Yogiji Maharaj

Yogiji Maharaj
Yogiji Maharaj doing mala
Religion	Hinduism
Personal
Born	Jinabhai Vasani 23 May 1892 Dhari, Gujarat, India
Died	23 January 1971(1971-01-23) (aged 78) Bombay, India
Guru	Shastriji Maharaj and Krishnaji Ada
Disciple(s)	Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Mahant Swami Maharaj
Honors	Global Expansion of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha

Yogiji Maharaj (23 May 1892 – 23 January 1971), born Jina Vasani, was a Hindu monk and the fourth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan in the denomination of Swaminarayan Hinduism known as the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. According to the metaphysics of BAPS, Yogiji Maharaj is considered to be the next iteration of Akshar after Shastriji Maharaj in the Guru Parampara, an unbroken line of "perfect devotees" who provide "authentication of office through Gunatitanand Swami and back to Swaminarayan himself."Together with Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who acted as the administrative head, Yogiji Maharaj was instrumental in nurturing the growth of BAPS "through new programs, expansion into new areas, and the construction of temples".He consecrated over 60 temples and visited over 4000 towns and villages. Yogiji Maharaj was particularly effective in attracting the devotion of youths and initiated a large number of them as ascetics. Furthermore, his multiple tours to Britain and East Africa were integral in the overseas expansion of BAPS. He died on 23 January 1971 after appointing Pramukh Swami Maharaj as the next spiritual head of BAPS.

He was born as Jina Vasani on 23 May 1892 in the small town of Dhari, Gujarat, India to father Devchandbhai and mother Puribai. Jina was a diligent student and his work-ethic made him popular among his childhood contemporaries. He took a distinct interest in spirituality, often engaging in devotional service by performing the daily worship and service of the murtis in the mandir at Dhari. Due to his failing health, Mohanbhai, the caretaker of the temple, asked Jina to take over the full responsibility of running the temple. Jina readily agreed and despite his young age was happy with the new duties. He prepared offerings for the deities installed within the mandir, tended its grounds, taught meditation techniques and made sure everyone received sanctified food. Just after Jina had taken his seventh standard exams, Krishnacharandas Swami, a prominent disciple of Gunatitanand Swami, was visiting the mandir with a group of sadhus. After observing Jina's dedication in volunteering at the mandir and his service to the community, he inquired about Jina's interest in being initiated as a sadhu. About a year later, Jina obtained his parents' permission to become a sadhu and on 1 November 1908 he left for Junagadh to meet Krishnacharandas Swami.