Shastriji Maharaj

[1]: 13  In addition to this, Dungar often interacted with swamis at the Swaminarayan temple in Mahelav and began studying the Bhagavad Gita and other Hindu scriptures under them.

[8] During the evening discourse, Shastri Yagnapurushdas wondered how Bhagatji Maharaj, a tailor by profession, could simultaneously stitch and speak with such profound spirituality.

"[1] Intrigued by this experience, Shastri Yagnapurushdas began spending increasing amounts of time listening to Bhagatji Maharaj's discourses, eventually accepting him as his guru.

Shastri Yagnapurushdas became a staunch proponent of the Akshar-Purushottam Upasana and began spreading this philosophy despite opposition from some members of the Vadtal diocese of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.

[6] Under Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastri Yagnapurushdas also refined his knowledge of the major Hindu scriptures and the Vachanamrut before undergoing periods of tutelage under Tyaganand Brahmachari[1] and undertaking a course on Sanskrit studies under the famous Rangacharya of the Madhva Sampradaya.

During the murti-pratishta of the Lakshmi-Vadi mandir in Gadhada, the famous Sanskrit scholar, Shri Mahidhar Shastri challenged members of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya to a debate.

The major reason for Shastri Yagnapurushdas' departure was his belief in the doctrine of Akshar-Purushottam, regarding Gunatitanand as "the true spiritual successor of Swaminarayan.

"[6]: 55  His identification of Gunatitanand Swami as the personal form of Akshar was a paradigm shift that led to "opposition and hostility"[7]: 363  from many within the Vadtal diocese.

[1] Unable to deny this argument, Shastriji Maharaj eventually decided to leave the Vadtal temple with five swamis and a select number of devotees.

They argued that the expulsion was illegitimate as the meeting was held under the leadership of Acharya Lakshmiprasadji, who only a short time later was himself expelled when his immoral activities came to light.

On 5 June 1907, Shastri Yagnapurushdas consecrated the murtis of Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami in the newly constructed mandir in the village of Bochasan.

"[6]: 57  Thus, Judge Kapadiya overturned the ruling of the lower court and validated that Shastri Yagnapurushdas had not been legally excommunicated from the Vadtal diocese.

[6]: 58  However, he cited an affidavit from Shastri Yagnapurushdas to rule that he had succeeded from the Vadtal diocese, and was now the head of an organization independent of "the holders of the Vadatal[sic] or Ahmedabad Gadi.

Shastriji Maharaj continued to nurture the fledgling BAPS organization and facilitated its growth by consecrating the murtis of Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami in four further mandirs in the towns of Sarangpur, Gondal, Atladra and Gadhada.

[1] In the case of Gandhi, Shastri Yagnapurusdas blessed the efforts of the Mahatma during a meeting that took place at the time of the 1930 Dandi Salt March.

"[7]: 366 His administrative and organizational abilities were apparent during his work as the de facto Kothari of Surat mandir[8] and Kim observes that, "Shastri Maharaj and his small group of followers are revered by satsangis for their resourcefulness and indefatigable efforts to build temples.

"[7]: 366  Further insights into his character reveal that "Shastri Maharaj expected his followers to demonstrate, by their thoughts and actions, their commitment to a peaceful devotional tradition, one that idealizes gestures that directly serve Bhagwan and Guru.

"[7]: 363  Shastriji Maharaj played an integral part in laying the foundation for the establishment of BAPS overseas through discourses and communication with devotees in Africa.

[8] In one such letter, Shastriji Maharaj emphasized his adherence to truth by stating a verse in the Gita-"Nasatyat Param Papam",[1] Untruth is the greatest sin-as one of his important maxims and gave a succinct reasoning for his belief in the Akshar-Purushottam upasana.

As a charismatic and determined leader, he "overcame obstructions to land acquisition, temple construction, and the dissemination of his teachings and acquired a loyal and growing group of devotees, admirers, and political supporters, many of whom were formerly associated with the original Vadtal Swaminarayan Sampradaya.

Birthplace and Childhood home of Shastriji Maharaj (Dungar Patel) in Mahelav, Gujarat
Bhagatji Maharaj, 2nd spiritual successor of Swaminarayan and guru of Shastriji Maharaj
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bochasan. The first mandir of BAPS.
Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj in the central shrine of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bochasan.
Shastriji Maharaj (left) with his successor Yogiji Maharaj (right)
Shastriji Maharaj (right) with the young Narayanswarupdas Swami (Pramukh Swami Maharaj) (left).