Pramukh Swami Maharaj – a stalwart among humans who embodied compassion & humility

By: Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
As part of the birth centenary celebrations of BAPS Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a birth centenary festival is being celebrated in Ahmedabad 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 that “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. 
Pramukh Swami Maharajwas 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 Gandhinagar, 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.