Pragat Brahmaswarup Mahant Swami Maharaj

Yogiji Maharaj had initiated nine educated young men as swamis, granting them Bhāgwati Dikshā. In the early days, these swamis resided in Kāndivali, Mumbai. One afternoon, an elderly man arrived while all the swamis were eating. He stood there for a while, observing the swamis as they ate.

Seeing him, the swamis began making assumptions internally: “It’s lunchtime, so he must have come for food.” Each swami, in his own way, jumped to conclusions about why the elderly man was there. However, one swami did not rush to judgment - Mahant Swami Maharaj. He neither spoke nor joined in the assumptions of the others.

After finishing his meal, Mahant Swami Maharaj approached the elderly man and engaged in conversation. During their discussion, the elderly man revealed his real reason for coming: “Bhagwān Swaminarayan instructed swamis to eat in a pattar (wooden bowl). But I had never witnessed this practice. When I heard that Yogiji Maharaj’s swamis follow this tradition, I came here just to witness them eating in pattars.”

When Mahant Swami Maharaj shared this with the other swamis, they realized their mistake. They had all assumed different reasons for the man’s presence, but in reality, he had come only out of reverence and devotion.

Often, we judge people hastily based on their external appearance or actions. Without fully understanding the situation, we make assumptions and misjudge their character, leading us to see faults where none exist. However, just as Mahant Swami Maharaj avoided making assumptions and took the time to understand the man’s true intent, we should also refrain from hasty judgments, take a moment to assess situations carefully, and appreciate the goodness in others.