BAPS - Sodality of Sainthood

Contributed By - AZIndia correspondent

 

It all began with Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830 CE), hailed as a great reformer and recognized as the manifest form of Parabrahman Paramatma – supreme God, who spiritually transformed society with faith, devotion, service and integrity.

After he passed on his spiritual successors included  the eternal servant and foremost devotee of Parabrahman Gunatitanand Swami (1785-1867 CE) the incarnation of Aksharbrahman, followed by Bhagatji Maharaj (1829-1897 CE), the symbol of ultimate devotion and unconditional surrender.  Then came the third successor Shastriji Maharaj (1865-1951 CE) who first established the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) In 1907 CE to propagate the doctrine of Akshar-Purushottam as revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The fourth spiritual successor Yogiji Maharaj (1892-1971 CE) a.k.a. Sadhu Jnanjivandas living singularly on the word of his guru Shastriji Maharaj had this ubiquitous mystical joy within him which inspired scores of youth constantly attached to him savouring his selfless love.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj (December 7, 1921 to August 13, 2016) ) an advocate of world peace was the fifth spiritual successor of BAPS.  Born as Shantilal Patel at Chansad village in Vadodara, he left home in November 7, 1939 to become a sadhu. The very next year, he was initiated into parshad order and two months later into the Sadhu order by Shastriji Maharaj. After studying Sanskrit, vicharan with Shastriji Maharaj and engaging himself in various Mandir chores for the next seven years, he as a 28 year old was appointed as BAPS pramukh (president). In 1971 after Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor of BAPS, passed away, he became the spiritual guru of BAPS.

The same year murti-pratishtha of the first shikharbaddha mandir was done by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He then went on to create and consecrate 1,100 temples in India and abroad and monumental cultural complexes like Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi and Gandhinagar. He also consecrated the first BAPS mandir in USA in New York. Over the next 40 years he consecrated 6 shikharbaddha mandirs and 70 hari mandirs in North America.

Even though suffering from a heart condition he continued to serve tirelessly day and night. Revered as one of the most influential spiritual leaders of the world, Pramukh Swami Maharaj in his life met with many prominent and celebrated personalities around the world. In 1984 he met Pope John Paul II at Vatican City. He was received at St. James’ Palace by HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales in 1997. In the year 2000 his historic meeting with US President Bill Clinton and Secretary-General of the UN Kofi Annan is world famous. On 20 June, 2015 former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, presented to Swamishri his book ‘Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji’. 

Pramukh Swami Maharaj had also travelled extensively throughout the world. He was the person instrumental in inspiring millions of youths to give up addictions. He also inaugurated many Youth Training Centre for the all-round development of youths. His untiring efforts to aid victims of natural calamities and assisting in their rehabilitation has brought in laurels and awards from diverse sources. 

Pramukh Swami Maharaj received the ‘Guinness World Records’ honour for having consecrated the most mandirs. ‘Guinness World Records’ also recognized him as one of the 20 most influential people of the world. ‘Reader’s Digest’ selects Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi as one of ‘The Seven Wonders of the 21st Century’. He also received Lifetime Achievement Award from the USA government in the year 2004.

On the fateful day of August 13th, 2016 at 6 PM, this rare soul who had always lived for others, advocated of world peace, uplifted and inspired spirituality in the lives of numerous people and remained in constant rapport with God, relinquished his mortal body to meet his Maker. More than 25 lakh of lamenting and mourning devotees thronged the premises of Sarangpur temple when Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s mortal remains were consigned to flames on August 17 at 3 PM.

As per Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s wish about his successor, as declared in a letter four years ago, Mahant Swami (Sadhu Keshavjivandas) is now the president of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, as the sixth spiritual head in the gunatit guru parampara tradition of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

While we tearfully bid adieu to this selfless saint, his maxim ‘In the joy of others lies our own’ keep reverberating in our mind motivating us to take a step and tread the path he has walked his 95 years.

(Sourced from www.baps.org)