By Chaitanyamurtidas Swami
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
A guru’s greatest gift is wisdom – words that come from both experience and enlightenment. HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj had traveled the world, meeting people from a wide range of backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Add to the wealth of his experiences in human interactions the fact that he practiced what he preached, and we get the perfect formula for wisdom.
Honesty and Sincerity Wins
On January 1, 2002, while Swamiji was in Perth, Australia, Mr. Liam Mallon, Operations Manager of Exxon-Mobil for Western Australia, had come for blessings. During the conversation with Swamiji, Mr.Mallon asked, “There are so many problems in our world today, is there any hope of a better future?” Swamiji replied: “Indeed, there is turmoil in our world today, but have faith that God will certainly protect us. The future is bright. It is the cycle of life where happiness and misery follow each other. But in the end, by the grace of God, things will always work out for the best.”
Mr. Mallon then asked: “Ours is an international company. We strive to benefit people. We set up health centers and schools, but still, people criticize us. How should we react to criticism?”
Swamiji replied: “Since you are working with honesty and sincerity, your company will certainly progress. Your honest actions will speak louder than words. People may have a critical view for your company, but through your honest efforts, you have the grace of God upon you. By working with good intentions, everyone benefits. So don’t fret over what others say. Your goals and motives are for the good of the country, for its employees, and for people, and that is why your company has progressed and been blessed by God. Where there are pure intentions and morals, God always helps.”
A Simple Solution to Hatred
On January 24, 2002, in Perth Australia, Mr. John Williams, an Immigration Officer, had come to get blessings from Swamiji. He was touched by the organization’s humanitarian and spiritual activities. In the candid dialogue, Mr. Williams asked Swamiji: “What should we do to resolve hatred between individuals?”
Swamiji gave a formula for all to live by: “When one has faith in God, they will be inspired with feelings of doing good to all and to not hate anyone. When one also realizes that God also resides in every living being, there will be no hatred.”
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s words were simple, but they hold the power to uplift not just individual lives, but all of humanity.
