Assembly Resolution No. 1070

BY: M. of A. Stern

COMMEMORATING the 100th Birthday of His Holiness
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the Guru of the Bochasanwasi
Akshar Purushottam Sanstha Hindu faith

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those men and women of religious
commitment who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render
the wisdom of human understanding; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Birthday of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj,
the Guru of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu
faith; and

WHEREAS, A BAPS Mandir is located in Melville, New York, and serves
the greater Long Island Hindu community with charitable works, inspired
by His Holiness, including the In the Joy of Others Breast Cancer Walk,
tree planting events, COVID relief efforts, including serving as a
pop-up vaccination site for the community, and spiritual support for its
neighbors; and

WHEREAS, A simple, humble and spiritual personality, the great Guru
was the fifth spiritual successor in Bhagwan Swaminarayan's succession
of Gunatit Gurus; and

WHEREAS, Born on December 7, 1921 in the Village of Chansad, Pramukh
Swami Maharaj followed a spiritual path from an early age, seeking
purity, renouncing material possessions and with a striking humility,
saintliness and selfless desire to help all; and

WHEREAS, In 1950, at age 29, he was appointed President of BAPS and
earned the title of Pramukh Swami; in 1971, His Holiness became the
spiritual successor of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of His Holiness Pramukh Swami
Maharaj, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has grown globally, encompassing
more than 1,100 Mandirs worldwide, and 150 centers in North America,
offering a welcoming and spiritual space for thousands of families as
well as worship, fellowship, communal meals, education, and activities
for young and old, creating a true home for the faithful; and

WHEREAS, A rare soul, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj always
lived for others and at the same time remained completely absorbed in
God; his unique message to the world is "In the joy of others, lies our
own"; his words were thoughtful, meaningful and consoling, coming from
depth of profound experience and deep compassion; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God always gave enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and administered
abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when an
individual of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our
attention it is appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and
commend them for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Birthday of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj,
the Guru of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha Hindu faith; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, North America.