All throughout his life, Mahant Swami Maharaj has always held Bhagwan Swaminarayan and gurus Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj in the highest esteem.

His thoughts, sentiments and actions have pivoted around them. He thus puts them above himself by profoundly revering them, praising them, loving them and believing them to be his ideal in all that he does. The essence of his self-effacing personality and humility lies in his bhakti towards his guru and Bhagwan. He believes the swamis and devotees associated with him to be muktas and disciples of Bhagwan and guru. His conviction in God and guru as the all-doers remains unflagging in all his works.His God and guru-centric life is a source of profound inspiration and strength for all spiritual aspirants endeavouring on the path of moksha. As part of the Guru Purnima Festival, that falls on 20 July, let us take a cue from some interesting and inspiring incidents of Mahant Swami Maharaj’s ideal guru bhakti.

Whenever Mahant Swami Maharaj blesses someone he does not say or write, “You have my blessings.” Instead, he responds, “Blessings of Swami Bapa and my prayers for you.”

Today, Swamishri’s attendants told him while he was writing a letter, “Now you are the guru, so all expect to have your blessings. Thus, you should say or write that you are blessing them.” So, Swamishri humbly wrote at the end of a letter, “I have prayed to Harikrishna Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. You have my prayers and blessings.” Mahant Swami Maharaj firmly believes Bhagwan Swami­narayan and guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj to be foremost in his life.

Jignesh, a devotee, requested, “Swamishri, I have a wish. Kindly say yes to it.” Then, he explained, “I am going to build a new home, and I wish to name it ‘Keshav Palace’.”

Swamishri said no. Jignesh requested again to allow him to use his name.

Swamishri replied, “The guru’s name [Pramukh Swami Maharaj] should always be first.”

Jignesh argued further, “Until now, whatever constructions of homes and offices I had done were named after Pramukh Swami Maharaj. However, from now onwards, [as you are our guru], allow me to name my new constructions after you.”

Swamishri patiently answered, “In Pramukh Swami’s name all are included.”

Out of his profound devotion and reverence to his guru Mahant Swami Maharaj remained unrelenting in his resolve.

Aksharprem Swami narrated an incident of Mahant Swami Maharaj: “It was 2013, and Mahant Swamiji arrived in Jaipur. One day, Swamishri returned to the mandir after visiting and sanctifying the homes of devotees. A devotee was waiting in the mandir for Mahant Swami to arrive. He said, ‘My home has not been sanctified by you.’ I knew the devotee was going to stay there for only two years and thereafter he would be moving elsewhere. So, I reminded the devotee that his house was under renovation and it would not be proper for Mahant Swami to visit his temporary home. But he insisted and wished that you came. Subsequently, you told me, ‘Let us go.’

“It was 1.00 p.m. The attendant sadhu had told you not to go because you were already late for lunch. In spite of that you wished to please the devotee and thus visited his house and took your lunch after coming back to the mandir. You satisfied him, and then on our way back I asked you, ‘Don’t you get bored during such situations?’ You replied, ‘I’ve never stuck to my resolve [on such matters]. Yogiji Maharaj taught us to please others. Pramukh Swami Maharaj had ignored his mealtimes to please the devotees.’”

Mahant Swami Maharaj disregarded his routine schedule and discomfort to please a devotee and respect his wish.

Swamishri was asked why he was inclined towards eating baked puffed rice (mamra) for breakfast. He recalled, “I was a parshad at that time and was with Yogiji Maharaj in Nadiad. Whenever we had to travel by train there was a great chance that we would have to observe a fast. So, prior to the journey, I used to take a heavy breakfast or meal.

That morning, in Nadiad, there were patarveliya for breakfast. I decided to eat more of them. However, when someone came to serve them in my bowl, Yogiji Maharaj stopped him and said, ‘Don’t serve them to him. He doesn’t like patarveliya, he likes mamra.’ So from then on I’ve been eating mamra.”

The attendants asked, “So, you don’t like patarveliya?”

Swamishri replied, “I do, but I don’t eat them.”

Swamishri gave up his own inclination and taste preference to abide by the guru’s wish, thus reflecting his total dedication and obedience to his guru.