Prasang 31
The Vyāsji of Our Sampradāy
Harshadbhāi Dave was a historian of the Swaminarayan Sampradāy, often referred to as the “Vyasji of the Sampradāy.” His life’s mission was to establish and spread the Akshar Purushottam Upāsanā. Over his lifetime, he penned over 6,000 pages detailing the divine lives of Bhagwān Swaminarayan and the Gunatit Gurus, making an invaluable contribution to the Sampradāy’s history. Additionally, he authored various other sectarian scriptures.
Despite his scholarly brilliance, which could have earned him thousands of rupees, Harshadbhāi chose to serve selflessly until his last breath, expecting nothing in return. Yogiji Maharaj once expressed his deep reverence for him, saying, “Even if we were to wash Harshadbhāi’s feet and drink that water, it would still be an insufficient honor for his contributions.” He had gained the inner blessings of three Gunatit Gurus—Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj, and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. This was because, along with his service, he exhibited a remarkable firmness in nishkām dharma (vow of non-lust), which the Satpurush (Yogiji Maharaj) had personally instructed him to uphold with great vigilance.
Once, Yogiji Maharaj was doing kathā in the old sabhā hall of Gondal Mandir. As Harshadbhāi was about to enter the sabhā, a female devotee stopped him. She had brought some prasād in a container and requested him to empty it into the kitchen and return the empty container to her. Harshadbhāi did as she asked and handed back the empty container. Later, when Harshadbhāi came to bow at his feet, Yogiji Maharaj told him, “Today, what you did with the container was not appropriate.” Surprised, Harshadbhāi asked, “Bapa, what was wrong? I simply emptied the food into the kitchen and returned the container. Where was my mistake?”
Yogiji Maharaj explained, “The mistake was that you accepted it directly from her hands. You should have asked her to place it down first. Then, you could have picked it up, emptied it, and placed it back down for her to collect. We do not directly exchange objects hand-to-hand. Since this was an error, observe a fast for a day as atonement.” This incident highlights how meticulous Yogiji Maharaj was about even the smallest aspects of nishkām dharma!
Since we are also engaged in spreading Upāsanā, our responsibility is equally significant. The Satpurush expects us to maintain the highest standards of conduct. When we uphold nishkām dharma with purity, we earn the rājipo of the Satpurush. Harshadbhāi was extremely vigilant in this regard.
On another occasion, a female devotee visited Harshadbhāi’s home. At the same time, his wife was called by an elderly neighbor for some household assistance. She quickly stepped out to help and returned within minutes. Though Harshadbhāi was deeply engrossed in his work, upon noticing that his wife had momentarily left the house, he sternly told her, “Are you aware of what you just did? Do you not know the teachings of the Shikshāpatri? I was alone in the house with another woman! You should have informed me beforehand so that I could have stepped outside instead!”
This incident reflects the great caution Harshadbhāi exercised in following Shriji Maharaj’s āgnā to never remain alone with a woman other than one’s spouse.
In Vachanāmrut Gadhadā II-33, Shriji Maharaj states, “If a person firmly observes the vow of non-lust, then he is never far from God - whether he is in this realm or beyond. Moreover, my affection for such a person never diminishes…even if I were a thousand miles away from him, I would still be close to him.”
Harshadbhāi enjoyed the immense rājipo of the Satpurush due to his unwavering commitment to nishkām dharma. If we, too, maintain purity in sevā and steadfastly uphold nishkām dharma, we will experience the constant presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj. Only then will we attain his rājipo and grace.
