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SPECIAL FEATURE APRIL 21, 2023 | The Indian Eye 16

TOWARDS BETTER LIVING

Wisdom from the life and talks of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj

River of Saintly Compassion

Challenging Vicharan

n 1950, after his appointment by Disregarding Illnesses
Shastriji Maharaj as the president Cataracts in the eyes, gall bladder
Iof BAPS at the age of 28, Pra- removal, an operation for a benign
mukh Swami traveled from village to thigh swelling, leg rheumatism, and a
village, managing the administration heart attack – all these, instead of stop-
of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and ping him, inspired him to travel more.
spreading Satsang. He often traveled Dipchandbhai Gardi, a great
by bullock cart, tractor, rickshaw, or philanthropist of Mumbai, invited
on foot in the rain, heat, and cold. He Swamishri to Mandvi in Kutch to
traversed longer distances by third- inaugurate the Gujarat State Ani-
class train journeys and sometimes mal Federation. It was arranged in
by car. As the organization’s spiri- January 1986, immediately after the
tual leader and president, he never hectic 59-day mega festival in 1985
demanded any facilities. He would in Ahmedabad. Swamishri was not
sleep in the general assembly halls well. He had a fever on reaching
of mandirs and take his meals in the Bhuj but did not tell anyone. Then,
common kitchen for sadhus. despite being ill he performed the
After 1971, during his vicharan inauguration.
as the guru, hardships and challeng- In 1983, Swamishri had a heart
es never deterred or frustrated him. attack. The following year, in 1984,
In Jetpur and Bavla he helped to he toured five continents, blessing
push-start the stalled car. His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj satsang assemblies, inaugurating
On the road to Bhoyka, when mandirs, making home visits and
the tractor he was traveling in be- attending several other satsang pro-
came stuck in the mud, two tractors ficulties he had to face. And even on ed his daily visits to the devotees’ grams. Thereafter, he visited many
were brought to pull it out, but they the days of fasts, his hectic schedule homes. Sometimes, the home visits states all over India.
also got stuck. Then a fourth tractor of home visits, village processions, stretched on till 2.30 p.m. Then, he In 1985, he had a fever when he
was deployed to pull it out. assemblies, personal counseling, let- would have lunch and take a brief visited 95 villages in 20 days in the
Swamishri patiently waited and ter correspondence, festivals, mandir rest. Kanam area near Baroda, Gujarat.
assisted. Once, while going to Jun- inaugurations, other work other du- Thereafter, more home visits, Daily, he visited 30 to 40 houses of
agadh from Tulsishyam, his car got ties continued with no respite. Thus, meetings and satsang assemblies. devotees. In Vasad, Swamishri visited
stranded in the Gir forest at night. he traveled and did seva continuous- Sometimes, he would have dinner 101 homes on the day of a waterless
Swamishri had to stay the whole ly, unmindful of the discomfort. at 11.30 p.m., then after the night fast, despite having a fever of 102°F.
night in his car with lions roaming During the hot summer of 1977, prayers, sleep past midnight. When asked why he did not reveal
outside. his vicharan was arranged in Sabar- During home visits, he per- his illness earlier, Swamishri replied,
Once, while coming to Ahmed- kantha. Others said, “Swami, Mum- formed the arti, initiated new aspi- “I want to please the devotees.”
abad from Mumbai by train, he bai is better in summer as it is not so rants into satsang strengthened their Swamishri had pledged when
stayed awake all night to meet the hot.” Swamishri said, “But it is better faith in God. He would liberate them appointed as the president of
devotees eagerly waiting at every sta- to visit the villages in the summer, from addictions, encourage them to BAPS, “I take a vow, in the pres-
tion to greet him. as the villagers are busy during the perform daily puja, and bless them. ence of guru Shastriji Maharaj and
In 1976, he visited 728 villages monsoon season.” So, in 27 days in This saintly river of compassion the assembly, that I shall do my
and cities, averaging more than two Sabarkantha, he visited 87 villages at cleans people of all backgrounds of best in discharging my duties and
a day, visiting homes and attending the peak of the summer. And in the bad habits and vices. Just as doctors, will be faithful even at the cost of
satsang assemblies till midnight. His Surat district, he visited 90 villages in teachers, businessmen, laborers, my health in fulfilling my duties.”
eating and rest schedules were al- 20 days. and others are indispensable, swa- Swamishri observed this vow till
ways disrupted, but he never com- Wherever he went, he got up at mis play a crucial role in uplifting his last breath.
plained or was tired. He remained 6.00 a.m., finished his daily worship and strengthening society’s moral Viveksagardas Swami
fresh and joyous, no matter the dif- and breakfast by 8.30 a.m., and start- fabric. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

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