Prasang 54
Shriji Himself Has Done It…
To boldly establish and spread the Akshar-Purushottam philosophy, Shastriji Maharaj resolved to consecrate the murtis of Akshar and Purushottam together. Around Samvat 1955 (1899 AD), some swamis, including Kunjvihāriprasad and Nirmaldas, parted ways with the Ahmedabad Gadi (establishment), intending to build their own grand shikharbaddh mandir. However, executing such a large mandir project was beyond their capacity.
At the time, Shastriji Maharaj was serving as the Mahant of Sārangpur Hanumanji Mandir. Swami Nirmaldas met Shastriji Maharaj in Limdi and shared the challenges they faced in constructing the mandir. Recognizing this as a golden opportunity to reveal the Akshar-Purushottam Philosophy, Shastriji Maharaj set forth a condition, saying, “If you install the murtis of our Ishtadev, Purushottam Bhagwān Shri Sahajanand Swami, along with his supreme devotee, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, we will assist you in every way you need—and Maharaj himself will help you as well.”
Swami Nirmaldas agreed, saying, “If you can help us acquire land in Vadhwān, we will enshrine the murtis of Maharaj and Swami.”
Through Shastriji Maharaj’s recommendation, the Thakor Saheb of Vadhwān generously donated land on the banks of Bhogāvo for the mandir. This marked the beginning of the first Akshar-Purushottam Mandir. Since Shastriji Maharaj was still residing in Vartāl, he managed the Vadhwān mandir activities from there, even sending devotees to Jaipur to have the Akshar-Purushottam murtis sculpted.
The murti-pratishthā was scheduled for Mahā Sud 5, Vasant Panchami of Samvat 1961. Opponents tried everything to prevent Akshar-Purushottam from being enshrined in Vadhwān. They even held a meeting in Muli to strategize against it. However, Shastriji Maharaj remained fearless. He instructed all devotees who had firm faith in Akshar-Purushottam to attend the Vadhwān murti-pratishthā.
Kunjvihāriprasadji had promised to install the Akshar-Purushottam murtis in the central sanctum. However, Shastriji Maharaj cautioned the devotees, saying, “Even if there is opposition, insist that the murtis be placed in the central sanctum. If the opposition becomes too strong, then as a last resort, install them in a side sanctum.”
It seemed impossible that Akshar-Purushottam would be installed in the main sanctum without resistance. Yet, despite intense opposition, Shastriji Maharaj’s devotees showed immense courage and successfully installed the murtis in the southernmost sanctum. Thus, for the first time in history, Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj were enthroned in Vadhwān, marking the first great victory of Upāsanā!
Late at night, Shastriji Maharaj received a telegram in Vartāl, confirming that the murti-pratishthā was successfully completed. Holding the telegram, he immediately went to Kothāri Gordhandās and, in great joy, declared, “Akshar-Purushottam Dev has been enshrined in Vadhwān!”
Hearing this, Kothāri Gordhandās was deeply shaken. He admitted, “I had resolved that as long as I lived, I would never allow Akshar-Purushottam to be installed. But today, you have done it!”
To this, Shastriji Maharaj, with the power of unwavering faith, responded firmly, “I too had resolved that Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj should be installed in your lifetime—and today, my resolve has been fulfilled!”
Kothāri sighed deeply and humbly acknowledged. “Shriji has done it.”
At that moment, Shastriji Maharaj declared with absolute conviction, “Shriji himself has indeed done it!”
Through these words, Shastriji Maharaj revealed his profound spiritual realization—that Shri Hari was working through him.
Thus, through his unparalleled devotion, unwavering faith, and absolute reliance on Maharaj’s divine will, Shastriji Maharaj transformed the eternal Vedic Akshar-Purushottam philosophy into a manifest reality!
