The minister of Vadodara has a deep-seated animosity toward Shriji Maharaj.1 He thought to himself: If Swaminarayan is faulted in any way, then I will defame him. So, he came for that reason. And when the assembly took place, he said, “You eat the kāthis’ food. Therefore, you are defiled.” Maharaj said, “We have not. Even if so, we will become pure by performing yagnas. But you are not of a brāhmin family, so how will you become pure?” Meanwhile, Shiyaji Maharaj (Sayajirav Gayekwad) said not to speak, and yet he spoke. Footnotes: 1. 1. Samvat 1882, Vadodara. Sayajirav Gayekwad welcomed Shriji Maharaj to Vadodara on Kartik sud 3 with a grand procession in the city, ending in the palace. Ever since the minister Viththalrav Devaji Babaji was appointed as the Suba of Kathiyawad, he bore enmity toward Shriji Maharaj. He was determined not to meet Shriji Maharaj. However, Maharaj asked Sarkar (Sayajirav Gayekwad) to call him to the court, so the minister had to appear. On their first meeting, Maharaj openly asked him why he had not come to see him. The minister felt abashed and was provoked having to provide an answer for his absence. On the last day, Sarkar welcomed Maharaj to his palace again. The minister was not present again, so Maharaj called him again to give his final teaching. Maharaj knew that the minister did not accept him as a brāhmin. So, Maharaj said, “You spread lies about me. However, I am a Samvedi brāhmin. If a brāhmin is defiled, he can become pure again by atonement. However, one who is not born in a brāhmin family will never become a brāhmin, no matter how many Ashwamedh yagnas he may perform.” The Sarkar was stunned hearing Maharaj’s words. Nityanand Swami also understood the gravity of the situation and prayed to Maharaj to forgive his jiva. Maharaj calmed down. Nevertheless, the minister never stopped plotting to capture Maharaj, as he plotted to capture Maharaj that very night. However, it rained heavily and no one could leave their house. The minister failed to capture Maharaj while he was in Vadodara. The next day, Maharaj was departing Vadodara. Maharaj told Naja Jogiya that as soon as the elephant halts, have Manki ready. Maharaj departed Vadodara on an elephant and arrived in Chhani. The elephant halted. Maharaj quickly dismounted the elephant and mounted Manki and rode away like the wind. Meanwhile, four men came to seize Maharaj where the elephant halted, but Maharaj had already left. The minister was never able to capture Maharaj. [Bhagwan Swaminarayan: 5/141-166]