Women at BAPS Mandirs across North America celebrated His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj’s 86th birth anniversary with a program themed “Aksharam Aham, Purushottam Dasosmi”. The mantra, given by Mahant Swami Maharaj to all devotees, has great significance. Translated as "I am Akshar, one who serves Purushottam", it serves to remind all devotees to cultivate within themselves the qualities of Akshar (the divine abode of God) in an effort to serve Purushottam (Bhagwan Swaminarayan).
To help develop the identity of Akshar within oneself, the program brought to life three key messages: Agna (wishes of God), Upasana (philosophy), and Daspanu (humility). Mahant Swami Maharaj has often spoken of situations that tested his faith, and fondly recollected the joy he has experienced in abiding by the wishes of his gurus Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Bhagwan Swaminarayan and His guru parampara have emphasized and exemplified humility as the ultimate of virtues.
Through short skits with key messages, the program highlighted practical ways of how the philosophy of “Aksharam Aham, Purushottam Dasosmi” can become part of one’s everyday interactions and decisions. Mahant Swami Maharaj’s life has embodied, and continues to exemplify, the heart of this mantra.