Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj

Shastriji Maharaj was so deeply attached to Bhagatji Maharaj that he simply could not remain without seeing or hearing from him. Whenever an opportunity arose to meet Bhagatji Maharaj, he would eagerly rush for his association. However, Bhagatji Maharaj often tested Shastriji Maharaj’s devotion.

Once, when Yagnapurushdasji (Shastriji Maharaj) and other swamis went to Mahuvā for Bhagatji Maharaj’s darshan, Bhagatji sternly rebuked them, “Aren’t you ashamed? What will the devotees say? Go back immediately across the river!” After saying this, Bhagatji left abruptly. Despite this, Yagnapurushdasji joyfully followed him. Seeing his innocent and sincere face, Bhagatji’s anger subsided.

At another time, while Bhagatji Maharaj resided in Amdāvād, Shastriji Maharaj was in Mahemadābād. There, he passionately preached Bhagatji’s glory to every devotee who visited the mandir, inspiring them to go for darshan and association in Amdāvād. He would personally escort devotees to the train station for their journey to Bhagatji. Likewise, whenever devotees returned from Amdāvād, he would eagerly meet them to hear every detail about Bhagatji Maharaj.

Hearing devotees’ experiences, Shastriji Maharaj himself longed for Bhagatji’s darshan. He traveled to Amdāvād, but when Bhagatji saw him, he sternly asked, “Why have you come?” Since many swamis frequently ran to Bhagatji for darshan, some envious individuals spread false accusations, claiming that Bhagatji’s disciples were breaking social norms. To avoid further conflicts, Bhagatji sometimes scolded the swamis harshly. However, Shastriji Maharaj found joy even in Bhagatji’s reprimands, understanding them as his loving tests. Eventually, seeing his sincerity, Bhagatji blessed him with the joy of darshan and association.

Similarly, once Shastriji Maharaj, along with Vignāndāsji and other swamis, went to Petlād for Bhagatji’s darshan. They sent a message that the swamis had arrived at the mandir. However, Bhagatji replied publicly to the devotees, “Return as you came! Why have you disobeyed my āgnā?” He then ordered them to leave the mandir. Despite such severe trials, Shastriji Maharaj’s love for Bhagatji never diminished.

On August 11, 1896, Shastriji Maharaj wrote a heartfelt letter to Bhagatji, “It has been exactly two years since I last had your darshan. I have neither seen you nor had your association since then. Please, out of your mercy, grant me the joy of darshan and samāgam (association).”

He wrote five such letters, but Bhagatji did not respond to any of them. Even in the face of such challenging tests, Shastriji Maharaj’s longing for his Guru never faded. Instead, he would joyfully proclaim, “Just as a fish cannot live without water, I cannot live without Bhagatji Maharaj!”

Such unparalleled love, like that between the moon and the Chakori bird (symbolizes intense love. The Chakori bird is said to be in love with the moon and gazes at it constantly), only arises when one has true devotion for the Satpurush. And when such a connection is formed, all spiritual aspirations are fulfilled (Vachanāmrut Gadhadā III-2).