Prasang 56
The Great Departure from Vartāl
Shastriji Maharaj endured countless hardships to spread the Principle of Akshar-Purushottam. His opponents tried everything to silence him, but he remained steadfast. Once, Kothāri Gordhandāsji of Vartāl warned him, saying, “Those in saffron robes have vowed to uproot you, armed with anger and violence.” This warning soon proved true. During a mandir visit in Vartāl, Ghanshyamdas stabbed Shastriji Maharaj’s thigh with a needle, resulting in gushing blood. Another swami, Sukrutjivandās, even kicked Shastriji Maharaj. Shastriji Maharaj’s mere presence in Vartāl unsettled many. But he remained absolutely fearless, like a lion in the forest.
In Samvat 1961, during the Chaitra Sud Punam assembly in Vartāl, upon Shastriji Maharaj’s inspiration, Galbhāi boldly proclaimed the jaynād of Akshar-Purushottam. This infuriated the opposition. Just hearing the name ‘Yagnapurushdas’ would ignite rage in their hearts. Even Shastriji Maharaj’s followers sensed the rising hostility and feared that he could no longer stay in Vartāl for long.
As the Kārtik Punam festival of Samvat 1962 approached, tensions escalated. His opponents had now decided to eliminate him altogether. On Kārtik Sud Bāras (two days before Punam), his opponents poisoned his meal, hoping to kill him. However, Shriji Maharaj and Gunatitanand Swami were protecting him, and he miraculously survived. This left his enemies utterly frustrated and shocked. On Kārtik Sud Teras, they planned to throw him into a burning furnace during the meal at the mandir’s kitchen. However, that day, 25-30 devotees accompanied him. As tensions rose, five devotees lifted Shastriji Maharaj and carried him out of the dining hall.
On Kārtik Sud Chaudas, devotees approached Kothāri Gordhandāsji to request permission for Shastriji Maharaj’s mandal to leave for Bochāsan. However, Kothāri, bound by the Acharya’s authority, could not permit it openly. Instead, out of concern, he warned them, “This time, do not leave Shastriji Maharaj alone!” Hearing these concerning words, they all became very alert.
The devoted disciples urged Shastriji Maharaj to leave Vartāl for his safety. However, with firm determination, Shastriji Maharaj resolutely declared, “Do not speak of leaving Vartāl. Bhagatji Maharaj once told me, ‘Even if they tear you into pieces, I will put you back together but never abandon the gates of Vartāl.’ Hence, I have no intention of leaving. Even if my body perishes, I will never forsake my Guru’s āgnā.” Seeing Shastriji Maharaj’s unparalleled faith in his guru, all bowed down to him in reverence.
Finally, on Kārtik Sud Punam, Shri Krishnaji Adā, a great scholar, urged Shastriji Maharaj to leave Vartāl. Considering Adā as the divine voice of Bhagatji Maharaj, he accepted this as Maharaj’s will and decided to depart.
On Kārtik Vad Padvo (the day after Punam), devotees made one last attempt to seek official permission from Acharya Lakshmiprasādji. However, the Acharya dismissed them angrily, saying, “Who will give him permission? The whole country is open—he can go wherever he wants!”
Hearing this, Shastriji Maharaj gravely stated, “We never wanted to separate from the mandir or the fellowship, but if this is Shriji Maharaj’s will, then we must leave.”
Before departing, he stood before Harikrishna Maharaj and prayed, “O Maharaj! We do not wish to leave, but if this is your divine will, then please remain with us forever.” Then, with just five swamis and around 150 devotees, Shastriji Maharaj walked out of the Vartāl mandir’s Hanuman Gate, stepping onto a thorny and difficult path, leaving behind all comforts - all for the sake of Akshar-Purushottam Upāsanā.
Thus began the great spiritual revolution that would establish the eternal glory of the Akshar-Purushottam Principle.
