Prasang 76
A Guru Centric Life
In Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life, his Gurus—Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj—were always his main focus.
At Gadhadā Mandir, the Kothāri, Swami Harijivandas, had a deep reverence for Yogiji Maharaj. However, seeing Gondal Mandir’s prosperity while observing other mandir’s limited financial resources, he often pondered this disparity. He felt that Yogiji Maharaj paid special attention to Gondal Mandir but did not focus as much on Gadhadā Mandir.
One day, unable to contain his thoughts, he expressed his concerns to Pramukh Swami Maharaj: “Why does no one tell Yogiji Maharaj about this? If no one else does, at least you should. You are the president of the organization—you should say something.”
Pramukh Swami Maharaj did not respond with authority. Instead, he explained with affectionate understanding: “When we are focused on material aspects, and things don’t go as we wish, we may lose faith in the Satpurush. We may think, ‘They are not handling things correctly.’ But understand this—Yogiji Maharaj is none other than Shastriji Maharaj! There is not even a hair’s difference between them. And if you speak of my authority—then know this: I have never considered myself to have any authority beyond Yogiji Maharaj’s āgnā. Shastriji Maharaj instructed me to always serve under Yogiji Maharaj’s guidance. Since that day, I have firmly believed that whatever Yogiji Maharaj says is absolute truth.” Upon hearing this, Harijivandas Swami’s doubts disappeared.
For Pramukh Swami Maharaj, there was never any doubt regarding Yogiji Maharaj’s words or actions.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj possessed a prasādi (sanctified) mālā from Bhagwān Swaminarayan, given to him by Shastriji Maharaj on Yogiji Maharaj’s request. This mālā had a sacred connection to Bhagwān Swaminarayan, Shastriji Maharaj, and Yogiji Maharaj.
One day, an elderly devotee from Shastriji Maharaj’s time borrowed the mālā under the pretext of showing it to his relatives—but never returned it. Pramukh Swami Maharaj repeatedly reminded him to return the mālā, but the devotee kept making false promises and excuses. Eventually, he told Yogiji Maharaj, “Tell Pramukh Swami to stop asking me for the mālā.” To please the devotee, Yogiji Maharaj told Pramukh Swami Maharaj, “From now on, do not have any intentions of retrieving the prasādi mālā.”
Pramukh Swami Maharaj often said, “Since Yogiji Maharaj had said so, I have never again thought about retrieving the mālā.” Letting go of a cherished possession is never easy. But at just one āgnā from his Guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj erased the mālā from his heart and memory.
Such detachment and the ability to follow āgnā are only possible in a Guru-centered life. If one’s focus remains on the Guru, their words, āgnā, and preferences, then in Satsang and sevā, there is never confusion, never a question—only clarity and devotion. In the same way, let us center our lives around Mahant Swami Maharaj and serve with love and bhakti.
