Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan appointed Acharya Shree Ayodhyaprasadji, the son of His elder brother Rampratapji as the religious head of the Northern Division of India. He served the Holy Fellowship most sincerely for 42 years.
He was born on the eleventh day of the month Jyeshtha in Samvat 1865 and even with closed eyes he was able to see the form of Shree Hari.
His self-control was most amazing. Once at a dinner arranged to honor him, the cook added salt instead of sugar in all edible items offered to God. But Acharya, while dining didn’t show any reaction or express his displeasure at that. But the fact was known only when co-diners ate with him!
Once when he was performing Manasi Puja (mental worship) of Shree Hari, he had a scorpion-bite but he remained totally focussed in that devotional ritual but did not intervened. When he woke up from Manasi Puja those who used to serve him came to know about the severe scorpion bites.
Acharya Ayodhyaprasadji was also a poet, and he has composed many hymns (Kirtanas) in Gujarati. He got prepared the commentary – Tatvartha – Dipika on Satsangi Jivan, constructed the artistic wooden mansion at Ahmedabad, installed Murtis in grand temples at Idar, Jetalpur, Siddhpur, Mandvi and Chhapaiya. He inspired people to construct temples at these places.
As per the command of Shree Hari in Shikshapatri he established a Sanskrit Pathshala at Ahmedabad. He had a great mastery over Sanskrit language, literature and religious books.
Note : About appointment of Acharya please see the earlier article about Acharya Shree Raghuvirprasad.