In a grand diksha mahotsav held at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Shahibaug in the presence of guruhari Pramukh Swami Maharaj, 73 educated youths embraced the path of renunciation. In all, 28 youths were initiated as parshads, while 45 were initiated as sadhus. Devotees from India and abroad were present to witness this memorable event.
The diksha ceremony began at 5:00 p.m. with Vedic mahapuja rituals. The youths, their parents and relatives also took part in the rituals. Later, the parents wholeheartedly offered their beloved sons for becoming sadhus at the holy feet of guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The devotees present in the assembly hailed the newly initiated youths and their parents in reverence.
Among those initiated were 3 doctors, 18 engineers, 2 MBAs, 2 M.Pharms, 2 B.Pharms, 24 graduates and 11 post graduates. Also of note, 16 of these youths were from USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
The newly initiated parshads and sadhus will resume their training programme of seva, study of shastras and spiritual sadhanas in Sarangpur.
Senior sadhus of BAPS – Pujya Mahant Swami, Pujya Doctor Swami, Pujya Kothari Swami, Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami, Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Viveksagar Swami – were present in the initiation ceremony. They expounded on the spiritual significance of receiving initiation from an enlightened guru.
At the end of the ceremony Pramukh Swami Maharaj personally gave the guru mantra to each of the 73 youths. Blessing them he said, “These youths will go to the villages and cities in India and abroad to inspire others to live an addiction-free life and instill morality and faith in countless people.” Pramukh Swami Maharaj appreciated the sacrifice of parents who had offered their sons to become sadhus for the service of society and God.
Over 15,000 devotees from throughout India and overseas were present to experience the divine atmosphere of this special occasion.