Swami Shreeji
In the history of all religions, one can find many examples of individuals with godly powers, who have used these in order to aid the masses to realise exactly who they are. In many of these instances, this is usually where the story ends. However, Param Pujya Ben, referred to as ‘Africa na Bhagwan’ by Guruhari Pappaji Maharaj, wished not to be called God but rather to become a Sadhu, and began in earnest to find eternal peace and tranquillity. Not only did She want to achieve this spiritual status for Herself, She wanted to pass on this ‘Transcendental Knowledge’ to others, so they could also benefit.
After pleasing Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva with her devotion and sincerity, P.P. Ben was led to the path of the Swaminarayan Satsang. The development of the satsang in Africa was so much due to P.P. Ben’s spiritual strength, that Brahamswaroop Yogiji Maharaj entrusted Her with very difficult tasks, such as securing funding for temples, with the knowledge that P.P.Ben would be able to achieve this.
When P.P. Ben took the decision to become a Sadhvi ben and came to live in Vidhyanagar, Guruhari Pappaji Maharaj instructed her to hold the four beno (Pujya Taraben, Pujya Jyotiben, Pujya Hansadidi and Pujya Deviben) as ‘Senior’. This was not without its tribulations and P.P. Ben adopted ‘Maharaj tame ja cho’ (Lord this is your doing) as her mantra. Concurrently, as the Swaminarayan satsang was being divided, P.P. Ben prayed incessantly for the satsangi of Africa so that they were not affected by this and would stay within P.P. Pappaji’s samaj.
During the late 60’s and 70’s, even though Pappaji Maharaj had yet to grace England with His presence (He first visited here in 1980), the ever growing samaj gained some understanding of this divine being, due to P.P Ben constantly extolling the glory of our beloved Guruhari to these mukto . It is often said that the London Mandal is the fruit of P.P. Ben’s labour, from assistance in buying the Denham Jyot property to advising satsangi how to live their lives according to P.P.Pappaji’s wishes; it was all carried out with P.P. Ben’s mentoring and guidance.
For many families like my own in the satsang, P.P. Ben bought us to Guruhari Pappaji Maharaj and has never let go. By passing down wisdom like a grandmother, unconditional love like a mother, and advice like a best friend, P.P.Ben has a place in our lives that no one can replace.
P.P. Ben’s life from a young age is full of examples of virtue and righteous conduct, a trait, which even at the commencement of Her 100th year She upheld to the highest level. Despite Her age and health, She lived only for the happiness and spiritual well-being of her devotees.
Pappaji Maharaj once said that if Param Pujya Ba and Param Pujya Ben had not reached the level of Gunatit Swaroop, then Lord Swaminarayan’s sankalp could never have come true. So today, in celebration of Param Pujya Ben’s centenrary, Ben I ask that You give us the strength to live life according to your wishes, in the hope that we can make you proud with our talks, actions and thoughts. May You remain with us always!
P.Pujan Thakrar