Pramukh Swami Maharaj passed away eight years ago on August 13, 2016. He was a peaceful, humble, and spiritual personality—a rare soul who lived selflessly for others while maintaining a constant connection with God. Revered as one of the most influential spiritual leaders of our time, he was a staunch advocate for world peace. Pramukh Swami Maharaj lived by his maxim, ‘In the joy of others lies our own,’ and dedicated his life to selfless service for the spiritual and social upliftment of society. Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired countless aspirants, and for the betterment of humankind, he has visited over 17,000 villages, towns, and cities. He uplifted and inspired spirituality in the lives of numerous people, including myself. Many aspirants experienced the bliss of God in his presence. Many aspirants reached the highest spiritual state; today, many others continue to tread this path. As I write this, his love, affection, simplicity, humility, and guidance come to my mind.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj spoke little, but whenever he did so, his simple words conveyed the wisdom of eternal truth and had the divinity that you just felt like following whatever he said, I guess a reflection of the Supreme Divinity within him. I felt as if God spoke through him. His thoughtful and meaningful words brought peace to even the most disturbed. His words removed impurities, brought joy, inspired greatness, lifted the gloom, gave direction, removed ego and imbued the bliss of God. Pramukh Swami Maharaj's words of wisdom provided inspirational guidance on dharma, gnan, bhakti, family values, nurturing children, duty of citizens, appropriate speech and many other essential aspects of daily life. Let us learn some of his teachings:
True life is about living for the good of others and for God.
Doing Gharsabha (short family assembly, done weekly or daily) will bring love, harmony, pass on our culture and sanskars to the next generation and keep the family together.
In times of difficulty, take the refuge of God and be in the company of the Guru.
The means to solve misery and pain in life is to do God’s bhajan and offer Him prayers.
By giving up bad company (kusang) and doing daily satsang (nitya satsang) transforms one’s inner self.
Reading good books enables one to keep the mind clean.
Kusang is that which distances you from God and moral behavior.
The darshan of a true Sadhu dissolves one’s sins of countless births.
Earn what one requires; however, greed invites misery and pain.
Happiness and peace lie in seeing God in all.
By going to the mandir, one’s mundane burdens are lightened, and the mind gets rest.
Dharma is that which spreads love for one another.
If one does not have values in life then it won’t take long to lose one’s wealth.
Eating a dry millet bread earned honestly brings peace, instead of earning abundantly through dishonest means.
Character is the foundation, if it is kept firm and intact the monument of life built upon it will be unshakeable. If character is lost, the monument will soon tumble. Keep all thoughts and actions pure.
Satsang is the soap that cleanses the mind.
If we devote ourselves to God the trash within us will leave.
Centre God in all your activities. Serve society but keep God before you. Never forget God.
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- Lenin Joshi
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
