YUG PURUSH PUJYA PRAMUKH SWAMI MAHARAJ - a life dedicated to others - DR. KIRIT N. SHELAT Bhagwan Swaminarayan - BAPS - Pujya Pramukhswami Maharaj Yug Purush YUG PURUSH PUJYA PRAMUKH SWAMI MAHARAJ – a life dedicated to others Dr. Kirit Shelat Publisher Sahitya Mudranalaya Pvt. Ltd. Ahmedabad YUG PURUSH Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj – a life dedicated to others Author: Dr. Kirit Nanubhai Shelat E-Series: Bhagwan Swaminarayan - BAPS - Pujya Pramukhswami Maharaj Yug Purush First English Edition : May, 2004 Gujarati Edition : Sept., 2005 Hindi Edition : Nov., 2006 Telugu Edition : April, 2008 Marathi Edition : March 2012 Second English Edition Revised : Nov., 2009 Second Gujarati Edition Revised : Dec., 2014 Third English Edition Revised : Nov, 2016 Design by: Kathan Kothari, Telic Design [email protected] Printed and published by: Sahitya Mundranalaya Pvt. Ltd. 55/15, City Mill Compound, Kankaria Road, Ahmedabad – 380 022, INDIA Phone: (079) 2546 9191, 02 • Fax : (079) 2546 9103 Email: [email protected] • Website: www.sahityaprint.com Author welcomes comments and sharing of personal experiences from devotees and readers. Permission is more likely to be needed, if significant portion of work intend to use. Address: Dr. Kirit N Shelat 6, Manikamal Society, Surdhara Circle, Thaltej Ahmedabad – 380 054, Gujarat, India. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0091 79 26421580 /091 9904404393 Title Page : Water colour painting by Shri Vasudeo Kamath (Mumbai), INDIA iii iv 17TH August 2016 The Swaminarayan Temple Salangpur- India. I was standing behind the pyre. Parampujaya Mahant Swami Maharaj did Agni Sparsh minutes ago. The Agni (Fire) Flared and Smoke was rising. There was silence. But we felt the vibration - the Divine Spadan. Vibration of Parampujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj - who had devoted his life to others and changed the context of Religion. The divine Spandan were felt by one and all: the Sants Mahantas the 3,00,000 devotees who were witness and more then billions watching on television in India and across the World. The Haribhakts and the others. As he left, his legacy... his preachings... his thoughts were in the heart of all witnessing the moment. The legacy of a life devoted to the humanity, of a religion enhanced to help others and the voluntary initiatives by the followers to help without cast or creed, a new generation prepared to meet an – un- predictable future challenges, a Triveni Sangam of Science, Technology and Spiritually. The context of Religion was transformed. The Yug Purush Shital Ravi Kiran - the cool rays of the Sun were descending on us. The Divine Spandan - the creative energy has become all pervasive. v Divinity Personified – The YUG PURUSH It is an occasion of Great joy that our dear Dr. Kirit Shelat has updated book of spiritual excellence “Yug Purush – Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a life dedicated to others“. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was “ Yug Purush”, the person of new age and all ages, because in this materialistic world of present times, his life is an example of transformational and transcendental ascendance serving and inspiring whole world beyond the borders, religions, beliefs, casts and creeds, colours, sects and all kinds of divisions. He is a magnificent integrating spirit. The expression “a life dedicated to others” truly and really defines the life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He lived every moment and every day of his life in terms of “Parahita chinta” – noble thoughts for well beings for others, “Paropakar” – noble actions for the benefit of others, “Pramodbhav” – noble feelings for others, “Pratigna” – noble determinations to serve others and “Prashant”- noble peace to meditate for welfare of others, The “others” for him means all people and beings. He was an inspiring visionary and practicing missionary whose thoughts, ideas, concepts and initiatives through Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) have ensured the creation of thousands of Institutions and Centers like Swaminarayan Mandirs, Akshardhams, Educational Institutions like Schools, Colleges and Vidya Mandirs, Health Centers, Multicare Hospitals and Arogyadhams, several organizations and individuals for caring, assisting, encouraging and serving millions of people in various ways in different parts of the world. vi Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the perfect example of “Shanta Mahanta” the tranquil Great Soul described by Shree Adi Shankaracharya in his great work “Viveka Chudamani.” “SHAANTAA MAHANTO NIVASANTI SANTO VASANTAVAT LOKA HITAM CHARANTA, TEERNAA SWAYAM BHEEMA BHAVAARNAVAM, JANAAN AHETUNA ANYAAN TAARAYANTA” “There are tranquil and great souls who are like spring season, doing what is good for whole world and people. They have transcended the dreadful ocean of this world themselves and without any selfish reason or returns they take “others” along the path of transcendence and transformation”. This was what Pramukh Swami Maharaj had ensured to inspire and serve humanity to rise towards betterment in the fields of education, health, skill development, human Endeavour and excellence and other areas. He had ensured that BAPS promptly served in case of natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, cyclones, epidemics and all kinds of crisis situations wherever, whenever they occurred. In cases of criticism, opposition, religious and communal conflicts and all kinds of attacks the Sadhus and Volunteers of BAPS have remained “SHANTA” tranquil, and carried on the relief work and Seva by the example of their teacher, guru and path shower Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was an outstanding example of a teacher, trainer, developer and Guru. Having personally met and experienced the vibrating humane divine touch and excellence of great Sadhus and Swamis of BAPS like Doctor Swami, Brahmavihari Swami, Yagneshwar Swami, Gnanvatsal Swami and others one can say that vii Pramukh Swami Maharaj has attained extraordinary excellence in ensuring the nurturing, development and emergence of spiritual leaders and teachers in his own mould, thus assuring continuity of inspired and inspiring future contributions and Humane Ethical Excellence. A master is known by Masters he nurtured and by masters who follow him. This is like examples of Bhagavan Veda Vaysa, Bhagavan Buddha, Bhagavan Mahavira, Lord Jesus, Bhagavan Adi Shankara, Bhagavan SwamiNarayan and Shree Ramkrishna Paramhansa. It gives happiness to say that Pramukh Swami Maharaj has attained THAT level of divinity as personally and directly experienced by many and self. This is like kshetragna, field knower, and kshetra, the field. His field of influence for positive contribution is vast and ever present. This is also the experience of Bharatratna and our beloved and honoured former President Abdul Kalam as expressed in his recent book “Transcendence.” Pramukh Swami Maharaj had travelled to several countries and met extraordinary and ordinary people including pope, presidents, prime ministers, leaders of several countries, businessmen, officers, doctors, teachers, workmen and many others who have experienced his divine light for becoming contributors for betterment of society and Humanity. Having heard, read, seen and experienced Pramukh Swami Maharaj there are two realizations. The first one is that he was a siddha, the fully realised and attained person. Bhagavadgita shows the path of becoming and being siddha. viii “YATAH PRAVRUTTIR BHOOTAANAAM YENA SARVAM IDAM TATAM SWAKARMANAA TAM ABHYARCHA SIDDHIM VINDATI MAANAVAH” “From WHOM came living beings all. By WHOM is pervaded is this all, Own work as worship offering to them, Person realizes and reaches HIM”. So, the Supreme Being is the origin of all and the Supreme Being has also entered all of the people and is present in them. Serving people then becomes really serving HIM. Thus serving HIM through serving all, a person becomes siddha the realized one. Thus Pramukh Swami Maharaj is a ‘Siddha’, the Realized One. Further it is also said that realized one knows HIM and knowing HIM is verily becoming HIM. The divine qualities of such a realized Sage and Saint are precisely described in the sixteenth chapter of Gita. They are “Abhyam, Sattva Samsudhhi, Gnaana Yoga Vyavasthithi, Danam, Damaa, Yagna, Swadhyaya, Tapa, Arjavam, Ahimsa, Satyam, Akrodha, Tyaga, Shanti, Apaishunam, Daya Bhooteshu, Aloevpatvam, Mardavam, Hree, Achapalam, Teja, Kshama, Dhriti, Shoucham, Adroha, Naatimaanita”. This is divine sampada, the wealth of divine qualities. By the life and live examples of Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj the qualities of “Fearlessness, Purity of personality, Unification with knowledge path, giving, self control, offering, self study, penance, being straight forward, non hurting, truth, non-anger, sacrifice, ix peacefulness, non complaining, compassion towards people, non wavering, gentleness, modesty, non fickleness, brightness, forehearence, cleanness, non cheating and humbleness” are fully awakened and present in his being. Thus Pramukh Swami Maharaj is fully the Divinity Personified. Writing foreword for this noble book about such a divine personality Pramukh Swami Maharaj is a humbling experience for which many thanks are due to Author our dear Dr. Kirit Shelat and Shri Shreyas Pandya of Sahitya Mudranalaya Pvt Ltd. Ahmedabad. With reverence to the Divine personality of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and with love and light to those who are bringing out the book, containing many shining examples of His divine qualities and those who shall be fortunate to read it, study, and walk in this Devine path and experience