Mahant Swami Maharaj
| Mahant Swami Maharaj | |
|---|---|
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Personal | |
| Born | Vinu Patel 13 September 1933 Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, British India |
| Guru | Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj |
| Honors | Mahant |
Mahant Swami Maharaj (born Vinu Patel, 13 September 1933; ordained Sadhu Keshavjivandas) is the present guru and president of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, an international Hindu socio-spiritual organization. BAPS regards him as the sixth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan, following Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj, and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He is believed by his followers to be in constant communion with Swaminarayan, and ontologically, the manifestation of Akshar, the eternal abode of Swaminarayan.
Mahant Swami Maharaj received initiation as a Hindu swami from Yogiji Maharaj in 1961. Mahant Swami Maharaj was revealed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj as his future spiritual and administrative successor in 2012, roles he commenced upon Pramukh Swami Maharaj's death in 2016.
VinuBhai was born in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India on 13 September 1933. His parents, Manibhai Naranbhai Patel and Dahiben Patel were both followers of Shastriji Maharaj and the Akshar Purushottam Upasana. Shastriji Maharaj visited the newborn a few days post-birth and named the child Keshav, although his family referred to him by his nickname, Vinu.
VinuBhai completed his primary and secondary education at an English-medium school within the local township, and then completed his 12th grade at the Christian College of Jabalpur. He then attended the College of Agriculture in his father’s native town of Anand, Gujarat, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture.
During his college years (1951-1952), VinuBhai first met Yogiji Maharaj, the spiritual successor of Shastriji Maharaj. Impressed by Yogiji Maharaj’s life and teachings, VinuBhai traveled with Yogiji Maharaj during his summer vacations, and was inspired to enter the monastic life.
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