About Us

We are Yogi Divine Society of MD.

We are a part of Yogi Divine Society, founded by our spiritual leader Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj. His teachings guide our primary mission: serve the individual, family, society, and environment. We serve the aforementioned by relying on the spiritual discourses of Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj and the teachings of Lord Swaminarayan found within the scriptures he authored based on the teachings of the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism.

By serving others, we believe that we can save ourselves and those around us from the negativity in the form of ego found everywhere we turn. By removing this negativity, we can live with Amiyata, or harmony with all.

Upasana

Bhagwan Swaminarayan

Name: Ghanshyam Pande

Life Span: 1781 A.D – 1830 A.D.

Name After Initiation: Sahajanand Swami

Place of Birth: Chhappaiya (Dist. Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India) A.D.

Life Work:

  • Initiated Swaminarayan Sect
  • Propagated Vishishtadwaita at the age of seven
  • Initiated 500 Paramhansas at the age of 21
  • Put an end to violent oblations, traditions of sati, child marriage, and infanticide
  • Promulgation of Nishkaam Dharma and Nirman Dharma
  • Absolute and total celibacy for saints after initiation

Gunatitanand Swami

Name: Mulji Sharma

Life Span: 1785 A.D. – 1867 A.D.

Name After Initiation: Gunatitand Swami

Place of Birth: Bhadara (Dist. Jamnagar, Gujarat, India)

Life Work:

  • Built the temple in Junagadh
  • Defined the theory of Sakaar Brahman
  • Imbibed the theories of devotion and servitude as preferred by Sahajanand Swami
  • Incarnation of Brahm

      Shashtriji Maharaj

      Name: Dungar Bhagat

      Life Span: 1865 A.D. – 1951 A.D.

      Name After Initiation: Sadhu Yagnapurushdasji

      Place of Birth: Mahelav (Dist. Kheda, Gujarat, India)

      Life Work:

      • Propagated dual form of worship, Shri Akshar-Purushottam
      • Built five pinnacle temples
      • Idol installation of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj in each of the temples

        Yogiji Maharaj

        Name: Jinabhai

        Life Span: 1892 A.D. – 1971 A.D.

        Name After Initiation: Sadhu Gnanjivandasji

        Place of Birth: Dhari (Dist. Amreli, Saurashtra, India)

        Life Work:

        • Nurtured serviced and devotion. (Nishkam Dharma and Nirman Dharma)
        • Initiated 51 educated youths as sadhus
        • Propagated Swaminarayan Sect outside India.

            Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj

            Name: Prabhudasbhai

            Life Span: 1934 A.D. – 2021 A.D.

            Name After Initiation: Sadhu Hariprasad

            Place of Birth: Asoj (Dist. Baroda, Gujarat, India)

            Life Work:

            • Founded Yogi Divine Society.
            • He toiled day and night to foster the principle of Atmiyata (Spiritual Affinity with one and all)
            • Today, because of His divine prowess and sublime selfless love, there are thousands of youths whose lives are the model of true piety, devoid of vices.

              Prem Swaroop Swamiji Maharaj

              Name: Prafulbhai

              Life Span: 1945 A.D. – Present

              Name After Initiation: Sadhu Prem Swaroop

              Place of Birth: Dharmaj (Dist. Baroda, Gujarat, India)

                Jagga Swami

                Jagga Swami, born Jagjivan Bhakta in 1827 in Gujarat, India, was a celebrated saint of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. He was known for his unwavering devotion, asceticism, and spiritual insight.

                  Krishnaji Ada

                  Krishnaji Ada (1834) was a devout follower of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and a prominent spiritual seeker known for his profound devotion and service. Born in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, he was deeply influenced by the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the scriptures of the faith. Though not a saint in the formal sense, Krishnaji Ada exemplified the ideals of devotion, humility, and service, inspiring countless others

                    Bhagatji Maharaj

                    Bhagatji Maharaj, born Pragji Bhakta in 1829 in Mahuva, Gujarat, is one of the most revered spiritual leaders of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. Known for his unwavering devotion, humility, and spiritual insight, Bhagatji Maharaj played a pivotal role in shaping the Akshar-Purushottam philosophy and spreading the message of true devotion.

                      Kakaji

                      Kakaji was born on 12th June 1918 at Karamsad, a small town in Gujarat. Named Dadubhai, he studied in Nadiad, Nairobi, and Colombo and ultimately graduated from the prestigious London School of Economics. Kakaji was chiefly instrumental for initiating and spreading the divine message of Lord Swaminarayan as per the wish and blessings of Yogiji Maharaj in Africa, UK, USA, Canada, Italy and France.

                        Papaji

                        Babubhai Patel, born in 1916 was the elder brother of Kakaji. With Yogi Bapa’s blessings, Kakaji and Pappaji helped provide a path for women to renounce worldly life and dedicate to God in the Akshar-Purushottam branch of the Swaminarayan sampraday. Pappaji facilitated the creation of a separate establishment for such women called Gunatit Jyot.

                          Sahebji

                          Jashbhai Patel – Saheb, born in 1940 is the leader of Anoopam Mission. The Vratdhari Sadhaks of Anoopam Mission live and work within society, but are fully dedicated to God. Yogi Bapa blessed Saheb to be his partner in spiritual work and leader of the youths. Saheb joined Kakaji and Papaji in 1966 and led the Sadhak brothers wing in the Gunatit Samaj.