8,848-Page Pramukh Swami Maharaj Biography Earns Guinness World Record

A 13-volume biography of Pramukh Swami Maharaj spanning 8,848 pages has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s longest biography by a single author, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said in a statement.

The certificate was presented to the organisation’s current spiritual leader, Mahant Swami Maharaj, at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on October 4 during celebrations marking his 93rd birth anniversary.

Written by Sanskrit scholar and BAPS monk Sadhu Adarshjivandas, Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj: Vistrut Jivan ane Karya contains 2,146,447 words. It covers the life and work of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who died in 2016 at the age of 94.

A LIFE ACROSS 13 VOLUMES

The biography was researched and written over 38 months, from July 2017 to August 2020, according to BAPS. It documents the late leader’s spiritual activities, community work and engagement with followers around the world.

“The subject of this biography is infinitely more important than the author,” Adarshjivandas said in the statement.

“It was an honour and a privilege to chronicle his divine life and enduring legacy.”

BAPS said more than 310,000 copies of individual volumes had been sold. That figure represents volumes rather than complete 13-volume sets.

Adarshjivandas initially graduated in mechanical engineering before pursuing postgraduate studies in Sanskrit and earning two doctorates. According to the organisation, he has authored 17 books and co-authored eight others.

CERTIFICATE PRESENTED IN LONDON

Guinness World Records senior adjudicator Carl Saville presented the certificate at the Wembley event, which BAPS said drew 11,000 attendees, with tens of thousands more watching online.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, born in 1921, led BAPS as it expanded internationally. The organisation said its network grew under his leadership to more than one million members, 80,000 volunteers and 5,025 centres worldwide.

The biography recognition follows another Guinness record announced by BAPS this year. In February, 12,723 children gathered in Vadodara for a simultaneous recital of Sanskrit verses from the Satsang Diksha, setting the record for the largest simultaneous Hindu text recital, the organisation said.