Prasang 81
Pramukh Pratignā
On May 21, 1950, a historic event took place in the Ambliwali Pol of Ahmedabad. Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj appointed 28-year-old Shastri Narayanswarupdas as the Pramukh (President) of BAPS. However, what truly made that day immortal was the “Pramukh Pratignā”—the solemn vow taken by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. His words were: “Today, in front of my Guru and this gathering, I pledge that I shall sincerely uphold my duties, without caring for my body, and in every way remain loyal to the Sansthā and faithful to you until my last breath. You have nurtured this divine Akshar-Purushottam Garden; I will ensure its growth with full dedication, care, and relentless effort. I desire to receive the blessings of all in Satsang, and I trust that you will also fulfill this wish of mine.”
These words are etched in history in golden letters, as they reflect the lifelong commitment of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. From May 21, 1950, to August 17, 2016—for 67 years—not a single moment passed where he did not uphold this vow.
On August 29, 1980, in Maryland, USA, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was leaving for his lodging after having a light breakfast. As he was putting on his footwear, he mistakenly placed his right foot in the left mojdi. A swami noticed and asked why. Swamishri simply said, “I can’t see clearly.”
Hearing this, the swamis insisted that he see a doctor immediately, but that very evening, a grand public gathering was scheduled for the Bicentennial Celebration of Bhagwān Swaminarayan. Swamishri postponed his medical examination to avoid disrupting the devotees’ plans. In reality, he had been suffering from an eye problem for the past nine months, but he endured it so that devotees would not face any financial loss due to disruptions in planned events and any other inconveniences due to the time taken from work. For the next 270 days, Swamishri traveled tirelessly across 329 centers worldwide, despite his worsening condition, because the words of his vow echoed in his heart: “I shall sincerely uphold my duties, without caring for my body, and in every way remain loyal to the Sansthā”.
On July 10, 1994, in Dallas, USA, doctors diagnosed Swamishri with frozen shoulder syndrome. The swamis were shocked because he had never revealed his pain to anyone. After investigation, they discovered that a month earlier, during a shibir at the Pocono Mountains, Swamishri had played cricket and baseball with balaks and kishores to please them. That activity had injured his shoulder muscles, leading to severe swelling. Yet, for an entire month, Swamishri continued his vicharan, discourses, mandir inaugurations, and writing letters without showing the slightest sign of pain. Even at age 73, he remained steadfast in his vow: “I shall sincerely uphold my duties, without caring for my body, and in every way remain loyal to the Sansthā”.
On September 22, 1998, a month after undergoing bypass surgery, Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited Dr. Dayanand Nayak’s clinic for a check-up. At the end of the consultation, the doctor firmly advised: “You must take complete rest until December. No personal meetings. If unavoidable, meet only five people per day. Travel should be completely stopped. If you must, stay in one place for at least a month. Also, deliver discourses only once a week.” Pujya Aksharvatsaldas Swami, who was serving Swamishri, carefully noted these instructions in his daily journal. However, as soon as they got into the car, Swamishri told him, “Do not share the doctor’s instructions with anyone.” Swamishri did not stop there. At the following sabhā, he asked Aksharvatsaldas Swami to announce: “The doctors have given Swamishri permission to resume his vicharan as before!” Swamishri was willing to go against medical advice, even at the risk of his own health, to fulfill his vow: “I shall sincerely uphold my duties, without caring for my body, and in every way remain loyal to the Sansthā”.
On August 9, 2014, Dr. Subrahmaniam, the surgeon who performed Swamishri’s bypass surgery, came for his darshan in the USA. Seeing Pramukh Swami Maharaj in America, he was astonished and told the swamis: “I cannot believe that Pramukh Swami Maharaj is here in front of me in America!” Then, looking at Swamishri, he asked: “How much pain must you have endured on that flight?! You must truly love your devotees.” But for Swamishri, it was never about the pain—it was always about his vow, his devotion, and his selfless love for devotees.
Even after leaving his physical body, he remained for four days, giving darshan so that devotees from distant lands could see him one last time. His “Pramukh Pratignā” remained immortal! Today, that same Pramukh Swami Maharaj has manifested before us in the form of Mahant Swami Maharaj. Now, it is our responsibility to make a vow of our own: “I shall sincerely uphold my duties, without caring for my body, and in every way remain loyal to the Sansthā.” And, like Pramukh Swami Maharaj, we must live by that vow until our last breath.
