Pujya Mahant Swami

Ahmedabad, DeshGujarat, 7 March 2013

Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS)’s Pramukh Swami has handed over responsibility of providing guidance to followers to Shri Keshavjivandasji Maharaj who is popularly known as Mahant Swami. Shri Keshavjivandasji was given diksha by Pramukh Swami’s Guru Shri Yogiji Maharaj. He was appointed as Mahant of Mumbai mandir by Shri Yogiji Maharaj. Mahant Swami is one of the senior most sadhus of BAPS.

Speaking to DeshGujarat one of the senior saints of BAPS said, “Pramukh Swami has completed 92 and due to health related limitations, he is no more able to explore the villages to reach out to the followers like in past. In such circumstances Hari bhaktas who were earlier receiving guidance from Shri Pramukh Swami felt helplessness. Therefore Pramukh Swami has asked Hari bhaktas to get get guidance from Shri Mahant Swami (Keshavjivandasji) Maharaj when they feel need for it. Shri Mahant Swami is known as Mahant Swami because Yogiji Maharaj gave him responsibility to look after Mumbai mandir affairs, however as a senior saint he keeps moving at various villages and towns in the course of BAPS activities.”

Official statement:

His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual head of BAPS, has been touring villages, towns and countries to inspire devotees for over four decades. He has been meeting devotees personally to guide them on spiritual and personal issues. Devotees often make or change their decisions based on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s guidance. However, for the past few months, due to old age and health concerns, he has not been able to meet devotees personally and offer them the usual guidance.
Hence, in a letter dated 6 March 2013, Pramukh Swami Maharaj has directed sadhus and devotees to meet senior sadguru Sadhu Keshavjivandas (Pujya Mahant Swami) for guidance on their day-to-day matters.
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj remains BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha’s spiritual head, and all sadhus, devotees and well-wishers will continue to experience his divine darshan and inspiration.
Pujya Mahant Swami completed his B.Sc. (agriculture) in 1956 and took initiation as a sadhu at the hands of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj in 1957. He is one of the senior sadhus of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, having served both Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. As per the blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Pujya Mahant Swami and other senior sadhus will continue their Satsang tours to inspire devotees.

Text of Swamishri’s letter:

Swami Shriji

To all sadhus and devotees of BAPS Sanstha
You are all aware that for some time now my health has not remained good and so I have been unable to meet everyone in person. Therefore, from now on, all sadhus and devotees should meet Pujya Mahant Swami for guidance on their personal matters and questions, to obtain solutions.
Jai Swaminarayan with blessings from
Shastri Narayanswarupdas
Date: 6-3-2013, Wednesday

The letter

A video of Ravi Sabha in which Mahant Swami clarifies the development