His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, guides countless individuals with his wisdom, humility, and devotion. Born on September 13, 1933, Mahant Swami Maharaj has dedicated his life to spiritual service and uplifting humanity. Devotees around the world recently celebrated his 92nd birthday. The occasion not only commemorated his birth but also reflected on the invaluable spiritual treasures he continues to bestow through his presence and teachings.
On Happiness
Mahant Swami Maharaj explains the concept of happiness by posing a question: If you can sleep peacefully for eight hours on a bed worth $5,000, then for how many hours can you sleep on a bed costing $50,000? And what if the bed is worth $500,000, $5,000,000 or $50,000,000? Swamishri replies that happiness does not increase in proportion to having greater wealth or more expensive things. Wealth can provide convenience, but not inner peace, which is a totally different domain.
On Anger
Mahant Swami Maharaj explains that people often get angry with someone over small matters. There may be times, depending on the circumstances, when one needs to reprimand someone. Swamishri says the important thing is how much to tell, how to tell, and when to tell. Then, he elaborates on it with an example. To heat 100 ml of water, would it make sense to burn one metric ton of coal? Similarly, there are times when too much anger is not warranted. Sometimes, one faces minor issues, and so saying a little may suffice. But, at times, we get extremely angry, which then spoils the matter further, including our health, peace of mind, and spirituality. Thus, Swamishri teaches the need to control one’s anger.
Ego
Mahant Swami Maharaj often speaks about a big traffic congestion that he had once encountered. All the vehicles had come to a standstill. Upon investigation, it was found that a problem had arisen between two vehicles on a narrow section of the road, where neither driver was willing to yield to the other. Mahant Swami Maharaj explains that it wasn’t a traffic jam, but a swabhav (temperament) jam. If one of the drivers had reversed a little, the congestion would have eased totally. However, because of their egos, neither was willing to take a step back. Swamishri emphasizes that in life, too, we face such problems. In most cases, they are a result of our swabhavs.
In these reflections on happiness, anger, and ego, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj shows that true wisdom lies not in external possessions or fleeting emotions, but in cultivating inner balance and humility. His words remind us that peace cannot be bought, that restraint often resolves more than outburst, and that humility clears the path where ego creates obstacles. By embracing his guidance, we can live with greater awareness and harmony, enriching not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. His timeless teachings remain a beacon of clarity in today’s world.
-Pankaj Gadhia
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
