Among the unique devotees of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan who maintained their Satsang at the cost of their own lives, dedicating their body, mind, and wealth, Naja Jogiya holds a prominent place. Although he was a native of Lakhanka (near Jasdan), he renounced that village in order to serve the Satsang. After staying in Bhadli for some time, he finally settled in the village of Bhoyra and lived a life of total surrender as a lifelong personal Parshad. He specifically performed great seva to Maharaj and His mare, Manki. Whenever Maharaj would go into hiding, the residents of Gadhpur saw the seva the likes of Hanumanji be performed by Naja Jogiya; Naja Jogiya would fulfill the wishes of the people of Gadhpur by enduring immense hardships to find Maharaj and bring Him back to Gadhpur.
Because of his pure and frank heart, and his immense love and loyalty toward the sadhus and haribhakto, Naja Bhakt earned a place in Maharaj’s daily prayers. Maharaj would utter his name everyday; such was his excellence as a devotee. Although a Kathi by caste, he was a servant by nature and would courageously stand up for the Swaminarayan Sampraday.
While living in Lakhanka, Naja Bhakt and Ram Jogiya fought a battle with Lakha Govaliya to avenge the insult of the sadhus who had visited their home, after which they left the village. Bhan Khachar of Bhadli then gave shelter to Naja Bhakt. When he did not find peace there either, he came to Bhoyra and settled there instead.
Once, a great and unexpected calamity befell this faithful devotee. King Vajasur Khachar of Jasdan issued a cruel decree: “If your Bhagwan does not grant me darshan by tomorrow morning, I will break your knees and throw you into prison.” Maharaj, being the indwelling witness of all (Antaryami), came to know of this and traveled from Visnagar to Bhoyra. On the way, in Wadhwan, Bhanji Mehta insisted that Maharaj stay at his home; however, Maharaj’s actions at that time bears witness to the devotion of Naja Bhakt.
Crossing the flooded Bhogavo River without a boat amidst heavy rain, Maharaj reached Bhoyra and protected Bhaktraj Shree Naja Jogiya. This is a prominent lila of the Swaminarayan Sampraday.
When Naja Bhakt lived in Bhadli, Maharaj arrived unexpectedly. After finishing His meal, He said, “Let us go outside the village to rest in the open air.” They went out, and seeing the cool breeze, He said, “I feel sleepy.” Having said this:
Naja Jogiyana kholamay, suta shir dhari Shree hari tyay
There, Shree Hari lay down, resting His head in the lap of Naja Jogiya.
Thus, although Naja Jogiya was a servant, Maharaj also granted him the bliss of friendship (sakha bhav). During Maharaj’s period of hiding at Methan, and again when He was in hiding in Vadtal, Naja Bhakt went in search of Him at the request of the Gadhpur haribhakto. The moving and interesting account of Naja Bhakt is described in the seventh Kalash of the Shree Harililamrut. That story stands as a testament to his devotional servitude.
By becoming a laborer at Jagmal Pagi’s place, Naja Bhakt found Maharaj. A jewel of the Kathi clan became a laborer to search for Maharaj. After Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan returned to Akshardham, H.H. 1008 Acharya Shree Raghuvirji Maharaj granted him Bhagwati Diksha and named him Ghanshyamdasji Swami. Thousands of prostrations to Naja Bhakt, who surrendered his heart to Maharaj and lived his entire life according to His agyna.