In 1907, Shastriji Maharaj, the third spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, fulfilled the wish of his Lord by consecrating a shikharbaddha mandir in Bochasan. The devotees of Anand and the Charotar region played a pivotal role in the making of the mandir. Among them, Manibhai Narayanbhai Patel of Anand was a prominent devotee. Shastriji Maharaj often stayed at Manibhai’s house during his visits to Anand between 1907 and 1929. Manibhai served him with profound devotion and care.

In 1929, Manibhai settled in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, with the blessings of Shastriji Maharaj for the purpose of doing business. There, he found many patidar settlers from the Charotar region in the tobacco businesses. Manibhai, however, entered into the dairy business.

Manibhai lived in house number 23 in the housing society of Napier Town in Civil Lines in Jabalpur. Here, on 13 September 1933 (Bhadarva vad 9, V.S. 1989), his wife, Dahiba, gave birth to a divine child.

What name should the child be given? Manibhai decided to wait for Shastriji Maharaj to come and name the child. But prior to that, everyone started affectionately calling the child Vinu. And this name was written on his birth certificate.

Vinubhai was six months old. In March 1934, Shastriji Maharaj arrived in Jabalpur after his pilgrimage to Chhapaiya. With him were Ashabhai and Ishwarbhai of Purushottampura and other devotees and sadhus. Ashabhai brought the six-month-old child, Vinubhai, and placed him in Shastriji Maharaj’s lap. Shastriji Maharaj looked at the baby and smiled. He cheerfully initiated the child into Satsang and named him ‘Keshav’. Then, placing his hand on his head, he blessed, “Manibhai, your son will grow up to become a sadhu and will render great service to the Sampradaya.”

In spite of Shastriji Maharaj having named the child Keshav, the family members called him Vinu because they had become habituated with the name.

Manibhai’s neighbours were from different Indian states. One of them was a South Indian named Shyamrao. Another was a pious Punjabi. The room where Shastriji Maharaj had stayed was later rented to a Christian. So, Vinubhai, reticent by nature but very sharp and agile, was raised amidst neighbours of various language and cultural backgrounds. Vinubhai thus conversed with them in English and Hindi. The neighbours were fond of Vinubhai and the latter respected them.

During his childhood years, Vinubhai had a few close friends. But, he was more inclined towards reading books. He used to read in a nearby garden, sometimes in the evening and sometimes in the moonlight.

He studied till 2nd grade at the renowned Christ Church School in Jabalpur. Thereafter, from the 2nd grade to Senior Cambridge (11th grade) he studied at the Christ Church Boys School.

Vinubhai excelled in all the subjects. He studied with unwavering attention and interest in class. He remembered whatever was taught in class. On returning home he would diligently do his homework. He always stood first or second in the class, which surprised everyone.

Vinubhai was exposed to three languages: Gujarati at home, English in school and Hindi outside of home and school.

From childhood, Vinubhai had a very sharp memory. He still remembers incidents and events from the age of four. Even today, around 80 years later, he can fluently recite the poems he had been taught in grades three and four. A couplet of one poem that he often recites is, “He that is down need fear no fall; he that is humble ever shall have God to be his guide.”

In the 5th grade, he stood first in the exams. As a reward he was given a book, which he read avidly. Vinubhai, however, was disinclined towards reading the newspapers. Every morning, the Mumbai Samachar was delivered at his house, but he never even glanced at it. He preferred to read good magazines and always skimmed through the Swaminarayan Prakash. Though he did not know Gujarati properly, he made an effort to read it.

Vinubhai’s artistic sense and skill were well developed. He made excellent drawings in school. Football was his favourite sport. He played as left full back.
In school, he was liked by all. He was quiet, thoughtful and ever-smiling, and the entire class admired him.

Mr Robinson, the principal of Christ Church School, was impressed with Vinubhai’s radiant personality, intelligence and innate virtues. He once told Vinubhai, “In future, you’ll become a priest.”

After Vinubhai had completed his Senior Cambridge studies in 1951, Manibhai left Jabalpur to return with his family to Anand for business.