Chapter - 21 Summary
In Gondal, Shastriji Maharaj had begun constructing a temple above the Akshar Deri of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami. Yogiji Maharaj loved serving at the Akshar Deri and regularly performed worship and seva there. One night while he was sleeping, a poisonous black cobra bit the first finger of his left hand, causing severe pain. Despite this, Yogiji Maharaj continued chanting the name “Swaminarayan” and eventually became unconscious.
While some suggested calling a doctor or a healer, Shastriji Maharaj instructed that Yogiji Maharaj be laid in the Akshar Deri and that the saints should chant the “Swaminarayan” mantra. The saints followed this instruction. After about twelve hours of continuous chanting, the poison subsided and Yogiji Maharaj regained consciousness. He offered respects to Shastriji Maharaj. Witnessing this event, the government doctor, the Maharaja of Gondal, and other officials were astonished by the divine power of the Akshar Deri.
Chapter - 21 Last-Minute Revision Points
Temple construction above Akshar Deri in Gondal
Yogiji Maharaj’s devotion and service
Midnight cobra bite
Snake bite on left finger
Chanting “Swaminarayan”
Shastriji Maharaj’s instruction
Placed in Akshar Deri
Continuous chanting for 12 hours
Poison disappeared
Doctor and Maharaja amazed
Chapter - 22 Summary
In Samvat 1990, the construction of the Akshar Mandir in Gondal was largely completed. On Vaishakh Sud Dasham, Shastriji Maharaj performed the idol installation ceremony according to scriptural rituals. In a grand assembly attended by thousands of devotees, he appointed Yogiji Maharaj as the Mahant of the Gondal Akshar Mandir and placed the garland of Mahantship around his neck.
Yogiji Maharaj had great love for Akshar Mandir and Akshar Deri. He would wake up early in the morning to clean the Deri, perform worship of the Charanarvind, conduct arti, narrate spiritual discourses, and perform mahapuja. He also maintained the temple accounts, served Thakorji, and looked after visiting devotees. He would never allow devotees to leave the temple without feeding them.
One day Dajibapu was searching for Yogiji Maharaj and finally found him alone in the kitchen preparing food. Yogiji Maharaj explained that the storekeeper sadhu was ill and he had received the opportunity to perform this service, which made him very happy. Later it was discovered that the sadhu was not ill but was being lazy. Seeing this, Dajibapu scolded the sadhus and instructed them to perform their duties properly.
Chapter - 22 Last-Minute Revision Points
Samvat 1990 — Gondal Akshar Mandir completed
Vaishakh Sud Dasham — Idol installation
Yogiji Maharaj appointed Mahant
Deep love for Akshar Deri service
Early morning worship and arti
Mahapuja and devotional chanting
Managed temple accounts and service
Devotees fed before leaving
Yogiji Maharaj cooking in kitchen
Dajibapu scolded the lazy sadhus
Chapter - 23 Summary
Yogiji Maharaj lived a very austere life. He ate only once a day and observed a waterless fast every third day. Even during these fasts, he traveled with Shastriji Maharaj in the heat, serving him in different villages. Due to such intense service and hardship, he developed a serious illness called Saran-gath. In Samvat 1993, he was taken to Rajkot where an English doctor, Dr. Espinol, advised surgery. Following Shastriji Maharaj’s command, Yogiji Maharaj was admitted to the hospital.
On the day of the operation, Shastriji Maharaj came from Gondal to Rajkot. As Yogiji Maharaj was being taken into the operation theatre, he saw his guru and joyfully offered pranam. The doctor performed the surgery successfully. After some time, when Yogiji Maharaj regained consciousness, he first saw Shastriji Maharaj sitting nearby and immediately asked whether Shastriji Maharaj had been given milk.
Hearing this, the devotees and the doctor were astonished. Even after regaining consciousness from surgery, Yogiji Maharaj’s first thought was about serving his guru, showing his extraordinary guru devotion and unity.
Chapter - 23 Last-Minute Revision Points
Yogiji Maharaj’s austere life
Ate once a day
Waterless fast every third day
Constant service with Shastriji Maharaj
Developed Saran-gath illness
Samvat 1993 — Rajkot hospital
Surgery by Dr. Espinol
Pranam to guru before surgery
On waking asked — “Was milk given to Shastriji Maharaj?”
Example of deep guru devotion
Chapter - 24 Summary
In Samvat 2007, Shastriji Maharaj accepted illness and declared that the installation of the idols in Gadhada would be performed by Yogiji Maharaj. He said that there was no difference between him and Yogiji Maharaj, stating, “I am Yogiji and Yogiji is me.” On Vaishakh Sud Choth, he passed away, and his final rites were performed the next day. The devotees were deeply saddened, but Yogiji Maharaj encouraged them, saying that Shastriji Maharaj always remains manifest in the Satsang.
Hearing these words, the devotees realized that the same Shriji Maharaj who was manifest through Shastriji Maharaj was now manifest through Yogiji Maharaj. On the sixth day after Shastriji Maharaj’s departure, a grand murti installation ceremony was held in Gadhada under Yogiji Maharaj’s presence, attended by about fifty thousand devotees. This event strengthened everyone’s faith that Shastriji Maharaj remains eternally manifest in Satsang, and it marked the beginning of Yogiji Maharaj’s great mission.
Chapter - 24 Last-Minute Revision Points
Samvat 2007 — Illness of Shastriji Maharaj
Final words — “I am Yogiji, Yogiji is me”
Vaishakh Sud Choth — Passing away
Devotees in grief
Yogiji Maharaj gave courage
“Shastriji Maharaj is always manifest”
Murti installation in Gadhada
50,000 devotees present
Opponents surprised
Beginning of Yogiji Maharaj’s mission
Chapter - 25 Summary
Yogiji Maharaj had already started the practice of weekly Satsang assemblies, but after the passing of Shastriji Maharaj he greatly expanded this activity. Gradually he began establishing youth groups called Yuvak Mandals. In the beginning only a few youths attended and sometimes they felt discouraged, but Yogiji Maharaj encouraged them and explained that true happiness lies in following commands and spreading Satsang.
He traveled to many villages and cities establishing Yuvak Mandals, keeping records of them and regularly writing letters to encourage the members. Soon hundreds of youth groups were established across India. Children’s groups (Bal Mandals) were also created so that young children could learn Satsang from an early age. He emphasized the importance of Satsang assemblies, explaining that Shriji Maharaj, Gunatitanand Swami, and Shastriji Maharaj remain divinely present in such gatherings.
Yogiji Maharaj took interest in every activity of the youths—discourses, yoga exercises, bands, dialogues, devotional songs, and cultural programs. He carefully listened to their presentations and blessed them. He also read handwritten magazines prepared by the youths and encouraged them to publish such issues every three months.
Chapter - 25 Last-Minute Revision Points
Weekly Satsang assemblies started
Activity expanded after Shastriji Maharaj
Establishment of Yuvak Mandals
Few youths at the beginning
Yogiji Maharaj’s encouragement
Youth groups across villages and cities
Hundreds of Yuvak Mandals in India
Bal Mandals for children
Importance of Satsang assemblies
Yogiji Maharaj encouraged youth activities
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