Prasang 30
Pioneering Satsang in Africa: Maganbhāi
Maganbhāi Patel illuminated East Africa, often referred to as ‘Andhārkhand’ (land covered in darkness), with the divine light of Akshar Purushottam. Until the age of 31-32, Maganbhāi’s life revolved around luxury, food, and comfort. He worked as a railway station master in Kibwezi, maintaining a strict and disciplined nature with no tolerance for leniency. However, his purva sanskārs (past virtues) and divine grace led him to meet Haribhāi Patel, a devoted follower of Shastriji Maharaj, who was transferred to the same station. Through Haribhāi’s influence, Maganbhāi was drawn to Satsang.
Once, during a trip to India, he visited Bochāsan and had darshan of Shastriji Maharaj. He experienced such a divine revelation from the very first moment that he accepted Shastriji Maharaj as his guru. Overcome with emotion, he fell at Swamishri’s feet, sobbing uncontrollably. Shastriji Maharaj blessed him and said, “All your past sins are forgiven. Now, remain in Satsang and spread it further.”
From that moment on, Maganbhāi dedicated himself entirely to spreading Satsang. Whoever encountered him—whether big or small—was introduced to the glory of Bhagwān Swaminarayan and Shastriji Maharaj. As a station master, anyone needing approval for a wagon release had to seek Maganbhāi’s permission. He would tell them, “Listen to my kathā for a while, and then I’ll grant you permission.” Thus, whether known or unknown, every visitor was drawn into Satsang. Between train schedules, and during any free time, he used to discuss Satsang over telegrams with other railway station masters who were devotees. Through the association of Nirgundās Swami, Maganbhāi deeply studied the Vachanāmrut, spending entire nights immersed in its teachings. His kathās continued from evening ārti till dawn, when people gathered with their toothbrushes in hand! He even gave up his evening meals to further spread upāsanā. From Tororo, Mbale, Jinja, Kampala, Masaka, Buikwe, Bududa, Bukedea, Nagongera, Nairobi, and to Mombasa, he traveled tirelessly, establishing centers of spiritual discourse and instilling firm faith in Akshar-Purushottam within countless souls.
While singing the glories of Shastriji Maharaj, Maganbhāi would become emotional and say, “By serving Shastriji Maharaj, we are directly serving Shriji Maharaj himself! We have found in this very lifetime what others attain after death!” When speaking of Shastriji Maharaj’s mahimā (glory), Maganbhāi would sometimes say, “What more can I say? I have already held back my words (in speaking his true glory). If I were to speak the full truth as it is, the world would break my back.” His reverence for devotees was such that he would humbly roll over in the dirt sanctified by the footsteps of these devotees, and his joy of spiritual realization was so profound that he would leap in bed at night, exclaiming, ‘I have found Shastriji Maharaj!’ Maganbhāi had once given his word to Shastriji Maharaj: “The African Satsang Mandal will complete the Gadpur Mandir project.” To fulfill this vow, he encouraged devotees, saying, “If Shastriji Maharaj gives us āgnā to do something, should we not sell ourselves for it? When we were born as cows, bulls, buffaloes, and goats, we were sold countless times. Now, in this human birth, if we must be ‘sold’ to fulfill his āgnā to complete Gadpur Mandir, so be it! One must be ready to die for the words of the Guru.” His words radiated the true spirit of surrenderence—a burning passion to sacrifice everything for the Satpurush.
Although a householder, Maganbhāi lived like a swāmi. Shastriji Maharaj himself declared, “I am carrying out my mission in Africa through Maganbhāi. Seek his association.” Despite living only 51 years, Maganbhāi transformed countless lives. Drenched in the ocean of his Guru’s glory, he spread the Upāsanā of Akshar-Purushottam with unparalleled dedication, becoming an eternal bead in Shastriji Maharaj’s mālā. Like Maganbhāi, let us dedicate our lives to spreading the Upāsanā of Akshar-Purushottam and become a precious bead in the mālā of our present Guru. For in this lies the true fulfillment of life.
