The present
spiritual leader of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Sanstha
(BAPS), Pramukh Swami Maharaj, represents a succession of spirituality
that began a little over 200 years ago in 1781. The year marked
the birth of the founder of the Swaminarayan Faith, Lord Swaminarayan
(1781-1830).
Born in the village of Chhapaiya, near Ayodhya, in North India,
Lord Swaminarayan renounced home at the age of 11 to embark on a
pilgrimage on foot that took him across the length and breadth of
India. He received initiation from a Vaishnav Guru, Ramanand Swami,
and eventually settled in Western India. He spent the next 30 years
of His life in Gujarat and Kathiawad, spearheading a socio-spiritual
revolution. With a faithful following of 2000 sadhus, He established
the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. He introduced innovative social reforms
and undertook charitable work to help the poor and needy. In the
tradition of the Bhakti Sampradaya He constructed six grand temples.
His work concentrated on promoting personal morality and moulding
spiritual character. In His own lifetime, He was worshipped as God
by some two million devotees. By the time He passed away at the
age of 49 He had earned a reputation as a great socio-religious
reformer. The movement He founded emerged as one of the purest forms
of Hinduism.
Through His spiritual presence, Lord Swaminarayan continues to provide
energy and experience through a succession of God-realised spiritual
masters. The first guru in the succession was His choicest devotee,
Gunatitanand Swami (1785-1867), the manifestation of Aksharbrahman.
He in turn was followed by Bhagatji Maharaj (1829-1897).
After him, Shastriji Maharaj (1865-1951) furthered the teachings
by establishing the philosophy of Akshar and Purushottam. In consonance
with the teachings of Lord Swaminarayan, Shastriji Maharaj propagated
the worship of Lord Swaminarayan as Purushottam and Gunatitanand
Swami as Aksharbrahman. He built five glorious temples and established
the dual worship of God along with His choicest devotee. He founded
the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS) - a socio-spiritual
organization in 1907.
The fourth spiritual master was Yogiji Maharaj (1892-1971), whose
work spread the message of Lord Swaminarayan overseas to East Africa
and England, also planting seeds in the USA. He passed away after
placing the oars of the Faith in the hands of Pramukh Swami Maharaj
in 1971. Under his able leadership and guidance, BAPS has continued
to contribute to the peace and harmony of society.
Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the Sanstha has enjoyed remarkable
success in international festivals celebrated in 1981 (Bicentenary
Celebrations of Lord Swaminarayan), 1985 (Bicentenary Celebrations
of Gunatitanand Swami) and 1992 (Centenary Celebrations of Yogiji
Maharaj). The spectacular ‘Cultural Festivals of India’ held in
London, 1985 and in New Jersey, 1991 were overwhelmingly successful
in conveying the timeless messages from the rich heritage and culture
of India.
A whole array of educational, enviromental, medical, social, moral,
cultural, spiritual and other humanitarian activities flourish under
Swamishri's guidance.
Swamishri himself leads an austere life, without personal gains
or comforts. Possessing nothing, wanting nothing, he goes around
giving his all. Despite his age, he untiringly travels from tiny
tribal huts to modern metropolitan cities all over the world, promoting
a virtuous life full of moral and spiritual power. At his tender
word, thousands have shed addictions and walked the path of God.
His striking humility, profound wisdom and simplicity have touched
many. His love for mankind and respect for all religions is weaving
a fabric of cultural unity, interfaith harmony and universal peace.
The sole reason behind his unique success is a deep and fluent communion
with God.
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