A Textbook of the Satsang Examinations Series: 10

PRAGJI BHAKTA
(BHAGATJI MAHARAJ)

Gujarati Text: Sadhu Ishwarcharandas

Translation: BAPS Sadhus

Swaminarayan Aksharpith
Ahmedabad

Pragji Bhakta (Bhagatji Maharaj)

A short biography of Brahmaswarup Bhagatji Maharaj

First Edition: April 1978

Second Edition: March 1985
Third Edition: November 1993
Fourth Edition: July 2004
Fourth Edition 1st Reprint: May 2009
ISBN: 81-7526-260-5
Copies: 5,000 (Total Copies: 13,000)
Price: Rs. 25.00

Copyright: Swaminarayan Aksharpith

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or
reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in
writing from the publisher, except for brief quotations embodied
in reviews and articles.

Published & Printed By :

Swaminarayan Aksharpith
Shahibaug Road, Ahmedabad-4,
Gujarat, India.
Websites: www.swaminarayan.org
www.akshardham.com
www.mandir.org
kids.swaminarayan.org

BLESSINGS
The youth movement established and nourished by
Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj has been expanding at a very rapid
pace. With a view to satisfying the aspirations and the thirst for
knowledge of the youth joining the organization, and also to
enable them to understand and imbibe the principles of Akshar
and Purushottam expounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the
publications division, Swaminarayan Aksharpith, organized under
the auspices of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam
Swaminarayan Sanstha, has produced a series of books.
Through these books, it is intended to impart systematic,
sustained and pure knowledge in simple language on a scholastic
basis to children and youth of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It is
hoped that this Sanstha, established by Brahmaswarup Shastriji
Maharaj for implementing and propagating the Vedic ideals
propounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, will, through this
activity, spread the ideals and noble traditions of the Sampraday
and through it, the culture and heritage of the Hindu religion.
It is the aim of this project to preach and spread the divine
message of Bhagwan Swaminarayan to all corners of the world.
We hope that all religious-minded truth-seekers of the Sampraday,
and those outside of it, will welcome this activity and be inspired
by its universal principles and ideals.
In order to encourage children and youths, annual
examinations are held based on the curriculum presented in these
books. Certificates are also awarded to successful candidates. We
bless Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, Prof. Rameshbhai Dave,
Kishorebhai Dave, and all others who have cooperated in
preparing these books.
Vasant Panchmi
Vikram Samvat 2028
(1972 CE), Atladra

Shastri Narayanswarupdasji
(Pramukh Swami Maharaj)
Jai Swaminarayan

PUBLISHERS NOTE
Purna Purushottam Shri Sahajanand Swami out of compassion
and grace incarnated on this earth. During his life on earth, he
inspired many to attain the highest spiritual state. The lives of
these sadhus, and male and female devotees serve as an example
for all on how to worship God and attain his divine bliss. Shriji
Maharajs work has been continued by the lineage of God-realized
Sadhus he established. Spiritual seekers who have associated with
them have also attained the ultimate spiritual bliss.
This publication, Pragji Bhakta, contains the short biographies
of a selection of such sadhus and devotees since the time of
Bhagwan Swaminarayan. It is a translation of the Gujarati book
Pragji Bhakta.
The book is part of the curriculum for the fourth level of the
Satsang Examinations, Satsang Pravin, conducted by the
Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha.
It is our earnest prayer that all devotees, young and old, will
study this book carefully and pass the examinations with flying
colours and, above all, derive immense spiritual benefit and earn
the blessings of our guru, His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami
Maharaj.
- Swaminarayan Aksharpith

Shri Swaminarayano Vijayate

*Ame sau Swmin blak, marishu Swmine mte;

Ame sau Shrijitan yuvak, ladishu Shrijine mte...
Nathi dart nathi kart, amr jnni parv;
Amre dar nathi koino, ame janmy chhie marv...ame 1
Ame yagna rambhyo, balidno ame daishu;
Amr Akshar Purushottam, Guntit jnnne gishu...ame 2
Ame sau Shriji tan putro, Akshare vs amro chhe;
Svadharmi bhasma choli to, amre kshobh shno chhe...ame 3
Juo sau motin Swmi, na rkhi kai te khmi;
Pragat Purushottam pmi, maly Guntit Swmi...ame 4
* For meaning see page 70

vi

CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.

Early Childhood .................................................................... 1

Meeting Sadguru Gopalanand Swami ................................. 3
With Gunatitanand Swami at Junagadh ............................ 6
Recipient Worthy of Akshar Jnan ........................................ 7
Request for Akshar Jnan ...................................................... 9
Do or Die for the Guru ......................................................... 10
Sixty-Eight Places of Pilgrimage at Thy Feet ..................... 14
Art of Saintliness ................................................................. 17
Bananas on a Cactus ........................................................... 19
Realization ........................................................................... 20
Key to Akshardham Lies with Pragji ..................................23
Akshar Jnan Proclaimed ..................................................... 25
The Path of Thorns .............................................................. 27
Discord in the Fellowship ................................................... 29
Excommunicated .................................................................. 32
Manifestation through Pragji Bhagat ................................. 34
Acceptance in Satsang ......................................................... 35
Guru of Shastri Yagnapurushdasji .....................................38
I Am Possessed by Swaminarayan ................................... 40
Trouble for Bhagatjis Sadhus ............................................. 41
Bliss in Solitude ...................................................................44
End of Exile .......................................................................... 47
Satsang with the Diwan of Vansda .....................................48
Jnan Yagna in Ahmedabad .................................................50
Bhagatjis Magnetic Personality ......................................... 53
Jal-Jhilani Celebration at Gadhada .................................... 56
Grand Reception at Junagadh ............................................ 58
The Last Phase .................................................................... 64
Divinity Revealed................................................................. 66
Glossary ................................................................................ 70

PRAGJI BHAKTA
(BHAGATJI MAHARAJ)

Pragji Bhakta leads his friends in singing devotional songs

by the shrine of Hanumanji

1. EARLY CHILDHOOD

A group of children was chanting the Ramdhun in the

mandir courtyard. In the middle a handsome little boy
was dancing while singing devotional songs. All those
visiting the mandir to offer their prayers were deeply
impressed by the childs ardent love towards God. They
forgot everything else and stood there like statues
watching this little boy dancing and singing in praise of
God. When the children stopped singing, the people
discovered that the leader of the group was Pragji, known
as Bhagat, the son of Govindbhai of Mahuva.
Pragji Bhakta regularly visited this LakshmiNarayan mandir with his friends. It was here in front of
the small shrine of Hanumanji under the pipal tree, that
Shriji Maharaj had stayed for three days when He was
travelling as Nilkanth Varni. The child Pragji Bhakta
always served the murti of Hanumanji.
Mahant Suryabharathi was greatly pleased with the
devotion of the child. Pragji Bhakta served the mahant
and attentively listened to the story of Shri Ram and
pondered over the high ideals exemplified by the great
characters of the Ramayan.
In the luscious green seaside town of Mahuva in
Saurashtra, this child devotee was born to a tailor family
on the full moon day of the bright half of Fagan in V.S.
1885 (1829 CE). The child was very beautiful and
luminous and was loved by all.
The child devotee was sent to the local school, but he
was too active to remain within the walls of the school.
Often, he would run away with other schoolboys to the
river Malan that flowed along the outskirts of Mahuva.
He would sit in the dry areas of the riverbed and talk to
his friends, I have studied everything. I have come to
worship God and make others worship God. Young

Pragji Bhakta

Pragji Bhakta engages his school friends in worshipping God

children always stayed in his company and everyone had

a natural attraction towards Pragji Bhakta.
Once, a festival dinner was arranged at Pragjis
house. Pragji Bhakta went to his mother and said,
Mother, I am terribly hungry. Please give me something
to eat. However, his mother refused to give any food as
she had not yet sanctified the food by offering it to God.
But, when she went out to do some work, Pragji Bhakta
entered the kitchen and ate all the sweets, weighing 3
kg. Then he climbed up into the loft and slept.
On returning, his mother was shocked to see the
sweets missing. She asked everyone in the house about
them. She thought that perhaps some stray dog might
have eaten the sweets. But, then, Pragji Bhakta called out
from the loft, l have eaten all the sweets. His elder
brother chased him, but Pragji Bhakta jumped onto the
veranda and escaped.

Meeting Sadguru Gopalanand Swami

The story of this feat of little Pragji Bhakta quickly

spread throughout the entire town. Everyone exclaimed,
He is a miraculous boy!
Once, a great sadhu, Sadguru Yoganand Swami, came
to the Swaminarayan Mandir in Mahuva. Pragji Bhakta,
who loved to serve sadhus, met this holy man. He
experienced inner peace by the darshan of Swami. Pragji
Bhakta accepted the vartman from him and became a
satsangi. Now, Pragji Bhakta spent most of his time in the
mandir in the service of the sadhus. Once, he sold a precious
lace of his mothers sari to feed the sadhus. Yoganand
Swami, who was deeply impressed by the zeal, devotion and
love of this child observed, He will be a great devotee.

MEETING SADGURU
GOPALANAND SWAMI

It was during this period that Acharya Shri

Raghuvirji Maharaj and Sadguru Gopalanand Swami
visited the village of Pithvadi near Mahuva. The Rathods
of Pithvadi had especially invited Pragji Bhakta from
Mahuva to perform pujan of Acharya Maharaj and
Swami. A huge assembly of sadhus and devotees was
organised as per the tradition of Satsang. The ten-yearold Pragji Bhakta had put on beautiful clothes for the
occasion. He boldly stood before the congregation and
performed the pujan of Acharya Maharaj and the sadhus,
performed arti and then prostrated before them.
The child caught the attention of Acharya Maharaj.
Devotees introduced the child devotee. Sadguru
Gopalanand Swami, who had been observing the child
since he came to the congregation, said, This child is a
born devotee. The devotees asked Swami to say more.
Swami replied, He is very great and will inspire
thousands of people to worship God. These words of

Pragji Bhakta

Pragji Bhakta listens to the discourses of Gopalanand Swami

Swamiji made the child all the more loved by the people.
Pragji Bhakta was instinctively attracted towards the
luminous figure of Sadguru Gopalanand Swami. From then
on he regularly visited Vartal to stay in the company of
Gopalanand Swami. He was always accompanied by the
elderly Jinabhai Rathod of Mahuva, whom he served during
their journey. At Vartal he always sat by Gopalanand
Swamis side and ate only simple food, like, gram and
jaggery. He served Gopalanand Swami with great devotion
and listened to his discourses with great faith.
Pragji Bhaktas love and devotion towards
Gopalanand Swami became deeper and more intense. He
longed for more and more satsang. He desired to stay in
the service of Swami all the time. One day he asked
Swami about this. Swami told him, One who accepts
Shriji Maharaj as the incarnation of all incarnations and
becomes attached to Gunatitanand Swami, remains

Meeting Sadguru Gopalanand Swami

constantly in communion with Shriji Maharaj and me

whether such a devotee is a renunciant or a householder.
This made Pragji Bhakta aware of the greatness and
eminence of Gunatitanand Swami, the choicest devotee of
Shriji Maharaj. But Pragji Bhakta was too deeply attached
to Gopalanand Swami to ponder over this revelation.
Out of his deep love and reverence towards Swami he
thought of renouncing the worldly life. But Swami
commanded him to worship God while remaining as a
householder. Once Pragji Bhakta went to Mumbai to
learn the craft of tailoring. Then, he prepared a beautiful
coat and a pair of stockings for Acharya Maharaj and
went to Vartal to offer them to Acharya Maharaj, who
was greatly pleased by this.
As he had great attachment for Gopalanand Swami,

Gopalanand Swami advises Pragji Bhakta to go to Junagadh

and associate with Gunatitanand Swami

Pragji Bhakta

Pragji Bhakta often became sad when, in the course of his

work, he forgot him. Seeing this, Gunatitanand Swami
used to tell him, If you attain jnan from the sadhus, then
even while leading the life of a householder you will not
be able to forget God and His holy Sadhu.
Overwhelmed by his love, once, Gopalanand Swami
told Pragji Bhakta, Go to Junagadh. All my promises to
you shall be fulfilled there.
In V.S. 1908 (1852 CE) Gopalanand Swami was taken
ill at Vartal. The devotees of Vadodara wanted him to
spend his last days with them. But Swami promptly
replied, Now my attention is towards Maharaj in
Akshardham or towards the Jogi of Junagadh.
Pragji Bhakta requested Swami to explain the
significance of his reply. Gopalanand Swami said, The
Jogi of Junagadh is himself the manifestation of
Akshardham, the dwelling place of Shriji Maharaj. He is
not even an atoms width away from Shriji Maharaj. So
saying Gopalanand Swami passed away to Akshardham
on the fourth day of the dark half of Vaishakh.

WITH GUNATITANAND SWAMI

AT JUNAGADH

As Pragji Bhakta adored Gopalanand Swami very

much, he found the pangs of separation unbearable. He
felt sad and unhappy and left Vartal and reached
Gadhada. Here, Siddhanand Swami consoled him and
took him to Junagadh to meet Gunatitanand Swami.
Where does this forest deer come from? asked
Gunatitanand Swami on seeing Pragji Bhakta. He
welcomed Pragji with affection. Pragji Bhakta also
experienced inner peace. His mind was pacified in the
presence of Gunatitanand Swami and he recalled the
advice given by Gopalanand Swami, Go to Junagadh. He

Recipient Worthy of Akshar Jnan

was greatly impressed by the saintliness of Gunatitanand

Swami and quickly developed affection for him.
He was won over by the learned discourses of
Gunatitanand Swami in which he explained the glory of
Shriji Maharaj as Purna Purushottam and the means of
becoming brahmarup. He felt like staying in the company
of Gunatitanand Swami at Junagadh. He would spend
eight months every year in the company of Swami.
In V.S. 1911 (1855 CE) Swami gave discourses on
swarupnishtha and ekantik dharma for seven months at
Vartal. All the words of Swamiji were recorded in Pragji
Bhaktas mind and he would daily repeat them before
the learned sadhus and devotees. Besides this he would
reveal to them that Gunatitanand Swami was himself
the manifestation of Akshar, the heavenly abode of
Maharaj.

RECIPIENT WORTHY OF AKSHAR JNAN

Once, as he was unable to reach Vartal for a festival,

Pragji Bhakta came to Sarangpur in search of
Gunatitanand Swami. At that time Swami was at the
nearby village of Khambhda. With great difficulty Pragji
reached Khambhda late at night. Swami was very happy
to see Pragji Bhakta, because at that very moment he was
thinking of him. Under the pretext that he felt hungry,
Swami asked one of his attendants to bring a rotlo. He
took a piece and then gave the rest to Pragji Bhakta.
Early next morning, Swami set off for Sarangpur. At
Narayankund, on the outskirts of Sarangpur, Swami got
down from his cart to answer a call of nature and perform
ablutions. Pragji Bhakta was pouring water to help
Swami wash his hands when Swami told him his inner
thought, Pragji, I am overflowing with jnan but I have
yet to find a worthy person to receive it.

Pragji Bhakta

Pragji Bhakta helps Gunatitanand Swami wash his hands

and resolves to attain the knowledge of Akshar

Seeing the mood and love of Swami, Pragji Bhakta

showed his readiness, saying, Swami, will you give that
jnan to me?
Swami replied with a smile, It can only be given to a
valiant soul who has total control over all his senses and
body and is prepared to surrender himself completely to me.

Request for Akshar Jnan

Pragji Bhakta took Swami's words seriously and

resolved to be worthy of the Swamis blessings. Swami
also saw in him a worthy disciple and blessed him.

REQUEST FOR AKSHAR JNAN

During his trips to Mahuva, Pragji Bhakta used to

talk to the devotees about the divine supremacy of Shriji
Maharaj and that Gunatitanand Swami was the
manifestation of Akshar. In V.S. 1916 (1860 CE) when the
murti of Harikrishna Maharaj was installed at Gadhpur,
Pragji Bhakta pleased Acharya Raghuvirji Maharaj by
preparing beautiful garments for the murtis of Gopinathji
Maharaj and Harikrishna Maharaj. In the same year a
murti of Harikrishna Maharaj was also installed at
Junagadh. Then, too, Pragji Bhakta, with the loving
assistance of the devotees, prepared elegant garments of
gold and silver threads for Thakorji. Swami was greatly
pleased with the devotion and practical worldly wisdom of
Pragji Bhakta.
Pragji Bhakta had cultivated a habit of working
while remembering God. Even a little deviation from this
caused him pain. As a devout sadhak, he once requested
Swami to give some illness to his body as a mark of
austerity.
For some time Pragji Bhakta remained ill. During
this illness Pragji continuously focussed his mind on
Swami. Devotion to Swami became the sole purpose of his
life.
The following year Acharya Raghuvirji Maharaj was
to be present in the Fuldol festival at Junagadh. Swami
asked Pragji Bhakta to prepare an artistic canopy to cover
the huge assembly area. Pragji Bhakta, with assistance
from the devotees, purchased suitable thick cloth for the
purpose and started his work. He worked incessantly day

10

Pragji Bhakta

and night to prepare the canopy. Once, Swami came to

observe the work in progress. He was so happy to see
Pragji Bhakta singing devotional hymns while working.
Swami asked Pragji to ask for whatever boon he liked.
But Pragji Bhakta had no wants. So Swami gave him a
boon, You will earn lots of money, so associate with the
sadhus while leading the life of a householder.
Pragji Bhakta, however, requested, with folded
hands, I have learnt by associating with you and
Gopalanand Swami that there is no happiness in wealth
and women. Please bless me with your knowledge, show
me your dwelling place and make me a true satsangi.
In order to test him Swami tempted Pragji with
material pleasures; but would Pragji Bhakta trade the
chintamani for them? Seeing that Pragji Bhakta was firm
in his determination to reject worldly pleasures Swami
said to Pragji, You can have your three boons if you are
prepared to leave home and stay here and dedicate your
life for them.
Swami was convinced of his intense yearning for jnan
and made the promise. The canopy, which could only have
been completed after many days of hard work by many
tailors, was prepared by Pragji Bhakta alone within a
month. This earned him profuse blessings from
Gunatitanand Swami.

DO OR DIE FOR THE GURU

In accordance with Gunatitanand Swamis wish,

Pragji Bhakta left home and went to Junagadh to serve
him. Swami had undertaken the task of constructing a
haveli on the mandir premises. Pragji Bhakta laboured
hard to help dig the foundations. Then, following Swamis
wish, Pragji undertook the difficult work of washing the
sand and pouring it into the foundation. He completed the

Do or Die for the Guru

11

Pragji Bhakta prepares mortar for use in the haveli construction

task all alone. As he performed each task Gunatitanand

Swami expressed his pleasure, which encouraged Pragji
Bhakta to work more and more.
Then came the most difficult job of preparing the

12

Pragji Bhakta

lime mortar. Everyone was afraid that it would cause

blisters on their hands and feet and also make them
blind. Nobody came forward to undertake this work. As it
was Swamis wish Pragji Bhakta volunteered. He
willingly accepted the work and started lifting the large
sacks of lime on his back. He mixed water and lime in a
pit and pounded it into mortar with his bare feet. With a
desire to please Swami, Pragji Bhakta enthusiastically
absorbed himself in the work maintaining good feelings
towards everyone. If anyone warned him, Pragji, you will
become blind on account of the heat from the lime, he
would simply reply, I want to please Swami. I have
dedicated my life in the service of Swami.
Although Pragji Bhakta worked day and night,
Gunatitanand Swami once told him, You are working
hard physically, but without austerities your senses will
not be tamed. So, on Swamis instructions, he began to
fast for two days at a time and eat only once on the third
day. He served during the day and in his spare moments
he sat near Swami and listened to his spiritual
discourses. Even at night, he would be in Swamis
company. Sometimes, when instructed by Swami, he
would sleep in the gorakh posture for an hour or so. But
he never slept with his leg extended.
Gunatitanand Swami was greatly pleased with this
deep devotion and service of Pragji Bhakta. Often, Swami
would explain to him the teachings of Shriji Maharaj from
the Vachanamrut. He also taught him the intricate yogic
methods. Pragji Bhakta had only one aim to act according
to the wishes of Swami and to obey all his commands.
At times Swami used to test him. Once, Swami told
him, Pragji, mortar is to be prepared. Fetch two hundred
spades and five hundred buckets. Pragji searched the mandir
and returned with a few spades and buckets. But he did not
argue with Swami that there were not so many implements

Do or Die for the Guru

13

available in the mandir. He knew that Gunatitanand Swami

was the all-knower. Therefore, it was his duty to act according
to Swamis wish, keeping firm faith in him.
On another occasion Swami issued an unexpected
command, Pragji, go and call Mount Girnar. The poor
fellow has been performing austerities for ages. I want to
redeem him. Pragji rushed to call Girnar. Some people
criticised Pragji for not using discretion. They remarked,
Do you really expect Girnar to come? You should use
discretion in carrying out commands.
Pragji Bhakta replied, Except for those commands
which are against the tenets of religion, it is the duty of a
disciple to carry out all the commands of his guru without
any hesitation. I will go to Girnar and call him. Whether
he wants to come or not is upto him. Such was his firm
faith in Swami.
Pragji worked hard for three consecutive days to
prepare the furnace and then for three days he worked to
fill it with lime. Swami became so happy that he
embraced Pragji several times and touched his head to
bless him. Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of Pragji
Bhakta. He thought, What a great fortune that
Gunatitanand Swami himself is embracing me and
bestowing upon me his divine love!
His inner self was in constant communion with
Swami. Even a very minor incident revealed this fact to
all. Once, Swami went with some sadhus and devotees to
the meadows of Sankhdavadar, near Junagadh, to cut
grass. All of a sudden it started raining heavily. Pragji
Bhakta sewed two sheets, made an improvised umbrella
and sheltered Swami. Swami was very pleased and said,
Kalyan lies in three things, atmabuddhi, anuvrutti and
seva towards the great Sadhu.
A barber named Karsan used to shave the sadhus at
Junagadh mandir every month. He increased his rates by

14

Pragji Bhakta

one paise per person. Gunatitanand Swami refused to pay

him the increased rates. But soon the sadhus felt
uncomfortable without the monthly shave and tonsure.
Swami asked Pragji Bhakta to do the barbers job. He was
always eager to obey his guru. He bought the necessary
instruments from the market and served Swami first.
Then, for nearly six months he performed the role of a
barber without feeling belittled by what he was doing. He
also served as a torch-bearer, which also was the job of
the barber. Swami deeply loved him and always offered
him food from his own wooden eating bowl.

SIXTY-EIGHT PLACES
OF PILGRIMAGE AT THY FEET

To please Swami, Pragji Bhakta served as barber,

tailor, stone-mason, carpenter, blacksmith and a woodcutter. There used to be continuous reading of the scriptures
in the presence of Swami. Pragji Bhakta was responsible
for reading the last recitation at night. He served Swami
till late in the night. He helped him to sleep by massaging
his legs. Even in the middle of the night if Swami got up to
answer a call of nature, Pragji would hold the lamp to help
Swami wash his hands and escort him back to his bed.
Although he remembered his guru in his heart incessantly,
he always longed to serve him in person.
Though he was a mahant of the mandir,
Gunatitanand Swami did not spare himself from certain
manual work in the mandir. This did not allow him to
devote much time to delivering discourses. He felt sorry
that he could not concentrate much on preaching. Pragji
Bhakta realized Swamis difficulty and said humbly, I
will do your manual work in the mandir. You sit in the
assembly and deliver spiritual discourses.
When Gunatitanand Swami heard this, he was pleased

Sixty-Eight Places of Pilgrimage at Thy Feet

15

and told him, You are already busy and engaged for
twenty-three hours. How will you be able to find time to do
my work? However, Pragji Bhakta did not bother about
himself because of his love and devotion towards Swami.
During this period the construction work of the
haveli was in progress. Some slabs of stone were lying
outside the mandir. And a dead dog lay on top of the
slabs. Everybody thought that a scavenger would come
and remove the dead dog. Meanwhile, Swami asked
Pragji, Why has the supply of stones from outside
stopped? He went and saw the dead dog lying on the
stones. He thought that he should remove the dead dog
because Swami had asked him, only then would the work
continue. He changed his clothes and removed the dead
dog. Then he took a bath and returned to the mandir.
The work began. Gunatitanand Swami was greatly
pleased. Some people made faces, while others criticised
Pragji for acting as a scavenger. On hearing this, Swami
observed, Every living being is, in a sense, a scavenger.
What wrong has been committed by Pragji in helping the
work restart by removing the dog? After all, he has acted
according to my wishes.
Once, after the annakut festival, Pragji was washing
the vessels. There was a pit in which dirty water was
collected. Swami came there and put his foot on the edge
of the pit. The dirty water touched his toes. Instantly
Swami asked, Pragji, where can one find all the sixtyeight places of pilgrimage?
Pragji Bhakta understood the deeper meaning of the
Swamis words and immediately jumped into the pit of
dirty water. It was a spiritual bath for him. He knew that
the dirty water in which Swami had dipped his toes
contained all the sixty-eight holy places. For a while
Swami just kept watching. Then he said, Pragji, come
out and wash yourself with clean water. Such was the

16

Pragji Bhakta

Pragji Bhakta dives into the pit of dirty water when Gunatit-anand
Swami asks, Where are sixty-eight places of pilgrimage?

intense devotion of Pragji Bhakta!

Once Mana Bhagat said to Swami, This poor Pragji
has left everything to learn meditation from you. But
instead, you make him lift big stones. You are extracting
work beyond his capacity. Mana Bhagat failed to see the
divine flame that burnt in Pragji Bhaktas heart. Swami
replied, I will make him lift stones and realize God.
Mana Bhagat became silent after hearing Swami.

Art of Saintliness

17

ART OF SAINTLINESS

Once on his way to the meadows of Sankhdavadar,

Swami stopped at Maliya village. He stopped for rest in a
mango grove of the mandir. He saw the mango trees and
remarked, They will wither away for want of water. As
soon as Pragji Bhakta heard Swamis remark, he collected
two pots and started fetching water from the nearby river

Pragji Bhakta waters the mango trees at Maliya

18

Pragji Bhakta

to water the trees. There were some three hundred mango

trees and Pragji gave each tree four pots of water. He was
drenched to the skin with water and sweat. Then he went
to Swami with water dripping from his clothes.
Swami was nearing the end of his discourse. He
wanted to make everybody understand that he could be
pleased by devout service. Pleased with Pragjis devout
service Swami said, Pragji! Ask a question.
Innocently Pragji Bhakta asked Swami, I know all
the worldly crafts but please teach me the path to
saintliness.
The congregation was stunned by the deep scholarly
question which contained the essence of all the scriptures,
coming from a simple, ordinary-looking man.
Swami, who was pleased by Pragjis question, replied,
The craft of saintliness is very tough. To look upon
insults and honours with equanimity, to bear no ill-will
towards anyone, to overcome the pleasures of the five
senses, to realize the atma and remain constantly in
communion with the murti of Shriji Maharaj is the craft
of sainthood. One who has attained this is never
separated from God. Such a devotee becomes capable of
helping countless people to overcome their shortcomings
and leading them to God.
The entire assembly of devotees was completely
absorbed in the divine speech of Swami. Manji Thakkar
and Nathu Patel told Swami, Swami, you have quenched
our spiritual thirst.
Why should I not be pleased with Pragji who has
intuitively obeyed me without caring for his own self? said
Swami. From then on, with the blessings of Swami, Pragji
always remained engrossed in devotion in all three states of
mind waking, deep sleep and dream.

Bananas on a Cactus

19

BANANAS ON A CACTUS

Once, while talking to Abhesinh Bapu of Ganod,

Swami said, Darbar, you must have seen bananas
growing on a banana tree, but here we find bananas
growing on a cactus. That boy, who is pounding mortar, is
the son of an ordinary tailor but he has attained the yoga
which even the yogis find difficult to attain. He remains
engrossed in devotion exercising complete control over his
mind and senses in all the three states.
The Darbar was aware of Pragji Bhaktas devotion for
Swami. He said, You have rewarded his service.
He is yet to be rewarded. He is an eternal devotee.
Others would not have been able to serve like this, said
Swami, explaining the greatness of Pragji Bhakta to the
Darbar.
During the Hutashani (Holi) festival assembly
Swami talked to the thousands of sadhus and devotees
about the divine teachings of Shriji Maharaj and the
need for associating with the holy Sadhu. Then he gave
the fagva prasad of grams, popcorn and dates to
everyone. Swami did not see Pragji Bhakta there, so he
sent for him. When Pragji came, Swami offered him
what was left the unpoped popcorn kernels. Pragji
Bhakta became very very happy to receive the prasad.
Manji Thakkar, who was present at that time, thought
to himself that Swami is ready to bestow everything
upon him, but instead of asking for sanctified hair, nails
and other items of value, he is pleased with the leftover
prasad. In order to make other people realize how
precious the prasad received from Gunatitanand Swamis
own hands was, Pragji Bhakta approached Swami and
said, Swami, is this prasad a token of your divine
favour?

20

Pragji Bhakta

Yes, I am pleased with you, said Gunatitanand

Swami.
While putting one kernel in his mouth Pragji Bhakta
asked, Swami, have I overcome lust?
Swami said, Yes, indeed. Then, one after another,
he put the unpopped kernels in his mouth and asked
Swami, am I purged of all flaws?
Swami smiled and said, Yes, they have been reduced
to ashes. Then Swami continued, From half a sesame
seed sanctified by Vitthalnathaji, eighty-four Vaishnavs
arose, but this is mahaprasad. Pragji is pure at heart and
has full knowledge of the glory of those who associate
with the great Sadhu.

10

REALIZATION

Gunatitanand Swami bestowed much divine grace

upon Pragji Bhakta, who had selflessly served Swami,
through mind and body, with deep devotion and love for
three-and-a-half years. Now Swami wanted him to
experience the divinity of God. He asked Pragji Bhakta to
sit in meditation in a secluded place. At the end of the
ninth day of meditation Swami asked him, Do you see
anything?
During the meditation he continuously had the
darshan of Swamis murti. Swami asked him to remain
attentive. On the tenth evening of his meditation, he saw
an intense light in which he had the darshan of the
graceful divine murti of Shriji Maharaj. He was dressed
in saffron robes. Pragji Bhaktas joy at the sight of the
divine figure of Shriji Maharaj was boundless. Tears
overflowed from his eyes. He enjoyed this darshan.
Pragji Bhakta was completely overwhelmed by this
divine experience. He offered his prayers and said to
Maharaj, O Master! O Maharaj! You have made me

Realization

21

By Gunatitanand Swamis grace Pragji Bhakta attains realization

fulfilled. I do not deserve this, yet you have graced me

with your divine darshan.
Shriji Maharaj smiled and said, Swami has earned
you this merit. Then He disappeared. But now Pragji

22

Pragji Bhakta

Bhakta began to see Maharajs divine murti continuously

in his heart.
Just then Gunatitanand Swami arrived. Pragji
Bhakta fell at his feet. He was overwhelmed by what he
had seen. He asked Swami, Shriji Maharaj gave His
divine darshan, but why had He worn saffron clothes?
Swami said, He gave darshan in the form of a
sadhu, but now see!
So saying, Swami looked at him and Pragji Bhakta
had the darshan of the divine and graceful murti of
Shriji Maharaj in Akshardham, dressed in glittering
garments and ornaments.
Shriji Maharaj graced him and said, I am under the
loving command of Swami and you have won Swamis
heart. Therefore, I am now at your command, too.
Pragji Bhaktas joy knew no bounds. His heart
danced with joy. Now he was impatient to reveal
Swamis greatness to the people.
Thus, Swami fulfilled the promise which he had
given to Pragji three years previously.
Pragji Bhaktas moulding into a divine receptacle
was complete. He was filled with divine nectar. Now
Swami exhibited his divine power and grace through
Pragji Bhakta. He observed, This Pragji does so much
service and continuously offers devotion that people will
make him their guru, even though he does not desire so.
Thus Swami appointed Pragji as the guru of all his
devotees. He instructed Pragji Bhakta to preach to and
purify all the devotees. Also, Swami commanded Pragji to
reveal the true form of Mul Akshar in Satsang, and to make
people fearless by giving a divine assurance that they will
experience divine bliss if they worship Shriji Maharaj.
By his contact with the paras, Pragji himself had
now become a paras. Now he had no fear. He started
telling
people,
Gunatitanand
Swami
is
the

Key to Akshardham Lies with Pragji

23

manifestation of Mul Akshar, the divine abode of Shriji

Maharaj. He intuitively knew the desires of the devotees
and brought them to Swami for atonement and
purification. Word went round the entire Satsang that
Swami fulfills all the wishes of Pragji Bhakta.
Pragji Bhaktas father left his mortal body and was
blessed with Akshardham. Pragji Bhakta was reluctant to
go to Mahuva, but Gunatitanand Swami told him to pay a
visit. It was his first visit to Mahuva for four years. There,
he stayed in the mandir and talked to the devotees about
the great ness and divine power of Gunatitanand Swami.

11

KEY TO AKSHARDHAM LIES

WITH PRAGJI

In accordance with the wishes of Gunatitanand

Swami, Pragji Bhakta used to discourse on the

Gunatitanand Swami reveals that he has given the

key to Akshardham to Pragji Bhakta

24

Pragji Bhakta

Swaminarayan philosophy to the devotees. Thus, through

him, devotees of Sorath realized Swami as the
manifestation of Akshar. During festivals, as commanded
by Swami, Pragji Bhakta would sit under the canopy in
the assembly hall at Junagadh and deliver discourses.
Swami used to tell the devotees who came for darshan,
Now I have retired. If you want to listen to religious
discourses go to Pragji. Thus, Swami would direct the
devotees to Pragji Bhakta. The devotees experienced
great peace by his talks.
Once, Amaidas Kothari, Bechar Bhagat Kothari and
some five to seven parshads came there from Vartal to
listen to Swamis discourses and to visit some pilgrim
places. Swami spent a great deal of time talking to them
and said, Kothari, I have retired and handed over all
the keys to Pragji Bhakta.
Amaidas was shocked to hear this. He suspected
that perhaps Swami had handed over the mandir keys to
Pragji. Gunatitanand Swami instantly read his mind and
said, Amaidas, do not worry. The keys of the mandir are
here with me, but I have handed over the key to
Akshardham to Pragji.
This story spread to Vartal. People started saying,
Pragji has become the main at Junagadh and Swami
has merged his personality into Pragji and is at his
command. All the devotees from Saurashtra offer
dandvat pranam to Pragji Bhakta first and then they go
to Swami. Also Pragji glorifies Swami too much.
Once, some Darbars asked Swami, Swami, instead
of giving all your spiritual powers to some Brahmin,
sadhu or scholar, why have you given it to this tailor?
Swami smiled and replied, I was reluctant to give it
to him. But he overpowered me by his selfless, sincere
service, love and devotion. In fact, I could not help giving
it to him.

Akshar Jnan Proclaimed

25

Then withdraw it, said the Darbars.

Swami retorted sternly, It is not possible to
withdraw it because its foundation run deep down.
Then to substantiate his argument, Swami referred
to an episode from the Upanishads. He told them,
Vaishampayan Rishi had taught his knowledge to
Yagnavalkya. Then, once, the Rishi ordered Yagnavalkya
to go to the palace of a king who had no issue. But
Yagnavalkya knew that it was not proper for a man who
had taken a vow of celibacy to do so. So he politely
refused to carry out his gurus command. The guru was
angered and ordered him to return the knowledge he had
learnt. But how can that which has been learnt be
returned? I, too, have taught brahmavidya to Pragji, and
it cannot be recalled. And dont you think that one who
has given paravidya, is capable of making him worthy of
receiving it! Besides, God and sadhus do not look at ones
caste, creed or ashram in society.
The commoners looked upon Pragji Bhakta as one
belonging to the lower strata of society, but the devotees
saw in him the form of God.

12

AKSHAR JNAN PROCLAIMED

Once, while returning from Vartal, Swami arrived at

Sarangpur. There, Vagha Khachar (Bapu) told Swami
that he frequently has dreams of fighting. Swami asked
Vagha Khachar to accompany him to Junagadh. Bapu
could not live without an attendant, so Swami asked
Pragji Bhakta to serve him. Pragji Bhakta served Vagha
Khachar and while serving, he used to explain the
greatness of Swami to him. However, Bapu did not like
Pragji Bhaktas preaching. So he left him. But he was
not able to live without an attendant. Gunatitanand
Swami persuaded him to keep Pragji Bhakta in his

26

Pragji Bhakta

company. He agreed, but stopped listening to Pragji

Bhaktas talks.
Vagha Khachar saw that all the devotees of Swami
at Junagadh were cheerful and happy. But he was
wondering why he did not experience that joy. Once, he
talked to Dama Sheth of Mahuva about it. Dama Sheth
told him, Keep faith in Pragji Bhakta and accept Swami
as Mul Akshar. Vagha Khachar said, I will believe this
only if Swami tells me in person. So, Pragji Bhakta
meditated on Swami, who was talking to a congregation,
and drew him to the garden where they were.
Pragji Bhakta said to Swami, This Vagha Bapu
wants to ask you a question.
Swami said, What Pragji is telling you is the truth.
Vagha Khachar asked directly, Swami, are you yourself
Akshar? Swami smiled and said, Yes. Vagha Khachar
experienced divine peace and his drawbacks were overcome.
Pragji Bhakta had to face many obstacles and
insults while spreading the glory of Swami as the
manifestation of Aksharbrahman. But how could he
resist himself from sharing with others the joy of
realising the manifest form of Aksharbrahman?
Once, Swami asked Balmukunddasji to call Pragji
Bhakta, who was fast asleep. Balmukunddasji called him
thrice, Wake up, Pragji Bhakta. Swami is calling you.
But Pragji did not wake up. So, he returned to Swami
and said, Pragji Bhakta is fast asleep. I called him by
his name but he did not wake up. Swami smiled and told
him to go back and say, Gunatit, please wake up.
Balmukunddasji again went to Pragji Bhakta and
called out, Gunatit, please wake up. Immediately
Pragji Bhakta woke up and came to Swami. Swami said,
Pragji is dead. He has become Gunatit. Thus, he
explained the greatness of Pragji Bhakta to all.
Once, Pragji Bhakta explained the divine greatness

The Path of Thorns

27

of Swami to Kama Sheth of Una. The Sheth lost his

temper and slapped him. That night Maharaj appeared
to Kama Sheth in a dream and ordered, Ask forgiveness
from Pragji Bhakta. In the morning the Sheth went to
the assembly and, prostrating before Pragji Bhakta, he
begged for forgiveness. He bowed before him and
presented a dhoti to him.
As instructed by Swami, Pragji Bhakta discoursed to
the devotees and prescribed atonements to purify them.
Once, Pragji Bhakta asked Swami, At present you burn
the sins of the devotees and purify them. But what will
happen when you are not here any more. Swami replied,
Maharaj is always at your command and by your
guidance they will become pure.
Once, Pragji Bhakta talked about the divine greatness
of Swami to Kothari Trikamdas of Junagadh mandir. He
did not like it and angrily told Pragji Bhakta, If you talk
like this then someone will beat you up.
Swami came to know about this. He led Trikamdas
to the office and said, Do you want to see the divine
radiance? So saying he gave him a glimpse of his
original divine form. The entire room became filled with
the divine radiance. Then that light travelled upto
Swami and merged into him. The kothari was convinced
of Swamis divine form. Thus, Pragji Bhakta helped
innumerable sadhus and devotees realize the original
form of Swami and convinced them of the fact that
Swami himself was Akshar, the heavenly abode of Shriji
Maharaj.

13

THE PATH OF THORNS

With the blessings of Swami, Pragji Bhaktas

powers became known to many. Certain senior sadhus
did not like the talks about the glory of Akshar. So, they

28

Pragji Bhakta

began to oppose. Acharya Maharaj accompanied by Shuk

Swami, Pavitranand Swami and many other learned
sadhus had come to participate in a festival at
Junagadh.
Pragji Bhakta discoursed to thousands of devotees
during this festival and satisfied them. The talks and
discourses continued till late at night, near where
Pavitranand Swami had kept his seat. Pavitranand
Swami lost his temper when he heard Pragji Bhakta
talking about the glory of Akshar. Pragji Bhakta went to
him and whispered, There is no alternative except to
understand Gunatitanand Swami as the manifestation of
Akshar.
Who are you to teach me? You are unduly
overestimating yourself. I will see to it that you are
excommunicated
from
the
Satsang,
declared
Pavitranand Swami, beating the floor with his stick.
Pragji Bhakta replied with a smile, Swami, now even if
Shriji Maharaj wishes He cannot excommunicate me.
Iron transformed by a paras into gold cannot be
converted back into iron even by a paras.
While this exchange of words was going on,
Gunatitanand Swami came there. He made Pragji
Bhakta tender an apology and appeased Pavitranand
Swami. Still, the latter was so angry with Pragji
Bhakta that he announced that he did not even want to
see Pragjis face. Then, Swami led Pragji Bhakta to his
seat.
After the festival was over, Swami set out on a
tour of Sorath. He arrived at Upleta. Here the devotees
asked him, Swami, what will happen to us when you
will be no more! Who will help us attain ekantik
dharma? Who will be our support? Hearing this,
Swami narrated an anecdote, Once a gardener
presented some bitter gourds filled with sweet

The Path of Thorns

29

pomegranate seeds. Everyone laughed at the gardener.

The king ordered his servants to break the gourds. On
breaking them they saw the sweet pomegranate seeds.
Everyone was pleased to eat sweet pomegranate seeds.
Everyone was wonder struck to find sweet pomegranate
seeds in the gourds. In the same manner, I, too, have
prepared a man who will hold the reins of ekantik
dharma. He, too, is as sweet as the pomegranate seeds.
But only those people who are humble at heart and
who have earned merits over many birth will be able to
recognise my divine heir. Thus Swami explained the
greatness of Pragji Bhakta.
Once, Swami was on his way to Vanthali from
Junagadh. He was travelling by bullock cart. Some
devotees were also seated with him. Others were on foot.
Swami called a parshad and said, Go and call Pragji.
The poor fellow must be feeling tired. Let him sit in the
cart. When Pragji Bhakta approached the cart, Swami
invited him to travel with him. Pragji said, The
mattress on which Swami is seated is radiating the light
of innumerable suns, and so I am unable go near!
Through this incident Swami made the devotees realize
Pragji Bhaktas elevated spiritual state.
By associating with Pragji Bhakta the devotees of
Mahuva understood the infinite greatness of Swami.
Swami gave special bliss to the Mahuva Satsang Mandal.
Once, Swami was preparing leaf bowls from khakhra
leaves in the company of the devotees. Out of sheer
curiosity, Fulchand Sheth of Mahuva asked Swami,
Swami, what must Akshardham be doing at this
moment? Swami replied, Akshardham is preparing leaf
bowls from khakhra leaves in your company. Thus at
times Swami was kind enough to talk about his own
form.

30

14

Pragji Bhakta

DISCORD IN THE FELLOWSHIP

The popularity and importance of Gunatitanand

Swami in the Satsang was increasing. Certain sadhus
and Acharya Bhagwatprasad Maharaj decided to
reprimand Swami and so asked him to see them at Una.
When Swami received the message from Acharya
Maharaj, he said,
Bhu ko bhr haru santan hit, karu chhy kar doi,
Jo mere Santko rati ek duve, tehi jad dru me khoi,
Nrad mere Sant se adhik na koi
(I bear the burden of the earth for the benefit of the
Sadhu. I protect him. If somebody harms my Sadhu even
a bit, I shall uproot him. Oh Narad, there is none greater
than my Sadhu)
Pragji Bhakta requested Swami to explain the
meaning of the couplet. Swami said, The sadhus from
Vartal have resolved to reprimand me. And as you are
spreading my glory, they have decided to excommunicate
you from the Satsang. But they will not succeed at all in
this region. Moreover, I cant tolerate you being insulted
in my presence. Pragji Bhakta requested Swami, Let
any trouble come to me. But you should not feel
despondent with this world.
On his way to Una, Gunatitanand Swami stopped at
Maliya. There he learnt that as Krishnaprasad Maharaj
had passed away at Dholera, so Acharya Maharaj and
the sadhus had returned to Vartal. Thus the plan of
reprimanding Swami at Una did not materialise.
Before leaving for Vartal to participate in the
Chaitra Punam festival of V.S. 1922 (1866 CE), Swami
remarked, This time Pragji will face trouble, but I have
made his armour so carefully that nothing will harm
him. This time when he went to the festival at Vartal,
Swami left Pragji Bhakta at Junagadh. He went to

Discord in the Fellowship

31

Vartal via Gadhada, accompanied by many sadhus and

devotees.
On the auspicious day of the Ram Navmi festival,
certain sadhus and people, referring to Swami,
sarcastically said, He has become God and is being
worshipped. But Swami remained quiet and unruffled.
Then Swami said, Shriji Maharaj is the only God, and
talked about the supremacy of Maharaj as Purushottam.
Meanwhile Balramdas Shastri rushed to call Acharya
Maharaj to the assembly. As soon as Acharya Maharaj
arrived everyone became quiet. The beating of drums in
the mandir drew them all to participate in the arti.
On his way back from the mandir, a gardener
garlanded Swami with a garland of roses. With that
garland Swami honoured Sadhu Hariswarupdasji who
was the attendant of Shukmuni and had insulted Swami
in the assembly. With a smile Swami said,
Haldi jardi nav taje, khatras taje na m,
Gunijan gunku nav taje, avgun na taje gulm.
(Even turmeric does not leave its colour, nor mango
its flavour, nor a base man his demerits, how can a great
man leave his goodness!)
Hariswarupdas was completely disarmed by the
tolerance and saintliness of Swami. All those, including
senior sadgurus, regretted what they had done and
offered an apology. But, at the same time they decided,
Pragji speaks very highly of Swamis greatness, so he
must be excommunicated. They conveyed their decision
to Swami. Swami went into deep thought and spoke, I
will tell Pragji, so he will not glorify me. But
Pavitranand Swami had resolved to excommunicate
Pragji Bhakta. So, with the consent of Acharya Maharaj,
letters to that effect were sent to the mandirs of all
towns and villages.
While returning to Junagadh, Swami arrived at

32

Pragji Bhakta

Mahelav, a village in Kaira district. Here, Swami blessed

Dungar Bhagat (Shastriji Maharaj), the fifteen-monthold son of Dhoribhai, He will become a sadhu and
spread the glory of Shriji Maharajs supreme form. And
through spiritual discourses he will promote and expand
the Sampraday. Then he visited Sarangpur and
Gadhpur before returning to Junagadh.

15

EXCOMMUNICATED

As soon as the letter excommunicating Pragji

Bhakta from the Satsang came to Junagadh, he set off
for Mahuva. The bhandari had given him some ladus for
his journey. After travelling for some time he broke his
journey to eat a little. As soon as he put a piece of ladu
in his mouth, he felt a terrible burning sensation in his
body. He realized that the sweets contained poison, so he
buried them deep in the ground and, with great difficulty
reached Mahuva. He was able to digest the poison
through yoga, but boils developed all over his body. Then
Maharaj gave him darshan, touched his whole body with
His hand and advised him to take some soup of black
beans. With this remedy he was completely cured within
a short time.
Then, once, Swami visited Una with Acharya
Bhagwatprasadji Maharaj. Pragji Bhakta went there for
Swamis darshan. Swami met him in private and
consoled him. He pleased him with prasad and sent him
home.
From Una, after visiting several places, Swami and
Acharya Maharaj came to Mahuva. The devotees of
Mahuva had arranged a grand reception for them. Pragji
Bhakta had reserved special foodstuff for the guests. The
foodstuff which was offered by others was not fit for the
sadhus. It was getting late. So Swami Pavitranand

Excommunicated

33

remarked, Pragji has been excommunicated but not his

rice and pulses. Accept his foodstuff. Thus, the timely
assistance from Pragji Bhakta inspired respect for him in
the hearts of the devotees.
In the assembly some of the senior devotees of
Mahuva asked Acharya Maharaj, We can understand
your excommunicating a person who is unrighteous, but
we fail to understand why you should excommunicate
such a great devotee like Pragji Bhakta.
The sadgurus promised, We are going to take him
back into the Satsang. In the scorching summer heat
Pragji Bhakta used to squat in front of the tents of the
sadhus and return home only in the evening when the
religious discourses were over. Thus, all realized that
although Pragji had been excommunicated, his love for
Satsang was increasing day by day. Pragji Bhakta had
also requested Pavitranand Swami to take him back into
the Satsang. During this seven-day stay, Gunatitanand
Swami, too, had met Pragji Bhakta in private and had
given him much bliss.
Soon after this, Swami was invited to Ahmedabad by
Acharya Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj, who had fallen ill.
Swami gave him great comfort. At the insistence of
Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj, Swami celebrated the Ram
Navmi festival at Ahmedabad and talked to the devotees
and sadhus about the supremacy of Shriji Maharaj.
Acharya Maharaj and other sadgurus had also arrived
from Vartal. Pragji Bhakta had also come there with a
desire for the darshan of Swami and had put up outside
the mandir. Occasionally, when Swami went out, Pragji
would have his darshan and would tell all, Look, there
goes Akshar. Thus, Pragji Bhakta spread the divine
glory of Swami. Swami told the bhandari to send food for
Pragji Bhakta to eat.
Acharya Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj of Ahmedabad

34

Pragji Bhakta

served Swami sincerely and with full devotion and won

his blessings. Then Swami went to Nadiad and from
there he went to Vartal. Thousands of devotees welcomed
Swami with overflowing love and devotion, performed his
pujan and offered him dhotis. Swami also graced them
with his learned talks on brahmajnan and then returned
to Junagadh.

16

MANIFESTATION THROUGH
PRAGJI BHAGAT

Thousands of devotees had thronged to the

Junagadh mandir on the occasion of the Bhim Ekadashi
festival. As soon as Swami saw the assembly hall canopy,
he remembered Pragji Bhakta. He could not control his
tears and said, For what crime has he been
excommunicated. Those who excommunicated him are
themselves excommunicated. Such was the deep love
Swami had for Pragji Bhakta.
Then he entrusted certain mandir duties to Jaga
Bhagat and other trusted devotees and left to tour the
region. He came to the gate leading to Nagarwada and
sat there for some time. He said, I have spent forty
years, four months and four days in this place. Now I
shall move around in Satsang, visiting the devotees and
shall stay at Mahuva. Thus he indirectly referred to the
fact that he was manifest in the Satsang through Pragji
Bhakta.
Gunatitanand Swami left for Vanthali. From there
he went to Upleta, Panchala and Gondal. The Maharaja
of Gondal had sent a special invitation to him. He was
accorded a royal welcome to the palace. He blessed young
Bhagwatsinhji and offered him vartman.
He visited the homes of Ganod Darbar and Madhavji
Karbhari at eleven oclock at night. Then on Aso sud 12

Acceptance in Satsang

35

V.S. 1923 (21 October 1867) at 12.45 a.m. he, of his own
free will, independently left his mortal body and
returned to Akshardham the divine abode to serve
Shriji Maharaj. The pangs of separation from his divine
master was unbearable for Pragji Bhakta. The entire
Satsang mourned the death of Gunatitanand Swami and
experienced a great spiritual loss.

17

ACCEPTANCE IN SATSANG

Although he had been excommunicated from the

Satsang for nearly three years, Pragji Bhakta had
always impressed everyone by his saintliness, divyabhav
towards all and ekantik sthiti. Thus, they all agreed to
take him back into the Satsang fold. Due to his divine
spiritual qualities everyone fondly called him Bhagatji.
Now, Bhagatji (here onwards Pragji Bhagat will be

Pragji Bhakta prepares a perfect-fitting shirt for Bechar Bhagat

36

Pragji Bhakta

referred as Bhagatji) shifted from Junagadh to Vartal

and started accompanying the senior sadhus,
Pavitranand Swami, Bhumanand Swami and Shuk
Swami on their vicharan. Also, in accordance with the
wishes of Acharya Maharaj, he delivered religious
discourses during festivals and pleased the devotees.
Girdharbhai, a nephew of Kothari Gordhanbhai of
Vartal was a genuine aspirant for salvation. With a view
to attaining the brahmic state in this life, he searched
within Satsang for the Satpurush described in the
Vachanamrut. He lived in the company of renowned sadhus
but none could quench his spiritual thirst. Finally, he
returned to Vartal and stood on one leg before the murti of
Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and started praying for divine
enlightenment. After one month, Maharaj was pleased,
gave him darshan and said, This Pragji Bhakta is my most
beloved devotee. I remain manifest in the Satsang through
him. Go and seek communion with him and I shall dwell
forever in your heart.
Girdharbhai failed to understand the significance of
Maharajs advice. He thought, How can a tailor, Pragji
Bhakta, be the param ekantik bhakta? No, he cant be.
He once again started praying to Maharaj.
Maharaj again appeared and instructed Girdharbhai
to associate with Pragji Bhakta. And so he went to see
Bhagatji. His very first meeting with Bhagatji convinced
him and he became his disciple. Gordhanbhai arranged
for Girdharbhai to be given bhagwati diksha and he was
named as Swami Vijnandasji after renunciation.
Kothari Bechar Bhagat assisted Gordhanbhai in his
work at Vartal. Once, he asked Bhagatji to stitch a shirt
for him. To his surprise, even though Bhagatji had not
taken any measurements, the shirt was a perfect fit.
Bechar Bhagat was pleased with Bhagatjis skill.
Bhagatji said, This shirt will cover your body but I can

Acceptance in Satsang

37

prepare a shirt for your soul, too. But, for that you will
have to come to my seat. This aroused an air of curiosity
in Bechar Bhagat. He went to Bhagatjis seat and sought
communion with him. He was greatly impressed by
Bhagatjis talks about atma and Paramatma. His desire
for Bhagatjis company increased and he became his
disciple. In this way many pillars of Satsang were drawn
towards the murti of Bhagatji.
Once, Acharya Maharaj and the sadhus had gone to
Anand. Every evening after the arti the Swaminarayan
dhun was chanted. One evening Pavitranand Swami took
objection. He said, Since the time of Maharaj there has
been a practice of chanting Nar Narayan, Swami
Narayan. Why do you break this? But the younger
sadhus did not listen to him and started arguing with
him.
Pavitranand Swami could not tolerate the insult. He
returned to Vartal and felt disturbed. So, he sent for
Bhagatji and asked him to discourse to him. In Satsang
if one does not overcome ego, jealousy and other base
instincts and does not become atmarup to offer devotion
to God, one is completely exposed. To become atmarup
one needs unbroken love for a great Sadhu like Mul
Aksharbrahman
Gunatitanand
Swami.
Bhagatji
narrated many such talks on the basis of the
Vachanamrut and gave comfort to the greatly disturbed
and agitated mind of Pavitranand Swami. He was now
convinced that Bhagatji had become one with
Gunatitanand Swami and had attained the brahmic
state with his blessings. Soon after this, Pavitranand
Swami passed away and returned to the abode of God.
Due to some reason Kothari Bechar Bhagat was
relieved from his duties by Kothari Gordhanbhai. When
Bechar Bhagat went to see Bhagatji, he was rebuked by
him for what he had done. Bhagatji talked to him about

38

Pragji Bhakta

the greatness of a devotee of God and instructed him to

apologise to Gordhanbhai. Bechar Bhagat had great love
for Bhagatji, so he shed his false sense of pride and
apologised. Then Bhagatji asked Gordhanbhai to use his
good offices to arrange for Bechar Bhagat to be initiated
by Acharya Maharaj. Bechar Bhagat renounced and was
named Swami Mahapurushdas. Now that he was free
from all the duties, Mahapurushdas absorbed himself
completely in devotion to God.

18

GURU OF
SHASTRI YAGNAPURUSHDASJI

In the year V.S. 1939 (1873 CE), Bhagatji had gone

to Surat to take part in the murti-pratishtha ceremony of
Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj. While preparing a decorative
cloth-sheet for the mandir elephant, Bhagatji discoursed
to the devotees. Many sadhus and devotees gathered
around his seat to listen to his inspiring talks.
Here, Yagnapurushdasji was staying with
Vignananand Swami, serving him and studying the
scriptures. He was drawn by the darshan and discourses
of Bhagatji and was surprised to find him discoursing while
stitching at the same time. Bhagatji said, A jnani has
innumerable eyes. Seeing his brahmic state,
Yagnapurushdasji mentally accepted Bhagatji as his guru.
Also, from Bhagatji, he learnt for the first time that
Gunatitanand Swami is Akshar the heavenly abode of
Shriji Maharaj and he is forever in the service of Shriji
Maharaj. Hearing this, his guru Vignananand Swami,
who had met Maharaj in person, endorsed Bhagatjis
views. Yagnapurushdasji was convinced that Shriji
Maharaj Himself had revealed this knowledge to the
people. He realized the greatness of Bhagatji and became
his staunch disciple.

Guru of Shastri Yagnapurushdasji

39

Great sadhus readily identify each other. Bhagatji

Maharaj used to say, He is my beloved son. Such was
the affection Bhagatji had for Yagnapurushdas.
Ramratandasji
and
Yagnapurushdasji
were
companion sadhus. Once Ramratandasji requested
Bhagatji Maharaj to get him the pair of footprints of
Shriji Maharaj Yagnapurushdasji had. Yagnapurushdasji
acted according to the wishes of Bhagatji and parted
with the holy treasure. When Acharya Maharaj came to
know about this he became angry and reprimanded
Bhagatji. He told Bhagatji that as Yagnapurushdasji was
the leader of the group of sadhus, he was required to
have the footprints of Shriji Maharaj with him. Bhagatji
Maharaj replied instantly, I will give him the maker of
the footprints Shriji Maharaj!
Thus, he revealed his power, as well as his love
towards Yagnapurushdasji.
Gradually, all the sadhus Vignandasji,
Yagnapurushdasji, Mahapurushdasji and others started
seeking the divine company of Bhagatji boldly and openly.
These sadhus, with their flawless character, earned name
and fame as the disciples of Bhagatji all over the Satsang.
Also, Bhagatji became increasingly respected throughout
the entire Satsang because of his brahmic state, and his
talks about the supremacy of Shriji Maharaj, Gunatitanand
Swami as the manifestation of Akshar and of becoming
brahmarup. Acharya Maharaj also loved to listen to his
religious discourses. During festivals He especially invited
Bhagatji to participate and deliver discourses.
Those sadhus who were deeply attached to Bhagatji
spread his glory throughout the Satsang. Certain sadhus
could not bear Bhagatjis increasing popularity. Once, they
complained to Bhagatji regarding this. Bhagatji sided with
them and made the sadhus attached to him apologise.
Once, Bhagatji was going to the mandir in Nadiad.

40

Pragji Bhakta

He was accompanied by a Barot devotee. When they

were passing through a narrow lane, a harijan woman
approached them. The devotee lost his temper at the
sight of the harijan woman and shouted, Stay away,
cant you see we are passing? Bhagatji did not like this.
He felt sorry and told the devotee, Isnt there God in the
heart of this woman? Thus he taught the lesson of
respect towards all.

19

I AM
POSSESSED BY SWAMINARAYAN

The sadhus who could not tolerate the increasing

fame of Bhagatji started protesting. They wanted to put
a ban on Bhagatjis movements in the Satsang. Bhagatji
often said, I am possessed by Swaminarayan.
Once a sadhu remarked, Is God a ghost that He
possesses you?
If a ghost has the power to possess, doesnt God also?
explained Bhagatji, God does not possess just anyone. He
possesses only those who have immense faith and love for
Him. Then he described the intense loving devotion of the
Gopis towards Shri Krishna. He declared, Due to the
blessings of Swami I continually enjoy the divine bliss of
Shriji Maharajs murti. Those who associate with me are
granted that everlasting happiness.
Once, Bhagatji was the guest of Rao Saheb of Petlad.
Rao Sahebs bodyguard was a Muslim. He was a genuine
aspirant of God and came to offer his respects to Bhagatji.
Bhagatji intuitively read his thoughts and talked to him
about the four types of satpurush as described in the Koran.
The bodyguard experienced divine peace in his presence.
Vignandasji and other sadhus were also present. Bhagatji
pointed towards the sadhus and said, Scold these sadhus
as they are always pestering me.

Trouble for Bhagatjis Sadhus

41

Bhagatji Maharaj tells the bodyguard of Rao Saheb to scold the sadhus

The bodyguard then addressed the sadhus. You are

all fakirs of Khuda and here is Khuda himself. Therefore
even if he beats you with a stick or with shoes, you
should follow him wherever he leads you. Hearing this
Bhagatji started laughing. In Petlad, Bhagatji blessed
the sadhus and devotees with the bliss of his company,
prasad and darshan.
When Bhagatji returned to Nadiad after meeting
Acharya Maharaj at Surat, he told the sadhus, This
time you will face many difficulties. Remain humble and
bear any opposition with patience.

20

TROUBLE FOR BHAGATJIS SADHUS

Bhagatjis spiritual tours comforted innumerable

devotees in Gujarat. Motilalbhai of Pij used to chant
bhajans incessantly. Once Maharaj appeared in his

42

Pragji Bhakta

dreams and said, I manifest in Satsang through Pragji

Bhakta. He was overjoyed by this darshan. He wrote
letters to each and every town about this revelation.
Thus, the glory of Bhagatji spread. Certain jealous
sadhus could not tolerate this. They managed to get
Bhagatjis disciple-sadhus excommunicated from the
Satsang.
Vignandasji, Yagnapurushdasji and many other
sadhus arrived at Mahuva during their tour of Gujarat. At
first Bhagatji remained indifferent to them, but then he
made arrangements for their stay at the Gopnath mandir.
He scolded them for glorifying him. The sadhus used to visit
the Swaminarayan mandir in turn and seek Bhagatjis
company. By Bhagatjis grace Yagnapurushdasji and
Purani Keshavprasad were permitted to stay with him in
the mandir. This gave the sadhus an opportunity to serve
Bhagatji throughout the day.
Many devotees came to the mandir to listen to the
religious discourses. Once, in the mandir at Mahuva,
Yagnapurushdasji told the assembly of devotees and
sadhus from Gadhada, citing the Vachanamrut, that
Bhagatji was the Param Ekantik Sadhu and described
his glory.
One of the devotees, Vitthalbhai, asked, How did
you come to know about these divine qualities of
Bhagatji? Yagnapurushdasji replied, He belongs to your
town and you know him better. Tell me from your
experience whether he is a righteous man or not?
Vitthalbhai replied, There isnt a more righteous
man than Bhagatji in the entire town. Although he sews
clothes for women of Nagar, Bania and other
communities, he never entertains any kind of unholy
ideas in his mind. On the contrary, he wins them over to
the Swaminarayan fold by explaining to them the divine
greatness of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The sadhus from

Trouble for Bhagatjis Sadhus

43

Gadhada endorsed his views and observed, We, too, are

purified by his company. So, how can there be any
impurity in him?
Yagnapurushdasji said further, Bhagatji is a jnani
too. The entire Satsang declares with one voice that
there is nobody as jnani as Bhagatji. Since, whether he is
praised or abused, he remains unruffled by any insults.
Again, all the principles described in the Vachanamrut
have been attained by him under the divine guidance of
Gunatitanand Swami. Therefore, we can say that
Bhagatji is a jnani in the truest sense of the term.
His asceticism is also unique. He is a householder,
yet he remains above attachments. Whenever he receives
any message from Acharya Maharaj he leaves home
immediately. He harbours no worries. If Acharya
Maharaj commanded him to renounce, he would
renounce this very moment. We have talked about him.
But those who seek his company also become detached
and overcome all desires. Otherwise, how is it that
devotees run to him from distant places, forgetting all
their domestic chores and concerns?
Yagnapurushdasji talked about Bhagatjis great
qualities of dharma, jnan and vairagya and said to the
gathering, Now, you tell me, whether or not he has faith
in Shriji Maharaj. Thus he asked the assembly to testify
to Bhagatjis qualities of an ekantik bhakta.
Vitthalbhai said again, Bhagatji is a man of firm
determination. Even when he was thrown out of Satsang,
he continuously worshipped Maharaj. He sat at the
mandir gate and sought darshan of sadhus and devotees.
He pleased all with his humility. His discourses have
helped many people attain true nishchay in Maharaj, so
there is no doubt about his supreme nishchay in Shriji
Maharaj. He believes Maharaj as the all-doer and nobody
else affects him.

44

Pragji Bhakta

On hearing this, Yagnapurushdasji said, In this way

we can manifestly see all the four qualities of dharma,
jnan, vairagya and bhakti in Bhagatji. And Shriji
Maharaj, as depicted in Vachanamrut, eternally dwells in
him. This is the reason we follow him wherever he goes.
Then, some of the sadhus went to Gujarat as
instructed by Bhagatji.
During a festival at Vartal, it was decided by
influential sadhus to make Bhagatjis sadhus wear white
robes. But the followers of Bhagatji did not agree to their
proposal. So the sadhus had to work for Satsang from
outside and they all returned to Mahuva.

21

BLISS IN SOLITUDE

A large group of devotees and sadhus had come from

Gujarat. As advised by Bhagatji, all of them rented a house
at Katpur, near Mahuva. Here, Bhagatji also joined the
sadhus and lived with them. He blessed the sadhus with
his darshan and divine company. The devotees would
prepare a variety of dishes everyday to feed the sadhus.
Sometimes, Bhagatji himself served the sadhus with great
affection. Bhagatji discoursed, while the sadhus sang
kirtans and everyone enjoyed divine bliss.
Yagnapurushdasji had composed an octet of verses
in Sanskrit in praise of Bhagatji. All were greatly
pleased to hear it. When the devotees saw the deep
devotion of the sadhus towards Bhagatji, they too
realized his glory. The excommunication of the sadhus
gave them an opportunity of living in the company of
Bhagatji. Bhagatji also graced the sadhus by keeping
them in his divine company. Thus their excommunication
was a blessing in disguise.
Once, in a light mood Bhagatji said, This
Yagnapurushdasji is mahant of this mandal. He then

Bliss in Solitude

45

said to Yagnapurushdas, You shall obey the commands

of Vijnandasji. Thus he commanded the sadhus to work
under the commands of Vignandasji.
Once, Bhagatji told the sadhus, These saffron
clothes are a great obstacle. Therefore go home and
practice satsang. However, the sadhus expressed their
firm determination of worshipping God, while observing
strict celibacy. Bhagatji was greatly pleased to learn of
their firm resolve. He blessed them and sent them all to
Bhadrod. There they stayed at the mandir of
Bhadreshwar Mahadev.
As they could not get the darshan of Bhagatji, the
sadhus fasted for three days. On the fourth day Bhagatji
arrived there and they all experienced divine peace. He
fed them with food and gave them the divine pleasure of
his company.
Waking them early in the morning, he would send
them to the river to take a bath. Then he would sit them
in meditation. He taught them the yogic process of
continuously concentrating on the murti of Maharaj.
Then he asked them to observe a fast on alternate days.
On the day of fast, he sent them to collect alms in the
neighbouring villages. He also sent them to collect cowdung for fuel. On the day of parna, he fed the sadhus
affectionately. Through constant spiritual discourses he
made the sadhus forget their physical bodies. They
experienced the divine bliss of Akshardham. He inspired
the sadhus to sing kirtans describing the form and glory
of Maharaj. He made them recite the Vachanamrut and
conduct religious discussions.
The sadhus also got an opportunity of serving
Bhagatji. Of late he was not keeping well. He had given
up wearing shoes. Yagnapurushdasji used to rub his
soles with a small emery stone and apply butter on the
cuts. Other sadhus also served him in many ways. Till

46

Pragji Bhakta

late in the night Bhagatji infused courage in the hearts

of his disciple-sadhus by his talks. While discoursing on
agna and upasana he said, If you accept Shriji Maharaj
as supreme and worship Him without aspiring for
anything else, and observe the vow of nishkam, I shall
take you to Akshardham.
Once, Bhagatji asked the sadhus to prepare millet
rotla, fried brinjal and buttermilk. Then he said, Today,
I want to feed you well. If you will eat as much as I
wish, I will be at your command, Bhagatji went on
pressing the sadhus to eat more and more. With great
difficulty Yagnapurushdasji finished three rotla.
Bhagatji told him, If you eat half a rotlo more, Ill do
whatever you say.
It was not possible for Yagnapurushdasji to take
even an extra morsel, yet he ate half a rotlo more to
please Bhagatji.
Then the sadhus desired to apply chandan on
Bhagatjis body. They prepared a lot of chandan paste
and applied it on Bhagatjis body. They had a rare
darshan of Bhagatji with sandalwood paste all over his
body. Then, as desired by Yagnapurushdasji and the
other sadhus, he embraced them all, besmearing them
with chandan.
In Bhadrod, many were pleased by Bhagatjis
discourses and became satsangis. At times, he would talk
all night and inspire the sadhus. Bhagatji felt pain when
he saw the sadhus facing hardships, despite their
saintliness. Often he would pray to Shriji Maharaj and
Swami for relief.
Shriji Maharaj answered Bhagatjis prayer. Acharya
Viharilalji Maharaj sent a letter from Vartal asking
Bhagatji to send the sadhus there. It was time to depart.
When would they get such an opportunity of serving
their spiritual master again? The sadhus served him as

End of Exile

47

if they were serving Shriji Maharaj. Yagnapurushdasji

prepared puranpoli and Surti dudhpak. Bhagatji was
pleased by this new variety. He blessed them and
purified them. They were reluctant to depart, but
following Bhagatjis command, they set off for Vartal.

22

END OF EXILE

On arriving at Vartal, the sadhus put up in a haveli

opposite the main gate of the mandir. The Acharya
Maharaj met them and instructed them to wear saffron
robes. He sent Vignandasji and other sadhus to
Khandesh. Yagnapurushdasji and some sadhus went on
a spiritual tour of Gujarat.
Vignandasji attracted many people towards the
Satsang in Khandesh. In samadhi some devotees saw the
murti of Bhagatji next to Shriji Maharaj. A woman
devotee was possessed by an evil spirit. As soon as she
saw the murti of Bhagatji, the evil spirit left her and she
became possessed by Bhagatji. She started behaving like
Bhagatji and brought happiness to innumerable people.
Thus Bhagatjis greatness spread in Khandesh. Devotees
started visiting Mahuva to stay in the company of
Bhagatji.
During this period, Acharya Maharaj arrived at
Mahuva. He received Bhagatji with great respect and
sent thal to him every day. He always asked Bhagatji to
address the assembly and praised him before the sadhus
and devotees. Acharya Maharaj graced Bhagatjis house
by paying a visit.
In the year V.S. 1949 (1893 CE) a murti-pratishtha
ceremony was to be held at Lakshmi Vadi in Gadhpur.
Acharya Maharaj had sent a special invitation to
Bhagatji. Bhagatji had invited devotees from Gujarat to
attend the ceremony at Gadhpur. Yagnapurushdasji had

48

Pragji Bhakta

come with his Sanskrit teacher, Rangacharya, from

Vadodara. Everybody got an opportunity of meeting
Bhagatji at Lakshmi Vadi as well as at the place where
he was lodging. Rangacharya was greatly impressed by
Bhagatjis darshan. Acharya Maharaj used to ask
Bhagatji to discourse to the assembly of devotees.
Then, due to the insistence of the devotees of
Gujarat, Bhagatji visited Nadiad. Here he stayed with
Zaverilalbhai. People started arriving from everywhere
to seek the company of Bhagatji. All of them brought
offerings with them. Bhagatji discoursed about the
supremacy of Shriji Maharaj, Swami as the
manifestation of Akshar, and the need to seek the
company of the Satpurush and observe celibacy. He
visited the mandir both in the morning and evening and
conducted religious discourses there. At night after
singing the cheshta, he would return to the place where
he was staying. Even there he discoursed till late at
night. Certain devotees had the darshan of Shriji
Maharaj on account of their association with Bhagatji.

23

SATSANG WITH
THE DIWAN OF VANSDA

Jhaverbhai Nathabhai Amin (of Virsad), the Diwan of

Vansda, was inspired by Yagnapurushdasjis company and
was longing for the darshan of and association with
Bhagatji. He wrote three letters to Acharya Maharaj and
the Kothari at Vartal expressing his earnest desire to meet
Bhagatji. On receiving instructions from Acharya Maharaj
and Kothari, Bhagatji arrived at Vansda, via Bilimora,
along with four devotees. He invited Vignandasji from
Khandesh to join him at Vansda. The Diwan accorded a
hearty welcome to Bhagatji befitting his status and position.
He and his wife attended to Bhagatji day and night.

Satsang with the Diwan of Vansda

49

They were Vedantins, so Bhagatji talked in detail

about the five eternal realities jiva, ishwar, maya,
Brahman and Parabrahman with relevant quotations
from the Vachanamrut and other scriptures. He also
explained to them the significance of agna and upasana.
One night, after completing his routine cheshta,
Bhagatji retired to bed. But then all of a sudden he got
up and started chanting the name of God. The Diwan
and other devotees also got up. After some time Bhagatji
woke up and addressed the people sitting around him,
One who wants to realize God should remember Him
incessantly. He must always wake up like this, and start
singing in praise of God. A genuine seeker should fear
like a deer and sleep like a crow. How can we have a
sound sleep when we have innate enemies like our
senses and antahkaran? Therefore, if while eating,
drinking, sleeping or waking, one remembers God by
singing his songs, then one can do whatever he desires.
While delving deep into the realms of Brahman and
Parabrahman, Bhagatji often gave practical worldly
guidance too, If you want to become brahmarup and
worship God then you should follow your dharma
rigorously. Dharma sustains jnan. Jnan establishes vivek
and kindles vairagya. Vairagya which is based on jnan
liberates you from worldly desires and one develops love
towards God. One should strictly follow the eleven
commandments and think and act accordingly. Bhakti is
like a faithful wife, it will follow dharma, and jnanvairagya are the two sons; which also follow her. Thus,
through such wonderful talks, Bhagatji taught the
Diwan to derive pure joy from devotion to God. He made
a solemn promise to Diwanji, At the time of your death I
will come with Maharaj to receive you.
The Maharaja of Vansda and other high officials
used to come for Bhagatjis darshan. They were greatly

50

Pragji Bhakta

impressed by Bhagatjis spiritual powers. The Maharaja

received him in his palace.
After giving Diwan Saheb the immense pleasure of
his company, Bhagatji left Vansda. The Diwan was so
attached to Bhagatji that his heart became heavy when
he left. From Vansda Bhagatji went to Chansad and then
returned to Vartal. Acharya Maharaj was pleased to
learn the news about Vansda. He had a turban tied on
Bhagatji as a mark of honour. Then he took Acharya
Maharajs leave and arrived at Ahmedabad via Nadiad.

24

JNAN YAGNA IN AHMEDABAD

Acharya Purushottamprasad Maharaj of Ahmedabad

was pleased to receive Bhagatji. He made arrangements
for Bhagatji and his groups stay in his own mansion and
took personal interest in their comforts. The entire
atmosphere of the mandir was transformed with the
arrival of Bhagatji. Soon after the mangala arti, Bhagatji
would address the assembly of devotees. Then at the
time of shangar he would lead the singing of kirtans.
Again till rajbhog he would give religious discourses. In
the afternoon he would discourse on the Vachanamrut
and make all the devotees focus their indriyas and do the
rosary at least ten times. In the evening also, till
cheshta, he would talk to the assembly about the
supremacy of Maharaj and inspire them to become
aksharrup. Frequently, he instructed the devotees of
Gujarat to sponsor meals. These things greatly pleased
the devotees.
At this time Yagnapurushdasji was in Mahemdavad.
He talked about the spiritual powers of Bhagatji to many
devotees and inspired them to go to Ahmedabad for his
darshan.
Once, during his religious discourses, Bhagatji

Jnan Yagna in Ahmedabad

51

talked about the importance of brahmacharya, God is

pleased only by brahmacharya. Radiance emanates from
the forehead of a person who observes celibacy. When he
bathes, the drops of water which fall from his tuft are
caught by the gods before they touch the ground. Even
the gods find this vrat difficult to observe. Since His
manifestation on earth, Shriji Maharaj has strongly
enforced the practice of this vow. Therefore, those who
want to realize ekantik dharma must observe celibacy
rigorously, control the senses, dine only once, remember
God incessantly, meditate forgetting everything, and not
entertain thoughts of women and other temptations. By
these means brahmacharya can be observed. Therefore,
woe be to the renunciants, who after renunciation fail to
observe this vrat.
In Mahemdavad Yagnapurushdasji regularly visited
the railway station and enquired about Bhagatji from
those who returned from Ahmedabad after visiting
Bhagatji. He constantly yearned to have the darshan of
Bhagatji. He became impatient. One day, he went to
Ahmedabad in the company of a sadhu. Bhagatji at first
told him off for coming to Ahmedabad, but other sadhus
and devotees requested him to receive Yagnapurushdasji
with love. He changed his attitude and welcomed him.
Whenever a meal was sponsored by Bhagatjis
followers, Acharya Maharaj served food himself. In this
way, he favoured Bhagatji. Also, the sadhus and devotees
were pleased by Bhagatjis presence since they
experienced divine bliss in his company. Thus, many
senior satsangis from the city also sought his darshan
and company as they were greatly drawn to his divine
murti.
Very frequently Bhagatji used to address the sadhus
in the mandir. Once he told them all to tell the rosary
and concentrate upon the divine murti of Shriji Maharaj.

52

Pragji Bhakta

He said, A businessman keeps his eye on the price of

wheat, jaggery and ghee because he has to make a profit
from them. In the same manner, if we keep our eye on
the divine murti of Maharaj, we too can earn profit in
terms of divine bliss. Remember God all the time and do
not forget Him even for a second. After renouncing the
world if we forget God then what has been renounced?
Thus he used to impress upon sadhus the need to seek
communion with God.
Once, as desired by Bhagatji, Yagnapurushdasji
addressed the assembly about the qualities and glory of a
Satpurush. Bhagatji was so pleased with him by his
talks that he got up and put his palms on the head of
Yagnapurushdasji to bless him. A stunned devotee
remarked, How is it that you, a householder, are placing
your hands on the head of a sadhu?
Bhagatji nonchalantly replied, It is Bhagwan
Swaminarayan, not I, who has placed His hands. The
devotee realized the meaning of these words and became
quiet.
The hindola festival was being celebrated in the
mandir. Bhagatji said, Shri Nar Narayan is known as
the emperor of India. So, when Maharaj incarnated in
India, He brought him as His guide. Shri Nar Narayan
had served Maharaj, therefore, Maharaj built a mandir
here and dedicated it to him. But he is not the principal
deity. Once in the eastern roop choki, holding the hand of
Anand Swami, Maharaj had observed, Such innumerable
Nar Narayans and Lakshmi Narayans stand on one foot
and worship this murti incessantly. Thus, Shriji
Maharaj explained the supreme upasana. I am just an
ordinary tailor. I remove two stitches and stitch another
two. I help you shun wealth and women and join your
soul unto God and His Sadhu.
He allowed Yagnapurushdasji to stay with him for a

Bhagatjis Magnetic Personality

53

few days and then permitted him to return to

Mahemdavad. He commanded him to pursue the studies
of shastras and jokingly said, Your slight build does not
befit a leader. A leader should build his body.
Yagnapurushdasji had taken a murti of Thakorji with
him. He gave it to Bhagatji to sanctify. Bhagatji became
very happy to see it and then as if he were watching
Maharajs figure in person observed, The nose is a bit
long, Maharajs nose was not so long. He kept the murti
pressed against his chest for nearly an hour and then
returned it to Yagnapurushdasji.
Carts loaded with sand for washing hands had come
to the mandir. The parshads were emptying the carts.
When Bhagatji saw this he, too, joined them and started
emptying the cart, basket after basket. The devotees who
were watching them followed Bhagatji and the work was
completed in no time. His special status in the Satsang
never stopped him from doing manual labour. He never
felt belittled in doing such menial jobs. This impressed
all the sadhus and devotees.

25 BHAGATJIS MAGNETIC PERSONALITY

Sitaba, the wife of Rao Saheb of Vadodara, saw
Bhagatji along with Shriji Maharaj for five successive
days during samadhi. She was overcome with emotion.
Rao Saheb invited Bhagatji to Vadodara. Both, Rao
Saheb and his wife became very happy by his darshan
and served him with love and devotion. He visited the
mandir and persuaded Rangacharyaji to associate with a
sadhu who possesses the redemptive virtues of God. He
explained to him the real value of scholarship, After
reading the scriptures, if one does not contemplate on the
redemptive virtues of God, that knowledge is of no use.
Rangacharyaji,
through
association
with

54

Pragji Bhakta

Yagnapurushdasji, was enlightened about Bhagatjis

God-realized state.
The householders who stayed continuously with
Bhagatji were inspired by him to observe shvet-dharma
a vow to avoid the company of women. Thus he inspired
them to overcome desires. He taught them how to
worship God. He advised, Remember God with your
eyes wide open without blinking. He used to
demonstrate this by offering prayers without blinking his
eyes and by giving a detailed description of Maharaj,
from head to toe, while remaining in that state. Everyone
was surprised by this.
Then, he left for Mahuva. Many devotees from
Gujarat accompanied him upto Vadhwan. After arriving
at Mahuva he told eighteen thousand malas for the
welfare of the devotees. He continuously sat in
meditation, offered worship and told the devotees,
Remember God while performing your worldly duties.
Shriji Maharaj had told Somla Khachar to engrave the
murti in his heart and preserve it otherwise one would
lament afterwards.
Many devotees from Gujarat came to experience the
company of Bhagatji. During this period Swami
Vignandasji, the most beloved and param ekantik
disciple of Bhagatji, left for Chhapaiya in accordance
with the wishes of Acharya Maharaj. He had sought
communion with Bhagatji during his stay in Ahmedabad.
After arriving in Chhapaiya, Vignandas Swami passed
away to Akshardham following a short illness. This
caused great distress to all the disciples close to
Bhagatji.
Bhagatjis glory was spreading very fast all over
Gujarat. Shri Ganpatbhai, a wealthy resident of Bharuch
was an authority on the Vachanamrut. He realized the
greatness of Bhagatji. Accompanied by Shri Jethabhai of

Bhagatjis Magnetic Personality

55

Pij he left Valsad for Mahuva by boat. Their boat was

caught in a storm but Bhagatji protected them all. They
reached Mahuva safely. Ganpatbhai was immensely
satisfied by Bhagatjis darshan. He understood that the
Satpurush was the gateway to moksha. Bhagatji also
explained to him the deeper meanings of the
Vachanamrut. He revealed his own experiences which
convinced Ganpatbhai further.
Bhagatji saw in him a sincere seeker. So he blessed
him and asked him to maintain satsang. Ganpatbhai
wished to return by rail, but by the wish of Bhagatji he
went by boat. There was no trouble during their voyage
and they reached home in one day.
Thus the devotees would go to Mahuva to seek
Bhagatjis company in spite of the great hardships that
they had to undergo on their way. Once a group of the
devotees from Gujarat arrived at Mahuva. They sang
devotional songs all the way from the port to the mandir
where they had the darshan of Bhagatji. Seeing this, a
Lohana resident, who had been instigated by someone,
started abusing the devotees. A jealous Brahmin villager
went to the extent of slapping Bhagatji. But Bhagatji
remained calm. The devotees from Gujarat could not
bear to see this so they pushed him aside.
Later, Bhagatji scolded the devotees and said, We
should tolerate. Then he added, One should always
side with a devotee of God. Though the incident had
created some bitterness in Mahuva, nothing untoward
happened because of Bhagatjis influence. Bhagatji
gave the devotees much bliss before they left.
Thereafter, due to the opposition of sadhus at the
festival in Vartal, devotees were forbidden to go to
Mahuva. But nothing could deter the courageous
devotees. They continued to go to Mahuva to pay their
respects to Bhagatji.

56

Pragji Bhakta

Those devotees who went to Mahuva got an

opportunity of having Bhagatjis darshan and company.
Bhagatji used to tell them, Maharajs manifest form
here on an Earth is as divine as that which dwells in
Akshardham. There is no difference. Only if you accept
this truth, will you succeed in your endeavours. You will
all have to become like Jadbharat. Otherwise, there will
be no happiness. Is it not better to return to
Akshardham than to rot in this hell of sense
gratification? Thus Bhagatji always used to talk about
associating with God and His holy Sadhu.

26

JAL-JHILANI CELEBRATION
AT GADHADA

In V.S. 1952 (1896 CE), Yagnapurushdasji, in

consultation with Acharya Maharaj, invited Bhagatji to
Gadhada to participate in the Jal Jhilani festival. The
devotees were informed accordingly and all of them
assembled at Gadhada.
On this occasion, Bhagatji used to give darshan to
the devotees at the Lakshmi Vadi mandir and at the
seats of Acharya Maharaj and senior sadhus in the
mandir. The Kothari had forbidden Bhagatji to discourse
so he spoke sparingly.
Once Acharya Maharaj invited him to his seat and
asked, How does one experience Gods bliss? Bhagatji
replied, Gods bliss is visible to one who adores God. All
his ten senses become quiet and his four antahkarans
experience eternal peace. One who has experienced Gods
bliss will not become attached to anything except the
murti of God. Muktanand Swami has said that one who
is dedicated to the guru experiences such bliss. Thus at
times Acharya Maharaj sought communion with Bhagatji
and experienced fulfilment.

Jal-Jhilani Celebration at Gadhada

57

Bhagatji talked openly to his beloved sadhus,

Atmabuddhi with the God-realized Sadhu is the only
means to salvation. Shriji Maharaj has entrusted the key
to moksha to such a Sadhu and the he is the gateway to
moksha. Such a Sadhu should be served by thought,
word and deed to attain ekantik dharma. But one should
never insult him. Once Naga Bawas threatened Maharaj
with their swords and asked Him to pluck spinach.
Maharaj refused and replied, We are merciful but if
someone looks at our devotee with an evil eye, we wont
hesitate to pierce his eyes. If he causes pain with his
hand we will cut it off. Such is our wrath. Therefore,
understand the principle that if anybody insults a
devotee, he will face great troubles in his own life.
Then the sadhus asked him, How do you meditate?
Bhagatji replied, I dont know how to meditate. By the
grace of Gunatitanand Swami I become oblivious of this
body and I behold Maharaj the way I am beholding you
presently. I withdraw my sense of hearing, the moment I
hear something. I know this much, I dont know anything
else. Therefore those who want to realize God should
bravely control the senses and antahkaran.
When is true knowledge said to have been
attained?
Just as the sword and sheath remain separate from
each other, similarly, when the atma and the body are
realized as independent of each other then that is true
jnan. No thoughts, except those of God, arise in the
antahkaran. Desires are removed. He added, How can
one sleep quietly if one is chased by bandits in the form
of the body, senses and antahkaran? One should not give
in to the instincts of lust, anger, etc. One should fight as
a tiger against them and pray for Maharajs help. One
should pray, O Maharaj, please dwell in my heart,
forever. Thus he spoke tremendously about becoming

58

Pragji Bhakta

brahmarup and associating with God.

During this festival, devotees sought Bhagatjis
instructions on the education of Yagnapurushdasji.
Bhagatji said, If arrangements can be made in Rajkot he
should continue his studies. But, there is no need for him
to go to Kashi. Yagnapurushdasji is a brush which cleans
the devotees from within.
Once, Bhagatji was sitting with Mana Bhagat who
advised Bhagatji, Life is short so you should not become
attached to your babula-like disciples, otherwise you will
have to take them to Dham. Bhagatji replied, How can
such devotees be called babula? I see in them the murti
of Brahman. If we call them babula our jiva shall perish.
If it is Maharajs wish, I would like to live with such
godly devotees for many lives to come.
Thus Bhagatji used to inspire the devotees with the
glory of God and His devotees, However much one may
talk about atma one cannot become atmarup. One has to
offer bhakti with a full understanding of Gods glory. As
a girl suffering from tuberculosis dies before attaining
youth, similarly, bhakti without understanding of Gods
glory never ripens. It is destroyed. The redemptive
attributes develop in the heart of a man who has bhakti
together with understanding of Gods glory. Then he
returned to Mahuva.

27

GRAND RECEPTION AT JUNAGADH

Since his excommunication from the Satsang

Bhagatji Maharaj had not visited Junagadh. He could
not go to Junagadh due to opposition and the absence of
Acharya Maharajs orders. But Yagnapurushdasji
decided to accord a grand reception to Bhagatji at the
very place where he had been insulted. In V.S. 1953
(1897 CE) on the occasion of the Janmashtami festival at

Brahmaswarup Bhagatji Maharaj

60

Pragji Bhakta

Junagadh he persuaded Acharya Maharaj to invite

Bhagatji to Junagadh.
Bhagatji Maharaj arrived at Junagadh. He was
received along with Acharya Maharaj at Junagadh
railway station with all the traditional pomp. Like
Acharya Maharaj, Bhagatji Maharaj and his followers
were driven in a decorated cart. Special arrangements
were made at the mandir to make their stay comfortable.
Yagnapurushdasji was assisted by Kothari Jibhai in
making these arrangements for Bhagatji.
The news of Bhagatjis arrival in Junagadh spread
all over the city. All the Nagar devotees came to the
mandir for Bhagatjis darshan. Here, he met old sadhus,
Balmukunddasji and Jaga Bhagat, who had lived with
Gunatitanand Swami. He asked his devotees to sponsor
meals in the mandir. Then he served the sadhus and
devotees most affectionately.
During the festival days, Bhagatji used to visit the
assembly hall. He used to call on Acharya Maharaj,
eminent sadgurus and Jaga Swami. Wherever he went,
he engaged himself in delivering discourses. All the old
sadhus and devotees knew very well that Bhagatji was
Gunatitanand Swamis favourite disciple. They also
knew that he had won Swamis favour, so they paid their
respects by prostrating to him. A Nagar devotee named
Dr. Umiyashankar once asked his guru Balmukunddasji,
How is it that Pragji Bhakta, a tailor, sits on a cot and
the sadhus prostrate to him?
Balmukunddas Swami smiled and said, You dont
know Pragji Bhakta. He has pleased Gunatitanand
Swami so much that even if we offer him a throne made
of gold and perform arti with lamps made from gold, it
would fall short of his status and eminence.
On this occasion, the beloved Nagar devotees of
Gunatitanand Swami Chakubhai, Sadashankarbhai

Grand Reception at Junagadh

61

and others were overwhelmed with joy at the sight of

Bhagatji. They recalled the old memories of their days
together and said, Pragbha, Pragbha, you swallowed all
the nectar offered by Swami and didnt leave a drop of it
for others. Bhagatji, too was glad to meet them all.
Bhagatji narrated how he had sought the company of
Swami and how he had served him by carrying out his
commands. He blessed the devotees by explaining how to
become brahmarup and join with God.
Bhagatji advised, One should always remain
vigilant and find out which virtues one possesses. Then
one will be sure to win the favour of the God-realized
Sadhu. Such a Sadhu in turn will make one great like
him. What is the use of our communion with the
Satpurush, if we cannot avail of the Sach-chid-anand
bliss which he enjoys? One should, therefore, offer
sincere devotion and seek Gods bliss. There are three
types of joy:
Vishyanandi jakta hai, bhajannandi Harids,
Paramnandi jivanmukta hai, jyki bhayi vsn nsh.
(The world derives pleasure from sense gratification;
a devotee derives it from devotional songs, the
jivanmukta whose desires have been extinguished enjoys
the bliss of God.)
By joining ourselves with such a God-realized
Sadhu one can experience the joy that he experiences.
Bhakti means to form a habit of seeing the great
qualities of the great Sadhu. Bhakti is life it is like the
jiva. Whats the use of a body which has only indriyas
and antahkaran and no jiva? Similarly vairagya, jnan,
dharma are meaningless if there is no bhakti. Bhakti is
the jiva, vairagya are the legs, dharma is the heart and
jnan is the eyes. One who chants bhajans and does not
allow adharma to take hold becomes brahmarup.
Animals are more sincere than men. If someone

62

Pragji Bhakta

gives a piece of bread to a dog, it will follow him

everywhere. If it is driven away, it would certainly go
away but would guard ones house. Therefore, we should
cultivate at least a dogs attitude. The slightest insult
upsets us. Understand for sure that your bread lies in
Satsang.
It is very difficult to overcome our granthis.
Complete
detachment
dispels
the
sneh-granthi;
realization of God removes sanshay-granthi; knowledge
destroys aham-granthi; steadfastness in the self takes
away mamatva-granthi. Complete dedication to dharma
burns out maithun-granthi or hriday-granthi.
During this festival Jaga Swami and Bhagatji
Maharaj used to call on each other and discuss spiritual
matters. Jaga Swami used to praise Bhagatji before the
devotees. He once observed, It is our great fortune to
have Bhagatji Maharaj among us. He is the guru of the
gunatit garden planted by Gunatitanand Swami.
Bhagatji supported Jaga Swamis observations. He
used to say, By attaining all the worldly objects of sense
gratification one experiences physical happiness in this
world, but ultimately one will be condemned to hell. Only
by the company of the Sadhu is the antahkaran
purified.
He then narrated an anecdote:
There was a Vaishnav devotee who always bathed
and remained pure in his diet and travellings. He was
steadfast and derived pleasure from devotion to God.
Once he was out on business. He could not concentrate
during his daily prayers. He asked his landlord as to why
it was so. The landlord explained, The well from which
you have brought water is impure. So, he went to fetch
water from another well. Then he was able to
concentrate. Therefore, it is necessary for a devotee to
observe purity in matters of food, etc. to steady the

Grand Reception at Junagadh

63

antahkaran. Then only will the antahkaran become pure

and will you be able to remember God.
The jiva looks after the body. At night one goes for
a stroll. Thus, in many ways one endeavours in bringing
pleasures to the body. But so long as one hasnt
surrendered his mind to the guru he has not done
anything. Therefore, the indriyas and antahkaran should
be controlled. They shouldnt be allowed to drift towards
the objects of sense gratification. The jiva has become
addicted to the pleasure of the five senses. But the
pleasure so derived is as short-lived as a grass fire which
dies out instantly.
Then he asked Yagnapurushdasji to recite verses in
praise of the guru and said, One who removes darkness
from the heart is a guru. One who is pure within and
without is a guru. One, on seeing whom the mind is not
deviated and who makes us steadfast is a guru. One who
removes all the doshas from his disciples and purifies
them is a guru. If one goes out in search of such a guru
with the heart of a seeker one shall certainly find him.
Therefore, one should recognize the Satpurush who has
attained the brahmic state.
Once a calf became separated from his mother and
went to a cowshed in which there were bulls only.
Whenever the calf tried to get milk, it received kicks from
the bulls. Its mouth became swollen without getting even
a drop of milk. Then, it could not suck milk even from its
own mother. Thus if one leaves the Satpurush and turns
to a lesser being, then one will receive kicks only.
One should be like a dove. It falls headlong at the
command of his master who catches it in the air. If we
can cast all our cares to the Satpurush and carry out his
commands there is nothing to worry about. He will look
after us.
Thus by participating in the festival at Junagadh,

64

Pragji Bhakta

Bhagatji fulfilled all the desires of Yagnapurushdasji. He

had given all the sadhus and devotees the bliss of his
company and then took leave of Acharya Maharaj and left
for Gondal. Jaga Swami could not control his tears at the
time of parting. The two beloved disciples of Gunatitanand
Swami embraced for the last time and parted.

28

THE LAST PHASE

While
at
Gondal,
Yagnapurushdasji
sought
Bhagatjis opinion about his studies. Bhagatji said, You
have mastered all the shastras and I have completely
taught you brahmavidya. Now make everyone as happy
as
you
are.
So
saying,
Bhagatji
appointed
Yagnapurushdasji as the guru and blessed him.
On reaching Mahuva, Bhagatji fell ill. It appeared as
if he had decided to go to Akshardham. He called some of
the devotees to Mahuva for the last darshan. Jetha
Bhagat rushed from Mumbai to Mahuva leaving aside
his work as kothari to serve Bhagatji. Devotees from all
corners of Gujarat began to pour in for the last darshan.
Bhagatji had given up food. His condition was
deteriorating, his illness worsening.
Yet, Bhagatji gave strength to all and discoursed to
them. When he went to the mandir for darshan on the
day of annakut, thousands of devotees had his darshan.
He said, Those who have had my darshan even once I
will take them to Akshardham.
The devotees frequently prayed to Bhagatji to stay
on this earth longer and not remain unhealthy. The
vaidya from Chansad, Mansukhbhai, came. He
prescribed some medications and milk according to
Bhagatjis condition. But Bhagatji did not take them.
Bhagatji told Yagnapurushdasji not to come to Mahuva.
But his mind was continuously focused on Bhagatji. So,

The Last Phase

65

he wrote a letter to Bhagatji requesting him to regain

good health. But Bhagatjis health continued to
deteriorate. The devotees lovingly served Bhagatji in
every way, but were sad to see him ill.
Bhagatjis condition became critical from the
morning of Kartik sud 13, V.S. 1954 (7 November 1898
CE). He used to do puja regularly after his morning bath.
But that day, he could not attend even to his bodily
needs. He was surrounded by Prabhudas and other
devotees. Suddenly Bhagatji started speaking, Take me
to Vartal. So saying, all of a sudden, he got up and sat
in a swastik asan, stopped his breath and pulse and
remained motionless. Thus concentrating, on the Shriji
Maharaj,
Bhagatji
independently
returned
to
Akshardham. The devotees failed to understand this
phenomenon. They laid him on the bed and felt his pulse,
which had already stopped.
They were all shocked, as if they had been struck by
lightning. They all started crying bitterly. Kothari Jetha
Bhagat consoled and pacified them.
Bhagatjis body was laid on the floor and they all
started chanting the dhun. Soon this sad news spread all
over the town. He was loved and revered by one and all.
Thousands of people thronged there for darshan.
Bhagatji had instructed the devotees in advance that his
last rites be performed according to the customs of his
community, but they should not use sandalwood, etc.
Accordingly, the next morning, in the presence of
thousands of devotees, his mortal body was cremated in
the farm of Fulchand Sheth, situated on the bank of the
river Malan.
Hearing this news, Yagnapurushdasji felt as if the
heavens had come down upon him. He became extremely
unhappy and grieved so much that he fainted while
going for a bath. Shriji Maharaj appeared to him and

66

Pragji Bhakta

said, I Have not gone. I dwell forever in you.

So saying, Shriji Maharaj took a garland of roses
and
jasmine
from
His
neck
and
garlanded
Yagnapurushdasji. A sadhu who had accompanied him
was lucky enough to witness this rare sight.
Yagnapurushdasjis grief disappeared. All could
understand the significance of Shriji Maharajs divine
words that He remains manifest in the person of a
param ekantik sadhu like Yagnapurushdasji, popularly
known as Shastriji Maharaj.

29

DIVINITY REVEALED

In V.S. 1914 (1858 CE), Bhagatji was going to Junagadh

to pay respects to Gunatitanand Swami. He was accompanied
by the devotees of Mahuva. Due to heavy rains the Shetrunji
was flooded. The current was so powerful that the boatman
and the travellers were all held up on the riverbank.

Bhagatji Maharaj leads the devotees through

the flooded river Shetrunji

Divinity Revealed

67

Bhagatji encouraged the devotees by saying, Let us

remember Maharaj and Swami and we shall be able to cross
safely. So saying, he led the devotees. The boatman tried
to dissuade him from going across the river. But he fears
nothing who has before his eyes the murti of Maharaj and
Swami. The water was only chest deep when they reached
halfway. Even the current was not so strong. The devotees
followed Bhagatji. The boatman and others who were
watching the scene from the bank were amazed, and
marvelled at the faith and courage of the devotees!
On the way a devotee was bitten by a dog. Bhagatji
soothed him with his touch and the pain vanished.
Proceeding further, Bhagatjis elder brother, Narsinhbhai,
was bitten by a poisonous snake. All got frightened but
Bhagatji consoled them saying, Pray to Maharaj, everything
will be alright. Soon he felt relief because of the divine
power of the Swaminarayan mantra and the blessings of a
Satpurush. Then they encountered robbers. The devotees
offered them food. While the thieves were busy eating, the
devotees managed to escape. In spite of such innumerable
hardships, the devotees from Mahuva never missed a chance

Bhagatji Maharaj divinely transports the devotees to Gadhada

68

Pragji Bhakta

to go for Swamis darshan with Bhagatji.

In V.S. 1943 (1887 CE), Bhagatji led a group of

devotees to Gadhada. It was raining heavily and it was
very dark, visibility was poor and the road was full of
thorns and stones. The devotees were greatly troubled
and frustrated. Then Bhagatji made them sit in a circle
and asked them to hold one anothers toes and pray with
their eyes shut. After some time he woke them up. To
their surprise they found themselves sitting on the banks
of the river Ghela at Gadhada. Thus, in no time,
Bhagatji placed them all in Gadhada.

Once, Kanji Darji of Mahuva went to Gadhpur with

Bhagatji. Both of them were sewing garments for
Thakorji. Acharya Maharaj arrived at Gadhada from
Vartal. Devotees went to receive him. Bhagatji and
Kanjibhai also joined the devotees for darshan. Acharya
Maharaj was pleased to see Bhagatji there. He took off
the rose garland from his neck and offered it to Bhagatji,
who in turn gave it over to Kanjibhai. From then
onwards Kanjibhai began to continuously see the murtis
of Shriji Maharaj and Swami. After three years, when he
married, the vision disappeared.

There was an outbreak of cholera in Mahuva.

Vitthalbhais daughter-in-law contracted it. Whenever
anybody prayed to Bhagatji to cure a victim of cholera, he
would ask him to offer oil to Hanumanji and the victim
would be cured. Vitthalbhai tried this, but his daughterin-law was not cured. So he went to Bhagatji and said, I
offered oil to Hanumanji but the disease was not cured.
Bhagatji told him, Who had told you to offer oil to
Hanumanji?
Vitthalbhai replied, I did it because you ask so

Divinity Revealed

69

many others to do so.

Bhagatji smiled and said, You cant succeed if you
follow your own will. Now I command you to go again
and offer oil to the murti of Hanumanji that has been
sanctified by Shriji Maharaj. He carried out the orders
and his daughter-in-law recovered.

In V.S. 1951 (1895 CE), Bhagatji was in Mahuva. A

Brahmin came to his house and stared into his eyes
without blinking. Bhagatji asked him. Maharaj, what
are you gazing at? You will find Shriji Maharaj in every
pore of my body.
The Brahmin replied, You are perfectly right,
Bhagatji. I see Shriji Maharaj in both of your eyes.
Thats why I have been staring at you.

During his final illness, Bhagatjis condition was very

critical. He was confined to bed. Meanwhile, it was time
for the Annakut festival. In Mahuva mandir the festival
was sponsored by Bhagatji. Bhagatji decided to go to the
mandir. All his devotees were surprised at this decision.
On the day of annakut, Bhagatji got up and donned new
clothes, a turban and khes. He used his yogic powers and
helped by two attendants started walking towards the
mandir before the devotees could arrange for any vehicle.
Bhagatji reached the mandir, had darshan and then
sat down against the second pillar to the right of the
dome. The thousands of devotees who had thronged to
the mandir for the annakut darshan, were lucky to have
darshan of the luminous personality of Bhagatji. They all
praised Bhagatji. Fulchandbhais father, Khimjibhai, had
come there with a carriage to take Bhagatji home. On his
way home Bhagatji told Jetha Bhagat, Blessed are those
who had my darshan today. How gracious he was!

70

Pragji Bhakta

Ame sau Swmin blak...

Meaning:
We are the children of Swami; we will die for him. We
are the youths of Shriji Maharaj; we will fight for him. We
are fearless; we will not shirk sacrificing our lives, for we are
born to die. We have launched this movement, and will
undergo any suffering. We will sing the praises of AksharPurushottam. We are the sons of Shriji; we have our abode
in Akshar. Dedicated as we are to swadharma, we have no
apprehension whatsoever. Bhagwan Purushottam and
Akshar, Gunatitanand Swami are with us. We have
accomplished our goal.

GLOSSARY
A
adharma
agna
aksharrup
annakut
antahkaran
anuvrutti
arti
asan
atma
atmabuddhi
atmarup
avatar
B
babula
bhagwati diksha

unrighteousness
tenet, commandment
form of Akshar.
festival in which varieties of vegetarian
delicacies are offered to God
conscience
to follow intuitively
lighted wicks
posture; seat
soul
intense affection
behaving as atma
incarnation

weaklings
initiation into a sadhu in saffron
robes

Glossary

bhajan
bhakta
bhakti
bhandari
Bhim Ekadashi
Brahman
brahmacharya
brahmajnan
brahmarup
brahmavidya
brahmic
C
chandan
cheshta

chintamani
D
dandvat
Darbar
darshan
Dham
dharma
dhoti

dhun
dhyan
diksha
divyabhav

71

song singing the glory of god

devotee
devotion
store-keeper
Jeth sud 11
Aksharbrahman
celibacy
knowledge of Brahman
form of Brahman
knowledge of Brahman
pertaining to Brahman

sandalwood
verses
describing
the
daily
routine and divine form of Shriji
Maharaj
wish-fulfilling gem

prostration
a regional ruler
to see with reverence and
devotion
short form for Akshardham,
abode of Bhagwan Swaminarayan
righteousness
a garment wrapped round the
waist and tucked to dress the
lower part of the body.
chanting the name of God
meditation
initiation
to firmly believe that God and His
Sadhu are divine

72

Diwan
dosh
dudhpak
E
ekadashi
ekantik bhakta
ekantik dharma
ekantik sthiti
F
fagva prasadi

Pragji Bhakta

minister
moral flaws
sweet, thickened milk with rice

the eleventh day of each half of a

lunar month
god-realized devotee
collective term for dharma, jnan,
vairagya and bhakti.
brahmic state

Fuldol

sanctified food of popcorn and

dates.
Muslim mendicant or ascetic
a month of the Hindu calendar
(February-March)
festival of colours

G
jnan
jnani
gorakh
granthi
guna
Gunatit

knowledge; wisdom
a wise person
a type of yogic posture
complex
innate nature
transcends the three gunas

H
haveli
hindola
hriday-granthi
Hutashani

mansion
swing
desires
Holi festival

fakir
Fagan

Glossary

73

I
ishwar

second of the five eternal realities

J
Jal Jhilani Ekadashi
Jamadar
Janmashtami
jiva
jivanmukta
K
kalyan
Kartik
khatras

khes
Khuda
kirtan
kothari
M
mahant
mahaprasad
maithun-granthi
mala
mamatva-granthi
mandal
mangala arti
maya

Bhadarva sud 11
head constable
birthday of Shri Krishna, Shravan
sud 8.
soul
redeemed during this very life

salvation; liberation
A month of the Hindu lunar
calendar (October-November)
an observance in which only food
devoid of the six types of taste
sweet, salty, bitter, sour, spicy
is eaten.
silken scarf
God
devotional song
chief administrator of mandir

chief priest; pontifical head of a

mandir
sanctified food
lust
rosary
attachment to self
group
first arti of the day, performed at
sunrise
third of the eternal realities

74

moksha
Mul Akshar

Pragji Bhakta

murti
murti-pratishtha

redemption
the eternal and primordial form
of Akshar
image; idol
consecration of murti in a mandir

N
naivedya
nishchay
nishkam vrat

food offered to a deity

absolute faith
vow of celibacy

P
paras
paravidya
parna
parshad
pativrata
pranam
prasad
puja
pujan
punya
puranpoli
R
rajbhog arti

philosophers stone magical

stone which turns iron into gold
wisdom of God
breaking of fast
male renunciant in white robes
fidelity
obeisance offered with folded
hands
consecrated food
worship
religious rites
merits
sweet delicacy

rotlo

third arti of the day performed

after lunch has been offered to
the deities
millet bread

S
sadguru
sadhak

senior sadhu
a person endeavouring on the

Glossary

samadhi
sangh
sanshay-granthi

Sach-chid-anand
satsang
satsangi
seva
sevak
shangar arti

75

spiritual path
trance
group
doubts
truth-consciousness-joy
good
company;
spiritual
association
one who practices satsang
service
one who serves
second arti of the day; performed
after breakfast has been offered
and the murtis have adorned with
garments,
ornaments
and
garlands.

shvet dharma

a vow to avoid the company of

women

sneh
sud

swastik asan

attachment
bright half of each lunar month of
the Hindu calendar
ones own dharma
form
understanding and resolve in the
true form of God
cross-legged posture

T
thal

offering of food to the deities

swadharma
swarup
swarupnishtha

U
upasana

V
vairagya

philosophical understanding of the

nature of God; mode of worship

detachment

76

vartman
vishay
vrat
V.S.

Pragji Bhakta

vows
worldly pleasure
a spiritual observance
Vikram Samvat the Hindu year
from the reign of King Vikram