Letters to Pramukh Swami Maharaj (Part 2)

From Swaminarayan Bliss (Sep — Oct 2022)

Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired, influenced and impacted the lives of many people, young and old, men and women, in a multitude of ways. As we celebrate his birth centenary, we have reached out to the worldwide satsang community to express their feelings and memories of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in the form of a letter addressed to him. This is a selection from the letters received so far.

There are no words to describe the impact of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in my life. He is my guru but he has always been more.

My life without Pramukh Swami Maharaj would be like crossing an ocean without a boat. It would be impossible. I have been able to overcome any challenges in life knowing that Pramukh Swami is on my side — a guru who cares and will never let me down.

I get strength from praying to him and talking to him as I know he listens.

I will try my best to live by the legacy of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. By doing satsang and telling others about the life and legacy of Pramukh Swami. Thank you for making my life what it is today.

— Megha Brahmbhatt Joshi, Teacher, Pretoria, South Africa

You have transformed me from what I was to what I am now. Critically, you are continuing to do so through Mahant Swami Maharaj, who is your greatest gift to us.

Your life, works and teachings will continue to affect individuals and society for the better until the earth stops spinning. Their universality means they have something for everyone. They will benefit all and will only lead to the happiness of all.

— Shahil Parmar, 25, Research Analyst, London, UK

You are my father, mother, brother. I am not perfect but you have unconditionally accepted me and are chiseling away my faults. Your infinite virtues and your whole life are lifelines for me. Your words are like honey. Your smile, your hearty laughter, your superb sense of humor, your selfless nature, your love are ingrained in my heart. No one can take them away from me. You have made me realize the reality of this human life and I will always try to gain your rajipo. I promise you that. I still cannot fathom your krupa of making me a satsangi. I love you Swami Bapa.

— Nehal Desai, 50, Software Developer, Houston, USA

My most memorable moment with you was in 2004. I had the great fortune to present a mala to you on the first day of the Bal Shibir. You went above and beyond to show me how to do mala. I stood in front copying you and then you brought me closer to you and put the mala onto me. Thank you so much for giving me the fortune to have this interaction with you. I recall it every day and it brings me utmost joy.

— Kirtan Patel

Thank you for being my father, giving me your motherly love, being my teacher, being my friend, savior and guru, and my everything in this world filled with materialistic things. As you know we have improved a lot in satsang, but we are still not at the level you would like us to be. I would like to apologize, Bapa, for not being consistent in my ahnik and sometimes not following my niyams. I do puja, but sometimes I rush through it and once or twice a month I miss it.

Your simplicity, loving tolerance, peaceful and humble soul, and the millions of virtues you have are extraordinary. Please help me imbibe these virtues that you have.

— Nyasha Patel, 15, Student, Tzaneen, South Africa

I ate meat and drank alcohol, but through patience and talking calmly you made me understand this was wrong and, in time, I gave up. I lost my father and mother and you were there to reassure me by phone and guide me.

— Vinay Mehta

Swami Bapa, you have always been The Hope in my life. The only reason I walk this path is because of you. It isn’t forced, but it’s something that I want. I want this sukh. I want this moksha. During my dark days there is only one thing I do… a thought away you said, and so I think of you. No matter how big or small the obstacle is, I go through it with you, because with you it isn’t an obstacle, but an opportunity to make you raji.

— Aagna Alaiya, Student, 15, London, UK

I can remember even as a little girl praying to you for help; you were always there for me.

I thank you for London Mandir. I am grateful for having the seva of making candy floss in the bal nagari and polishing the mandir stones as a 12-year-old girl. Little did I know what I was polishing. This mandir became my home and instilled in me faith and confidence to tackle the outside world; and has never left me. I pray to you, at your feet, that it never does.

Throughout my teens and university life you were there for me as a guiding light. Life has come with its ups and downs, but you have never left me. Your love, your drashti, your daya has kept me in satsang and kept me safe.

Now, as a mother, I see how important it is to have satsang as a child.

I thank you for Param Pujya Mahant Swami. I cannot put into words how much he has helped my family and me.

— Bijal Patel-Keogh, 37, Dentist, London, UK

After completing my secondary education, I was invited to Mombasa Mandir in 1977 for some artwork, and through just that one visit my life changed.

I settled in the UK in 1979 and I was privileged to have your darshan and blessings for the first time in 1980.

I have approached you when I have felt stressed in life or with certain problems and difficulties. Just merely having your divine darshan has always given me immense happiness, peace and bliss.

Thank you so much for many memorable events. Thinking about them keeps me connected to you. I know you are always with me. I see your presence in Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj.

— Mukesh Tailor, London, UK

Our mum was bringing up two daughters on her own. She joined the Satsang and our life changed. Bapa, you took care of us from studying to marriage. You have always been there.

We were in Nairobi for your 54th birthday celebration. I thought to myself ‘I wish I was a boy so I could go and give a birthday card to you’. It was just a thought. Then, one day, we received a letter from you, Bapa, saying thank you for the birthday card.

I was shocked, because I had not given you a birthday card. I cried thinking Bapa is the only person in the world who would accept anything through your thought

— Riya Brahmbhatt

Swaminarayan Bliss | Sep — Oct 2022