Jabalpur and Anand were in stark contrast with regards to culture, language and social atmosphere. Vinubhai was fluent in English and Hindi, whereas his communication in Gujarati was weak and patchy. Thus, initially, the ambience in Anand was not conducive to him. However, Vinubhai’s arrival in Anand in 1951 turned out to be a turning point in his life. In recollecting the historic moment, he writes, “In 1951, I was 17 years old. My elderly relatives were staunch satsangis from the beginning due to Shastriji Maharaj’s association.

“At home, the virtues and glory of Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj were sung, but [I did not have] enough clarity about what they were really like. Then, suddenly, one day we got the news, ‘Shastriji Maharaj has departed to Dham!’ All the relatives were about to leave for Sarangpur. Our whole house and even people from our neighbourhood were leaving. Thus, I, too, left with everyone. When I reached [Sarangpur], Shastriji Maharaj’s cremation was over. I was naturally downhearted. From there, we all went to Gadhada. A few days later, the pratishtha [of the mandir] in Gadhada was going to take place.

“On the day before the Gadhada pratishtha I met Pramukh Swami Maharaj. I was still in a melancholy mood. At that time, he was 29 years old and I was 17. I met him when my life [in Satsang] was beginning.

“Motikaka [Motibhai Bhagwandas] introduced me to Pramukh Swami. He had a flourish of jet black hair before the [monthly] mundan. His eyes were active and blinked rapidly. He was gentle and mild, had a round face, was thin and thus looked tall. I can still remember his form. He had a slightly dark complexion. One could see the faint red speckle on the tip of his nose. I looked at him as Motikaka was introducing us to each other. Yes, I was definitely moved by him. My thoughts seemed to have stopped. Pramukh Swami was talking to me in Hindi. I do not remember what he asked me and the answers I gave. However, I felt as if he knew me. I, too, felt that I knew him!

“Within a few moments of his contact I had a wonderful and divine experience. I felt transported from the sultry summer heat of Vaishakh [May–June] to the pleasant [icy] coolness of the Himalayas. Then a leading devotee came and Pramukh Swami had to attend to him. So, he briskly left, smiling. I was left dazed as if someone had snatched away an expensive thing from me.

“Today, I realize what his personality was like at that time. He never wished to impress or overwhelm anyone. He was honest, simple, straightforward and frank. I felt, ‘Oh! He is a true sadhu!’”

For Vinubhai, his first meeting with the young Pramukh Swami left a deep impression of him.

In 1951, another historic and memorable incident took place which changed Vinubhai’s life.

Yogiji Maharaj arrived in Anand. During his stay there, he always visited Manibhai’s house. Yogiji Maharaj’s thick, coarse dhotiyas and rustic demeanour and speech did not interest Vinubhai. The moment Yogiji Maharaj stepped into his house, Vinubhai rushed out through another flight of stairs. Many felt that because of Vinubhai’s youthful whims his father’s satsang had failed to appeal to him. Despite having a mandir at home, Vinubhai kept himself aloof from the daily rituals of puja, katha, kirtans and celebration of festivals. Sometimes, due to his rational mind, he would often ignore and make fun of devotional practices.

Once, while Vinubhai was leaving his house, Yogiji Maharaj came climbing up the same stairs. Yogiji Maharaj lovingly held his hand and spoke affectionately, “Guru, where are you going? Come back upstairs.” Vinubhai returned in a vexed mood with Yogiji Maharaj. Then, Yogiji Maharaj talked to him casually and softly, “Here, put on this kanthi.” And Yogi Maharaj placed a kanthi around his neck. But Vinubhai, out of his prejudice for sadhus, broke it instantly. In response, Yogiji Maharaj smiled sweetly, gave him a pat on his shoulder and said, “Oh, you are very strong!”

Vinubhai’s actions were such that anyone would have got angry and chastised him. But not Yogiji Maharaj. He was of a different mettle. He was an embodiment of love and magnanimity. He kept on showering Vinubhai with his pure, selfless love.

A couple of days later, Yogiji Maharaj was departing from Anand. While he was walking towards the railway station, he saw Vinubhai sitting on the parapet of the village pond with his friends. Yogiji Maharaj hailed him affectionately, “O Vinubhai, come here!” Vinubhai reluctantly came to Yogiji Maharaj, wondering what he would say now. However, to his surprise, Yogiji Maharaj humbly folded his hands, smiled and said, “Now I am going. Forgive me for my mistakes.” Then, Yogiji Maharaj blessed Vinubhai with his signature pat and walked away hurriedly.

Vinubhai stood astonished, not knowing what to say or do. Instantaneously, his prejudice dissolved and he was overwhelmed by a wave of remorse. He became lost in thought. He mused about how Yogiji Maharaj was a unique sadhu. He also realized that his personality overflowed with pure love and his smile was ethereal. He was suddenly overwhelmed by a deep desire to be with him. He simply stood there transfixed, with his eyes thirsting for Yogiji Maharaj’s darshan.

Sometime later, another soul-stirring incident took place when Yogiji Maharaj was travelling by train from Ahmedabad to Mumbai. The train halted for 10 minutes at Anand Station. Many devotees had gone to the railway station for Swamishri’s darshan. The shy and reticent Vinubhai had also gone to the station for his darshan. Yogiji Maharaj started meeting the devotees. Then someone informed him that Vinubhai had come.

Yogiji Maharaj scanned the platform and enquired, “Where is Vinubhai?” After seeing him standing at a distance, Yogiji Maharaj alighted from his carriage and went up to him. Again, Swami showered his infinite love upon him and blessed him with pats. Vinubhai was overwhelmed by Swami’s compassionate eyes and saintly virtues. Then, moments later, the train whistle blew and it was time for Swami to leave. Vinubhai did not feel like parting from Yogiji Maharaj. Swami flashed a smile and hurriedly headed towards his carriage. As soon as he put his foot on the footboard, the train started moving. Vinubhai kept his eyes focused on Swami till he was out of sight. Thereafter, he remained standing on the platform, savouring thoughts of the divine encounter. The devotees and others dispersed. Only Vinubhai stood there, totally absorbed in remembering every frame of the divine occasion. The experience of Yogiji Maharaj was so profound that his murti pervaded his being. He realized that Swami was not an ordinary sadhu, but God-realized.

Thereafter, for the next fifteen days, Vinubhai returned daily to the railway station, sat on a bench at the same spot and joyfully reminisced about his experience with Yogiji Maharaj. Despite the routine hullabaloo and jostling of passengers on the platform Vinubhai remained unperturbed while recalling the occasion for 45 minutes.

While remembering that experience he states, “On meeting Yogiji Maharaj, I instantly bonded with him. It was as if I was in search of him, but unaware of it. On meeting him I became fulfilled. Everything else became subordinate. Yogiji Maharaj became the centre of my life.”