According to Lord Swaminarayan’s boon,I shall grace this planet perpetually through the God Ordained Saint who is absolutely pious and has renounced the company of women, wealth and fame.

Lord Swaminarayan blessed us with the legacy of saints who were and are the beacon of true faith and empathy in this fractured world.

The first saint in this legacy of welfare promulgated by Lord Swaminarayan was Mool Akshar Moorti Gunatitanand Swami. He was the incarnation of Brahm where Lord Swaminarayan was the embodiment of Parbhram. He was the absolute sevak (aide) of the Lord. It was said that He moved when the Lord’s eyes moved. He was the lexicon of Lord’s wish. Physically, he was born in Bhadara, a tiny village on the banks of river Und on the auspicious day of Sharad-Poornima (autumn solstice Full moon) in the year 1785 A.D.

He was initiated as a saint and was named Nirgunanand – the man unbound by the three physical bodies.

He was also named as Gunatitanand Swami – man beyond the boundaries of material world and virtues. Essentially, Nirgunanand and Gunatitanand signify the same meaning. He was the embodiment of service and devotion, the crucial points to gratify Lord Swaminarayan. He was not a mythical figure. He was the model for all the devotees who aspired to be the supreme sevak of the Lord. He strode this Earth propagating the divine message of Lord Swaminarayan. He was the first natural successor of Lord Swaminarayan.

He initiated the dual worship of Sri Akshar Purushottam, the essence of Swaminarayan sect; the philosophy which had gone unnoticed among the followers! Akshar Purushottam dual worship is a faith of devotion to God with His most trusted and preferred devotee, Akshar.

This dual worship helps us to understand the intricacies of spirituality of pleasing Parbrahm with the help of Akshar. A pupil needs teacher to accomplish his academic goals. Similarly, any disciple needs Akshar as his guide to realize his spiritual goal.

Born in Mahelav, a small town in Gujarat, India, His personality was effectual. His prowess was evident from His illustrious childhood. His deeds evidenced the devotion and spirituality that was unseen so far. With his servility, He pleased one and all. Anadi Mahamukta Bhagatji Maharaj was very pleased with Him. That made Him the recipient of the intrinsic knowledge of Lord Swaminarayan and M.A.M. Gunatitanand Swami. He studied hard to compliment the knowledge He had received from Anadi Mahamukta Bhagatji Maharaj.

He was initiated as a Sadhu and named Yagnapurushdas. His dexterity was second to none in saintliness and learning. He became Shashtri in Sanskrit Scriptures; the degree that earned Him the nickname, Shashtriji Maharaj.

He experienced contemptuous behaviour from the society. Undeterred in His persuasion of establishing the worship of dual nature as propounded by Lord Swaminarayan, He built five temples through which he spread this message of devotion to Sri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj.

These five temples are the pinnacles of accomplishments in the history of Sri Akshar Purushottam worship. At the end of His mortal life, He indicated Guruhari Yogiji Maharaj as His successor, the manifestation of Sakar Brahm.

Guruhari Yogiji Maharaj was born in Dhari in Saurastra. His name was Jinabhai and true to His name, He remained Jino (a little one) throughout His mortal life. He was the forth successor of the divine legacy of saints.

At the very small age, when a child is not even aware of any rationalism, He used to serve the local temple in Dhari waking up at 4.00AM in the morning. He started performing the temple routine at the age of seven. He would bathe the idols of Lord, apply sandalwood paste and perform Aarti like an experienced pujari. His devotion and servitude was not only exemplary, it was supremely saintly. He was the byword of sevakbhav (the model disciple of His spiritual master) and true unreserved compassion.

He was initiated as sadhu and named Sadhu Gnanjivandasji. He was the ultimate model of devotion and humility. Inspite being the head of the Akshar mandir, Gondal; He was found in Kitchen in the wee hours of morning, noon or night. Tolerance was the synonym and devotion was intrinsic. For Sadhu Gnanjivandasji, servitude was not the quality to be acquired but the manifestation. Insults were His eulogy and treated one as the offering from the Lord.

Guruhari Shashtriji Maharaj defining His unison with Yogi exclaimed, Huun te Jogi Ane Jogi te Hun. (I am Yogi and Yogi is Me) He populated the idea of “Samp, Suhradbhav and Ekta” – the practical ideology of unity and universal brotherhood.

He was an ever-smiling personality, the true replica of a mother without the malice of the substance world. He was the one who promulgated and promoted humility as an asset and modesty as virtue, the most important for an aspiring devotee. He was, one person who put the beliefs in devotion and service in the devotee through His idyllic behavior.

Prabhudasbhai (Swamiji’s name before sainthood) was born in Asoj, a small village near Baroda in Gujarat on May 4th 1934. He was brilliant in His studies and modest in acclaiming His achievement since His childhood. H.D.Swami was initiated by Guruhari Yogiji Maharaj. While proffering diksha on His chosen devotee, Guruhari Yogiji Maharaj proclaimed, “This diksha is like the diksha proffered upon M.A.M. Gunatitanand Swami by Lord Swaminarayan in Dabhan (the place where M.A.M. Gunatitanand Swami was initiated into sainthood).” These words coming out of Yogiji’s divine mouth were not mere eulogy. These words were futuristic and were spoken by a visionary. It showed the path which the prospect had to take in the future. True to this prophecy, Swamiji became the fifth spiritual successor of the legacy of Lord Swaminarayan. He resolutely followed the regimen of Guruhari Yogiji Maharaj’s volition. To streamline the resolution, He founded Yogi Divine Society.

He toiled day and night to foster the principle of Atmiyata (Spiritual Affinity with one and all) which is just the other way to foster the principle of samp, suhradbhav and ekta. Swamiji has loved and all. He is known as the most secular saint in the contemporary world. Swamiji identifies all with Yogiji Maharaj, and that is the reason he is acclaimed as a universal saint who strives to cultivate humanity, devotion and harmony in an individual, in the society, in the nation and in the world. His dictum is, “O Lord! Whether the other person becomes Atmiya (spiritually harmonious) or not, please make me Atmiya, (spiritually harmonious)!” meaning, a devotee irrespective of the surroundings, circumstances, nature, temperament has to be harmonious and devoted to His Lord and the spiritual master. Today, because of His divine prowess and sublime selfless love, there are thousands of youths whose lives are the model of true piety, devoid of vices.

His magnanimity has led the communion to live the life in accordance to the set principles of Lord Swaminarayan and the saints without artificial persuasion.

His life and work could be more justified when we navigate through the activities inspired by Him, carried out under the auspices of Yogi Divine Society.

His Divine Holiness Pragat Guruhari Param Pujya Premswaroop Swami Maharaj is the spiritual heir to His Divine Holiness Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj and the sixth guru in the Gunatit Parampara of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan. He currently serves as the spiritual head of Yogi Divine Society – Haridham Sokhada and continues the divine mission of spreading the Akshar Purushottam Siddhant and the message of Atmiyata across the world.

Premswaroop Swami Maharaj was born as Prafulbhai on December 27, 1945 (Magshar Vad 9, Samvat 2002) in Dharmaj, Gujarat, India. From birth, he was deeply immersed in satsang values. As a young student, he was one of the few to study at Akshar Purushottam Chhatralaya (APC) in Vidyanagar, where he was first introduced to Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj in the early 1960s. During school breaks, Prafulbhai would wholeheartedly dedicate himself to the personal seva of Yogiji Maharaj. These formative years created a strong spiritual foundation that would shape his entire life.

It was at APC that Prafulbhai formed deep, meaningful friendships with Jashbhai and Prabudasbhai—bonds rooted not only in school camaraderie but also in shared spiritual values and guru bhakti. Jashbhai became a close confidant during their time at APC, and their discussions often centered on spiritual growth, seva, and devotion. Similarly, his friendship with Prabudasbhai blossomed during summer seva days at Gondal and other spiritual gatherings, building a lifelong connection rooted in the teachings of Yogiji Maharaj. These relationships were more than friendships—they were spiritual partnerships that would later evolve into collaborations within the fellowship, united in the vision of their gurus.

After earning his degree in electrical engineering, Prafulbhai was initiated into the monastic life by Yogiji Maharaj on the auspicious day of Sharad Punam (October 10, 1965) at Gondal Akshar Mandir, alongside Hariprasad Swami Maharaj. Just days after this life-changing initiation, Yogiji Maharaj placed the hands of Hariprasad Swami Maharaj and Premswaroop Swami Maharaj together and declared, “Premswaroop Swami will remain the shadow and heel of Hariprasad Swami.” This moment marked the beginning of a divine partnership—one that devotees have witnessed fulfilled time and again through decades of tireless seva, humility, and spiritual leadership.

Since that day, His Holiness Premswaroop Swami Maharaj has stood by the side of Hariprasad Swamiji through every major milestone in Yogi Divine Society’s history. From leading event management and kitchen seva to handling stage design and decoration seva, he has played a critical role in the organization’s growth while earning the ultimate rajipo of his gurus. His work is never for recognition, but always for the joy of serving Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Gunatit Guru Parampara.

His mission is clear: to continue the divine legacy and work of his gurus—Yogiji Maharaj and Hariprasad Swamiji—through youth upliftment, family development, addiction-free living, and selfless service to the underserved. His Holiness tirelessly spreads the glory of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the teachings of the Akshar Purushottam philosophy across the globe, rooted in the eternal principle of Atmiyata—oneness of the soul through love, understanding, and humility.

His discourses are filled with divine insight and life-transforming messages. Countless devotees have been inspired by his call to live pure, God-centered lives. One of his core messages is: “When an incident happens—forget it, let it go, bow down to the other party, yield, and ultimately melt yourself away from the incident. Look only at the positive.” Through this approach, he instills deep compassion and humility in everyone he guides.

In 2018, Hariprasad Swami Maharaj appointed Premswaroop Swami Maharaj as the president of Yogi Divine Society. Following the earthly departure of Hariprasad Swamiji on July 26, 2021, HH Premswaroop Swami Maharaj was revealed as the sixth successor in the Gunatit Parampara and now helms the worldwide spiritual, social, and humanitarian efforts of Yogi Divine Society – Haridham Sokhada. In just three years, he has inaugurated over 20 mandirs across the world and initiated 11 highly educated saints into the fellowship—showing his unwavering commitment to growing and guiding the next generation of spiritual leaders.

Today, His Divine Holiness Premswaroop Swami Maharaj stands as a beacon of peace, humility, and divine service—touching hearts, transforming lives, and guiding thousands of devotees worldwide with the light of guru-bhakti and Atmiyata.