Yogiraj Gopalanand Swami was a great Yogi-Purush of Swaminarayan Sampradaya. As a Yogi his powers could change the course of even the Sun and the Moon. In spite of being the master of Aaishwarya (Divine Power), to be and remain a disciple-servant of Shree Sahjanand Swami was his unique image.

Gigantic personality, authorial voice, supreme knowledge of philosophy, creation of voluminous literature and practical wisdom of finding  a way in whatsoever adverse and critical conditions earned him a place even above Acharyas of both the Desh. Shree Gopalanand Swami was born to his mother Shree Kushalba in the house of Motiram Thaker on Monday, Maha Sud 8 Samvat 1837. In his childhood he was known as Khushal.

There have been number of miracles in the life of Swami.  It is a well known story that even the Lord Shamalji used to come in the form of a child to play with him. In spite of so many efforts, Mantrik (an expert of sorcery of Mantra-Shakti) could not find his Shaligrams because of the Yogic power of little Khushal. Khushal Bhatt started teaching the Brahmin boys in Pathshala. He used to teach less and perform more Bhajans. Later on he came to Jetalpur and studied Ramanuj Bhashya and Shrimad Bhagwad Gita from Muktanand Swami and at last became ‘Gopalanand Swami’ after taking Diksha.

Swami stabilized the Satsang structure. Though in possession of the supreme divine power, he roamed around incessantly on the land remaining a messenger of the Lord. There are umpteen number of miraculous incidents about his Yogic power and richness and one can create separate voluminous book delineating such incidents. In the intellectual world, he is known as the creator of the commentary of Brahma Sutra’, ‘Bhagwat Gita’ and ’Upanishads’. Amongst the Yogirajs, he is known as world respected Yogiraj. Though having tremendous spiritual powers, he never used such powers for himself. Yet being moved by the aggrieved devotees, one finds lightning of his benevolent miracles of his Yogic powers.

For about four and half decades, he has served the Satsang of our Swaminarayan Sampradaya. He remained a chief post for about 22 years after Sahjanand Swami’s Aksharvaas, and spread, stabilized and strengthened the Satsang. He spent a life of 71 years, 3 months and 12 days, and passed away to the Divine Abode on Vaisakh Vad 5 Samvat 1908. His funeral ceremony was performed in Gyan Baug, Vadtal, and as a remembrance thereof a beautiful marble carved umbrella is still standing at the place.