AHMEDABAD, INDIA, August 13, 2016 (The Hindu Business Line): Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual guru and head of Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sansthan (BAPS) of Swaminarayan sect passed away on Saturday at his ashram located at Sarangpur. He was 95. Fondly known as Swami among his disciples, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, after a brief illness of about a month, breathed his last on Saturday at 6 p.m, reports said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over his death. Modi tweeted, “HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, a stalwart among humans who embodied compassion & humility. His service to society will always be remembered.” Modi wrote in his second tweet, “HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a mentor to me. I will never forget my interactions with him. Will miss his presence.”
Born on December 7, 1921 to a Patel family of Chansad village near Vadodara, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was named Shantilal Patel and later ordained as Shastri Narayanswarupdas. He received initiation as a Hindu Swami in 1940 from Shastriji Maharaj, the founder of BAPS. He was made president (“pramukh”) of BAPS in 1950. Former head and spiritual guru, Yogiji Maharaj declared Pramukh Swami Maharaj as his spiritual successor and guru of BAPS in 1971.