The fifth spiritual leader in Supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayan’s divine lineage, a successor of Gurudev Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, and current Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi, His Divine Holiness Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj has departed from this mortal world on Thursday 16 July 2020 (Samvat 2076 Ashadh Vad 11).
Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj ( PP Swami Maharaj) of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan passed away today after nearly three weeks of hospitalization at private CIMS hospital in Ahmedabad today. He was 78 and was hospitalized following Covid-19 infection which has arisen lung issues.
From July 8 he was on dialysis to support his kidney function. He had also received plasma treatment, the first dose of which was administered July 8 and the second dose on July 9.
After being treated in Maninagar Temple for several days, it was apparent that continuous monitoring was necessary alongside the treatments. Senior Sants and doctors had made the decision to admit Acharya Swamishree Maharaj to hospital during the early hours of Friday 26 June 2020. Last week, Jitendra Swami has been appointed as his spiritual successor.
Early life of Acharya Swamishree
Acharya Swamishree Maharaj aka Hirji Shamjibhai Naran aka Purushottampriyadasji manifested on Thursday 28th May 1942 in Bharasar – Kutch, Gujarat India, at the home of father Shamjibhai Naran Madhani and mother Rambai. He had one older brother named Harji, two older sisters Ratanbai and Tejbai, and one younger sister Hirbai. Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa gave Him the name ‘Hirji’; which represents radiant diamond – He who would emanate the glory of the supreme faith all around the world.
Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree was nominated by Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa in 1979 as his spiritual heir and divine successor. Same year, on the anniversary celebration Swamibapa handed over the helm of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi. Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree expended his whole life to spread supreme principals of Lord Swaminarayan in whole world. With his divine holiness, he constantly followed generous practices to spread awareness and principals of Lord Swaminarayan.
Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Smruti Mandir
Acharya Swamishree Maharaj has proved his devotion to his guruji Jivanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa by being inspiration for creation of Smruti Mandir at Ghodasar, Maninagar, Ahmedabad. The accurate name of Smruti Mandir is Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Smruti Mandir which represents devotion of Acharya Swamishree Maharaj towards his spiritual leader. The temple was inaugurated in 1991 by Acharya Swamishree along with the contemporaneous president Dr Shankardayal Sharma.
Achievements of Acharya Swamishree throughout coronation
Some extraordinary personalities cannot stay hidden from the world as their actions speak louder which befell same with Acharya Swamishree. His spiritual qualities have been recognized by various saints and religious workers. Recognising Acharya Swamishree Maharaj’s great qualities, efforts and achievements, leading scholars have bestowed numerous awards and honorary titles upon Him.
- Sad-dharma-ratnakar – The ocean of true religiousness
- Sad-dharma-jyotirdhar – The beacon-torch of true religiousness
- Sanatan-dharma-sanrakshak – The protector of the eternal religion, Sanatan Dharma
- Dharma-rakshak-chudamani – The greatest jewel for the protector of dharma
- Sat-sidhant-divakar – The great illuminator of the true religion
- Darshanik-sarva-bhaum – The Leader of all 6 categories of the ancient Hindu spiritual philosophy
- Sidhant-vagish – Elite proclaimer of the most elite principles
- Seva-murti-param-tapa – The service incarnation of the highest austerity
- Sanskar-bhaskar – The Sun of true morality
- Vishwa-vatsalya-mahodadhi – Greatest Ocean of spiritual love and compassion for the entire world
- Ved-ratna – Sacred gem of the ancient Hindu philosophy
Acharya Swamishrees quotes:
God Himself remains forever within His idol forms and Sants
Just as soldiers defend our borders, Sants defend us in the fight against our inner enemies.
Jyaa divo tyaa daatan nahi, jyaa daatan tyaa divo nahi.
The blessings of God are essential in life’s every step.
Discard the darkness of ignorance with enthusiasm and eagerness, as these ignite the flame of true progression.
A religious festival aims to teach the manner to achieve this goal.
Devotion must not to be performed to merely show others. When performing devotion, a true disciple will not be concerned about what others say about him; he will continue his worship undisturbed by their comments.
Compassion, love for all and universal understanding are the essentials of humanity; these are the virtues that please the Lord; these are the values that need to be instilled throughout society.
If there is harmony and unity amongst them, people can be helpful to one another when faced with the struggles of life.
Tributes from Popular Personalities
Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj was blessed with immense wisdom. His emphasis on community service, education and women empowerment will always be remembered. I will never forget my many interactions with him. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2020
મણિનગર શ્રી સ્વામિનારાયણ ગાદીના આચાર્ય શ્રી પુરુષોત્તમપ્રિયદાસજી સ્વામીશ્રી મહારાજ બ્રહ્મલિન થતા દુઃખની લાગણી અનુભવું છું. પરમકૃપાળુ પરમાત્મા એમના આત્માને શાંતિ આપે એવી પ્રાર્થના. જય સ્વામિનારાયણ… pic.twitter.com/6qW7feeLGa
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) July 16, 2020
Our Dearest HH Acharya Swamishree a spiritual leader, humanitarian, condolences on his passing to our Swaminarayan Gadi Family. Bapa was a generous, simple human, Promoter of peace His aura remains. Bapa You will be in our heart forever. #SwaminarayanGadi #ManinagarMandir
— Anand (@anandmehta87) July 16, 2020
🙏 Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj has departed from this Mortal World 🙏
Swamishree ! You will always be there in our heart… Your blessing are with your all devotees and it will lead them to the path of merciful life, good deeds and righteousness.
🙏 pic.twitter.com/Qm4hm9M9UW— Geetaben Rabari (@GeetabenRabari) July 16, 2020
મણિનગર સ્વામિનારાયણ ગાદી સંસ્થાન ના આચાર્ય પ.પૂ. શ્રી પુરુષોત્તમપ્રિયદાસજી સ્વામી બ્રહ્મલીન થતા ખુબ જ દુ:ખ ની લાગણી અનુભવુ છું, લાખો હરીભક્તોએ છત્રછાયા ગુમાવી છે ભગવાન શ્રી સ્વામીનારાયણ તમામ હરીભક્તો ને આ દુ:ખ સહન કરવાની શક્તી આપે એજ અભ્યર્થના, જય સ્વામીનારાયણ 🙏 pic.twitter.com/YWnawHKRv7
— Shankersinh Vaghela (@ShankersinhBapu) July 16, 2020
મણિનગર સ્વામિનારાયણ ગાદી સંસ્થાનના આચાર્ય, વિશ્વવાત્સલયમહોદધિ, વર્લ્ડ પીસ એમ્બેસેડર શ્રી પુરુષોત્તમપ્રિયદાસજી સ્વામી મહારાજ બ્રહ્મલીન થતા દુઃખની લાગણી અનુભવું છું.
તેમના ભૌતિક દેહે ભલે આ જગતમાંથી વિદાય લીધી પરંતુ તેઓ લાખો હૃદયમાં હંમેશા ધબકતા રહેશે.
જય સ્વામિનારાયણ pic.twitter.com/0IfGZH43Nj
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 16, 2020
મણિનગર સ્વામિનારાયણ ગાદી સંસ્થાન ના આચાર્ય પ.પૂ. શ્રી પુરુષોત્તમપ્રિયદાસજી સ્વામી બ્રહ્મલીન થતા ખુબ જ દુ:ખ ની લાગણી અનુભવુ છું, કરોડો હરીભક્તોએ છત્રછાયા ગુમાવી છે ભગવાન શ્રી સ્વામીનારાયણ તમામ હરીભક્તો ને આ દુ:ખ સહન કરવાની શક્તી આપે એજ અભ્યર્થના.
— I.K.JADEJA (@IKJadejaBJP) July 16, 2020
@SGadiManinagar ના આચાર્ય શ્રી પુરુષોત્તમપ્રિયદાસજી વૈશ્વિક સ્તરે તેમની ઉમદા સમાજ સેવા માટે હંમેશાં યાદ રહેશે,તેમને વિનમ્ર શ્રદ્ધાંજલિ અર્પણ કરુ છુ,તેમજ સંસ્થાના ભક્તોને વિકટ પરિસ્થિતિ સહન કરવાની પરમકૃપાળુ પરમાત્મા શક્તિ આપે તેવી ભગવાન શ્રી સ્વામિનારાયણના ચરણોમાં પ્રાર્થના કરુ છુ pic.twitter.com/Cmkjcf3pEj
— Bijal Patel 🇮🇳 (@ibijalpatel) July 16, 2020
સ્વામિનારાયણ ગાદી સંસ્થાન મણિનગરના પરમ પૂજ્ય શ્રી પુરુષોત્તમપ્રિયદાસજી સ્વામી બ્રહ્મલીન થતા આઘાત સહ દુઃખની લાગણી અનુભવું છું. સદગતને મારી શ્રદ્ધાંજલિ અર્પણ કરૂં છું. આચાર્યશ્રીના બ્રહ્મલીન થવાથી સૌ હરિભક્તો અને જનસામાન્ય એ પ્રેરણાપુંજ ગુમાવ્યા છે.
ૐ શાંતિ…🙏 pic.twitter.com/vH4pwe9zIi— Jitu Vaghani (@jitu_vaghani) July 16, 2020
મણિનગર સ્વામિનારાયણ ગાદી સંસ્થાનના આચાર્ય શ્રી પુરુષોત્તમપ્રિયદાસજી સ્વામીજી મહારાજ બ્રહ્મલીન થયા, સંતશ્રીના ચરણોમાં અશ્રુભીની અંજલિ.
ॐ શાંતિ શાંતિ શાંતિ pic.twitter.com/aw8rj72K4g
— Dr.Ashishkumar Dave (@ashishdavebjp) July 16, 2020
