The purpose of my life is known only to Maharaj who gave me life; but it seems to me that there must have been some previous bond with Shreeji Maharaj and Gunatitanand Swami which enabled my soul to be purified. In order to serve Shreeji Maharaj he has granted this opportunity by placing me in the family of Dr Nathabhai Babarbhai Patel and Diwaliba. I was born at 5.00 p.m. on 1st September 1916 (Badharva Vad 6 S.Y. 1972) in Borsad, Gurajat. I do not remember what I weighed at birth and whether I cried spontaneously or was made to cry. My health was always slightly weak. On the seventh day, enema was given to me to induce diarrhoea. In spite of being thoroughly cosseted and pampered, I was still fragile until the age of five.
My grand-father (my mother’s father) Nathabhai Savdas Patel who lived in Nadiyad, had a deep desire for a family, and he arranged Diwaliba’s marriage into a noble family of Karamsad with Dr. Sarabhai Nathabhai who had been previously married. Dr. Sarabhai was 35 years of age at the time. Diwaliba was slim-built whereas my father, like myself, was sturdy. When he arrived for the wedding ceremony, people expressed their dismay at the height, build and age of the groom.
It was my grandmother Surajba’s utmost desire that my mother bore a son, which would mean a grandson for Surajba! First born was Kamlaba (also known as Maniben) which was unexpected. Then arrived Shantiben who was deemed an absolute calamity! Surajba feared that a string of granddaughters would follow. Such was their basic standard of thought! Then… I was born bringing joy and happiness that could only be equated with the bliss of heaven.
Babu was immediately taken to Nadiyad to be brought up by the grandparents (mother’s side). When I was approximately five months old, the deity of Lord Swaminarayan was being installed by my father, Sarabhai, in the temple at Sarangpur. Sarabhai requested my mother Diwaliba to accompany him to Sarangpur. However my health was not very good at the time and my grandfather intervened and refused Diwaliba to attend this ceremony.
Ever since Shree Shastriji Maharaj separated from the sanstha and settled in Bochasan, my father Sarabhai had become a devout follower and a leader of the grahusta (married) devotees such as Ishawarbhai Daji, Ashabhai Prabhudas, Ghirdharbhai (Sonaba’s uncle) etc. He was highly respected and at that time his surgery was in Borsad. The doctor’s surgery and the high court were considered the main centre and heart of the district hence Vithalbhai and Vallabhbhai also practised as lawyers in the courts at Borsad. A deep friendship developed between all three and this was strengthened by the fact that both Vallabhbhai’s father (Zaverbhai) and Sarabhai were followers of Shastriji Maharaj.