Kalam 's desire to meet spiritual leaders to help create a more prosperous , spiritual , and unified India was what initially led him to meet Pramukh Swami , the Hindu guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sampradaya , who Kalam would come to consider his ultimate spiritual teacher and guru . The first of eight meetings between Kalam and Pramukh Swami over a fourteen-year period took place on 30 June 2001 in New Delhi , during which Kalam described being immediately drawn to Pramukh Swami 's simplicity and spiritual purity . Kalam stated that he was inspired by Pramukh Swami throughout their numerous interactions . One such incident occurred the day following the terrorist attack on BAPS ' Akshardham , Gandhinagar complex in September 2002 ; Pramukh Swami prayed for , and sprinkled holy water upon , the sites of all of the deceased , including the terrorists , demonstrating the view that all human life is sacred . Kalam recalled being moved by Pramukh Swami 's equanimity and compassion , citing this incident as one of his motivations for writing '' Transcendence : My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji '' . Summarising the effect that Pramukh Swami had on him , Kalam stated that " Pramukh Swami has indeed transformed me . He is the ultimate stage of the spiritual ascent in my life ... Pramukh Swamiji has put me in a God-synchronous orbit . No manoeuvres are required any more , as I am placed in my final position in eternity . " Following Kalam 's death a month after his final book was released , co-author Arun Tiwari pointed to this passage as potentially prophetic and premonitory of Kalam 's death
terrorist attack on BAPS
Akshardham Temple attack
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam