|
Life
in Brief
HSDH
Sadhu Keshav Jivandas, popularly known as Shri Mahant Swami Maharaj
represents a succession of spirituality that began a little over 200 years
ago in 1781. The year marked the birth of the founder of the Swaminarayan
Faith, Lord Swaminarayan (1781-1830). Born in the village of Chhapaiya,
near Ayodhya, in North India, on 3rd April 1781,
Lord Swaminarayan renounced home at the age of 11 to embark on a
pilgrimage on foot that took him across the length and breadth of India.
He sanctified with his lotus feet Himalayas, entire India, Nepal
for seven years and finally settled in Gujarat.
Lord Swaminarayan preached, practiced and spread the message of love
towards God and humanity, upgraded down trodden, established peace,
non-violence and taught to be human being first. He
introduced innovative social reforms and undertook charitable work to help
the poor and needy. Further more He endorsed the principle of Atma
(soul) and Paramatma (Supreme soul). Meaning, we are soul and not the
physical body and we are supposed to remember all the time that we are
Atma / Brahma / Akshar and Supreme God is with us, within us. In short, we
are Akshar and Purushottam is within us. His message was : “Realize God
by proper knowledge and introspection.”
After
He left this world in1830, the torch was carried on by
Mul Akshar Murti
Guanatitand Swami,
Bhagatji
Maharaj,
Jaga Swami
Maharaj,
Shashtriji
Maharaj,
Yogiji Maharaj
(who carried this message to
East Africa, UK and USA) over almost last 170 years.
At present
HSDH Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj
initiated some 700
graduates and double graduates Saints. Along with him HSDH Shri Mahant
Swami Maharaj is advocating the principles laid down by Lord Swaminarayan.
Since the Modern day disciples are the educated lot, Mahant Swami has a
knack of satisfying their queries and inquisitives by convincing them
through science and the latest researches.
Pujya
Mahant Swami Maharaj leads an austere life of lifetime celibacy, without
personal wealth or comfort. Immediately after he was given sainthood
initiation, he was made Mahant (Head) of Akshar
Bhavan, Dadar (Bombay) temple and some 50-60 graduate saints were
placed under Him for training of sainthood. Since the code of conduct
suggested for saints by Lord Swaminarayan is very tough, only those with
strong mind and determination can go by this sainthood. The precepts and
code of behavior for Sadhus given in Shikshapatri, by Lord Swaminarayan,
states that :
- Sadhus
have to follow eightfold celibacy.
- They
should avoid all contact or talk with females, nor should they
intentionally look at them.
- Sadhus
should never touch and/or keep money, gold etc.
- They
have to wake up before sunrise.
- While
eating they have to mix up all the items served in a bowl provided to
them and add some water to make it tasteless before eating.
These
are merely five precepts from a collection of two hundred and twelve
precepts written by Lord Swaminarayan in "Shikshpatri".
Mahant Swami is strictly following the code of conduct suggested by
Lord Swaminarayan. Also He is a role model for millions to follow the
ideals, principles, and understanding propagated by Lord Swaminarayan.
Mahant
Swami Maharaj has spread the message of Lord Swaminarayan across the globe
in 43 countries including India.
Profile
-
Name
before initiation : Vinu Patel
-
Father’s
Name : Manibhai Patel
-
Mother’s
Name : Dahiba Patel
-
Date
of Birth : 13th
September 1933 (Bhadarva Vad 9,1989 VS)
-
Schooling
: Christ Church High School –
Jabalpur (M.P. – India)
-
Graduation
: B. Sc.(Agri.) from Agricultural College – Anand (Gujarat –
India)
-
Guru
: Bhramswarup Yogiji Maharaj
-
Parashadi
Diksha : 1957
by Yogiji Maharaj
-
Sainthood
Initiation
: 11th May 1961
by Yogiji Maharaj
|
|
