24 Facts About Pramukh Swami

Pramukh Swami was believed by his followers to be in constant communion with Swaminarayan, and ontologically, the manifestation of Akshar, the eternal abode of Swaminarayan.

Pramukh Swami received initiation as a Hindu Swami in 1940 from Shastriji Maharaj, the founder of BAPS, who later appointed him as President of BAPS in 1950.

Pramukh Swami built more than 1,100 Hindu temples, including the Swaminarayan Akshardham temples in New Delhi and Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Pramukh Swami had spearheaded the efforts of BAPS Charities, which is the charitable service organization affiliated with BAPS.

Pramukh Swami was succeeded as the guru and president of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha by Mahant Swami Maharaj.

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Pramukh Swami used to meet other swamis who passed through the village from the holy places of pilgrimage in North India.

Pramukh Swami's parents gave their permission and blessings, and Shantilal left home that day to join Shastriji Maharaj and his swamis.

Renouncing worldly pleasures, Narayanswarupdas Pramukh Swami adopted vows of celibacy, non-covetousness, non-taste, non-attachment and humility and committed himself to lifelong dedication and service to God and humanity.

Pramukh Swami continued to serve as the president of BAPS under guru Yogiji Maharaj after Shastriji Maharaj died in 1951.

Pramukh Swami became particularly esteemed for his aptitude as an organizer and administrator, fulfilling all of Yogiji Maharaj's goals and dreams for the organization.

Pramukh Swami accompanied Yogiji Maharaj on a tour of East Africa in 1960 as well as in 1970, and embarked upon his first overseas visit as the guru, or spiritual leader, of BAPS in 1974.

In discussing BAPS' efforts to construct traditional Hindu temples around the world, Pramukh Swami emphasized the importance of such houses of worship in modern society and values and faith they inspire in members of the community.

Pramukh Swami expressed a desire that all forms of organized religion be able to coexist in harmony, noting that "flourishing together is the secret of peace".

Pramukh Swami encouraged his fellow spiritual leaders to teach their followers that religion does not grow by quantity of followers, but by quality of spirituality.

Pramukh Swami led BAPS' efforts in conducting a number of large-scale cultural festivals, with the aim of fostering better understanding and appreciation of Hindu traditions and promoting moral and spiritual living.

Pramukh Swami had been suffering from a chest infection in his last days from which he was gradually recovering.

On 20 July 2012, Pramukh Swami had declared in the presence of senior swamis that Mahant Swami Maharaj would succeed him as the sixth guru and spiritual head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.

Pramukh Swami was often described by followers as a personification of the sacred scriptures.

Pramukh Swami was viewed as "fully brahmanized", or having achieved the ultimate level of spiritual development.

Pramukh Swami's conduct was hence considered to be that of the "ideal saint" and "perfect bhakta ", providing a tangible and graspable example for the spiritual aspirant to follow.

Pramukh Swami was approached by many followers for guidance in all aspects of life.

Accordingly, Pramukh Swami spent much time counseling devotees in person or by letters or telephone.

Raymond Williams reports that through such pastoral counseling, "Pramukh Swami instructs his followers to believe in God, because without belief in the inspiration of God and faith, nothing is possible".

Pramukh Swami had said that the purpose of his providing advice on such a range of matters was not to establish the devotees in business or to enable them to become wealthy, but to relieve them of anxieties about mundane affairs so they could attend to their spiritual progress.