Pramukh Swami Maharaj
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| Pramukh Swami Maharaj | |
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| Date of birth | December 7, 1921 |
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| Place of birth | Chansad, Vadodara, India |
| Birth name | Shantilal Patel |
| Guru/Teacher | Shastri Yagnapurushdas |
| Titles/Honors | Shastri (Scholar) |
Shastri Nārāyanswarupdās (December 7, 1921), commonly known as Pramukh Swāmi Maharaj, is a Hindu monk (sadhu), Indian social worker, and spiritual Guru of an international Hindu organization known as the BAPS Swāminārāyan Sansthā (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha). His life work primarily revolves around teaching principles of bhakti yoga, self-realization, and service to society as taught by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
The followers of Pramukh Swami Maharaj believe that he is the fifth spiritual successor of the Bochanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha. Presently, Pramukh Swami is the leader of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Sanstha. He leads an austere life of lifetime celibacy, without personal wealth or comfort. Representing the essence of Hinduism, his compassion for humanity, universal wisdom, and striking simplicity have touched many world religious and national leaders. But most important is his quiet, undisturbed love for God which rises beyond all borders of nation, race and religion.
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[edit] Profile
- Birth: 7 December 1921; Magshar Sud 8, VS 1978.
- Birthplace: Chansad, Gujarat.
- Initiation: 10 January 1940; Posh Sud 1, VS 1996.
- Guru: Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj
- Spiritual Head Since: 23 January 1971; Posh Vad 11, VS 2027.
- Villages Visited: Over 15,500.
- Countries Visited: Over 50.
- Homes Sanctified: Over 250,000.
- Letters Read & Replied: Over 500,000.
- Personally Counseled & Comforted: Over 810,000 people.
- Discourses Delivered: Over 20,000.
- Mandirs Built & Consecrated: 713.
- Sadhu Disciples: 787.
- Guinness Book of World Record holder: Largest Hindu Temple in the World called Akshardham [1]
- Guinness Book of World Records holder: Only Person in the World to consecrate 713 Temples in 5 Continents between April 1971 to November 2007
See Awards below to see the Guinness World Records
[edit] Life
The present spiritual leader of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS), Pramukh Swami Maharaj, represents a succession of spirituality that began a little over 100 years ago around 1907.
Prior to his death, Yogiji Maharaj gave leadership to Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1971. Over the last 24 years, under his able leadership and guidance, the BAPS faith has spread throughout India and internationally. What was, 85 years ago, a relatively small institution with only several thousand devotees and a handful of sadhus, is now a dynamic worldwide organisation with over 350 temples, over 5600 Satsang centres, more than 500 sadhus and a million followers spread over five continents.
Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the Sanstha has enjoyed remarkable success in international festivals celebrated in 1981 (Bicentenary Celebrations of Lord Swaminarayan), 1985 (Bicentenary Celebrations of Gunatitanand Swami) and 1992 (Centenary Celebrations of Yogiji Maharaj). The spectacular ‘Cultural Festivals of India’ held in London, 1985 and in New Jersey, 1991 were overwhelmingly successful in conveying timeless messages gleaned from the rich heritage and culture of India.
In the short span of two years, Akshardham Cultural Complex in Gandhinagar has won international acclaim as a unique centre for promoting humanity's lofty ideals and India's glorious culture. Away from India, Swamishri has embarked on no less than 15 preaching tours, covering 43 countries in 5 continents over the last 25 years. Temples and Satsang Centres have been established in USA, Canada, Europe (UK, France, Portugal, Holland, Belgium), Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Mauritius), South Africa, The Middle East (Bahrain, UAE), The Far East (Japan, Fiji, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong), Australia and New Zealand.
The new temple in Neasden, London, built in traditional Hindu style is the first of its kind to be constructed outside India.
A whole array of activities flourish under Swamishri's guidance; social (famine relief, cattle camps, earthquake relief work), educational (literacy campaigns, youth hostels), ecological (tree planting, well recharging, recycling projects), medical (diagnostic camps, blood donation), moral (anti-addiction drives), cultural (child and youth development), and spiritual.
Pramukhswami Swami Maharaj himself leads an austere life, without personal gains or comforts. Possessing nothing, wanting nothing, he goes around giving his all. Despite his age, he untiringly travels from tiny tribal huts to modern metropolitan cities all over the world, promoting a virtuous life full of moral and spiritual power. At his tender word, thousands have shed addictions and walked the path of God.
[edit] Projects
Pramukh Swami Maharaj is credited as being the inspirer of the Swaminarayan Akshardham cultural complexes in New Delhi and Gandhinagar, Gujarat and also numerous traditionally built stone temples across the world, such as the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandirs in London, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Toronto and Nairobi.
He has contributed to projects in social (famine relief, cattle camps, earthquake relief work), educational (literacy campaigns, youth hostels), ecological (tree planting, well recharging, recycling projects), medical (diagnostic camps, blood donation), moral (anti-addiction drives), cultural (child and youth development), and spiritual areas.
[edit] Awards
- In July 2000, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was awarded a place in the Guinness World Records as one of the 20 most influential people in the world.[1].
- Also in July 2000, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London, a temple inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, was awarded a Guinness World Record for being the Largest Hindu Temple outside India[2]
- In November 2000, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London was awarded a Guinness World Record for the "Most Different Dishes on Display" where 1247 different vegetarian dishes were displayed. The dishes were on display as part of the Annakut festival, celebrating the North Indian Hindu New Year. [3]
- On 17 December 2007, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was awarded a Guinness World Record for "Consecrating Most Hindu Mandirs (Temples) by a Single Person" for creating and consecrating, in accordance with Hindu rituals, 713 mandirs in five contintents between April 1971 and November 2007. In addition, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, India, was awarded a Guinness World Record for being the "World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple".
The first three records appeared in the 2000 and 2002 editions of the Guinness World Records whilst the others will appear in the 2009 edition.
[edit] References
Books
- This Is Hinduism by Dave Symmons, Nelson Thornes
- Living with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Culture by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, Himalayan Academy
Websites
- Pramukh Swami Maharaj
- BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
- BAPS Care International
- Swaminarayan Akshardham
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London
News Articles
[edit] External links
- BAPS achievements under leadership of Pramukh Swami Maharaj
- Social work conducted under guidance and leadership of Pramukh Swami Maharaj
- The Inspirer and Present Guru of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
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