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Sant Sammelan - Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Suvarna Mahotsav

This morning saw a visitation from Akhil Bharat Sant Samiti, represented by some forty of India’s most eminent Hindu ascetics and scholars, eager for the Lord’s darshan and to experience this most divine of Mahotsavs. But this was a visit with a purpose: This auspicious mandal today bequeathed Acharya Swamiji Maharaj with the honorary title,  ज्ञानमहोदधि (Gnan Mahodadhi - Greatest Ocean of Spiritual Knowledge).

The Mandal represents 127 individual Sansthas that form the Akhil Bharat Sant Samiti, all of whom join to award this title to Bapa.

Not only is this a historic occasion for Shree Swaminarayan Gadi, with it being the first such title to be bestowed upon Acharya Swamiji Maharaj, but it follows a wonderful tradition of our naad-vanshi parampara being awarded such accolades throughout our history. Only in 2018 was Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj designated World Peace Ambassador by IPRA World Peace Ambassador. And there are clear parallels between today’s momentous occasion and August 2014, when eminent scholars from Hindu organisations in Kashi, Haridhvar and Rishikesh endowed Ved Ratna Bapa with the honorary title, Vishwa Vatsalya Mahodadhi - Greatest Ocean of Spiritual Love and Compassion for the Entire World.

His Divine Holiness Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj’s knowledge of the Sanatan Dharma, and indeed of wider Hinduism and other world religions, is truly unparalleled. From His earliest years, it was obvious that He was a very bright and dedicated student, with an intense interest in theology and Sanskrit. We are fortunate to have glimpses of this incredible prowess during His ashirwad where He explains complex philosophical matters with such lucidity. Even before His accession as Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi, His depth and breadth of spiritual knowledge was known to all, and He was bestowed with the Shastri and Sadguru statuses by Ved Ratna Acharya Swamishree Maharaj. Today, this preeminence is acknowledged by eminent Hindu scholars, witnessed by us all, and celebrated across the Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Family.