BAPS Swaminarayan Mahant in Auckland from February 14
Ragavan Rengachariar
Devotees of BAPS Spiritual Head Mahant Swami Maharaj and other religious-minded people eagerly look forward to his visit to Auckland next fortnight.
The revered spiritual master, who has had meetings with world leaders including Prime Ministers of India, Canada respectively Narendra Modi and Justin Trudeau; Presidents of Tanzania and Kenya, respectively John Magufuli and Uhuru Kenyatta and former US President Barack Obama, will appear at daily prayers and discourses from February 14 to 21, 2018 at the Swaminarayan Mandir at Avondale (21 Barrhead Place).
Special Event
A special event will be held under the theme, ‘Sanskruti: Ek Khoj’ (Culture: A Search) at 5 pm on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the North Shore Event Centre located at Argus Place, Wairau Valley, Auckland. Entry to the venue, which can accommodate about 3000 people, is free but pre-registration is a must- online www.bapsnz.org
About Mahant Swami Maharaj
Born in 1933, the 85-year-old Mahant Swami Maharaj was appointed to his current position in August 2016. Attracted by the spiritual charisma and selfless love of Brahmaswarup Shastri, he accepted monastic initiation in 1961 and was named ‘Keshavjivandas Swami.’
He was appointed the ‘Mahant’ (Head) of the BAPS Mandir in Mumbai and over time, became fondly known as ‘Mahant Swami.’
Following the passing of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj’s in 1971, Mahant Swami continued to serve under the divine blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, travelling throughout the world to inspire millions of people with his profound and thought-provoking spiritual discourses.
He also guides people towards harmonious and purified living at BAPS festivals, at activities organised for children and youth and at BAPS Mandirs.
His promotes through self-example, virtues of austerity, self-control, devotion, humility and service. These have earned him the blessings of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
About BAPS Swaminarayan
BAPS is the acronym for Swaminarayan Sampraday Bochasanvasi Akshar Purshottam Sansthan.
In the Hindu tradition, the discussion and understanding of philosophy is a fundamental tool for a spiritual aspirant to attain ‘Moksha’ (Nirvana) or liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and death. The sound philosophical base of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, particularly the BAPS Swaminarayan Sansthan, has been established in the Aksharbrahma-Parabrahma philosophy derived from the Vedas and revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
This philosophy teaches aspirants to worship Paramatma and realise their true form to be the ‘Atma,’ the soul, not just the body.
Bhagwan Swaminarayan manifested in human form and taught His followers that the path to Moksha is a comprehensive approach combining Dharma, Bhakti (Devotion), Gnana (Knowledge), and Vairagya (Dispassion).
This philosophical understanding is maintained with the continued presence of Akshar Brahma (Abode of Lord Krishna) in the form of the Sathguru (True Master), and that there is no difference between Bhagwan and a Sathguru.
Ragavan Rengachariar is National Credit Manager and Group Internal Auditor at United Industries Limited based in East Tamaki, Auckland. He is also a religious scholar, voracious reader and a writer on various topics.
Photo :
- Mahant Swami Maharaj with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 14, 2016
- Mahant Swami Maharaj with former US President Barack Obama on September 5, 2017
(Pictures Supplied)
