Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Legacy of Selfless Service

By Gnanpurushdas Swami 

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha 

In August 1979, the Machhu Dam burst in the town of Morbi, Gujarat, causing a massive disaster. The widespread flooding left everyone in turmoil. Many lost their lives, and the survivors lost their livelihood. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, in Amdavad at the time, was deeply moved on hearing the news of the havoc. Immediately, he broadcast an appeal on All India Radio for BAPS volunteers to go to Morbi and help. The response was swift, resulting in the launch of large-scale relief work.

The following day, Swamishri went to Morbi. First, he surveyed the situation by visiting the mud-filled streets and homes. Next, he set up a relief kitchen. Finally, he comforted the unfortunate victims and prayed for the deceased. Seeing his rapid action in response to the disaster, the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time, Babubhai Patel, said, “With the help of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Morbi has regained its vitality and become a habitable place once again. BAPS volunteers selflessly cleaned others’ homes and raised their spirits.”

In 1987, Gujarat was in the grip of a severe drought. Cattle were dying all around. One day, Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited a relief cattle camp in Ratanpur, near Rajkot, where he saw about 5,000 drought-hit calves. As soon as Swamishri entered the enclosure, a herd of calves followed him. When Swamishri inquired about their strange behavior, the administrators looked down and said, “Unfortunately, they have not eaten for many days, so they huddle against whoever comes here, in the hope of getting some fodder.” Swamishri’s heart felt their pain. After the visit, he went directly to the BAPS Mandir in Gondal and instructed the head swami, “Please send some truckloads of grass to Ratanpur right away. I couldn’t bear to see the poor, hungry calves.”

It was such a severe famine that people were facing starvation. Swamishri’s every gesture and sentiment reflected a deep concern for the difficulties people and animals were facing. Often, he sat alone, lost in deep thought. In a meeting, he declared, “This is not a time to sit around. Just look at the suffering. We must aim to care for thousands of cattle in four relief cattle camps across the region, until it rains next year.”

Thousands of cattle were saved, and countless farmers’ livelihood were restored because of Swamishri’s foresight and decisiveness. People remember Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s genuine love, concern, and deep compassion for humanity. That is why today, thousands of BAPS volunteers, young and old, embrace selfless service during natural disasters such as droughts, floods, famines, earthquakes, and pandemics.

Indeed, Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s legacy lives on.

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