Definitions
Beyond just tolerance, this key Gujarati/Sanskrit term denotes firmness in spiritual vows regardless of opposition or hardship.
What is sadhuta?
Shastriji Maharaj’s decision to walk back and forth four times in Anand reveals his absolute commitment to this niyam.
What is never keeping or handling money?
In his letter to East Africa, Shastriji Maharaj defended his stance on Akshar-Purushottam upasana using this foundational logic.
What is personal honesty and scriptural truth (truthfulness over persuasion)?
This attitude defined Shastriji Maharaj's leadership style despite being head of the sanstha.
What is das na das (servant of servants)?
His life reminds modern devotees to focus not just on rituals, but on this personal transformation.
What is inner growth and character development?
In Gadhada I-69, Maharaj explains that a sadhu must avoid these three expressions of malice.
What are thought, word, and deed?
After being struck with a walking stick out of jealousy, Shastriji Maharaj’s quiet return of the broken pieces demonstrated this principle.
What is divine humility and forgiveness under provocation?
Shastriji Maharaj directly cited this Purana when explaining the weight of untruth.
What is the Shrimad Bhagavat?
This aspect of his personality made his teachings appealing even to critics and skeptics.
What is his genuine humility and moral consistency?
His saintly life teaches us how to live with these three virtues in a materialistic world.
What are purpose, integrity, and service?
According to the Earth’s symbolic statement quoted by Shastriji Maharaj, this specific kind of speech causes her greatest burden.
What is untruth spoken by someone?
Shastriji Maharaj’s belief that truth must be spoken even when inconvenient is best captured by this quote from the Shrimad Bhagvat.
What is “Nãsatyãt param pãpam” (“Untruth is the highest sin”)?
His message to the Bochasan kothari advises never to act with this attitude, even in response to harm.
What is “an eye for an eye”
Rather than elevate himself, he used every hardship as an opportunity to express this.
What is seva and devotion to upasana?
The foundational philosophy that he defended and spread through mandirs, letters, and vicharan.
What is Akshar-Purushottam upasana?
This unique quality allowed Shastriji Maharaj to spread Akshar-Purushottam upasana not just through mandirs, but through his very life.
What is saintliness (sadhuta)?
This deeper reason explains why even opponents of Shastriji Maharaj eventually accepted his teachings.
What is the transformative power of his inner purity and steadfast sadhuta?
This was the reason he gave for being pleased even when insulted.
What is accepting God’s will and trusting that truth will prevail?
His refusal to alter his vows, even when inconvenient or exhausting, represents this discipline.
What is niyam dharma?
Shastriji Maharaj’s legacy is not confined to temples but is truly measured in this.
What is the transformation he inspired in individuals?
Shastriji Maharaj viewed this mindset—not just action—as incompatible with a sadhu's dharma, even when insulted.
What is the desire for revenge?
His refusal to fabricate spiritual claims for acceptance proves this foundational moral stance in Vedic philosophy.
What is truthfulness above social gain (satya over acceptance)?
In defending Akshar-Purushottam upasana, he referred to this specific concept of Gunatitanand Swami.
What is Swami as Mul Akshar (Anadi Aksharbrahman)?
Shastriji Maharaj’s internal qualities like character, restraint, and faith exemplify this deeper dimension of saintliness.
What is spiritual integrity (antarik sadhuta)?
Today, his life urges us to examine not just what we believe, but how we live, making our actions align with these two principles.
What are spiritual conviction and moral discipline?