Pramukh Swami Maharaj treated everyone with equality:
rich or poor, young or old, no matter what caste, creed, colour or country
In 1984, Swamishri was on a spiritual tour of the Navsari district in South Gujarat, India. In one such village, an assembly was held with Swamishri seated on a raised platform. Just then, his eyes caught the sight of a very thin, poor man standing at the back of the assembly with a flower garland in his hands. He was dressed in rags. The man wanted to offer his garland to Pramukh Swami Maharaj but felt hesitant. Swamishri saw the purity in his heart and called out, “Come here, brother, take this sanctified flower. Don’t be afraid, come nearer.” The man acknowledged Swamishri’s compassionate eyes. With shyness creeping all over him, he slowly reached the front, and immediately placed his head in Swamishri’s lap, who put his hands on top of the man’s head and softly caressed him. Until now, he had always been treated like a slave, people had called him scornfully, they had looked down on him with despise, and if ever they had touched him, it was only to slap him. But today, it was different. One of the swamis took the garland from his hands and gave it to Swamishri, who in return garlanded the man. He experienced greatness which he had never felt before. He forgot that he was from a lower caste. He stood upright and felt, “I am also a human, after all.”
Someone has put it nicely, “The greatness of great people is known by the way they treat others who are lesser than them.”
In 1986, Swamishri was in New Delhi. A meeting had been arranged with the President of India, Gyani Zail Singh, at the Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati Bhavan). But before leaving to meet the president, Swamishri had a few minutes, so he decided to stroll in the garden for a few minutes where he saw two gardeners working. He called them over and talked to them about their livelihood and families. He asked them if they had any addictions. The gardeners had rarely been treated so lovingly before by a visitor. They felt Swamishri’s love in their hearts. They vowed to give up addictions and spend time and money for their children.
After the meeting, as he was leaving the Presidential Palace, Swamishri asked his driver to stop the car at the gate. He rolled downed his window and called the gatekeeper. He asked him his name and gave him a brochure about the organization and spoke to him for a few minutes. In his eyes, everyone was equal.
On 23 July 2004, in Houston, the Mayor of Stafford, Mr Leonard Scarcella, presented the Key to the City to Swamishri. He was happy, grateful, and pleased that Swamishri had built such a beautiful Hindu mandir in Stafford. Swamishri said, “We were only able to do this due to your support and cooperation.”
The mayor responded, “But I didn’t do anything myself. My team actively helped. Indeed, you chose us and gave us the opportunity to serve you.”
But Swamishri insisted, “You have a wonderful team.”
The mayor smiled and said, “But your team is better. We need your peaceful teachings and values here to help us progress in life.”
The next day, Swamishri remembered the mayor and said, “When we asked him to offer the Key to the City to God, he became silent for a while, as if he was in deep prayer and talking to God in person. He offered his devotion like a true devotee. Also, when we said that he has given us so much support, he gave the credit to his team. That shows his humility.” Swamishri praised and appreciated the mayor. He truly embraced people of all backgrounds, beliefs, cultures and countries.
When Swamishri was in Houston, Texas, on 1 August 2004, someone introduced a volunteer who was in-charge of housekeeping in the mandir. Swamishri asked, “What’s your father’s name?”
“Naranbhai,” came the reply.
“You mean Jethabhai’s son, Narayanbhai?” asked Swamishri again.
Bhupendra’s eyes lit up and he said, “Yes, my grandfather was Jethabhai.”
Swamishri then said, “Jethalal’s father was Ambalal. They were staunch followers and always served with big hearts. They were an ordinary family, but their dedication was extraordinary.” Swamishri not only remembered the family but praised their sacrifice and service.
On July 25, 2004, a traditional stone mandir was inaugurated in Houston, Texas, and everyone was happy. Someone commented, “Swamishri, today Houston is rejoicing like never before.”
“But why did you mention only Houston? Is there no joy elsewhere?”
“Yes, of course. There is joy everywhere,” came the reply.
“Good,” said Swamishri. Then he revealed, “If we talk and think about the greatness of others, our own will increase.”
He was always thinking globally and giving importance to others. In that, he saw joy, progress and happiness for oneself.