For the Good of Others
Swamishri had decided to see the entire three-hour musical ballet, ‘Sant Param Hitkari’, in the evening satsang assembly. The attendant swamis tried to explain to Swamishri that it would be better if he left midway so that his other routine could be accomplished in time, prior to his bedtime. But Swamishri was resolute in his decision in spite of having seen the ballet many times. At 10.00 p.m., Apurvamuni Swami came to Swamishri and said something. Immediately, Swamishri stood up to leave. The attendant swamis were surprised and accompanied Swamishri to his residence.
Swamishri was asked about what Apurvamuni Swami had told him. But Swamishri had been unable to hear him because of the programme and thus replied, “I don’t know!” Then Swamishri added, “I thought if I got up then all [the sadguru swamis and guests] would be able to get up and leave as well.”
Swamishri always thinks about others’ comforts and conditions. He even gives up his own resolves on many occasions for the benefit and good of others.
7 December 2018, Rajkot
Swamishri had decided to see the entire three-hour musical ballet, ‘Sant Param Hitkari’, in the evening satsang assembly. The attendant swamis tried to explain to Swamishri that it would be better if he left midway so that his other routine could be accomplished in time, prior to his bedtime. But Swamishri was resolute in his decision in spite of having seen the ballet many times. At 10.00 p.m., Apurvamuni Swami came to Swamishri and said something. Immediately, Swamishri stood up to leave. The attendant swamis were surprised and accompanied Swamishri to his residence.
Swamishri was asked about what Apurvamuni Swami had told him. But Swamishri had been unable to hear him because of the programme and thus replied, “I don’t know!” Then Swamishri added, “I thought if I got up then all [the sadguru swamis and guests] would be able to get up and leave as well.”
Swamishri always thinks about others’ comforts and conditions. He even gives up his own resolves on many occasions for the benefit and good of others.
7 December 2018, Rajkot
Bhagwan Is the All-doer
Apurvamuni Swami asked Swamishri, “When any work is successfully accomplished through your blessings then swamis and devotees praise you, ‘Through your blessings everything was accomplished well.’ At that time, don’t you get the thought that you had done it?”
Swamishri candidly replied, “No, Bhagwan does everything. So, there is no question of having any other thoughts. I am not capable of doing anything.”
Apurvamuni Swami asked another question, “When such large festivals are organized everyone starts praising you for their success. However, when something goes wrong people start blaming you. During such festivals do you ever think that something may go wrong or bad?”
Again, Swamishri stressed, “No. I have left everything upon Bhagwan [as the all-doer].”
Apurvamuni Swami added, “Don’t you get stressed during such a large undertaking and responsibility.”
Swamishri replied calmly, “Nothing of the sort.”
8 December 2018, Rajkot
Apurvamuni Swami asked Swamishri, “When any work is successfully accomplished through your blessings then swamis and devotees praise you, ‘Through your blessings everything was accomplished well.’ At that time, don’t you get the thought that you had done it?”
Swamishri candidly replied, “No, Bhagwan does everything. So, there is no question of having any other thoughts. I am not capable of doing anything.”
Apurvamuni Swami asked another question, “When such large festivals are organized everyone starts praising you for their success. However, when something goes wrong people start blaming you. During such festivals do you ever think that something may go wrong or bad?”
Again, Swamishri stressed, “No. I have left everything upon Bhagwan [as the all-doer].”
Apurvamuni Swami added, “Don’t you get stressed during such a large undertaking and responsibility.”
Swamishri replied calmly, “Nothing of the sort.”
8 December 2018, Rajkot
Despite the Odd Hour
Shrijinandan Swami of Surat recalled an incident before Mahant Swami Maharaj, “In 2012, a consecration [pratishtha] ceremony of a hari mandir was organized in Vankal village. We had requested you to come, and you agreed to perform the pratishtha. However, the auspicious time for the ritual was 5.00 a.m. To arrange the pratishtha at a suitable time we rechecked the panchang, but it showed 5.00 a.m. to be auspicious. When we informed you to come at 5.00 a.m. you happily agreed and came to perform the pratishtha. Thereafter, you also blessed the pratishtha assembly and pleased everyone.”
Swamishri disregarded his own daily morning routine and discomfort to perform the consecration ceremony. His devotion to God and straightforwardness in complying to the wishes of the organizers touched everyone.
23 January 2019, Surat
Shrijinandan Swami of Surat recalled an incident before Mahant Swami Maharaj, “In 2012, a consecration [pratishtha] ceremony of a hari mandir was organized in Vankal village. We had requested you to come, and you agreed to perform the pratishtha. However, the auspicious time for the ritual was 5.00 a.m. To arrange the pratishtha at a suitable time we rechecked the panchang, but it showed 5.00 a.m. to be auspicious. When we informed you to come at 5.00 a.m. you happily agreed and came to perform the pratishtha. Thereafter, you also blessed the pratishtha assembly and pleased everyone.”
Swamishri disregarded his own daily morning routine and discomfort to perform the consecration ceremony. His devotion to God and straightforwardness in complying to the wishes of the organizers touched everyone.
23 January 2019, Surat
Guru-Centric
Gurumanan Swami asked Swamishri, “While giving samip darshan to the devotees what do you think about them?”
Swamishri replied, “They are all muktas [liberated souls] and they are all divine.”
Shrutipriya Swami asked, “They are divine because of Mahant Swami’s association?”
Swamishri instantly denied, “No, they are divine because of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s association.”
Shrutipriya Swami argued, “While the devotees came before you for samip darshan, the bhajan that was being played had the name of Mahant Swami.”
Swamishri replied, “It doesn’t matter what is written in the kirtan, but all are divine because of Pramukh Swami’s association.”
The unique aspect of all the Gunatit gurus is to give credit and praise to their gurus. Whereas our lives are self-centric, the genuine guru is always God- and guru-centric in all his actions and words. Such a guru is an ideal for all spiritual aspirants.
23 January 2019, Surat
Gurumanan Swami asked Swamishri, “While giving samip darshan to the devotees what do you think about them?”
Swamishri replied, “They are all muktas [liberated souls] and they are all divine.”
Shrutipriya Swami asked, “They are divine because of Mahant Swami’s association?”
Swamishri instantly denied, “No, they are divine because of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s association.”
Shrutipriya Swami argued, “While the devotees came before you for samip darshan, the bhajan that was being played had the name of Mahant Swami.”
Swamishri replied, “It doesn’t matter what is written in the kirtan, but all are divine because of Pramukh Swami’s association.”
The unique aspect of all the Gunatit gurus is to give credit and praise to their gurus. Whereas our lives are self-centric, the genuine guru is always God- and guru-centric in all his actions and words. Such a guru is an ideal for all spiritual aspirants.
23 January 2019, Surat
Joy in Spite of Commotion
Swamishri was at the Mahelav mandir. After Swamishri’s blessings in the evening assembly, Shri Harikrishna Maharaj (Swamishri’s Thakorji) was going to be honoured by a few devotees. Thereafter, flowers petals would be showered upon the devotees as part of the Holi celebration. In spite of the announcement that the devotees who were to honour Thakorji should come first, things went awry. The reason being that when a few people sitting in the front row got up, the rest also stood up and jostled their way towards the stage to take the first opportunity of being showered with petals.
The volunteers came to remedy the chaotic situation and soon things became near normal. Thereafter, the contraption used for blowing the flower petals for the Holi celebration broke down. So, the swamis on the stage started showering the petals manually. During this harrowing time Swamishri was gently smiling and lovingly casting his divine gaze upon the devotees as they filed passed. When the celebration concluded Swamishri smilingly asked for the microphone and said, “All those young and old, who filed passed were very happy and joyous! Some even stumbled and fell, but they too were happy.”
Then, as Swamishri was returning to his residence he shared, “There was joy in all.” Kothari Gunnidhi Swami was perplexed and asked, “Swamishri, I don’t understand how you saw joy in all the prevailing commotion and indiscipline! What is the reason behind your joy?”
Swamishri replied emphatically, “All are muktas.”
Uttamyogi Swami asked, “In spite of you being inclined upon and insistent about discipline, yet you were happy!”
Swamishri revealed, “When one perceives all to be muktas one experiences joy even when they create an uncomfortable and chaotic situation.”
Swamishri’s divine perception for all is reflected by his ever-joyful state.
3 February 2019, Mahelav
Swamishri was at the Mahelav mandir. After Swamishri’s blessings in the evening assembly, Shri Harikrishna Maharaj (Swamishri’s Thakorji) was going to be honoured by a few devotees. Thereafter, flowers petals would be showered upon the devotees as part of the Holi celebration. In spite of the announcement that the devotees who were to honour Thakorji should come first, things went awry. The reason being that when a few people sitting in the front row got up, the rest also stood up and jostled their way towards the stage to take the first opportunity of being showered with petals.
The volunteers came to remedy the chaotic situation and soon things became near normal. Thereafter, the contraption used for blowing the flower petals for the Holi celebration broke down. So, the swamis on the stage started showering the petals manually. During this harrowing time Swamishri was gently smiling and lovingly casting his divine gaze upon the devotees as they filed passed. When the celebration concluded Swamishri smilingly asked for the microphone and said, “All those young and old, who filed passed were very happy and joyous! Some even stumbled and fell, but they too were happy.”
Then, as Swamishri was returning to his residence he shared, “There was joy in all.” Kothari Gunnidhi Swami was perplexed and asked, “Swamishri, I don’t understand how you saw joy in all the prevailing commotion and indiscipline! What is the reason behind your joy?”
Swamishri replied emphatically, “All are muktas.”
Uttamyogi Swami asked, “In spite of you being inclined upon and insistent about discipline, yet you were happy!”
Swamishri revealed, “When one perceives all to be muktas one experiences joy even when they create an uncomfortable and chaotic situation.”
Swamishri’s divine perception for all is reflected by his ever-joyful state.
3 February 2019, Mahelav
No Mental Burdens
Abhayjivan Swami, the pujari of the BAPS Mandir in Pune, was showing Swamishri the newly made crown and other ornaments for Thakorji. Swamishri took the crown in his hand and worryingly commented, “Oh, how heavy it is!”
Jnanvatsal Swami said, “More than the crown’s weight is a title’s burden – ‘Pragat Brahmaswarup’!”
Swamishri responded with a smile and replied, “For someone else, but not even an iota for me!”
Jnanvatsal Swami probed, “Not even the slightest?”
Swamishri revealed, “No. I have left everything upon Maharaj and Swami. They are the all-doers, so why should I worry!”
Jnanvatsal Swami stated, “An 85-year-old who has such a responsibility like yours would never be able to sleep. It’s a great thing that you can sleep soundly.”
Shrutipriya Swami added, “He goes to sleep the moment he lies down.”
Swamishri smilingly said, “I can sleep in any place.”
16 February 2019, Pune
Abhayjivan Swami, the pujari of the BAPS Mandir in Pune, was showing Swamishri the newly made crown and other ornaments for Thakorji. Swamishri took the crown in his hand and worryingly commented, “Oh, how heavy it is!”
Jnanvatsal Swami said, “More than the crown’s weight is a title’s burden – ‘Pragat Brahmaswarup’!”
Swamishri responded with a smile and replied, “For someone else, but not even an iota for me!”
Jnanvatsal Swami probed, “Not even the slightest?”
Swamishri revealed, “No. I have left everything upon Maharaj and Swami. They are the all-doers, so why should I worry!”
Jnanvatsal Swami stated, “An 85-year-old who has such a responsibility like yours would never be able to sleep. It’s a great thing that you can sleep soundly.”
Shrutipriya Swami added, “He goes to sleep the moment he lies down.”
Swamishri smilingly said, “I can sleep in any place.”
16 February 2019, Pune
Moksha
Shivang Rao, a satsangi youth, came to seek Swamishri’s blessings on his birthday. He asked, “Swami, my birthday gift!”
Swamishri smiled and replied, “Moksha.”
The Gunatit Satpurush gifts ultimate moksha to spiritual aspirants.
10 February 2019, Tithal
Shivang Rao, a satsangi youth, came to seek Swamishri’s blessings on his birthday. He asked, “Swami, my birthday gift!”
Swamishri smiled and replied, “Moksha.”
The Gunatit Satpurush gifts ultimate moksha to spiritual aspirants.
10 February 2019, Tithal
Staunch Observer of Niyams
Somprakash Swami narrated an incident of Swamishri when the former was a youth working in a diamond polishing unit in Bhavnagar. “In 1974, I invited Mahant Swami to sanctify the diamond polishing unit where I worked. It was morning time. Many had gathered for his darshan. Then, suddenly someone cried aloud, ‘There’s a small girl here; the swamis will have to fast!’
“Once the schedule of home visits (padhramanis) were over it was lunchtime. But Mahant Swami did not sit down for lunch. I realized then that Swamishri had decided to fast. Now the fact was that no girl had touched him, but because of the commotion and words uttered by someone Swamishri had decided to fast. I requested him and even cried before him, urging him to have lunch. But Swamishri did not budge in his resolve. So, I too decided to fast, but Swamishri explained to me, “We sadhus have to abide by our niyams, so we have to fast, but you can have lunch.”
That day, Swamishri resolutely observed a fast even though there was no breach in his niyams.
18 February 2019, Bhavnagar
Somprakash Swami narrated an incident of Swamishri when the former was a youth working in a diamond polishing unit in Bhavnagar. “In 1974, I invited Mahant Swami to sanctify the diamond polishing unit where I worked. It was morning time. Many had gathered for his darshan. Then, suddenly someone cried aloud, ‘There’s a small girl here; the swamis will have to fast!’
“Once the schedule of home visits (padhramanis) were over it was lunchtime. But Mahant Swami did not sit down for lunch. I realized then that Swamishri had decided to fast. Now the fact was that no girl had touched him, but because of the commotion and words uttered by someone Swamishri had decided to fast. I requested him and even cried before him, urging him to have lunch. But Swamishri did not budge in his resolve. So, I too decided to fast, but Swamishri explained to me, “We sadhus have to abide by our niyams, so we have to fast, but you can have lunch.”
That day, Swamishri resolutely observed a fast even though there was no breach in his niyams.
18 February 2019, Bhavnagar
Humility Personified
Swamishri was travelling in a golf cart towards his residence in Pramukh Udyan, Sarangpur. An attendant swami asked Swamishri, “On arriving daily at the mandir for darshan you bow and pay respects to the sadhus’ footwear arranged by the steps. Then, while you are on your way to the puja hall to do puja, you also bow down to the footwear belonging to the devotees. So, are you pleased or do you bow down because they are arranged in a disciplined manner?”
Swamishri replied, “Both.”
Then, the attendant swami enthusiastically expressed, “You bow down to them!”
Swamishri responded with glory towards all, “I want to touch the dust of their feet.”
Swamishri’s profound humility inspired all.
29 February 2019, Sarangpur
Swamishri was travelling in a golf cart towards his residence in Pramukh Udyan, Sarangpur. An attendant swami asked Swamishri, “On arriving daily at the mandir for darshan you bow and pay respects to the sadhus’ footwear arranged by the steps. Then, while you are on your way to the puja hall to do puja, you also bow down to the footwear belonging to the devotees. So, are you pleased or do you bow down because they are arranged in a disciplined manner?”
Swamishri replied, “Both.”
Then, the attendant swami enthusiastically expressed, “You bow down to them!”
Swamishri responded with glory towards all, “I want to touch the dust of their feet.”
Swamishri’s profound humility inspired all.
29 February 2019, Sarangpur
Joy of Bhagwan’s Prapti
Swamishri woke up at 3.53 a.m. and revealed, “I could not sleep all night.”
Swamishri’s attendant swami enquired, “What did you do all night?”
“I pondered about prapti [the glory of Bhagwan’s attainment].”
After puja and breakfast Swamishri lay down to sleep. But he got up after 45 minutes and said, “I haven’t slept one bit.”
“What were you doing lying down?” the attendant swami enquired.
“Oh, it was wonderful,” Swamishri replied with joy.
“But what did you do?”
“I thought about the prapti [of Maharaj],” Swamishri replied.
One of the principal means for a satsangi to experience spiritual joy is to contemplate upon the glory and attainment of Bhagwan and the guru.
4 April 2019, Sarangpur
Swamishri woke up at 3.53 a.m. and revealed, “I could not sleep all night.”
Swamishri’s attendant swami enquired, “What did you do all night?”
“I pondered about prapti [the glory of Bhagwan’s attainment].”
After puja and breakfast Swamishri lay down to sleep. But he got up after 45 minutes and said, “I haven’t slept one bit.”
“What were you doing lying down?” the attendant swami enquired.
“Oh, it was wonderful,” Swamishri replied with joy.
“But what did you do?”
“I thought about the prapti [of Maharaj],” Swamishri replied.
One of the principal means for a satsangi to experience spiritual joy is to contemplate upon the glory and attainment of Bhagwan and the guru.
4 April 2019, Sarangpur