Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Saintliness (Part 5)
By: Param Shanti
Tags: Life Lessons, Compassion, Unity, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Love

Pillar of Moral and Spiritual Obedience

In 2000, the United Nations had for the first time gathered 1,800 spiritual leaders from 54 countries for the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. Of these, only 53 spiritual leaders had been selected to address the Summit. And Swamishri had been invited to bless the inaugural session in the main UN assembly hall.

However, Swamishri firmly follows the vows of male-female discipline for sadhus established by Bhagwan Swaminarayan wherever he goes. He does not compromise on this foundational niyam ordained by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. So, only when the organizers had assured that appropri­ate arrangements would be made did Swamishri agree to address the UN Summit.

On his arrival, Swamishri was respectfully received by the organizers. Before entering the main assembly hall, he enquired to ensure that the arrangements were in accordance with the vows given by Bhagwan Swaminirayan. Only then did he take his seat. Swamishri’s blessings were in Gujarati, which were instantly trans­lated into English, French, Russian, German, Chinese and Spanish for the benefit of everyone. The audience was attentive and appreciated Swamishri’s unique formula for world peace. They applauded Swamishri till he returned to his seat. Swamishri’s purity touched UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, CNN Chairman Ted Turner and the spiritual leaders. Some of the Hindu spiritual leaders proclaimed, “You have upheld the nobility and honor of Hindu Dharma.”

Despite such great acclaim from others, Swamishri’s only satisfaction was in being able to obey the vows of a sadhu as instructed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Someone asked, “What if arrangements had not been made to uphold the vows?”

Swamishri swiftly replied, “We would not have attended.”

For Swamishri, preserving the injunctions of Bhagwan Swaminarayan are more important than being honored by the UN. That is why he has remained a life-long pillar of moral and spiritual obedience.

Joy in Guru Bhakti

On 8 November 2000, the auspicious shilan­yas ceremony for the grand Swaminarayan Akshardham complex on the banks of River Yamuna in India’s capital, New Delhi, was arranged.

At 11:05 a.m., at the appointed auspicious time, Swamishri placed the nidhi kumbh in the foundations, amid joyous Vedic chants. At 80 years, Swamishri was so overjoyed that he risked losing balance as he ignored his own health limi­tations and bent low to assist the volunteers in lifting and placing the heavy kurma shila.

Swamishri’s jubilant demeanor was obvious to all. As he gazed unblinkingly at Thakorji, his satisfaction was clearly visible.

Highlighting this, Mahant Swami noted in his speech, “Today, everyone seated here is happy and so is Swamishri. But there is a difference between the two. Swamishri’s joy is derived from his guru bhakti. He is happy that this will lead to the ful­filment of guru Yogiji Maharaj’s wish. Swamishri does not believe that he is doing this work, but his guru is doing everything. Swamishri is merely the instrument through whom God is working.”

In conclusion, Swamishri blessed, “Whoever comes here will attain liberation.” Hearing these words, everyone was convinced that only one who desires the liberation of all is a suitable me­dium through whom God can remain forever; and only he can accomplish such great works.