14-11-87, Surat
After cutting his fingernails Swamishri was gathering them in his upper garments. Seeing this, a youth called Pankaj said, 'Allow me to throw them away.'
'No.' replied Swamishri, and then jokingly added, 'I am keeping a 'stock' of these things. When the prices rise I shall put them on the market.
To this Pankaj said, 'I'll pay whatever price you ask for.'
'But what if I don't want to give them, then…?' After a brief pause Swamishri continued, pointing to himself, 'Pankaj, you should impress this form in your heart. That 'prasadi' (of nails) will merely remain where you place them but this image will come to mind whenever you wish it.
' And so saying Swamishri got up and disposed of the nails
After cutting his fingernails Swamishri was gathering them in his upper garments. Seeing this, a youth called Pankaj said, 'Allow me to throw them away.'
'No.' replied Swamishri, and then jokingly added, 'I am keeping a 'stock' of these things. When the prices rise I shall put them on the market.
To this Pankaj said, 'I'll pay whatever price you ask for.'
'But what if I don't want to give them, then…?' After a brief pause Swamishri continued, pointing to himself, 'Pankaj, you should impress this form in your heart. That 'prasadi' (of nails) will merely remain where you place them but this image will come to mind whenever you wish it.
' And so saying Swamishri got up and disposed of the nails
Perfect 'Darshan'
6-11-87, Amdavad
If someone claims that he had learnt to swim but has now forgotten, then logically we would say he had never learnt the skill. In very much the same way, after having the 'darshan' of the Lord's murti if we fail to recollect the murti we would surely have to confess that we do not properly do 'darshan' of God. Swamishri's capacity to recollect the Lord's murti is simply amazing. Whilst doing 'darshan' he perfectly observes every ornament, garment, garland, etc. adorned upon Him. He also points out anything that is out of place. Once, Swamishri came to perform Shangar arti.
The sadhus had lavishly adorned the murti of Ghanshyam Maharaj.
'What type of dress is this?' Swamishri asked the sadhu who had adorned Ghanshyam Maharaj.
The sadhu replied, 'It's a traditional stick-dancer's ('raas') outfit. Even the head gear has been tied in that fashion.
'Swamishri said, 'The head gear is as it should be but the neat 'dhoti' (lower garment) and the hanging gown are out of place. They are not part of a stick-dancer's outfit.
'What Swamishri had noticed on a first glance had escaped the sadhu who had been dressing the murti for half an hour. This incident reflects the way Swamiji does 'darshan' of the Lord's murti.
6-11-87, Amdavad
If someone claims that he had learnt to swim but has now forgotten, then logically we would say he had never learnt the skill. In very much the same way, after having the 'darshan' of the Lord's murti if we fail to recollect the murti we would surely have to confess that we do not properly do 'darshan' of God. Swamishri's capacity to recollect the Lord's murti is simply amazing. Whilst doing 'darshan' he perfectly observes every ornament, garment, garland, etc. adorned upon Him. He also points out anything that is out of place. Once, Swamishri came to perform Shangar arti.
The sadhus had lavishly adorned the murti of Ghanshyam Maharaj.
'What type of dress is this?' Swamishri asked the sadhu who had adorned Ghanshyam Maharaj.
The sadhu replied, 'It's a traditional stick-dancer's ('raas') outfit. Even the head gear has been tied in that fashion.
'Swamishri said, 'The head gear is as it should be but the neat 'dhoti' (lower garment) and the hanging gown are out of place. They are not part of a stick-dancer's outfit.
'What Swamishri had noticed on a first glance had escaped the sadhu who had been dressing the murti for half an hour. This incident reflects the way Swamiji does 'darshan' of the Lord's murti.
A Lesson in Selflessness
27-12-87, Bombay
Swamishri has always been very cautious never to cause discomfort to others. It is second nature to him. At a music concert of devotional songs rendered by the sadhus in Bombay's Damodar Hall, Swamishri was seated in the dimly-lit auditorium with the audience. He had a pile of letters to reply to. While the concert was going on, he began writing letters in the semi-darkness. For Swamiji's convenience one sadhu arose to switch on the lights. Swamishri was quick to sense the sadhus intentions and summoned him instantly.
'There's no need for more light. If you switch them on you will distract and disturb the devotees' attention and the concert will be disturbed.
'So saying Swamiji dismissed any attempts to switch on the light and continued replying to the letters.
27-12-87, Bombay
Swamishri has always been very cautious never to cause discomfort to others. It is second nature to him. At a music concert of devotional songs rendered by the sadhus in Bombay's Damodar Hall, Swamishri was seated in the dimly-lit auditorium with the audience. He had a pile of letters to reply to. While the concert was going on, he began writing letters in the semi-darkness. For Swamiji's convenience one sadhu arose to switch on the lights. Swamishri was quick to sense the sadhus intentions and summoned him instantly.
'There's no need for more light. If you switch them on you will distract and disturb the devotees' attention and the concert will be disturbed.
'So saying Swamiji dismissed any attempts to switch on the light and continued replying to the letters.
Special International Janma Jayanti Sabha webcast in English. Live Now. You don’t want to miss it! https://events.na.baps.org/satsangsabha/
BAPS North America | Live Events
Satsang Sabha
Satsang Sabha | BAPS North America
'We need your blessings!'
5-1-88, Mumbai
Addiction to television devastates the academic careers of thousands of young students each year. Some deteriorate and sink to vile and violent depts. The layers of violence, glamor, instant success,etc. piled upon them numb their conscience to the realities of life. Discriminating the good from the bad, the right from wrong, the truth from lies becomes a challenging task. Indiscriminate viewing erodes our moral values. Inspite of knowing all this, one finds it difficult to even control one's viewing hours, let alone giving up entirely. Only a firm, unrelenting resolve can unshackle us from this bondage. Two young boys in Mumbai approached Swamiji one morning.
They respectfully bowed to Swamiji and gently touched his holy feet. 'We have resolved to give up watching television,' they told Swamiji. 'We need your blessings!' Swami was pleased and blessed the boys. 'Be firm in your resolve and beware that you don't get swayed by your friends or submit to the temptations of your mind,' warned Swamiji, emphasizing the two prime elements that often strangle our resolutions: bad company and the mind. Along with personal effort, Swamiji's blessings give us the added ammunition to wave off such
5-1-88, Mumbai
Addiction to television devastates the academic careers of thousands of young students each year. Some deteriorate and sink to vile and violent depts. The layers of violence, glamor, instant success,etc. piled upon them numb their conscience to the realities of life. Discriminating the good from the bad, the right from wrong, the truth from lies becomes a challenging task. Indiscriminate viewing erodes our moral values. Inspite of knowing all this, one finds it difficult to even control one's viewing hours, let alone giving up entirely. Only a firm, unrelenting resolve can unshackle us from this bondage. Two young boys in Mumbai approached Swamiji one morning.
They respectfully bowed to Swamiji and gently touched his holy feet. 'We have resolved to give up watching television,' they told Swamiji. 'We need your blessings!' Swami was pleased and blessed the boys. 'Be firm in your resolve and beware that you don't get swayed by your friends or submit to the temptations of your mind,' warned Swamiji, emphasizing the two prime elements that often strangle our resolutions: bad company and the mind. Along with personal effort, Swamiji's blessings give us the added ammunition to wave off such
Individual Care
There was a grand festival in Gondal. Thousands of devotees had assembled to celebrate Sharad Purnima. After the program concluded, all the devotees queued up to seek the blessings of Yogiji Maharaj. It seemed like an endless queue composed of a myriad faces from all parts of Gujarat. One by one the devotees quickly bowed to Yogiji Maharaj, received his 'pat' and moved ahead. In that heavy rush, Yogiji Maharaj singled out one man and asked him to stand beside him while the line continued to pass. The devotee was a barber from the village Ramod. He was illiterate and extremely poor.
Yogiji Maharaj called a sadhu and said, 'Prepare some special food for him. And make sure no cooking oil is used.' The sadhu wondered why but did not question Swamiji. It was later that he discovered that the particular devotee was suffering from jaundice. Yogiji Maharaj had seen his 'yellowed' eyes for only a second or two. But he recognized the disease and knew that if a patient of jaundice ate oil-cooked food, it would enhance his disease. Yogiji Maharaj's love and care was definitely unique. Otherwise, from a crowd of faces, one can imagine how difficult it would be to single out an unknown face suffering from jaundice and serve him. Swamiji's care remained equal and undivided for one and all. Even within a crowd, each person felt that Yogiji Maharaj loved him as a special individual
There was a grand festival in Gondal. Thousands of devotees had assembled to celebrate Sharad Purnima. After the program concluded, all the devotees queued up to seek the blessings of Yogiji Maharaj. It seemed like an endless queue composed of a myriad faces from all parts of Gujarat. One by one the devotees quickly bowed to Yogiji Maharaj, received his 'pat' and moved ahead. In that heavy rush, Yogiji Maharaj singled out one man and asked him to stand beside him while the line continued to pass. The devotee was a barber from the village Ramod. He was illiterate and extremely poor.
Yogiji Maharaj called a sadhu and said, 'Prepare some special food for him. And make sure no cooking oil is used.' The sadhu wondered why but did not question Swamiji. It was later that he discovered that the particular devotee was suffering from jaundice. Yogiji Maharaj had seen his 'yellowed' eyes for only a second or two. But he recognized the disease and knew that if a patient of jaundice ate oil-cooked food, it would enhance his disease. Yogiji Maharaj's love and care was definitely unique. Otherwise, from a crowd of faces, one can imagine how difficult it would be to single out an unknown face suffering from jaundice and serve him. Swamiji's care remained equal and undivided for one and all. Even within a crowd, each person felt that Yogiji Maharaj loved him as a special individual
Care for the Devotees
Swamishri had arrived late at night to Mumbai from London. C.M. Patel had come with him. Swamishri got to sleep at 3.00 a.m. He covered himself with the duvet but remembering C.M. Patel, he got up and then called me, asking, 'Where have you arranged for C.M. Kaka to stay? Is there a bed in that room? Have you aranged for a youth to stay with him and serve him? What's the name of this youth? Make sure C.M. Kaka gets hot water in the morning. Send tea to his room at 6.30 a.m. Tell the youth to wash C.M. Kaka's clothes.'
Even in the middle of the night, Swamishri is always thinking about his devotees.
Anandjivan Swami
Swamishri had arrived late at night to Mumbai from London. C.M. Patel had come with him. Swamishri got to sleep at 3.00 a.m. He covered himself with the duvet but remembering C.M. Patel, he got up and then called me, asking, 'Where have you arranged for C.M. Kaka to stay? Is there a bed in that room? Have you aranged for a youth to stay with him and serve him? What's the name of this youth? Make sure C.M. Kaka gets hot water in the morning. Send tea to his room at 6.30 a.m. Tell the youth to wash C.M. Kaka's clothes.'
Even in the middle of the night, Swamishri is always thinking about his devotees.
Anandjivan Swami
Revelations
On 13-3-59, Yogiji Maharaj was in Chansad. There, during an informal talk with the youths he said, 'Many years back I had stayed here for a whole year. You could say I was the guru, the disciple, the cook, the servant,… everything that had to be done was done by me. I was 17-years-old then. The rest of the sadhus were old. Since I was young I was full of energy. When I sang 'bhajans' the roof tiles vibrated. You see my voice was very powerful! People could hear my spiritual talks half way down this large hall. Each morning I'd rise early and have a bath at the village well.
Then from 4.00 a.m. till 5.30 a.m. I would sing bhajans like 'Dhir dhurandhara…' Then we'd spend the day in spiritual discourses, singing bhajans, reading and memorizing Vachanamrut, Swamini Vato and devotional songs. I learnt 500 bhajans by heart. I'd never tire even after singing bhajans for six hours. And on days of fast, if need be, I'd walk 10 miles carrying 20 kg of luggage.' Swami's zeal to serve, worship and sing bhajans was indeed inexhaustible.
On 13-3-59, Yogiji Maharaj was in Chansad. There, during an informal talk with the youths he said, 'Many years back I had stayed here for a whole year. You could say I was the guru, the disciple, the cook, the servant,… everything that had to be done was done by me. I was 17-years-old then. The rest of the sadhus were old. Since I was young I was full of energy. When I sang 'bhajans' the roof tiles vibrated. You see my voice was very powerful! People could hear my spiritual talks half way down this large hall. Each morning I'd rise early and have a bath at the village well.
Then from 4.00 a.m. till 5.30 a.m. I would sing bhajans like 'Dhir dhurandhara…' Then we'd spend the day in spiritual discourses, singing bhajans, reading and memorizing Vachanamrut, Swamini Vato and devotional songs. I learnt 500 bhajans by heart. I'd never tire even after singing bhajans for six hours. And on days of fast, if need be, I'd walk 10 miles carrying 20 kg of luggage.' Swami's zeal to serve, worship and sing bhajans was indeed inexhaustible.
Doing His Duty
Swami cared for the devotees and their sons too. His selfless zeal, to see that even the children in the family were not left unexposed to the ideals of Satsang, was tremendous. Yogiji Maharaj was performing his morning puja at Mumbai Mandir (2-3-66). He beckoned a devotee to come to him. 'How many sons do you have?' Swami asked. 'Three.'
'One of them is here but where are the other two?' Swami asked eagerly. 'The other two are young. They refuse to come,' the devotee answered a little embarrassed. 'You don't want them to come to this Satsang! Do you want to yoke them to this worldly life? You must bring them here!' Swami insisted.
The devotee replied, 'Swami, presently they've got exams so they won't come.'
'But they can at least come to see me for two minutes! I shall bless them for their exams.'
The devotee agreed. Yogiji Maharaj then explained why he had been insistent.
He said, 'If I hadn't asked you about your sons then Shriji Maharaj would have asked me why I hadn't enquired. Now that I have told you to bring them to me, my part of the duty is over. Maharaj will have no reason to question me.'
Swami cared for the devotees and their sons too. His selfless zeal, to see that even the children in the family were not left unexposed to the ideals of Satsang, was tremendous. Yogiji Maharaj was performing his morning puja at Mumbai Mandir (2-3-66). He beckoned a devotee to come to him. 'How many sons do you have?' Swami asked. 'Three.'
'One of them is here but where are the other two?' Swami asked eagerly. 'The other two are young. They refuse to come,' the devotee answered a little embarrassed. 'You don't want them to come to this Satsang! Do you want to yoke them to this worldly life? You must bring them here!' Swami insisted.
The devotee replied, 'Swami, presently they've got exams so they won't come.'
'But they can at least come to see me for two minutes! I shall bless them for their exams.'
The devotee agreed. Yogiji Maharaj then explained why he had been insistent.
He said, 'If I hadn't asked you about your sons then Shriji Maharaj would have asked me why I hadn't enquired. Now that I have told you to bring them to me, my part of the duty is over. Maharaj will have no reason to question me.'