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Late Pujya Gnanyagnadas Swami(Rajesh Liladharbhai Shah)
(previously, Rajesh Liladharbhai Shah)
24 February 1954 to 18 October 2023
It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of BAPS Swaminarayan sadhu Pujya Gnanyagnadas Swami on Wednesday 18 October at 8.30AM Indian Standard Time.
Gnanyagnadas Swami was born in Nairobi, Kenya on 24 February 1954 to Late Liladharbhai Hirji Karamshi Shah (Karaniya) and Kasturben L Shah.
Gnanyagnadas Swami was deeply inclined towards spirituality since his youth, inspired by his devout family upbringing and the visit of His Holiness Yogiji Maharaj to Kenya in 1970.
He moved with his parents and siblings (elder brother Narendrabhai, elder sister Sudhaben, younger brother Sunilbhai and younger sister Bhawnaben) to London, UK in 1973 and soon after renounced worldly life in order to serve society by taking sadhu diksha (initiation) at the hands of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1975.
He taught philosophy to younger sadhus and had devoutly offered seva (service) while based at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He lived a life of simplicity and was ever ready to help others.
He counselled many youths onto the path of spirituality and supported many Satsang endeavours. He was known to be warm and generous of spirit and was highly regarded for his frugal nature, carefully avoiding wastefulness and promoting precision and purpose in all activities.
Gnanyagnadas Swami is fondly remembered by so many in the international BAPS Swaminarayan community and in the wider society that he served and inspired. Similarly, although he renounced worldly connections, he is survived by several generations of a proud family that have been inspired to serve as devoted volunteers of the BAPS Swaminarayan community by the profound dharmik values that he resolutely lived by.
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, present guru of BAPS, bestowed his blessings on the late Gnanyagnadas Swami and paid tribute to his devotion and service.
It is a matter of great pride to the Oshwal community that one of our own selflessly dedicated his life to the betterment of humankind.
Please feel free to pay your respects by joining the online Shraddhanjali:
Sunday 22nd October 2023
2:30-3:30PM UK
(9:30AM East Coast USA, 4:30PM Kenya, 7PM India)
Link: https://bxfp.short.gy/shraddhanjali
For condolences and further information: sunil.shah@email.com
