Shānti: The Boy who Brought Peace to the World

Difficulties. Unease. Pain. Misery. They don't just affect superpowers and nations of this planet. Hostilities exist on a more dangerous and worrying level. A deadly unrest brews not just in every home, but also in every heart. Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States famously said, "Peace is not made at the council table or by treaties, but in the hearts of men." John F. Kennedy proclaimed, "There mere absence of war is not peace. Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures." The UN Constitution reads, "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is i the minds of men that defences of peace must be constructed." But how do we find peace in our lives? Where do we go? To whom do we go?

The Sanskrit word 'shānti' literally translates to 'peace'. It is a word found even in the most ancient scriptures of Vedic times. It was also the name of a farmer's boy – born in 1921 in a small village called Chansad, near Vadodara, India. This young boy went on to change the world. This young boy became Pramukh Swami Maharaj. A magnificent individual who brought peace to the minds and hearts of millions of people. For him, no one was too big or too small. He never discriminated; he accepted whoever came his way. His heart was open for all, and that is why he was able to make a place in the hearts of countless.

For the past two months, during my five-month stay in India, I was fortunate enough to attend and volunteer the centennial birth celebrations of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Ahmedabad, India. This has been one of the greatest pleasure and honour of my life.

When I first arrived in Ahmedabad in mid-November, I couldn't even imagine that everything will be complete in time for the start of the celebrations, let alone the scale of the event. But because this entire festival was divine – and for the divine – it was a given that divine intervention would play its course.

Serving at the International Reception Center (IRC) allowed me to meet and interact with devotees and visitors from every corner of the globe. I can say with a hand to my heart, that every individual that I met had an inspiring story to share about their interactions with Pramukh Swami Maharaj. This is when my eyes opened to how personal Pramukh Swami was to every individual. It was his sheer love, lifelong dedication and selfless sacrifices that brought together 80,000 volunteers and 12 million visitors from across the globe to celebrate his life and legacy.

Many dignitaries who have come into contact with Swamishri also attended this event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the inaugural ceremony and remembered Pramukh Swami Maharaj as being a father figure to him. The UN also celebrated the centenary celebration, proving the eternal and universal significance of Pramukh Swami Maharaj's teachings.

As I prepare for my return back to the UK, I have so much to share about my Pramukh Swami Maharaj and his centennial birth celebrations, as well as inspiring stories and incidents. In the coming weeks, I hope to share much more with you all.

Prayers and Love,

Vinay