Thus, Vinubhai became passionate about Yogiji Maharaj. He started to spare time to be with Yogiji Maharaj during his vicharan and take the benefit of his spiritual association. During his association with the guru, an occasion arose where the thought of becoming a sadhu was sowed in his mind. In remembering that day he writes, “After celebrating the festival of Krishna Janmashtami in Atladara some of us youths departed [a few days later] to go home. We came to the railway station to catch the morning train. It was Shravan vad 11. Pramukh Swami and his companion sadhu were on their way to Ahmedabad by train. All the youths got into the carriages where there were empty seats. I ran and joined Pramukh Swami in a third class carriage. I was the only youth with Swami and his companion sadhu. Pramukh Swami was happy to see me. The train started and he began asking me about my studies. Suddenly, he enquired, ‘Do you have a kanthi around your neck?’ I said, ‘No.’

“Pramukh Swami tenderly explained and said, ‘Get it from Yogi Bapa.’ By that time the companion sadhu had placed a kanthi in Pramukh Swami’s hand. So, he placed it around my neck. Then our conversation continued. He spoke continuously in broken Hindi. While speaking he said, ‘Become a sadhu. You will be able to serve immensely...’ And thereafter he talked spiritedly. There was no intention to force or command in his words. He talked about the miseries of sansar and confidently described the happiness associated with God and guru. He was speaking in such a way that the choice was entirely left to me.

“I found a new direction in Pramukh Swami’s sweet, humble and loving talks. I felt very peaceful. From that moment onwards I was awakened with the desire to live a sadhu’s life.

“After a while, Pramukh Swami began talking about the glory of Yogi Bapa. At that time I felt so peaceful that it seemed as if he had accepted me in his lap. In this way, he instilled [Yogi Bapa’s] glory in my soul.

“We soon reached Anand. The other youths came running from their carriages [to Swami]. Pramukh Swami met them all. He had to travel ahead to Ahmedabad. Saying goodbye to the youths he smiled and said, ‘Today is ekadashi. Don’t have anything to eat.’ The youths agreed to follow his instruction, and the train proceeded ahead.

“So, it was Pramukh Swami who inspired me to observe my first fast! I repeatedly experienced Pramukh Swami to be a unique and genuine sadhu.

“The task of moulding me was done through his courteous and affectionate speech, which was not an ordinary thing. I had never thought of becoming a sadhu. And neither did [Swami] purposefully talk to me about it. It always happened naturally and spontaneously.”

Pramukh Swami’s inspiring words left a deep impact on Vinubhai. In fact, they kindled a divine spark in his heart. In 1952, Vinubhai went to Gondal for Yogiji Maharaj’s spiritual association. There, in the Akshar Deri, Yogiji Maharaj instructed Vinubhai to become a sadhu. Vinubhai beamed with joy. He decided there and then to dedicate himself totally to the guru.

From then onwards, his life’s goal was clear and fixed. He was eager to become a sadhu at the earliest, but Yogiji Maharaj insisted that he graduate in his studies first. So, Vinubhai tried to put his mind in his studies.

Vinubhai decided to study science at the V.P. Science College in Vallabh Vidyanagar. There were two classes in the first year. One was a special class, which comprised of thirty brilliant students. Vinubhai studied in this special class. While attending Professor R.A. Dave’s lecture, Vinubhai became acquainted with a brilliant student named Ramanbhai Patel.

They became very good friends. After the first year, Ramanbhai went to Mumbai to study medicine and Vinubhai enrolled for a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in Anand.

After completing his first year at V. P. Science College, Vinubhai had many other academic options to pursue due to his brilliance. But he chose to do a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. The main reason for this was so that he could easily go and stay periodically with Yogiji Maharaj and avail of his spiritual company. In addition, the agriculture college did not have co-education, which facilitated his future plans of becoming a sadhu. His aim of becoming a sadhu was very clear and strong. He was disinterested in worldly matters. So, during the four years in college he studied agriculture and also took lessons in brahmavidya from Yogiji Maharaj.