Prasang 55
The Passion for Spreading Upāsanā
Jethābhāi of Pij was studying at Kalābhavan in Vadodarā. During that time, Shastriji Maharaj resided at the Swaminarayan Mandir in Vadodarā’s Wādi area. Through the association of Govindbhāi Master, Ullāsrāmbhāi, and others, Jethābhāi developed an affection for Bhagatji Maharaj and frequently visited the mandir. He came into contact with Shastriji Maharaj, who recognized Jethābhāi as a sincere spiritual seeker.
One evening, after Thakorji awakened, Shastriji Maharaj and Jethābhāi met. They did pradakshinā together for a while and then sat nearby around 6 PM. Shastriji Maharaj began speaking about the Akshar-Purushottam philosophy.
Engrossed in the discussion, Shastriji Maharaj spoke passionately, and Jethābhāi listened attentively. They were so immersed that they remained unaware of the sandhyā ārti, shayan ārti, and even the silence of the night. Only when the mandir tower chimed at 4 AM did they suddenly realize they had been talking continuously for 10 hours!
Years later, reminiscing about this incident, Jethābhāi wrote in a letter, “What an enthusiasm Swami had for sharing spiritual knowledge! It felt as if I had a direct encounter with Bhagatji Maharaj. Swamishri spoke for ten straight hours. This deeply moved me. I traveled to Mahuvā four times to have Bhagatji Maharaj’s darshan, and through that association, I gained the blessings of the Satpurush.”
Through Shastriji Maharaj’s deeply impactful words, Jethābhāi developed unwavering faith in Akshar and Purushottam. Even before meeting Bhagatji Maharaj, he firmly believed that Bhagatji Maharaj was a supremely realized Sant. Eventually, he dedicated his entire life to spreading Akshar-Purushottam gnān. Upon receiving initiation, Jethābhāi of Pij became Swami Nirgundās.
Shastriji Maharaj once said, “In Satsang, Swami Nirgundās alone spread fourteen ānā (88%) of the Upāsanā.”
Thus, it was Shastriji Maharaj who prepared Nirgundās Swami as the chief commander in the army of propagating Upāsanā. Shastriji Maharaj always carried the burning zeal of instilling firm faith in Akshar-Purushottam among those who associated with him. For this, he neither considered time nor cared for his physical well-being.
We, too, are sons of the same Shastriji Maharaj. Today, we are part of the same Upāsanā propagation mission. If we, like Shastriji Maharaj, enthusiastically share the teachings of the Sansthā, Satpurush, and Siddhānt without concern for time, circumstances, or obstacles, then we shall surely earn the immense blessings of Guru Hari.
