Bhagwan Swaminarayan stressed the importance of serving society. He encouraged people to see God in their neighbors. Under His guidance, the paramhansas built houses for the poor, dug wells, and provided for those in need during droughts and famines.
Bhagwan Swaminarayan was strong proponent of relief and emergency aid. He encouraged His devotees to share their grains and other food items with other members of their community during droughts and famines. During the Famine of 1812, Bhagwan Swaminarayan carried bags of grains on His horse and delivered them to those that were unable or ashamed to beg for alms themselves.
Another incident highlighting Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s personal affinity to serve during natural disasters took place in Sarangpur. In 1811, the monsoon had showered tremendous amounts of torrential rain on Saurashtra. Houses were being washed away, and livestock were drowning. Once while sleeping on a rainy monsoon night in Jiva Khachar’s darbar, Bhagwan Swaminarayan heard pleas for help. He saw Jiva Khachar helping his townsmen survive the heavy rains. Bhagwan Swaminarayan ran to the source of the cries. He noticed that Deva and Lakha Patel were trying to get their family and cattle out of their house. However, the main beam supporting the roof had collapsed. If they did not raise the beam immediately, the entire house would cave in, endangering the lives of their family and livestock. Bhagwan Swaminarayan ran under the collapsing roof and managed to rest the massive beam on His shoulders. He urged Deva and Lakha to pull their family and livestock to safety. Bhagwan Swaminarayan held the beam on His shoulders for most of the night. He then silently returned to Jiva Kachar’s darbar and quietly went back to bed.
Today, BAPS and BAPS Charities continues Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s message of serving society selflessly. To learn more about our humanitarian services, visit www.BAPSCharities.org.