Krishnaji Ada was a pious devotee who fully supported Shastriji Maharaj’s efforts for the cause of the Akshar-Purushottam upasana. Krishnaji Ada’s grandfather was a disciple of Ramanand Swami.     

Karsanjibhai was born on 9 August 1834 (Shravan sud 5, Samvat 1890) in the village of Mevasa, near Junagadh. When Krishnaji was young his father, Indraji Vyas, had left his family to serve as a pujari of the Junagadh mandir upon Gunatitanand Swami’s agna. Gunatitanand Swami in turn had taken upon himself to look after Indrajibhai’s two sons: Krishnaji Ada and Harjivanbhai.

Krishnaji Ada had grown up among sadhus all his life. Therefore, Satsang was ingrained in his soul and the Akshar-Purushottam upasana was deep within his heart. As Krishnaji Ada grew older he came into contact with Shastriji Maharaj and learned his greatness. Many times Krishnaji Ada was insulted because of his support for Shastriji Maharaj’s cause. However he never left Swami’s side.

Once, when Shastriji Maharaj came to Rajkot, his pure character, great saintliness and powerful personality attracted so many devotees. Some of the sadhus and devotees who were jealous of Shastriji Maharaj proposed a petition to kick Shastriji Maharaj out of the mandir. Krishnaji Ada never signed this petition and therefore was banned from coming to the mandir. One of Krishnaji Ada’s best friends and  a disciple of Gunatitanand Swami, Himrajbhai, had signed this petition. When Krishnaji Ada came to know of this, he broke their friendship.

Based on the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the Vachanamrut, the testimonies of various paramhansas and devotees, and the discourses of Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj was convinced about the eternal truth of the Akshar-Purushottam upasana and talked to others about it. However, evil-minded people who were not able to understand the truth became aggravated and started harassing Shastriji Maharaj. This reached such a state that devotees urged Shastriji Maharaj to leave Vartal for his own safety. In this situation, Shastriji Maharaj consulted Krishnaji Ada, who said, “Maharaj in the Shikshapatri has mentioned that one should not stay in a place where the circumstances are dangerous; therefore, I think you should now leave Vartal.” Upon hearing this, Shastriji Maharaj said, “It feels like Bhagatji Maharaj himself has spoken through you.”

Krishnaji Ada inspired Vignandasji, Yogiji Maharaj and five other sadhus to come to Rajkot from Junagadh. Shastriji Maharaj, too, was called from Sarangpur. This was the first historic meeting between Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj and it was Krishnaji Ada who had arranged this meeting. Krishnaji Ada, too, had to tolerate many difficulties due to his support for Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. Yet he remained firm in his beliefs and devotion.