Pramukh Varni Din commemorates the day Shastriji Maharaj appointed Pramukh Swami Maharaj as the President of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. On Vaishakh Vad 10 Vikram Samvat Year 1963 (June 5, 1907), Shastriji Maharaj, the third spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminaryan, inaugurated a shikharbaddha mandir in Bochasan with Akshar Purushottham in the central shrine. Thus, this day became known as the day Shastriji Maharaj founded the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
On Jeth Sud 4 Vikram Samvat Year 2006 (May 21, 1950 CE), Shastriji Maharaj held a meeting at the hari mandir in Ambli Vali Pol, an area just inside the old city walls of Ahmedabad. This meeting was held at 5 o’clock in the evening. Shastriji Maharaj told everyone that was present, “Just as Sadguru Ramanand Swami appointed the young Sahajanand Swami [Bhagwan Swaminarayan, who was 21 years old at that time] as the head of the Sampraday, I hereby appoint in my place Sadguru Shastri Narayanswarupdasji as the head of the Sanstha.” He then draped a saffron colored shawl around Shastri Narayanswarupdasji’s shoulders. While glancing at the 28-year-old sadhu, Shastriji Maharaj said, “Yogiji Maharaj here is vachansiddh and a spiritually elevated sadhu. You are to further the progress of satsang under his guidance.” Shastriji Maharaj turned to Yogiji Maharaj and requested, “Kindly place your hands on Shastri Narayanswarupdasji’s head so that he may be graced with your virtues.”
On this day, Shastri Narayanswarupdasji humbly pledged:
“Whatever the power and inspiration that I possess are solely due to your grace. Now for the great responsibility that you bestow upon me, please kindly grace me wholeheartedly with shakti and strength. Similarly, let all your devotees remain happy physically, mentally, and financially. Let them offer worship happily to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and attain Akshardham. I ask you for this one boon.
Today, Oh Gurushri, in front of you 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 Sanstha and faithful to you until my last breath.”
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