lord Swaminarayan appeared before him in His divine form, took hold of his hand and led him to the mandir. Swami Yagnapurushdas experienced divine peace in his heart and prayed to the Lord to be always with him. The Lord smiled and answered, "I am forever with you."

Other Events in Brief Then Swami Vignananand passed away.

Swami Yagnapurushdas developed a reverent love for Pragji Bhakta and desired for his spiritual communion. On festival occasions he got the opportunity of Pragji Bhakta's spiritual company.

Swami Yagnapurushdas (Swamishri) became convinced of the truth of Akshar and Purushottam and started to spread the new gospel. Swamishri inspired Satsang through his tour of villages. And whenever an opportunity came his way, he availed himself of the presence of Pragji Bhakta and his disciples - Swami Vignandasji and Swami Mahapurushdasji. Pragji Bhakta's sadhu disciples were respected by all because of their saintliness. In Bhadrod, they were blessed with divine joy from Pragji Bhakta.

After completing his studies in Sanskrit grammar, and Sanskrit literary works like Kirat and Raghuvansh, Swamishri started Gita Bhashya (commentary). In 1891, Swamishri travelled in the villages of Dabhoi and Mandala and preached the Akshar Purushottam philosophy. Scriptural Studies In 1893 Swami Yagnapurushdas began his higher studies in Sanskrit and scriptures in Vadodara. The tutor, Shastri Rangacharya, was a learned scholar of the Madhwa school. He was impressed by the Swami's memory and grasping power. During this academic period, Swami Yagnapurushdas explained the Navya Vishishthadvaita philosophy of Lord Swaminarayan to Rangacharya. He also preached that Parabrahman and Brahman have a divine form (divya sakar) and Pragji Bhakta is the manifest form of Brahman. In the same year, Swami Yagnapurushdas took his guru, Rangacharya, for the murti-pratishtha ceremony at Laxmivadi in Gadhada.

Unique Personality The murti-pratishtha ceremony at Laxmivadi took place in 1893. Thereafter, a prestigious assembly of scholars was held in the presence of Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj. Mahidhar Shastri, an eminent scholar of the Saurashtra region, challenged the gathering to a debate. But no one dared confront such a renowned scholar. Eventually, Swami Yagnapurushdas volunteered and defeated Mahidhar Shastri. Pandit Rangacharya declared to the assembly that Swami Yagnapurushdas was unique and the only one of his kind in the entire Swaminarayan Sampradaya.

Other Events in Brief Because of Swami's sharp intelligence Rangacharya enthusiastically taught him Sanskrit grammar, Nyaya and commentaries on the Bhagvad Gita. The Swami's opponents could not tolerate his rising fame. They had his studies halted and Swami got an order to preach in the villages. Once, while Pragji Bhakta was in Ahmedabad, Swami Yagnapurushdas came for darshan. In a large assembly of devotees he composed Sanskrit verses and revealed the greatness and glory of Pragji Bhakta. In Vadodara, Swami explained the truth of the Akshar and Purushottam philosophy to Jethabhai of Pij (later Nirgundas Swami).

After celebrating the Jaljilni festival in Gadhada, Swami went to Rajkot for further studies by the wish of Pragji Bhakta and Acharya Maharaj. Here, another profound scholar, Jivanram Shastri, started to teach him the Sutra bhashya. The youths of Rajkot Satsang center were attracted by the discourses of Swami Yagnapurushdas. Whenever time permitted, the Swami visited Junagadh and availed himself of Jaga Swami's spiritual presence.

Blessings of Jaga Swami Out of envy and intolerance to the growing fame of Jaga Swami, some sadhus in Junagadh convinced Jibhai Kothari to forbid him from discoursing. On hearing this, Swami immediately travelled to Junagadh and personally spent a whole night explaining to the Kothari about the greatness of Jaga Swami. On realizing the truth, Jibhai repented, retracted his order and apologized to Jaga Swami. The latter was immensely pleased at Yagnapurushdas and blessed him, "From now on I grant you whatever punya (merits) I attain through my good deeds."

Other Events in Brief In 1897, during a discourse session, Swami Yagnapurushdas brilliantly narrated and explained the Satsangijivan scripture. The audience was stunned by his style and rhetoric. At the end of the session, when someone abused Pragji Bhakta and Jaga Swami's status, the Swami roared like a lion and defeated his statement. Swami Yagnapurushdas then entered into a phase of advanced scriptural study. He studied the Ramanuj commentary on the Brahmasutras and Gopalanand Swami's exposition on the Gita from Jivanram Shastri. During this period of study he convinced Jivanram Shastri, an Advaita follower, about the truth of Ramanujacharya's Vishishtadvaita philosophy. The mentor, impressed by Swami's scholarship and saintliness, became a devotee. In 1897, a grand Janmashtami festival was celebrated in Junagadh. Through the efforts of Swami Yagnapurushdas, Pragji Bhakta was accorded a magnificent welcome. Pragji Bhakta profusely blessed Yagnapurushdas in Gondal, saying, "You have completed your scriptural studies, and I have thoroughly taught you Brahmvidya. So now teach others to live blissfully as you have learnt to do yourself." The passing away of Pragji Bhakta in 1898 cast a pall of gloom and misery over Swami Yagnapurushdas. In this sorrowful state, Pragji Bhakta appeared before the Swami, and placing a garland around his neck, said, "Have I left you? I am always with you!" These words reflected the presence of Lord Swaminarayan through Swamishri. Jaga Swami consoled and reassured Swami Yagnapurushdas that he would call him to his service at the time of his final illness. The senior sadhus appointed Swamishri to conduct a discourse on the Satsangijivan scripture in Una. Everyone was pleased by his discourses.

Sayajirao Gaeikwad of Vadodara Maharaja Shrimant Sayajirao Gaeikwad, ruler of Vadodara, was relieved of his son's death on meeting Shastriji Maharaj at Bochasan. Swamishri's tireless travels in Gujarat and Saurashtra inspired thousands of aspirants to the Akshar Purushottam fellowship. He conducted discourses at Radhu, Rajkot, Thasra, Nagasar, Chansad, Borsad, Gana, Ashi, Indore, Jabalpur, Jaipur, etc. The first seeds of Sastang were sown in Mumbai. In Gondal, some land and the memorial shrine dedicated to Gunatitanand Swami (Akshar Deri) was acquired for the purpose of constructing a new mandir. The ground-breaking ceremony for the mandir was performed. During a 7-day discourse in Rajpur (Uttar Gujarat), Swamishri blessed Harmanbhai to spread Satsang in East Africa.

Gondal Murti Pratishtha Festival The construction of Akshar Mandir at Gondal became a banner of victory for Swamishri. The murtis of Akshar-Purushottam were installed in the mandir amidst rejoicing by thousands of sadhus and devotees with due solemnity. After this Swamishri never looked back in his effort to propagate the Akshar-Purushottam creed with the blessings of Lord Swaminarayan. Shastriji Maharaj discoursing on Satsangijivan in Ahmedabad in 1936 (Samvat 1992) Thousands of aspirants attended Swamishri's discourse on Satsangijivan.

Gulzarilal Nanda, a prominent public figure and Labour Leader of India, was among those who were attracted to the discourses. Discourses were held in Mumbai and at Bilara village of Rajasthan. The ground-breaking ceremony for the mandir at Atladra took place.

Discourses were organized in Mumbai, Bhadran, Nadiad, Babra, Chachana, Amdavad and Surat, etc.

Shastriji Maharaj in Surat and Mumbai

Shastriji Maharaj with Narayanswarupdasji at Surat after the conclusion of a 7-day discourse.

A yagna was conducted at Gondal mandir.

For the first time in the Satsang Fellowship the sadhus and thousands of devotees celebrated Shastriji Maharaj's 80th birthday in Bochasan.

Murti Pratishtha festival at Atladra mandir. In 1944 (Samvat 2000, Ashadh Sud 3) the Murti Pratishtha at Atladra mandir was yet another brilliant achievement of Swamishri. He was greeted and felicitated by thousands of devotees on the happy occasion.
In 1950 (Samvat 2006, Kartik Vad 11), in the presence of Shastriji Maharaj, the foundation stone lying ceremony for the mandir in Gadhada was performed by Krishnakumar Sinhji, the former Maharaja of Bhavnagar. In 1951, during his final illness, Shastriji Maharaj went to Gadhada. He bathed the murtis of Akshar and Purushottam in the sacred waters of the River Ghela, placed the janoi, applied kumkum, offered garlands and performed the arti.

Appointment of Narayanswarupdas as President In 1950 (Samvat 2006, Jeth Sud 4) Shastriji Maharaj appointed 28-year-old Narayanswarupdas (Pramukh Swami) as his successor for executing the administrative duties of the Sanstha. The ceremonial function for the appointment as President was carried out by Shastriji Maharaj at Amlivali Pole in Ahmedabad. On that eventful occasion he said, "Just as Sadguru Ramanand Swami had appointed the young Shriji Maharaj as his successor, so do I also hereby appoint Sadguru Shastri Narayanswarupdas as the President in my place. Though young in age, he is mature in virtues. I therefore, call upon all sadhus and devotees to cooperate with him in bringing glory to this responsible office. From now onwards, obey Sadguru Shastri Narayanswarupdas in the same way as you have obeyed me."

"I am Yogi and Yogi is Me" At 86 years of age, Shastriji Maharaj's health began deteriorating. When Yogiji Maharaj was in Ahmedabad and asked for Swamishri's permission to go to Gondal, Shastriji Maharaj replied, "Now Maharaj will shortly take me. Therefore, I am placing Narandas (Pramukh Swami) under your care. I am also entrusting all these mandirs to you. Please look after them all." The next day Shastriji Maharaj remembered Yogiji Maharaj, "Oh Yogi is indeed Yogi, a real Gunatit soul. It is impossible to find an equal to Yogi" Shastriji Maharaj had also declared that, 'There is not an iota of difference between myself and Yogi. All of you should obey Yogiji Maharaj I am Yogi and Yogi is me." Shastriji Maharaj left his mortal frame in Sarangpur in 1951 (Samvat 2007, Vaishakh Sud 4). Yogiji Maharaj continued the spiritual work of Shastriji Maharaj.