Youths and small children were very dear to Yogiji Maharaj. He once said : "Young people are as precious to me as my heart." And he cared for them as one cares for one's heart. He spoke to them affectionately, showed genuine interest in whatever they said, and lovingly put his hands on their heads or shoulders in appreciation. Moving his delicate hands around their neck he would quietly check whether a boy had a kanthi or not. If any one was found without a kanthi, he would immediately give him one. He won them over by showering upon them more love than even a mother could do.
In the summer and the Diwali vacations, Yogiji Maharaj used to take the youths around the villages with him. During this time they would be taught Swamini Vatu, Vachanamrut, etc. Yogiji Maharaj walked holding the hand of some young man or another. It was a pleasurable sight to see young poeple walking on both sides of the Yogi, and to see the Yogi, who was also just like a youth, walking in the centre. He took personal care of these young people who toured the villages with him. He personally served them food, prepared bread for them, and in case anyone fell ill, he himself cared for the patient during the illness.
Yogiji Maharaj used to get up early at half-past four in the morning, and would then awaken the youths. He gave discourses on subjects like agna (obeying commands), upasana (doctrine) and seva (service). He especially admired those who could observe a complete fast with neither food nor even a drop of water. He showed his joy by patting them on their backs. At 11:00 at night, after the evening meeting of the devotees was over, Yogiji Maharaj gathered all the youths in a quiet corner of the hall. He encouraged them to converse among themselves in any language they liked, whether English, Hindi or Gujarati. He would sometimes make fun by using English words even though he did not know much English.
Yogiji Maharaj captivated the hearts of even college students. He helped many to get rid of bad habits such as smoking and visiting the cinema. He advised them to live a pure and simple, well regulated life, and thus prepared them to become ideal citizens. He persuaded them to accompany him for a month or two during the vacations and when they left at the end, he advised them to lead a useful, righteous life, and to attend regularly their weekly meetings. Again he reminded them that if there wasn't a youth organisation in their village, they should establish one. He was full of enthusiasm for the Movement and promised to write regularly to them. His affection for them was so great that he would take the trouble of walking upto the temple gate to see them off. The young people who thus parted from Yogiji Maharaj - who had become their idol and object of love - felt the pangs of separation keenly. Often their eyes were filled with tears when they left.