From behind his eyes God Smiled upon our Earth

By: Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
Param Pujya Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav will be celebrated for a month starting December 15.  The festival is organised by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha – a worldwide socio-spiritual organisation striving to inspire millions towards faithful, harmonious and moral living. Pramukhswami Maharaj Nagar is a triveni confluence of art, science and spirituality.
Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj was an inspiration to millions worldwide. He renounced the world after finishing his studies at 18 and was initiated by Shastriji 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. Pramukh Swamiji 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.