Pragat Brahmaswarup Mahant Swami Maharaj

Bhagwān Swaminarayan, in the Vachanāmrut, emphasizes the importance of contemplating on Brahma as a means of spiritual association. From the lives of the Gunatit Guru Parampara, we can clearly witness this virtue of deep contemplation (manan). They consistently reflected upon and internalized the divine incidents of their Ishtadev and Gurus, making manan a way to experience and cherish their Guru’s life. In this context, let us take a glimpse into Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj’s life.

Vinubhāi was once sitting near the Goya Lake embankment. As Yogiji Maharaj was about to leave the village, he lovingly called Vinubhāi, smiled warmly, and said, “We are leaving now. Please forgive any mistakes we may have made.” With these words, Yogiji Maharaj blessed Vinubhāi and departed. However, this moment deeply impacted Vinubhāi, leaving him shocked. He continuously reflected on this single event for a long time. As a result, all his past prejudices faded away, and his heart was filled with repentance. Divine thoughts began to flow within him: “What an extraordinary and unparalleled Sant! His love surpasses even that of one’s own parents! What a pure and innocent divine smile he has! What an exalted level of saintliness he possesses!” Overwhelmed by these thoughts, he longed for Yogiji Maharaj’s presence again. Even though physically separated, through deep contemplation, Vinubhāi was constantly in the presence of Yogiji Maharaj.

Sometime later, Yogiji Maharaj was traveling by train to Mumbai, and as the train stopped at Anand railway station, many devotees gathered for his darshan. Vinubhāi, too, came to get a glimpse of his Guru, but due to his shy nature, he watched from a distance. To Vinubhāi’s astonishment, Yogiji Maharaj stepped down from the train and walked directly to him! Once again, he showered unbounded love and blessings upon him. That divine affection, grace, and saintliness overwhelmed Vinubhāi. Soon, the train whistle blew, signaling Yogiji Maharaj’s departure. However, Vinubhāi remained seated there, lost in deep reflection on the event. He kept revisiting that divine moment in his mind, savoring its spiritual depth.

For the next fifteen days, he returned to the railway station, sat on a bench, and immersed himself in contemplating this profound experience for hours. Reflecting on this, Mahant Swami Maharaj later wrote: “When I met Yogiji Maharaj, I became completely attached to him. Everything else faded into insignificance. Yogiji Maharaj became the very center of my life.” Thus, through continuous contemplation, Vinubhāi kept experiencing the presence of Yogiji Maharaj, and before he knew it, his Guru had become the very focal point of his life. Just as Vinubhāi remained immersed in contemplation, we too should regularly reflect upon the divine incidents of our Guru’s life, allowing ourselves to become Guru-centered. This is the true fruit of Satsang.