Pramukh Swami Maharaj instructs devotees to seek guidance from Mahant Swami
India Ahmedabad: For over 40 years, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), has travelled throughout the world, from villages in rural India to metropolitan cities in America. He has visited the homes of thousands of devotees, providing solace and guidance in both spiritual and personal matters. For the past few months, however, his advancing age has prevented him from travelling and imparting such personal guidance as before.
On March 6, Pramukh Swami Maharaj announced through a letter that all sadhus and devotees should now consult Pujya Mahant Swami (Keshavjivan Swami) for guidance on their day-to-day affairs and issues. The letter was read out in a public assembly by Pujya Doctor Swami (Swayamprakash Swami) in Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s presence in Ahmedabad.
Senior swamis of BAPS explained, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj continues to be the spiritual head and guru of the organization. However, as he is 92 years old now, and naturally due to health-related limitations, he is no longer able to travel to villages and cities to reach out to the followers as he did before, when he often met hundreds of people daily to give spiritual guidance.”
Pujya Keshavjivan Swami, also known as Pujya Mahant Swami, is one of several senior swamis of BAPS. After completing his B.Sc. in Agriculture from Anand (Gujarat, India), he received diksha in 1957 from His Holiness Yogiji Maharaj. Under the guidance, instructions and blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Mahant Swami and the other senior swamis travel around the world inspiring devotees and aspirants with their spiritual discourses and personal interactions.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj is currently in Ahmedabad and in good health, giving daily darshan to thousands of devotees from around the world.
About HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He received diksha from His Holiness Shastriji Maharaj, the founder of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, in 1940. In 1950, Shastriji Maharaj appointed him the president of the organization. From 1951, Pramukh Swami Maharaj served under His Holiness Yogiji Maharaj for 20 years. Just before his passing in 1971, Yogiji Maharaj revealed Pramukh Swami Maharaj as the present guru.
As the spiritual and administrative leader of BAPS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj has inspired millions of people across the world to lead a God-centered, morally upright life guided by Hindu principles. Through his travels and discourses, he has emphasized the importance of personal integrity, family harmony, community service, and spiritual progress. He embodies the essence of Hindu life. His compassion for humanity, universal wisdom and striking simplicity have touched many world religious and national leaders.
About BAPS
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a worldwide community-based spiritual organization with its beliefs firmly rooted in the Vedas. Revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the late 18th century and established in 1907 by His Holiness Shastriji Maharaj, BAPS strives to fulfill the spiritual and social needs of people while promoting inner peace and harmony between individuals, within families, and among communities.
Recognized and appreciated internationally for its humanitarian services and commitment to holistic social uplift, BAPS has received many national awards and is closely affiliated with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. It reaches out to millions of individuals through its network of over 3,300 centers, 900 sadhus, 55,000 volunteers, and the dedication of over one million followers in 45 countries. Today, under the spiritual and administrative leadership of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS is respected and valued by millions.
To learn more about BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, please visit www.baps.org.