On 28 February 1990, Swamishri was on the outskirts of Bochasan inaugurating the premises of Shriji Cold Storage. Bhagvatcharan Swami was walking with Thakorji in his hand. Swamishri performed pujan rituals at the main door and then untied the nadachhadi with Thakorji at his side. Swamishri and Bhagvatcharan Swami entered the storage factory.

The flooring was very peculiar. It was made of wooden planks so that sacks of potatoes placed on them would cool evenly. Swamishri walked into the factory and consecrated the machinery and rooms with flowers.

All of a sudden, there was a large thud. Swamishri turned around and noticed that Bhagvatcharan Swami had fallen through a weak plank. He had tried to maintain his balance and save Thakorji but had failed. Harikrishna Maharaj had fallen out of his hands.

Swamishri rushed over to Harikrishna Maharaj and picked him up. He started massaging his whole body with his fingers. Tears welled up in Swamishri’s eyes as he started apologizing to his beloved Thakorji.

Swamishri finished the padhramani at the factory and got back in the car. He turned Harikrishna Maharaj towards him and kept apologizing, “Bhagwan Swaminarayan…O…Harikrishna Maharaj…My Lord…Forgive me…I am sorry….” Swamishri’s voice was barely a murmur as he conversed with Harikrishna Maharaj.

Swamishri arrived in the assembly and sat quietly as Viveksagar Swami finished his speech. Then, Swamishri was given the microphone to speak.

He attempted to speak and got through about three minutes when his eyes again welled with tears and his voice choked with emotion. The pain of Thakoriji’s fall was still hurting Swamishri. He pushed the microphone away and concluded the assembly.