Unity is an essential characteristic that is at the root of collective progress and  personal peace of mind. By cooperating and  working together, a common goal is readily achieved. Similarly, harmonious relationships  with others on an individual basis fills one with confidence and positivity.  Mahant Swami Maharaj emphasizes such  unity and harmony, repeatedly teaching  it and encouraging its practice.

From his late teens, for two decades, Mahant Swami Maharaj was under the direct tutelage of guru Yogiji Maharaj. During this period, Yogiji Maharaj revealed and emphasized many spiritual messages for individuals and the satsang community to internalize and practise. One such phrase Yogiji Maharaj regulary stressed was ‘samp, suhradbhav, ekta – harmony, fraternity, unity’. The entire satsang rallied to live as per this calling.

Harmony, fraternity and unity are related concepts but with slightly different nuances: Harmony emphasizes the idea of togetherness and solidarity. Fraternity emphasizes camaraderie among individuals who share similar values or goals. Unity emphasizes interconnectedness and oneness.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj also vigorously promoted this message. On 27 August 1990, yuvaks from throughout the UK had gathered at the farmhouse of Shri Mukeshbhai Pabari in Rushden, near Wellingborough, for a special outing with Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

During the assembly, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was asked, “How should the yuvaks of UK engage in seva to please you.”

Pramukh Swami Maharaj replied, “With samp, suhradbhav and ekta. Talk about each other’s mahima and tolerate. Then you will be happy. Everyone makes mistakes.

Correct them and more forward.”

Since becoming the guru of BAPS, Mahant Swami Maharaj has continued to emphasize the importance and necessity of harmony in all aspects of life. Through his discourses, letters, phone calls, personal counselling, art, gestures and in numerous other ways, he continues to emphasize the indispensable nature of harmony.

The following incidents reveal just how much harmony in its myriad forms is at the core of Mahant Swami Maharaj’s vision for spiritual progress.

During lunch, Divyatanay Swami recalled an incident from 2012 in Indore. A devotee named Dilipbhai Rathod and his 35 family members lived harmoniously under one roof. They had moved to a larger house, where Mahant Swami went for padhramani. The house had three floors above the ground level. At that time a Sanstha-level protocol had been passed that in such circumstances the sadguru swamis should sanctify the ground floor only and only go to the other floors if a lift is available.

Dilipbhai and his family were delighted that Swamishri had come. Then, despite no lift availability, Swamishri himself insisted on sanctifying all three floors and the terrace. Afterwards, when asked why he had taken such trouble, Swamishri said, “Just look at the unity of this family.”

After lunch, Haritilak Swami was returning to Gandhinagar. He asked Swamishri, “We go to the villages around Gandhinagar to conduct sabhas. Do you have a message for the devotees?” Swamishri replied, “Samp – Harmony.”

The trustees honoured Swamishri with a farewell garland and asked, “Do you have a message for us trustees?” Swamishri raised his hand and said, “Samp.”

At 12.10 p.m. Swamishri sat to take lunch. While eating, he was contemplating on unity. He picked up a piece of broccoli from his bowl and held it in his hand. He said, “Sampelu parivar – a united family!”

So, a swami asked, “Swami, how is broccoli a sampelu parivar.”

Swamishri said, “They do not separate easily. Compare it with grapes in a loom. The grapes will separate, but not a stalk of broccoli.”

After dinner in the evening, a 12-year-old balak asked Swamishri, “What is a life without unity like?” Swamishri and others were astonished to hear this question from such a young boy. Swamishri then mimed a fighting action with his hands. Everyone applauded. Then, Swamishri said, “Without samp, there will court cases, fighting, chaos and other problems. Where there is samp, everyone adjusts, compromises and tolerates. Our duty is to think how to sustain samp, what niyams and dharma to observe, how to speak and so on. This is all our personal responsibility. Do not expect it from others. In samp, we must ourselves endeavour to sustain it.”