Certain saints and Acharya Bhagwatprasad Maharaj grew jealous of the increasing popularity and importance of Gunatitanand Swami in the satsang. They decided to reprimand Swami. They asked him to see them at Una. When Swami received the message from Acharya Maharaj, he observed,
"Bhoo ko Bhar harun santan heet,
Karun chhaya kar doi
Jo mere sant ko rati ek duve,
tehi jad darun me khoi
Narad mere Sant se adhik na koi."
(I bear the burden of the earth for the benefit of the saint. I protect him. If somebody harms my saint even a bit, I shall uproot him. Oh Narad, there is none greater than my saint)
Pragji Bhakta requested Swami to explain the meaning of this couplet. Swami said, "The saints from Vadtal have resolved to reprimand me. As you are spreading my glory, they have decided to excommunicate you from the satsang But they will not succeed at all in this desh (territory). I can't allow them to insult you so long as I am here. How can I tolerate this?" Pragji Bhakta requested Swami not to displease the superiors from Vadtal on his account. He said, "Let any trouble come to me. But you should not feel sorry for me."
On his way to Una, Gunatitanand Swami stopped at Malia. He learnt that as Krishnaprasad Maharaj had (expired) gone to dham at Dholera, Acharya Maharaj and the saints had returned to Vadtal. Thus the plan of reprimanding Swami could not materialise.
Before leaving for Vadtal to participate in the samaiya of Chaitri Poonam (full-moon day) of V. S. 1922, Swami remarked, "Pragji is heading towards trouble but he has been properly protected by me. I have wrought his armour so carefully that no harm can come to him." This time he did not ask Pragji Bhakta to accompany him to Vadtal. He left him at Junagdh and went to Vadtal via Gadhada. He was accompanied by many saints and haribhaktas. On the auspicious day of the Ramnavmi Samaiya, certain saints and people started referring to Swami as "God, worthy to be worshipped," but in a sarcastic language. But Swami remained unruffled and quiet. Without loosing head he quietly said, "Shriji Maharaj is the only God, there is none else." Then he talked about the supremacy of Maharaj and referred to him as Purushottam. While this religious cold war was going on Balramdas Shastri rushed to Acharya Maharaj with a request to intervene between the saints. As soon as Acharya Maharaj came there everyone became quiet. The beating of drums drew them all to participate in the aarti poojan.
On his way back from the temple, a gardener offered Swami a garland of pure roses. Swami met Sadhu Hariswarupdasji who was in the service of Shukmuni. This very sadhu had hurled insult upon Swami. Swami smiled and garlanded him with the rose garland and said,
"Haldi jaradi nava taje, khatras taje na aam,
Gunijana gunku nava taji, avgun na taje gulam."
(Even turmeric does not leave its colour, nor mango its savour, nor a base man his demerits, how can a great man leave his goodness.)
Hariswarupdas was completely disarmed by the tolerance and large heartedness of the Swami. All those, including important sadgurus, who were angry with Swami felt ashamed of what they had done. They all started repenting and offered an apology. But at the same time they decided to excommunicate Pragji who was mainly responsible for Swami's popularity with the masses. They conveyed their decision to the Swami. Swami thought a little and spoke, If I ask Pragji not to glorify me, he will stop doing so." But Pavitranand Swami had determined to excommunicate Pragji Bhakta. So letters to that effect were sent to all towns and villages with the consent of Acharya Maharaj.
While returning to Junagadh, Swami arrived at Mahelav, a village in Kaira district. He saw Dunger Bhagat (Shastriji Maharaj), the fifteen month old son of Dhoribhai. Swami blessed the child and said, "This boy shall renounce and shall serve the Sampraday (sect) by giving learned discourses and making people accept the supremacy of Shriji Maharaj." Then he visited Sarangpur, Gadhpur and at last came back to Junagadh.