Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
As part of the birth centenary celebrations of BAPS Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a birth centenary festival is being celebrated in Ahmadabad from December to January. It is estimated that lakhs of devotees from across the world will gather at the site of ‘Pramukh Swami Nagar’. Thousands of volunteers have been working for the past one year to set up the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar. The town’s layout, which was designed by Swaminarayan and includes various cultural attractions. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s fifth spiritual successor. He led by example; his humility, faith in Bhagwan Swaminarayan, and compassion inspired millions of devotees and over 1000 Sadhus to maintain moral and spiritual lifestyles. His secular and spiritual greatness was on an extremely high level, yet he was able to relate to each and every individual he met according to their status and circumstance. He used to say, “To think is great, to live is greater and to inspire is the greatest part of philosophy, for: the life of philosophy is philosophy in life.” Today, under the guidance and leadership of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is free of addictions as well as morally, ethically, and spiritually pure.
In 1985, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was honoured in a grand, festive celebration at the Queens Park Rangers Stadium in London by 20,000 devotees and well-wishers. A giant weighing scale was arranged on stage and Swamishri and Thakorji were weighed with packets of sugar crystals. He was the inspiration for followers of the Swaminarayan faith to live a pure lifestyle focused on devotion to God and service to others. He followed eight-fold celibacy and lived a simple life free of ego, attachment, anger, and materialistic pleasure. He was a true sadhu. He has promulgated the eternal Vedic philosophy as propounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan to establish peace and happiness in the hearts of many. He was known for his untiring efforts in uplifting the tribals, liberating thousands from vices and addictions, providing relief and rehabilitation to innumerable people in times of calamity and catastrophe, and inspiring character and faith in hundreds of thousands of children and youths were some of his many outstanding services to society.
Despite Swami’s Maharaj’s travellings in India and abroad, he had never compromised in the observance of the moral and spiritual commands prescribed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He breathed and lived the spiritual wisdom of the Upanishads, Bhagvad Gita and Vachanamrut. Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj was an inspiration to millions worldwide.
He renounced the world after finishing his studies at 18 and was initiated by Shastri Maharaj in 1940. Through his humility, his noble service, his saintliness, and his selfless desire to help everyone, he won everyone’s love.
He led an austere life of complete celibacy, without any personal wealth or comfort. He was a living guru who specialized in inspiring and instilling spirituality, and became a limitless source of peace and tranquility to hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world. A rare soul who always lived for others and at the same time remained totally absorbed in God. During one month celebration, five immersive shows – ‘Sahajanand’, ‘Muktanand’, Nityanand’, ‘Bharatanand’ and ‘Paramanand’ – comprising of films and live performances – themed on relevant topics taught and promoted by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, such anti-addiction, family harmony, pride for India and community service, will be aired. He was recognized for his sharp intellect and management skills and was given the duty to take care of temples run by the sect. He was the fifth spiritual successor in Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s succession of Gunatit gurus.
The guru was an ocean of goodness, of purity and humility, a summary of spirituality. He was also known for his social concerns as he actively participated in rescue and relief operations during the times of floods and famines, earthquakes and other natural disasters. His teachings are immortal. He will always be remembered for his humility and vision for humanity. He was probably the tallest Hindu spiritual leader in recent living memory who took Hinduism to the western world. He has overseen the construction of over 1,000 temples including some grand ones like Akshardham in Gandhinagar and Delhi and had initiated over 800 youths to monk-hood during his life time. A man of few words has enhanced the grace, beauty and respectability of Hindu faith in modern time through his Akshardham temples across the world.
The Akshardham Temples stand out as the flag bearer monuments of Hindu excellence in sculpture and architecture in the world today. His message of compassion and service will remain an inspiration. He was quiet and his undisturbed love for God rose beyond all borders of nation, race and religion.
With lakhs of followers across the world and temples all over the US, the UK, South Africa and Kenya, the sect has a strong global presence.
Former President Dr. APJ Kalam had written a book on his “spiritual experiences with Pramukh Swami. Pramukh Swami Maharaj became the fifth spiritual guru of BAPS in 1971 and spent much of his time travelling to Hindu communities around the world, promoting the organisation’s spiritual and social agenda and working for interfaith dialogue. PramukhSwamiji was a great soul. His compassion for humanity, universal wisdom and striking simplicity touched many around the world. His service to society will always be remembered.
His impeccable commitment to the community and profound devotion to faith earned him the respect and reverence of countless worldwide. His thoughtful and meaningful words are a distillation of his profound experience, bringing peace to even the most disturbed. Regardless of caste or creed, his borderless love has touched the lives of many, young or old, literate or illiterate His words remove impurities, bring joy, inspire greatness, lift the gloom, give direction, remove ego and imbue the bliss of God. There is no doubt that Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a highly revered saint whose contribution to Hinduism remains unmatched and will remain a benchmark for generations to come.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was an exceptional guru whose words convey the wisdom of eternal truth and carry the power to liberate all of humanity. His simple, humble and direct words are a reflection of the Supreme Divinity within him. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was not merely a master builder of stone structures, but also a maker of Mandirs within the hearts of people.
He is the Guinness World Record holder for building the most Temples worldwide. One may wonder why so many temples were built? Pramukh Swami Maharaj built temples to help people eradicate their vices, transform and strengthen their minds, and offer devotion to God. The temples he built are vibrant hubs from where activities that benefit individuals, families and society are performed. Today Bhagwan Swaminarayan temples have helped thousands of people eliminate their vices, like drug and alcohol addiction, gambling, smoking and others. Temples have really played a vital role in stabilizing people’s minds and giving them the inner strength to overcome the challenges of daily life. The architectural style is an imitation of the Akshardham Temple in Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat.
The main monument at the Akshardham Temple in Delhi is about 141- foot high and houses a lovely statue of Lord Swaminarayan. Today, one would find that all the Swaminarayan temples offer a welcoming and spiritual space for thousands of families, as well as worship, fellowship, communal meals, education, and activities for young and old, creating a true home for the faithful. He was truly a servant leader. Though he was a guru to millions, he believed himself to be a mere servant of God, a servant of the people. Not only did he believe that he actually lived according to his beliefs. Wherever he went, he was determined to serve individuals, communities, and all of humanity.
