HUMILITY – Prasang 3

Scrubbed the Utensils

On 21^st May 1950, Shastriji Maharaj was residing at Amblivali Pol in Amdavad. On that day, he had invited the leading devotee and senior Sadhus for an historic occasion. In their presence, Shahstriji Maharaj appointed Shastri Narayanswarupdas as the President of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. This milestone event was welcomed by one and all. Shastri Narayanswarupdas prayed before Shastriji Maharaj and the devotees that he be able to humbly serve the Sanstha till his last breath.

After the occasion, the devotees had their meals and left. Their unwashed pile of dishes lay by the water tap. Without a moment’s hesitation, the newly appointed President, Shastri Narayanswarupdas, sat down to scrub and wash the dishes.

He had truly understood the presidential appointment not as a position for bossing over others, but as an opportunity to serve humbly. Ever since, Pramukh Swami Maharaj has been serving humbly without any distinction of high or low. He is an embodiment of humility.