Foremost among the saints: Pramukhswami Maharaj

The list of the 20 most influential people in the last one thousand years, released by Guinness Book of World Records included only two Indians - Mahatma Gandhi and the Reverend Pramukhswami Maharaj. This unparalleled success of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who was born on December 11 in a small hamlet of Gujarat called Chansad and studied up to the 6th standard, says a lot about him. Swamiji, the spiritual guide of the Swaminarayan sect, has always unfurled the flag of Indian culture and the spirit of Sanatan Dharma in India and abroad.
It is not a small achievement to take charge of the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha) organisation at the age of only 28 years. Pramukhswami Maharaj was such a saint whose words and deeds did not differ at all. The fragrance of his social endeavours that includes ‘a valuable contribution to the progress of society by stopping false rituals; providing understanding to stop evils like dowry, untouchability and feticide; the movements from education to water conservation and protests to stop addiction,’ is spreading even today.
Pramukhswami Maharaj used to always say that spiritual service cannot be separated from social service. In his leadership, the BAPS organisation prioritised a number of relief activities. Social service was encouraged through serving humans and animals in drought-stricken Gujarat, relief and rescue work during earthquakes in Gujarat-Maharashtra, reconstruction of villages and construction of schools and hospitals.
Pramukhswami Maharaj’s calibre is reflected in creating eight grand temples with sky-high peaks on foreign lands, making them the symbols of Sanatan Dharma. The creation of temples is not a small achievement. The Art and architecture of the temple echo the devotional messages and the traditions of Sanatan Dharma. Each and every temple has been constructed with Pramukhswami’s personal supervision and attention, which is the reason these are not only temples but have become huge spiritual and cultural campuses.
There is special importance of the saints and teachers of Santan Dharma. The saints become the torchbearers of knowledge. Fearless Pramukhswami Maharaj also adopted this path, which made his life an invaluable symbol of dedication and faith. Hundreds of salutations on the 100th birth anniversary of the foremost among the saints, Pramukhswami Maharaj