Pramukh Swami:Childhood & Early Life
What was Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s childhood name?
Shantilal
What new name did Shantilal receive when he got bhagwati diksha?
Sadhu Narayanswarupdas
How many villages and cities did Pramukh Swami visit?
Over 17,000
What seva was Shukanand Swami most known for?
Writing Maharaj’s words as His personal writer
What did both Swamis dedicate their entire lives to?
Their Guru’s agna
In which village was Shantilal born?
Chansad, Gujarat
Why was he given the title “Shastri”?
Because he became very learned in Sanskrit
What famous quote shows Swamishri’s care for others?
“In the joy of others, lies our own.”
What did Shukanand Swami not notice while writing a letter because he was so focused?
Maharaj had disappeared while he continued writing
What quality did both show in their seva, whether writing or washing dishes?
Humility
What sport did young Shantilal enjoy playing?
Cricket
At what age did he become President (Pramukh) of BAPS?
28 years old
What did Swamishri say was the essence of his success?
Trying only to please his guru
How did Shukanand Swami react when Maharaj tore up the fourteen pages he wrote overnight?
He stayed calm and said he wrote them to please Maharaj
Which specific seva of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Shukanand Swami demonstrates their humility despite holding important positions?
Pramukh Swami washed dishes after becoming President, and Shukanand Swami wrote letters overnight without complaint even when they were torn by Maharaj
What date (English and Hindu calendar) was Shantilal born on?
December 7, 1921 (Magshar Sud 3, V.S. 1978)
At what location did Shantilal receive bhagwati diksha, and who gave him the name “Narayanswarupdas”?
Akshar Deri in Gondal, given by Shastriji Maharaj
How many total mandirs did Pramukh Swami Maharaj build worldwide, according to the material?
Over 1,125 mandirs
When the lamp went out during Maharaj’s dictation, what exactly produced the bright light that allowed Shukanand Swami to continue writing?
A flame of light from Maharaj’s right toe
Even when faced with difficulty or physical pain, what did both Swamis continue to do?
Serve others before themselves
What three mandirs did Shantilal regularly visit for bhajan-bhakti in Chansad?
Swaminarayan Mandir, Hanuman Madhi Mandir, Satyanarayan Mandir
Who formally appointed Shastri Narayanswarupdas as President of BAPS, and on what date?
Shastriji Maharaj on May 21, 1950 (Jeth Sud 4, V.S. 2006)
How many letters did Pramukh Swami Maharaj read and reply to in his lifetime?
Over 700,000 letters
When Maharaj tore up the fourteen pages Shukanand Swami wrote overnight, what exact reason did Shukanand Swami give for why he was not frustrated?
“I had written it just to please Maharaj, and Maharaj pleased himself by tearing up the pages.”
What specific action of Shukanand Swami and Pramukh Swami shows their shared goal of pleasing their guru, as described in the material?
Shukanand Swami wrote all night without looking up while Maharaj dictated, and Pramukh Swami washed dishes immediately after becoming President