In the small town of Dhari in the Amreli District of Saurashtra there lived a devotee by the name of Devchandbhai Vasanji of the Lohane community. Jethabhai, the grandfather of Devchandbhai, was a blessed devotee of Shriji Maharaj.
Yogiji Maharaj, the son of Devchandbhai, was born at Dhari on the twelth day of the dark half of the month of Vaishakh in the year V. S. 1948. His mother's name was Puribai. His original name was Jinabhai, but his parents lovingly called him 'Jina'. Jina was loved by everyone. All were captivated by his handsome shining face.
When Jina was a child, his mother daily carried him along to the cotton-farm. Other village-women who came to pluck cotton also brought their children with them. The women would leave their children under the shade of a tree, before commencing their work in the fields. Sometimes their children, failing to see their mothers, would cry loudly. This infuriated the farm owner. He scolded the women daily : "Why do you bring your wailing children to my farm ?"
The farmer however never bacame angry with Jina's mother. Looking at Jina, the owner always remarked : "Jina is a miracle child. Look, he always sucks his toe, just as Shri Krishna did. Puribai, one day everybody will fall at his feet. They will worship him."
Gradually, Jina grew up and he was popularly called Jinabhai. Jinabhai though young, had strong feeling for simplicity and cleanliness. He was devoted to nothing but bhakti (devotion) and bhajans (divine songs).