Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, inaugurated the month-long centenary celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha in Ahmedabad.
Modi recalled his association with Pramukh Swami Maharaj in the last 40 years. Describing Pramukh Swami Maharaj as a reformer, the PM said the former was a father figure to him and continues to be an inspiration.
Modi said once two seers came to him with a pen when he was filing his nomination papers for the first time in Rajkot after becoming the chief minister of Gujarat. "Since then, Pramukh Swami Maharaj sent me a pen every time I filed my nomination papers. I signed with the pen sent by him, and in Varanasi, the cap of the pen was green and the base saffron (the BJP colour)."
Modi said from his younger days, he had been observing Pramukh Swami Maharaj from a distance and never imagined that he would get an opportunity to meet him. Recalling his first meeting with Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1981, Modi said he (Maharaj) neither discussed religion nor spirituality, but only spoke about service to humanity.
Modi, who was a volunteer during the Macchu dam disaster in Morbi in 1979, recalled how Pramukh Swami Maharaj and other seers were engaged in rescue and relief operations and were even picking up the dead bodies.
The PM also made a mention of the 2001 earthquake and the attack on Gandhinagar's Akshardham Temple in 2002. "After the attack when I called up Pramukh Swami Maharaj to ask about the well-being of the seers and others inside, he was inquiring if I was okay," said Modi. The chief minister's bungalow where he used to reside was less than half a kilometre away from the temple.
Modi, who spent nearly three hours at the Pramukh Swami Nagar, said the historic programme is not going to be just big in terms or numbers or attendance but also about how one feels godliness there.
Modi drew a parallel between Swami Vivekanda, who expanded the Ram Krishna Mission, and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He said here one can have a feel of Vasudev Kutumbakam.
His birth centenary was also celebrated at the United Nations and that shows the relevance of his teachings, Modi said.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Modi said, removed distinctions of high and low from the society and served for the benefit of the society in good and bad times.
The PM had one more anecdote to share. He said there had not been a single year when Pramukh Swami Maharaj did not send him a pair of clothes to stitch kurta-payjama. The tradition is being followed by Mahant Swami Maharaj, he said. Mahant Swami Maharaj is Pramukh Swami Maharaj's successor and is heading the centenary celebrations.
Mentioning that he feels good coming here and feels blessed to be part of such an event, Modi concluded by saying he does not want to become tamsi (angry) but wants to lead a satvik (frugal) life.
Spread over 600 acre, Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar, specially created for the celebrations, is a confluence of art, science and spirituality. It has been set up over a period of a couple of months by a team of nearly 80,000, including sadhus and volunteers.
A replica of the Akshardham Temple of New Delhi, an adventure land for children, light and sound shows, glow garden and national and international conferences will be the attraction of the celebrations that will be open for the general public from December 15 to January 15. The entry is free and the venue will remain open 2 pm to 9 pm from Mondays to Saturdays and from 9 am to 9 pm on Sundays.