Punyatithi Of Shastriji Maharaj

Jay Swaminarayan.

Pujya Dharmajivandasji Swamiji, also reverently known as Shastriji Maharaj, was a great saint, visionary educator, and the founder of the Swaminarayan Gurukul system of education. He was born in 1908 and dedicated his entire life to the service of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan and the upliftment of society through value-based education. He attained samadhi in 1980.
From an early age, Dharmajivandasji Swamiji showed deep inclination towards bhakti, discipline, and spiritual learning. Under the guidance of learned saints, he gained profound knowledge of Vedic scriptures, Swaminarayan philosophy, and Indian culture, which earned him the title “Shastriji”. His life was marked by simplicity, austerity, and unwavering dedication to dharma.
Understanding that true education must develop character along with knowledge, he founded the Swaminarayan Gurukul at Rajkot. His vision was to create an educational system that harmoniously blended modern education with spiritual values, moral discipline, yoga, and Indian traditions. The Gurukul aimed at shaping students into ideal citizens who are intellectually capable, morally strong, and spiritually rooted.
Under his inspiration, the Gurukul system grew steadily, producing generations of students who excelled not only in academics but also in values such as honesty, self-control, service, and devotion. His emphasis on brahmacharya, respect for teachers, and adherence to Shikshapatri became the foundation of Gurukul culture.
Pujya Dharmajivandasji Swamiji’s life stands as a shining example of selfless service, wisdom, and visionary leadership. His legacy continues through the Swaminarayan Gurukul institutions spread across India and abroad, carrying forward his mission of nurturing disciplined, value-oriented, and spiritually awakened individuals.