Prasang 57
“Vartāl and I are one”
Even after leaving Vartāl to spread the Principle of Akshar-Purushottam, Shastriji Maharaj faced immense hardships from his opponents. A group of hostile individuals traveled from village to village, intending to harm him. Despite this, Shastriji Maharaj endured everything with saintliness. Bhagwān Swaminarayan states in the Shikshāpatri, “If a swami is insulted or even attacked, he must tolerate it and always think of the other’s well-being.”
Shastriji Maharaj lived by this principle. He never acted against the well-being of Vartāl. In fact, whenever others spoke negatively about Vartāl, he intervened to stop them.
Once, when Shastriji Maharaj was in Anand, a famous and influential religious leader from another large sect wished to meet him. This leader was well aware of Shastriji Maharaj’s unparalleled scriptural knowledge and thought, “Since Yagnapurushdasji has now separated from Vartāl, we can bring him to our side and use him to defeat the Vartāl sect in debates.”
However, Shastriji Maharaj immediately understood his intention and responded with wisdom, “When certain kings sought to fight against the Kauravas, they first sent a disguised ascetic to the Pandavas in the forest to learn their stance. At that time, Yudhishthir declared: ‘In your war with the Kauravas, we and the Kauravas are one. Together, we are 105.’”
“Similarly, in front of you, Vartāl and I are one.”
The religious leader was completely stunned. He had not expected such a response. Witnessing Shastriji Maharaj’s selflessness and unwavering respect for Vartāl, he developed immense admiration for him and declared, “In the entire Swaminarayan Sampradāy, there is no equal to Shastri Yagnapurushdas in scholarship and saintliness.”
In Vachanāmrut Gadhadā I-27, Bhagwān Swaminarayan states, “Despite these powers, though, he tolerates the praises and insults of other people. This itself is also a great feat because to tolerate, despite being so powerful, is not easy for others to achieve. Therefore, one who tolerates in this manner should be considered to be extremely great.”
Shastriji Maharaj embodied this extraordinary virtue of ajātshatrutā (having no enemies). His unmatched strength was not in defeating others but in winning their hearts through love, wisdom, and tolerance.
