Prasang 89
Where Can One Find a Guru Like This?
“Oh, my beloved volunteers! You have all done something incredible. There are no words to describe it.”
“Shriji Maharaj is so immensely pleased—beyond what you can even comprehend! You have truly achieved something extraordinary!”
“During the main ārti of the inauguration, I will remember all of you… This inauguration is happening today because of the 12,000 volunteers. Now, my wish is to personally perform ārti of all of you.”
These words come from a heartfelt letter written by Swamishri to the volunteers who served in the construction of North America Akshardham in Robbinsville, NJ. As these words spread among the volunteers, their hearts filled with deep emotions. Swamishri had shifted all credit for the grand construction of Akshardham onto the devotees.
Taking Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s vision as his own, Mahant Swami Maharaj became the guiding force behind the completion of this enormous project. It was his one call that inspired thousands of devotees to leave behind their homes, businesses, and responsibilities to dedicate themselves to this selfless service. Everyone who had been a part of this journey felt one thing deeply—it was only through Mahant Swami Maharaj’s divine presence, grace, and blessings that Akshardham became a reality before their eyes. Yet, despite being the very reason for its success, he gave all credit to the volunteers!
During a special volunteers’ sabhā, Pujya Narayanmuni Swami, with great emotion, humbly requested Swamishri, “Please, don’t put the dust of our feet on your head, just do darshan of it and bless us all.” Yet Swamishri could not hold back. He bowed and took the sacred dust from the volunteers’ feet on his head. Witnessing this divine moment, tears flowed freely from the eyes of all present. Each heart echoed a single thought - “How fortunate are we to have a Guru who sees so much mahimā of us!”
A similar event occurred after the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Celebrations. Swamishri requested the sacred dust from ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar’ and said, “For days, I have been thinking—I must place the dust of this campus upon my head. Because in this place, so many volunteers have served tirelessly, so many swamis have dedicated themselves, and millions of devotees and well-wishers have gathered. Every single person who served as well as stepped on this campus is divine. So, it’s my wish to place the sacred dust of those feet who have stepped foot on this divine campus upon my head.” With an ocean of divine admiration within his heart, Swamishri placed the dust of the devotees’ feet upon his head.
He himself is Aksharbrahma, beyond time and space. Even the Vedas, in their attempt to glorify the Ekāntik Sant, can only cry out “Neti, Neti”— “He who is infinite and beyond description!” His very existence is so powerful that countless universes fly around like atoms in each pore of his body. Even Parabrahma—the Supreme Bhagwān—longs for the dust of his feet. And yet, this same great Sant, Mahant Swami Maharaj, bows before us and places the dust of our feet upon his head! Where in this world can one find a Guru like this? If we could see Swamishri with even a fraction of the mahimā with which he sees us, we would truly be blessed.
