Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj

In 1936, during the extra month of Bhādarvā (Adhik Mās), the devotees of Amdāvād requested Shastriji Maharaj to hold a Satsangijivan Pārāyan (Discourse series on Satsangjivan Granth). This was organized at the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir on the banks of the Sābarmati River. During this event, Sadguru Shrijiswaprupdas Swami delivered discourses from the Satsangijivan, and every evening at 6 PM, Shastriji Maharaj personally shared divine wisdom. Following this, as per Shastriji Maharaj’s āgnā, Professor Jethālāl Swaminarayan would read chapters from “Akshar-Purushottam Charitam.” Notably, Professor Jethālāl would sit on Shastriji Maharaj’s seat while reading and explaining the text.

Some devotees were uneasy about a disciple sitting on the Guru’s seat to narrate discourses. They felt this diminished the Guru’s dignity and status. Representing them, Babubhāi Kothāri approached Shastriji Maharaj and expressed his concern, saying, “Swami, this professor sits on your seat to give discourses! This does not seem appropriate.”

For Shastriji Maharaj, Akshar-Purushottam was everything. His entire life was devoted to spreading this knowledge to the world. He had sacrificed his existence for this cause. In response, Shastriji Maharaj firmly rebuked Babubhāi, saying, “Professor is narrating the divine prasangs of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj! This discourse is so sacred that not only should he sit on my seat, but even if he were to sit on my head to deliver it, it would still not be enough!”

Hearing these powerful words, Babubhāi was left speechless. The unshakable conviction of Shastriji Maharaj, the foremost propagator of Akshar-Purushottam, was crystal clear. With great humility, Babubhāi lowered his head in reverence.

Through this incident, Shastriji Maharaj revealed the immense value he placed on those who spread the Akshar-Purushottam Principle. He was ready to put such a devotee on his head, demonstrating the unparalleled honor of this service. We are fortunate to be engaged in the same divine sevā of propagating Akshar-Purushottam Upāsanā. This prasang also teaches us how to perceive and respect our fellow devotees and kāryarkars (volunteers) involved in sevā with us. If, due to human nature, someone’s actions or speech ever seem undesirable, we should remember that they are serving the divine Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj. By adopting this perspective, our behavior towards them will be filled with reverence and appreciation. Like Shastriji Maharaj, we should enthusiastically engage in this divine sevā and honor those who contribute to it. Doing so will ensure that we find a permanent place in the heart of our Guru, Shastriji Maharaj.