Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj

Once, Yogiji Maharaj was traveling to Sārangpur with a group of swamis by train. During the journey, he engaged everyone in goshthi, narrating incidents from Swāmini Vāto and Vachanāmrut, filling the air with joy and devotion.

At Vadhwān Station, a group of young men boarded the train. Yogiji Maharaj, immersed in divine happiness, continued singing kirtans. However, as soon as the train started moving, the young men began playing ganjipo (cards). The kirtans disturbed their concentration, so one of them rudely said, “Hey, Sadhu Maharaj! Stop your bhajans. We are playing cards here, and your loud singing is distracting us.”

Hearing this, Yogiji Maharaj immediately stopped singing without any sign of displeasure. The young men, entirely focused on their card game, became so distracted that they missed their stop at Rānpur Station and unknowingly traveled all the way to Botād. By the time they realized their mistake, it was already 2 AM, and they had to spend the entire night in the freezing cold. They also had to pay an extra fare for the journey from Rānpur to Botād.

Observing their situation, someone remarked, “See what happened because they didn’t let us sing kirtans!” Immediately, Yogiji Maharaj gently corrected him, saying, “Guru! That is not the right way to think. Instead of focusing on their mistakes, we should learn from their virtue. Just as they were completely engrossed in their game, we should cultivate the same intensity in our devotion to Bhagwān.”

Yogiji Maharaj’s eyes, mind, and heart never perceived faults in others. His life was entirely devoted to seeing virtues and recognizing the greatness in others. He had permanently put up a ‘No Entry’ sign for negativity and shortcomings. If we take inspiration from Yogiji Maharaj’s life and develop the habit of appreciating virtues even in those who oppose us, we will find peace in every situation. Cultivating an attitude of seeing mahimā and doing gun grahan is essential for spiritual growth and stability in Satsang.