Page 28 - The Indian EYE 021326

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 13, 2026 | The Indian Eye 28

BAPS Sets Guinness World Record

for Largest Simultaneous Hindu

Text Recital by Children

OUR BUREAU

Vadodara, India
he grand celebration of His
Holiness Mahant Swami Ma-
Tharaj’s birthday became a his-
toric global moment as the BAPS
Swaminarayan Sanstha set a Guin-
ness World Record for the largest
simultaneous Hindu text recital by
children. More than 200,000 devo-
tees from across the world gathered
on February 2, 2026, to mark the
occasion, which highlighted spiritual
learning, discipline, and values-based
education.

The record was achieved when
12,723 children recited the

Satsang Diksha, a sacred
Sanskrit scripture authored by
Mahant Swami Maharaj. Guin-
ness World Records official-

ly recognized the feat as the sive organizational effort behind the
initiative.
highest number of children si- Although the event took place
multaneously reciting Sanskrit in India, its impact resonated deeply
within Indian American communi-
verses. A Certificate of Rec- ties. Parents described the prepara-

ognition was formally present- tion process as a meaningful alter-
native to screen-dominated routines
ed to Mahant Swami Maharaj common in modern education. Un-
during the celebration. like classroom environments where
attention is often fragmented by dig-
ital devices, memorizing and reciting
Inspired by Mahant Swami Ma- Sanskrit verses required sustained
haraj’s guidance, a total of 15,666 focus, discipline, and consistent prac-
children between the ages of 3 and 13 tice over many months.
successfully memorized and learned Participants echoed those sen-
to recite the complete Satsang Dik- timents. Param Patel from Edison,
sha within a single year. Of these, New Jersey, said the preparation
12,723 children participated in the challenged him initially but ultimate-
live recitation in Vadodara, meeting ipants included hundreds of children personally oversee and verify the ly built confidence. “At first I thought
all criteria established by Guinness from the United States and Canada, attempt. Following a rigorous re- it was too hard,” he said. “But once I
World Records for verification. reflecting the global reach of BAPS view process that assessed accuracy, finished, I felt proud. It showed me I
The Satsang Diksha consists and the increasing interest among In- coordination, and compliance with can stick with something.”
of 315 Sanskrit shlokas and pro- dian American families in traditional record guidelines, the officials for- Six-year-old Anadi Tailor from
vides practical guidance on spiritual learning rooted in Hindu values. mally confirmed the achievement as Atlanta shared that memorizing the
growth, moral conduct, social har- Officials from Guinness World a world record, recognizing both the verses helped guide her daily behav-
mony, and disciplined living. Partic- Records traveled from England to children’s dedication and the exten- Continued on next page... >>

www.TheIndianEYE.com