PSM100: Guru-Bhakti Day: Celebrating the Importance of a Guru, Ahmedabad, India

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj along with other leading swamis and dignitaries celebrated Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s devotion to the guru before an assembly of tens of thousands during the fifth evening programme of the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Celebrations in Ahmedabad on Monday 19 December. Reflecting on the role and importance of devotion to the guru in Hinduism, dignitaries from various fields remembered how Pramukh Swami Maharaj exemplified and inspired these ideals in millions worldwide.

The program commenced with devotional songs paying homage to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s devotion to his gurus. BAPS scholar Adarshjivandas Swami narrated incidents explaining how people experienced Pramukh Swami Maharaj to be an ideal guru. “Every corner of this festival reflects Pramukh Swami's divine life. When we observe Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 30-foot sculpted image we gain a glimpse of his simple life filled with the purity of God. Many people of varied ages, races, and religions were inspired to transform their lives just by looking at a simple photo of Pramukh Swami Maharaj…It is no surprise that upon people’s first interaction with Pramukh Swami Maharaj they would be overwhelmed with feelings of love, divine peace, and purity…This attraction to Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the attraction of God; the peace experienced was the peace of God; because Pramukh Swami Maharaj was one with God.”

Speaking about Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s ideal discipleship, BAPS scholar Atmatruptdas Swami said, “Every scriptural insight on earning the grace of the guru was personified in Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life. For Pramukh Swami Maharaj, devotion to God and the guru were not separate, they were one. His depth of devotion towards his gurus was unfathomable. He always credited all his accomplishments to his gurus and lived every second of his life according to their wishes.”

The following invited dignitaries shared their memories with Pramukh Swami Maharaj, along with the profound impact his divine life and works had on them:

Padmashri Savji Dholakia, Founder and Chairman of Hari Krishna Exports said, “Although one may feel one cannot see God, I can say with certainty that the creation of this festival is not possible without the presence of God. Pramukh Swami Maharaj's love has brought all the volunteers here and infused them with love and devotion to God. For the last 35 years I have prayed to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and in that time not a single wish has remained unfulfilled. Bhagwan Swaminarayan has protected me in every way for all these years. This is the power of God and his Saint.”

Arun Gujarathi, Former Speaker of the  Maharashtra Legislative Assembly said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj was godly. His words were divine, his character was godly. He wasn't a sant for one particular religion; he was for all, irrespective of religion, community, or country. While one world religion cannot be established, it is certainly possible to have the entire world united by religion. And Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the one sant who did that and brought peace to the world. He did this not through magic, but through temples. His mandirs were global centres of peace…This peace in one’s heart will spread to the family, the country, and finally across the world.”
Dr. Y.S. Rajan, Former Chairman, NIT, Manipur said, “I marvel at how fortunate I am that Pramukh Swami Maharaj had taken me into his love, care, and protection from 2001..How can I describe his glory? He has been sent by God to rejuvenate Hinduism and spirituality all over India and the whole world.”

Alok Kumar, International Working President, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, said, “Upon circumambulating the image of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in this complex, I saw the timeline of his life and realized that day or night, Pramukh Swami made constant efforts to serve his devotees. BAPS is not an organization that only concentrates on its own spiritual endeavor and ignores society in difficult times. However, it has been at the forefront whenever there is any natural calamity or difficult times. Pramukh Swami has served his devotees with compassion. The one lesson that I take is that Pramukh Swami is not just present in this complex but through his spirit and his works, he is eternally present in this world.”

Dr. Pankaj Chande, Founder Vice Chancellor, Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University said, “I believe that the Bal Nagari in this complex should be referred as ‘Sanskar Nagri’ as moral values are imparted here along with entertainment.
Arun Tiwari, Platinum Jubilee Mentor, CSIR Indian Institute of Chemical Technology said, “When everything you see is unbelievable, then people say that it is a dream. After 24 hours of visiting this festival, I still cannot believe whether this is a dream or reality. Looking at a sculpture of Pramukh Swami writing a letter, I remember that all his letters had one thing in common, they were always filled with love…I am confident that if Dr. Kalam were here, he would say that as you protect a young plant with a fence, similarly your guru is your protection in this world. Seeing the confident children here, I can state that this is the place that will be the birthplace of the new India.”

Keshav Varma, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, High-Level Committee on Urban Planning, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said, “As an urban planner, I know that the transformation of 600 acres of land into such a magnificent cultural center, with such spirituality and beauty, should take years. The fact that 80,000 volunteers of varied backgrounds have come together and created this in six months is astounding to me. It is a symbol of inclusiveness, equity, and unity that our entire country must engrave into their hearts. It is clear that Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s divine impulse is present here.”

Mahant Swami Maharaj said, “Today is guru bhakti day. Pramukh Swami used to say that I have been born only to please my guru…God speaks through the guru. The guru is divine and our goal should be to always consider all his actions as divine and pure. Whatever happens in life, remember that you have to become one with your guru. Understanding this and teaching others to understand the same is the greatest service.”

Other dignitaries gracing the stage today included: