Prasang 46
“Dedicated my life in the service of Swami”
Pragji Bhakta was determined to attain the supreme knowledge of Bhagwān Swaminarayan through Gunatitanand Swami. To do so, he left his home and dedicated himself entirely to Gunatitanand Swami’s sevā, even at the cost of his own life. His resolve was unshakable—he would go to any lengths to please Swami, even at the cost of his own body. Gunatitanand Swami, however, constantly tested his determination in various ways.
In Samvat 1917, Gunatitanand Swami initiated the demolition of the old haveli (ornate building) in Junāgadh Mandir to construct a new one. Swami assigned Pragji Bhakta to this work and deliberately tested his endurance. He formed groups of ten swamis for others but assigned only two or three to Pragji’s group for the difficult task of digging the foundation. Without complaint, Pragji Bhakta engaged in the sevā with greater zeal. With Swami’s blessings, his group was the first to complete the foundation work.
Once the foundation was ready, it had to be filled with clean sand—a task that required soaking and washing the sand first. However, since this work would drench their clothes, most found excuses to avoid it. Observing this, Swami ordered Pragji to do it. Without hesitation, he began the work. He fetched large vessels of water, poured sand into them, cleaned them by hand, and filled baskets. He then lifted the heavy baskets onto his head, ran to the foundation, and emptied them, repeating this tirelessly from morning to evening.
By the end of the day, his clothes were drenched, his body exhausted, yet he never stopped to rest. Seeing this, Swami remarked, “He truly knows how to please a Sant.”
Mixing lime plaster was a more grueling task—a job that could cause blindness and severe burns on the hands and feet. Fearful of the consequences, no one stepped forward for the job. But when Swami gave Pragji āgnā, he willingly accepted the dangerous task.
1. He carried heavy sacks of lime, weighing 240 kg (12 maunds), which others would throw onto his back. However, engrossed in Gunatitanand Swami’s murti he never complained thinking that Swami was testing him.
2. He emptied them into a pit, poured water over the lime, and mixed it with his own hands and feet.
Seeing him work, some warned him, “This will make you blind! Your hands and feet will be ruined!” Pragji simply smiled and proudly replied, “I have dedicated my life in the service of Swami!”
For three and a half years, Pragji worked without break, eating only once every three days. His only goal was to please Gunatitanand Swami.
He never ignored a single word from Swami. Once, Swami playfully instructed him, “Pragji! Go bring Girnār mountain here!” Pragji immediately set out for Girnār. People mocked him, saying, “Pragji has no sense! The Guru may speak, but one must have wisdom in following orders.”
Pragji responded, showing every aspirant the right path, “A disciple must obey every āgnā of the guru without question. I will bow my head to Girnār and tell it, ‘Swami has called you.’ If Girnār does not come, it will be disobedient—not me!”
Bhagatji Maharaj embodied the highest form of spiritual discipline—where one locks away logic and follows the guru’s words with absolute faith. Mahant Swami Maharaj explains: “If you argue in your mind, you will never obey. You must surrender your heart.” This is the true secret of spiritual success—to dive into the guru’s āgnā without analyzing or questioning, but with firm faith and total surrender.
