Modi pays obeisance to Pramukh Swami

NEW YORK, NY — After presiding over the Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi on August 15, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, arrived in Sarangpur (Gujarat) at 11.55 am to pay homage to his ‘mentor’ HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

With folded hands and a melancholy face, the PM bowed before the mortal body of Pramukh Swami and offered flowers in obeisance. He also met HH Mahant Swami Maharaj, the new spiritual head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, and other senior swamis and expressed his condolences.
Modi performed arti and circumambulations in homage to Pramukh Swami. Speaking on the occasion, he mourned the demise of Pramukh Swami as ‘many have lost a Guru and I, a father’. Taking pride in his long-standing association with Pramukh Swami, he said that Swamiji has nurtured and nourished him since the time when nobody knew him in public life. As a fatherly figure, Pramukh Swami would often point out to him his mistakes and moulded him.
The Prime Minister applauded Pramukh Swami’s devotion and his unswerving commitment towards every word that his guru Yogiji Maharaj had uttered. He has set before us an example of how a true shishya should be. “Swamiji, he said, “has brought about a reformation not only in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya but among all sadhus. Though he is not physically with us now, but we all feel his presence through his life, teachings and works.”

Modi recalled an incident that occurred way back during the Shilanyas Vidhi of Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi. Swamiji insisted that he be present in the holy ritual. Big names in the social and political spheres were in attendance to participate. He was a relatively unknown face at that time. While the puja was in progress, Pramukh Swami requested a volunteer to provide him with some coins saying, “He must not be having any money to offer during the ritual. Pramukh Swami knew that my pockets were empty. Such was his oneness with me.”

Reminiscing about another incident, the PM said, “Once when Pramukh Swamiji had stopped eating for some time and would not listen to anyone, I had requested him to eat on the phone like a son. An hour later when I enquired, I was greatly pleased to know that such a great sadhu had paid heed to my request and had eaten something.” The Prime Minister commended Pramukh Swami’s great life, morality and saintliness.
He concluded his hour-long visit after paying his respects to Pramukh Swami Maharaj and seeking blessings from the new spiritual Head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, HH Mahant Swami Maharaj, for the progress and prosperity of the nation.