Pramukh Swami Maharaj Biography, Eary Life, Family

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a great Mahatma who spent his entire life bringing Hinduism and Indian culture to the world stage. His life mantra was “our good lies in the good of others.” He was a calm, humble, simple, and spiritual personality.

From December 15, 2022 to January 15, 2022, the birth centenary celebrations of this Siddha Purusha, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, are being planned. For this occasion, Swami Nagar has been constructed on approximately 600 acres and was inaugurated and launched by PM Modi.

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Pramukh Swami Maharaj Biography

Name :	Shantilal Patel
Date of Birth:	7 December 1921
Birth Place :	Chansad, Gujarat, India
Father Name :	Motibhai Patel
Mother Name:	Divaliben Patel
Monastic name:	Narayanswarupdas Swami
Philosophy:	Akshar-Purushottam Darshan
Death:	August 13, 2016, at the age of 94.

Born:

Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s original name was Shantilal Patel. He was born on December 7, 1921 in the village of Chansad, Gujarat. His father Motibhai and mother Divaliben Patel were disciples of Shastriji Maharaj and followers of the Akshar Purushottam faith. Shastriji Maharaj is said to have blessed Shantilal at birth, telling his father, “This child is ours; give it to us when the time is right. It will lead thousands of people to God’s devotion, and through it, thousands of people will attain salvation.”

Early Life:

“Pramukhswami Maharaj had strong faith in religion from his childhood. As a child, he used to rush to the Hanuman Mandir in his village after completing his school work every day, and he listened avidly to the discourses and teachings of a Hindu “holy man” named Haridas along with his childhood friends.

When Shastriji Maharaj visited the village with his disciples, Pramukhswami Maharaj spent time with him. At the age of 17, his guru, Shastriji Maharaj, wrote to him asking for initiation as a monk of Swaminarayan Bhagwan. Pramukhswami Maharaj received permission and blessings from his parents and left home the same day, obeying the orders of Shastriji Maharaj without hesitation.

In November 1939, Shastri Maharaj gave Pramukhswami Maharaj “Parshad Diksha” (Primary Initiation) at Ambali Wali Pol. After his initiation, he assumed the name Shanti Bhagat. The following year, in January 1940, he was given the name “Swarupdas Paksha” (Servant of God Form).

Pramukhswami Maharaj studied Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures and acquired the title of ‘Shastri’ by mastering both shastra and philosophy. Because of his comprehensive understanding of the broad affairs and activities of BAPS, his guru, Shastriji Maharaj, made him the kothari (chief) of the temple at Sarangpur. At the age of 28, he was appointed the administrative president of BAPS. After this, he became widely known as Pramukh Swami.”

“Life as Pramukh Swami:

In the early 1950s, Shastriji Maharaj wrote several letters to the 28-year-old Shastri Narayan Swarupdas, inviting him to join BAPS and expressing his desire to appoint him as the organization’s president. Twice, Shastri Narayan Swarupadas respectfully refused this request, citing his young age, inexperience, and the presence of many senior swamis who were more suitable for this responsibility. However, Shastriji Maharaj persisted and sent several senior devotees to convince Shastri Narayan Swarupadas. Believing his guru’s inner desire, Shastri Narayan Swarupadas finally agreed to the appointment.

On May 21, 1950, at Ambaliyali Pol in Ahmedabad, Shastriji Maharaj appointed Shastri Narayan Swarupadas, who was only 28 years old, as the founding president of BAPS, “Pramukh Swami.” During the ceremony, Shastriji Maharaj placed his shawl on the shoulders of Shastri Narayan Swarupadas and asked Yogiji Maharaj to bless him.

Shastri Narayan Swarupadas then addressed the gathering and said, “I am overwhelmed by the kindness and love shown to me here so fervently. I will always remember this day, when despite my young age, I was blessed by two of the greatest souls of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. I believe that I am qualified for this post.”

Earlier that day, Shastri Narayan Swarupadas had been seen washing the cooking utensils used by devotees attending the ceremony in the evening. This event epitomized the humble style of servant-leadership that characterized the next six decades of his presidency.

Under the leadership of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS grew extensively. Millions of devotees joined the organization globally. He undertook international spiritual tours to more than 27 countries and organized large-scale cultural festivals to present Hindu tradition and culture on the global stage. In 1991, for example, the Cultural Festival of India was held in New Jersey. He also built over 1100 Hindu temples, including the Swaminarayan Akshardham temples in New Delhi and Gandhinagar in Gujarat.”

Pramukh Swami Maharaj Quotes

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a spiritual leader and the fifth guru of the Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha, a Hindu spiritual organization. Here are a few quotes attributed to him:

“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
“Our innermost thoughts and feelings are the source of our actions and behaviors. When our mind is full of purity and goodness, we naturally behave in a pure and good way.”
“True happiness is not obtained through material possessions, but rather through a sense of inner peace and contentment.”
“We are all children of God and therefore brothers and sisters. Love and respect for one another should be our natural way of life.”
“True spirituality is not about performing rituals or going to temples, but about cultivating inner peace and living a virtuous life.”

I hope these quotes from Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspire and bring some wisdom to your day.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj Death

Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth guru and spiritual leader of the Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha, a Hindu spiritual organization. He passed away on August 13, 2016, at the age of 94. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was known for his devotion to the Swaminarayan tradition and his efforts to spread the values of Hinduism around the world. He was widely respected for his simplicity, humility, and dedication to spiritual practice. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s passing was mourned by many around the world, and he is remembered as a spiritual leader and guide for many people.

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