Prasang 51
Lifting the Injunction of Jāgā Bhakta
Jāgā Bhakta, a blessed disciple of Gunatitanand Swami, used to narrate profound discourses on Upāsanā in Junāgadh. Even great Sadgurus and devotees would sit by him, eagerly listening to his divine talks. His growing glory and influence fueled jealousy and resentment among certain individuals.
At that time, Jibhāi Kothāri was in charge of the Junāgadh Mandir. He was a simple-hearted devotee who held great reverence for Bhagatji Maharaj. However, those spreading false rumors poisoned his mind about Jāgā Bhakta. Being gullible, Jibhāi Kothāri believed their words. Not realizing Jāgā Bhakta’s true spiritual stature, he issued an official order: “No swami or devotee is allowed to listen to discourses in Jāgā Bhakta’s room. Anyone who does so will be excommunicated from the mandir.” Moreover, Jāgā Bhakta himself was banned from giving discourses in the sabhā hall. This verdict was also supported by Vartāl’s chief Kothāri, Gordhanbhāi.
This decree deeply saddened all the devotees in Junāgadh, but none dared to oppose Jibhāi Kothāri’s command. For Jāgā Bhakta, this was a heartbreaking moment. His only joy in life was singing the glory of Shri Hari and Gunatitanand Swami and spreading their upāsanā. Discourses were his very form of devotion, his life. Now, that life had been snatched away from him, leaving him utterly sorrowful.
Upon hearing of Jāgā Bhakta’s ban, Shastriji Maharaj in Rājkot immediately drafted a long letter to Jibhāi Kothāri, explaining Jāgā Bhakta’s immense spiritual greatness. However, he soon realized that a letter would not be enough. Instead, he tore up the letter and decided to go to Junāgadh in person that day.
Upon reaching the Junāgadh Mandir, he had darshan of Thakorji and then proceeded straight to Jāgā Bhakta’s room. Some people tried to stop him, saying, “Going there is forbidden.” With fearlessness, Shastriji Maharaj replied, “There is no restriction for me.” He then entered Jāgā Bhakta’s room.
Jāgā Bhakta was astonished and asked, “How did you come here? Coming here has been forbidden.” Shastriji Maharaj boldly declared, “From today, this ban is lifted! Do not worry. I will personally resolve everything with Kothāri.” With this assurance, he returned to his place.
Meanwhile, in the mandir, a major uproar erupted. “Yagnapurushdasji has defied the ban and gone to Jāgā Bhakta’s room! He even offered him prostrations!” The news spread like wildfire. However, Shastriji Maharaj paid no attention to the outcry.
That very night, he called Jibhāi Kothāri for a meeting. Until 4 AM, he patiently explained Jāgā Bhakta’s supreme greatness. Kothāri eventually realized his mistake. At dawn, he bathed, took a sandalwood paste and garland, and personally approached Jāgā Bhakta’s seat. With deep remorse, he performed Jāgā Bhakta’s pujan with sandalwood, offered him the garland, and prostrated before him. He then lifted all restrictions, allowing everyone to visit Jāgā Bhakta, and even requested him to resume delivering discourses in the sabhā.
Without fear of excommunication or concern for public opinion, Shastriji Maharaj boldly stood up for Jāgā Bhakta. Similarly, we too must always stand firm in our support for Shriji Maharaj, the Satpurush, and all devotees, without yielding to social pressures or worldly concerns.
