A Quiet Evening, A Powerful Gesture
When Reverence Stopped the World for a Moment
September 4, 2018 – Ahmedabad. The evening was calm as Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj stepped out for a simple walk through the mandir’s corridors. But a few steps later, something extraordinary unfolded in the most ordinary of places.
As he passed by the kitchen, Swamishri noticed a neatly arranged line of sandals belonging to sadhus—simple, worn, and unremarkable to most. Yet in that humble row of footwear, he saw holiness.
Without hesitation, he paused, folded his hands, and bowed his head in full pranam.
“Here was a spiritual giant revered by thousands—bowing with genuine humility to the sandals of sadhus.”
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. What others might have walked past unnoticed, Swamishri transformed into a temple of reverence.
Seeing the Divine in the Ordinary
Why He Bowed
To an outside observer, the gesture might seem symbolic. But to Mahant Swami Maharaj, it was pure perception—seeing divinity in the simplest of things.
“In those sandals, he saw lives dedicated to service, sacrifice, and spirituality.”
Every sandal represented a story: countless footsteps taken in seva, quiet sacrifices, endless hours of selfless service, and journeys made only to bring others closer to God. To Swamishri, these were not shoes—they were symbols of living devotion.
True Greatness: Giving Respect, Not Earning It
The Heart of a Saint
“True greatness isn’t in commanding respect—it’s in giving respect.”
Our world celebrates influence, fame, and recognition. Yet here stood a saint whose influence stems from humility, whose greatness is measured not by how many bow to him, but by how readily he bows to others.
The Practice of Everyday Humility
Transforming Daily Life Into Worship
If Mahant Swami Maharaj can bow to a line of dusty sandals, can we not learn to bow—figuratively and literally—to the quiet heroes in our lives?
“If Mahant Swami Maharaj can offer his reverence to the sandals of sadhus, then can’t we learn to be a little more humble, a little more loving, and a little more grateful?”
- Start small. Notice the unnoticed—the janitor who keeps your space clean, the volunteer who arrives early, the parent who never complains.
- Acknowledge silently. Offer a heartfelt thank you, a kind word, or a prayer for their effort.
- Make respect a reflex. Humility doesn’t make you smaller; it makes your world wider.
When practiced daily, these small acts soften pride, deepen relationships, and fill life with quiet peace.
“Today, find something or someone you often overlook. Offer them your respect. You’ll be surprised by the peace it brings.”
Check out the blogpost (Beyond Words, Beyond Time: Meeting Mahant Swami Maharaj): https://thesatsanglife.com/living-divine/beyond-words-beyond-time-meeting-mahant-swami-maharaj/
To know more about Mahant Swami Maharaj: https://www.baps.org/About-BAPS/TheFounder%E2%80%93BhagwanSwaminarayan/TheSpiritualLineage-TheGuruParampara/Mahant-Swami-Maharaj.aspx
Mahant Swami Maharaj: An Introductory Film on the Spiritual Leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s1OeBc3lHw&t=9s
BAPS Website: https://www.baps.org/
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