Jinabhai Vasanji
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-->Sadhu Gnãnjivandas (born May 23, 1892 - January 23, 1971 in the village of Dhari in Gujurat, India) was a spiritual leader in Hindu Swaminarayan movement. He was the Guru of the Bochasanwasi Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) organization during the 1950's and 1960's.
Born Jinabhai Vasanji, his parents were Devchandbhai and Puribai Vasanji. From a young age, he had an inclination towards Hindu spirituality. As a result, he chose to become an ascetic and received initiation into the Swaminarayan monkhood with the name Jnanjivandas Swami.
Gnãnjivan Swami, popularly known as Yogiji Maharaj, was well respected for his humble nature and desire to perform service for others. Eventually, his guru Shastriji Maharaj named him is successor as Guru of BAPS because of his saintly qualities. Affectionately called Yogiji Maharaj, he oversaw BAPS at a time of great growth in terms of followers. Although lacking a formal Western education himself, he attracted even the most educated people - including doctors and engineers - to renounce their worldly lives and join the Swaminarayan monkhood.
After he died, he was succeeded by Pramukh Swami Maharaj as Guru of the BAPS fellowship.
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