By Adarshjivandas Swami
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Pramukh Swami Maharaj had a unique aptitude to understand youths, and also to help them understand others. He had discoursed to them, but his talks never weighed them down. He transformed them, but they did not feel the convulsions of change.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj liberated countless youths from the harrowing issues of life.
A renowned educationist, the late Shri Ramlal Parikh, who was the vice-chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith in Ahmedabad, echoes his experience about how Pramukh Swami Maharaj fostered youths, “In my 35 years of experience in education, I feel that we teachers are unable to inspire students. But by coming to Pramukh Swami Maharaj, I have found that the youths sacrifice their time, energy, talent, and expertise at his call. Students who refuse to touch litter and dirt in schools are ready to endeavor, sweat, and sacrifice themselves before Swamishri. This proves that the capacity to transform them lies in the path shown by Swamishri. I am fully convinced about this. We guide students in doing PhDs on ‘Morality in Action’ but we cannot help them live or experience it. Whereas, here, before Pramukh Swami Maharaj, we can see it being practiced.”
What elixir did Pramukh Swami Maharaj possess in transforming the lives of youths? The answer is selfless love for others. Many dissertations can be written about his selfless love for students and others and the impact it has on them.
Whenever Pramukh Swami Maharaj arrived at a BAPS hostel, school or a satsang assembly full of children or youths, they all celebrated with joy. The vibrant scene absorbed anyone and everyone. It was amazing how Swamishri cared by meeting innumerable students and youths personally, by talking to them on the phone or writing letters. The resulting mutual bonds created reflected a unique spiritual experience.
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” The point to be made here is that two persons enter each other’s hearts through the channel of mutual care.
Volumes can be written about how Pramukh Swami Maharaj cared for students.
On July 14, 2007, about 2,000 youths were attending a convention in USA. Several questions were asked to the audience in one of the sessions:
“If Swamishri has named you or your son, please stand up.”
Many youths stood up.
“If Swamishri has advised or given guidance to any youth, please stand up.” Again many youths got up from their seats.
“Youths who have had a telephone conversation with Swamishri may stand up.” A lot more youths stood up.
“Youths whom Swamishri inspired during their academic years stand up.” Once again there were many youths who responded.
In conclusion, it was observed that all the youths in the assembly had stood up by the time the questions were over.
Over the decades, Swamishri remembered and communicated with countless youths in India and abroad. It is because of his spiritual nourishment and support that countless youths have remained steadfast in practicing religion on foreign soil despite facing enticements and obstacles.
