In accordance with Gunatitanand Swami's wishes, Pragji Bhakta left home and went to Junagadh to serve him. Swami had undertaken the task of constructing a new mansion (haveli) on the temple premises. Pragji Bhakta laboured hard and dug deep foundations. Then Swami asked him to wash the sand and pour it into the foundation. He completed this difficult task all alone. Every time he worked Gunatitanand Swami expressed his pleasure, which encouraged Pragji Bhakta to work more and more.
Then came the most difficult job of preparing the mortar. Everyone was afraid of the blisters and blindness caused by it. Nobody would come forward to undertake this work. Swami desired that Pragji Bhakta come forward. He willingly accepted the work and started lifting raw lime sacks on his back. He poured water on the lime and pounded it into mortar with his bare feet in a pit. With a desire to please Swami, Pragji Bhakta absorbed himself in the work maintaining divyabhava towards everyone. He found great pleasure in his work. If anyone warned him , "Pragji, you will become blind on account of the heat of the lime," he would simply reply, "I want to please Swami. I have dedicated my life in the service of Swami."
Although Pragji Bhakta worked day and night without bothering about anything once Gunatitanand Swami told him, "You are working with your physical power but without tapa (penance) your senses will not be tamed. Start your penance by observing fast for two days together and by eating only once on the third day." Being told thus, Pragji Bhakta commenced his mahatapa (the great penance). He laboured during the day and in his spare moments he sat near Swami and listened to his divine discourses. Even at night, he would be in Swami's company. Sometimes for an hour or so Swami would ask him to sleep in the posture of gorakhasana (one of the Yoga asanas). He was never in bed.
Gunatitanand Swami was greatly pleased with the deep devotion and service of Pragji Bhakta. Many a time Swami would explain to him the teachings of Shriji Maharaj as expressed in Vachanamritam and at times taught him the intricate yogic methods of meditation. Pragji Bhakta had one aim, one desire, one mission to act according to the wishes of Swami and to obey all his commands.
At times Swami used to test him. Once Swami told him, "Pragji, mortar is to be prepared. Fetch me two hundred spades and five hundred baskets." Pragji went to the temple and returned with some spades and baskets which he could collect. But he never argued with the Swami. He never told him as to where he was expected to bring so many spades and baskets from. He knew that the temple did not possess spades and baskets in such a big number. He knew that Gunatitanand Swami was omniscient. Therefore, it was his duty to act according to his desire, keeping firm faith in him.
There is another instance of a sudden and odd command. Once, Swami told him, "Pragji, go and call Mount Girnar. The poor fellow has been performing tapa (penance) for ages. Let me bless him." Pragji rushed to call Girnar. Some people criticised Pragji for not using discretion. They remarked, "How could a mountain come? You should use discretion in carrying out commands." Pragji Bhakta replied, "It is the duty of a shishya (disciple) to carry out all the commands of his guru without any hesitation. Only those commands which are against the tenets of religion should not be obeyed. I will go to Girnar and call him. Whether he wants to come or not is upto him." Such was his firm faith in Swami.
For three consecutive days he worked hard to prepare the furnace and then for three days he worked to fill it with lime. Swami became so happy that he embraced him twice or thrice and touched his head to bless him. Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of Pragji Bhakta. He thought, What great fortune that Gunatitanand Swami himself is embracing me and bestowing upon me his divine love."
His inner self was in constant communion with Swami. Even very minor happenings revealed this fact. Once Swami accompanied by saints and devotees went to the meadows of Sankhdawadar near Junagadh to cut grass. All of a sudden it started raining heavily Pragji Bhakta took two sheets and made an improvised umbrella and sheltered Swami. Swami became very happy and said, "kalyan (redemption) lies in three things, atmabudhdhi, anuvruti and seva towards those who are spiritually great."
A barber named Karsan used to serve the saints at Junagadh temple. He increased his rates by one paise per head. Gunatitanand Swami refused to pay him the increased rates. But soon the saints felt uncomfortable without the monthly shaving and tonsuring. Swami asked Pragji Bhakta to do the barber's job. He was always eager to obey his guru. He bought a razor from the town and first served Swami and then for nearly six months he performed the role of a barber without feeling ashamed of what he was doing. He worked as a torch-bearer too. This, too, was the job of the barber. Swami deeply loved him and always offered him food from his own wooden eating bowl.