Our Beliefs
Guru Parampara
Bhagwan Swaminarayan incarnated on Earth to reveal the path to spiritual redemption. He ensured that path remained open for devotees of future generations through the continued presence of the Satpurush.
Gunatitanand Swami
(1785 - 1867)
First spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He extolled Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s true glory as God through his inspiring discourses, profound saintliness, matchless wisdom, and constant rapport with God.
Bhagatji Maharaj
(1829 - 1897)
Second spiritual successor. He had an intense desire to worship God and serve his Guru, Gunatitanand Swami. His life is a story of tremendous effort to follow the wishes of his Guru. Although not a saffron-clad renunciate, his spiritual enlightenment singled him out as successor.
Shastriji Maharaj
(1865 - 1951)
Third spiritual successor. He was a profound scholar of Sanskrit and ancient Hindu scriptures and a magnetic orator. He founded the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and propagated the core philosophy propounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan - to worship Purushottam (God) along with Akshar, His ideal devotee.
Yogiji Maharaj
(1892 - 1971)
Fourth spiritual successor. He was a great visionary who attracted aspirants to spirituality through selfless love and enthusiasm. He initiated many young, talented youths to the path of renunciation and inspired BAPS youth and children’s activities. He also inspired spiritual activities beyond India, helping Hindus in England, America and parts of Africa to preserve their faith and values.
Guru Parampara
Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Fifth spiritual successor. Having lived his entire life by his own message to the world, ‘In the joy of others, lies our own’, Pramukh Swami Maharaj exemplified compassion, service, humility and peace.
Throughout his life, he traveled from village to village, town to town, city to city throughout the world to inspire countless individuals to a nobler, harmonious and more spiritual life. His unique blend of simplicity, inclusivity and leadership inspired the lives of hundreds of thousands throughout the world.
17,000
Villages Travelled
25,000
Spiritual Discourses Given
700,000
Letters Written to Devotees
250,000
Homes Personally Visited
1,200
Mandirs Built
1,000
Youths Initiated into Sainthood
95
Mandirs Built in North America
3
Akshardhams Built
