Reforming People
A sadhu introduced a youth to Swamishri and revealed, 'This person is addicted to liquor. And when he gets intoxicated he beats his wife.'
Swamishri advised, 'How can you do this young man! Have you married her to beat her up! You come home drunk and create trouble. One day your wife will beat you up! From now onwards stop beating her and give up drinking altogether.' Swamishri then inspired him to take a pledge and give up drinking once and for all.
Later that day, a teenager asked Swamishri, 'Swami Bapa, on the occasion of Kishore Day today what does Ghanshyam Maharaj have to say to the teenagers?'
Swamishri gave him a written reply, 'One should go to the kishore mandal regularly, study properly, strengthen one's niyam-dharma and obey one's parents.'
13-4-1999, Surat
A sadhu introduced a youth to Swamishri and revealed, 'This person is addicted to liquor. And when he gets intoxicated he beats his wife.'
Swamishri advised, 'How can you do this young man! Have you married her to beat her up! You come home drunk and create trouble. One day your wife will beat you up! From now onwards stop beating her and give up drinking altogether.' Swamishri then inspired him to take a pledge and give up drinking once and for all.
Later that day, a teenager asked Swamishri, 'Swami Bapa, on the occasion of Kishore Day today what does Ghanshyam Maharaj have to say to the teenagers?'
Swamishri gave him a written reply, 'One should go to the kishore mandal regularly, study properly, strengthen one's niyam-dharma and obey one's parents.'
13-4-1999, Surat
Help Others
In the morning, a devotee came with his two sons. 'Bapa, he wants to become a top scientist,' the devotee said, pointing to one of his sons. 'And, he wants to become an MBA,' pointing to his other son.
Swamishri blessed them, and advised, 'Do what interests you, pray to God and remain firm in Satsang. Then you will succeed. Don't become a scientist and make weapons to kill people! Do what is good for others. Do what will help others.'
19-5-1999, Mumbai
In the morning, a devotee came with his two sons. 'Bapa, he wants to become a top scientist,' the devotee said, pointing to one of his sons. 'And, he wants to become an MBA,' pointing to his other son.
Swamishri blessed them, and advised, 'Do what interests you, pray to God and remain firm in Satsang. Then you will succeed. Don't become a scientist and make weapons to kill people! Do what is good for others. Do what will help others.'
19-5-1999, Mumbai
Gains
At 1.00 p.m., Swamishri departed in a delayed flight from Mumbai to Rajkot. He arrived at Rajkot airport at 2.57 p.m. By the time Swamishri reached the mandir it was 3.35 p.m. More than 400 devotees had been waiting for over two hours in the hot afternoon sun for Swamishri's darshan. Though it was late, Swamishri addressed the devotees, 'I am late. And when it's late one thinks when will (Swami) come? You feel that you have missed some work at home because of the delay, but you have gained the opportunity of having God's darshan, the darshan of the mandir's flags, kalashas and all these sadhus and devotees assembled here. So the delay here (in the mandir) is for your good, because it is for your moksha. Otherwise, for infinite births you have been late and delayed! Because when you had not met God and His holy Sadhu, you were late!'
23-10-1999, Rajkot
At 1.00 p.m., Swamishri departed in a delayed flight from Mumbai to Rajkot. He arrived at Rajkot airport at 2.57 p.m. By the time Swamishri reached the mandir it was 3.35 p.m. More than 400 devotees had been waiting for over two hours in the hot afternoon sun for Swamishri's darshan. Though it was late, Swamishri addressed the devotees, 'I am late. And when it's late one thinks when will (Swami) come? You feel that you have missed some work at home because of the delay, but you have gained the opportunity of having God's darshan, the darshan of the mandir's flags, kalashas and all these sadhus and devotees assembled here. So the delay here (in the mandir) is for your good, because it is for your moksha. Otherwise, for infinite births you have been late and delayed! Because when you had not met God and His holy Sadhu, you were late!'
23-10-1999, Rajkot
Essence of Vachanamrut
To grasp the essence of something is a difficult and often impossible task. The exercise becomes more challenging from the physical, mental to the spiritual aspects of life. However, God-realised souls easily extract the essence of things.
When Swamishri was asked to write the essence of the Vachanamrut on a large-size replica, he wrote, 'To realise ekantik dharma, become brahmarup and offer bhakti to Shriji Maharaj.'
25-10-1999, Gondal
To grasp the essence of something is a difficult and often impossible task. The exercise becomes more challenging from the physical, mental to the spiritual aspects of life. However, God-realised souls easily extract the essence of things.
When Swamishri was asked to write the essence of the Vachanamrut on a large-size replica, he wrote, 'To realise ekantik dharma, become brahmarup and offer bhakti to Shriji Maharaj.'
25-10-1999, Gondal
Matching with Narayan
While Swamishri was doing darshan of the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj in the mandir shrine, a sadhu said, 'Today, Lakshmiji has been adorned with a yellow chandlo, however Dr. Swami said there should be a red chandlo instead.'
Swamishri replied, 'Yes, that's right. Because the murti of Narayan has a red chandlo.'
The sadhu stated, 'Because Lakshmiji is adorned in a yellow sari then the colour of the chandlo should match with it! The colour of the chandlo should be the same as the colour of the sari.'
Swamishri tellingly replied, 'Should it be matched with the sari or Narayan?'
Swamishri is a great proponent of tradition and faith. The chandlo is a mark of privilege and auspiciousness. And there is also an emphasis in Swamishri's words that one should match or be in tune with God and not with mundane fashions and things.
24-11-1999, Bochasan
While Swamishri was doing darshan of the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj in the mandir shrine, a sadhu said, 'Today, Lakshmiji has been adorned with a yellow chandlo, however Dr. Swami said there should be a red chandlo instead.'
Swamishri replied, 'Yes, that's right. Because the murti of Narayan has a red chandlo.'
The sadhu stated, 'Because Lakshmiji is adorned in a yellow sari then the colour of the chandlo should match with it! The colour of the chandlo should be the same as the colour of the sari.'
Swamishri tellingly replied, 'Should it be matched with the sari or Narayan?'
Swamishri is a great proponent of tradition and faith. The chandlo is a mark of privilege and auspiciousness. And there is also an emphasis in Swamishri's words that one should match or be in tune with God and not with mundane fashions and things.
24-11-1999, Bochasan
Don't Take It to Heart
A youth introduced Anil to Swamishri and said, 'Anil only speaks when he is spoken to. And while in the mandir, sometimes when he is not called or told off, he feels hurt and tries to reason why it happens to him. He then loses all enthusiasm and decides not to come to the mandir.'
Swamishri called Anil and explained, 'Don't people have bad members in their family? Similarly, you will find such people everywhere. You should not take things to heart when someone speaks harshly to you. Always be focussed on God.'
Swamishri then placed a garland round Anil's neck and added, 'When the President arrives, you go to see him even when you are not invited because you have understood his importance. You go through all the strain and effort to go, even when he does not know you or call you. Likewise, in Satsang, you should not take it to heart when someone does not call you.'
Swamishri imparted a sound, practical understanding to overcome feelings of neglect or humiliation.
18-12-1999, Sultanabad
A youth introduced Anil to Swamishri and said, 'Anil only speaks when he is spoken to. And while in the mandir, sometimes when he is not called or told off, he feels hurt and tries to reason why it happens to him. He then loses all enthusiasm and decides not to come to the mandir.'
Swamishri called Anil and explained, 'Don't people have bad members in their family? Similarly, you will find such people everywhere. You should not take things to heart when someone speaks harshly to you. Always be focussed on God.'
Swamishri then placed a garland round Anil's neck and added, 'When the President arrives, you go to see him even when you are not invited because you have understood his importance. You go through all the strain and effort to go, even when he does not know you or call you. Likewise, in Satsang, you should not take it to heart when someone does not call you.'
Swamishri imparted a sound, practical understanding to overcome feelings of neglect or humiliation.
18-12-1999, Sultanabad
The Joy of Shastriji Maharaj
Swamishri was in Amdavad. After having darshan of the guru's murti in a shrine in the mandir pradakshina, a devotee asked Swamishri, 'Bapa, there is so much joy on your face. What is the reason for this joy?'
Swamishri replied spiritedly, 'The joy of Shastriji Maharaj!'
Swamishri's unbroken joy arises out of his profound realisation and attachment to his guru.
1-3-2000, Amdavad
Swamishri was in Amdavad. After having darshan of the guru's murti in a shrine in the mandir pradakshina, a devotee asked Swamishri, 'Bapa, there is so much joy on your face. What is the reason for this joy?'
Swamishri replied spiritedly, 'The joy of Shastriji Maharaj!'
Swamishri's unbroken joy arises out of his profound realisation and attachment to his guru.
1-3-2000, Amdavad
A Tulsi Plant
Yesterday, Swamishri had been welcomed and honoured with a tulsi plant pot during an inaugural function of an MRI machine at the Civil Hospital. This morning Swamishri asked a sadhu where he had placed the tulsi plant pot.
'In your room,' the sadhu replied.
'See to it that it is planted in an appropriate place in the mandir grounds and regularly watered. They have presented it with great love and affection. And besides, by leaving the plant in the room it will dry up and die by itself.'
Swamishri's hallmark of care and affection is reflected by his appreciation and recognition of the officials' sentiments and his concern for the survival of plants.
1-3-2000, Amdavad
Yesterday, Swamishri had been welcomed and honoured with a tulsi plant pot during an inaugural function of an MRI machine at the Civil Hospital. This morning Swamishri asked a sadhu where he had placed the tulsi plant pot.
'In your room,' the sadhu replied.
'See to it that it is planted in an appropriate place in the mandir grounds and regularly watered. They have presented it with great love and affection. And besides, by leaving the plant in the room it will dry up and die by itself.'
Swamishri's hallmark of care and affection is reflected by his appreciation and recognition of the officials' sentiments and his concern for the survival of plants.
1-3-2000, Amdavad
Sunday Sabha
Despite physical weakness due to an illness, Swamishri expressed a wish to go to the Sunday assembly this evening. When Swamishri entered in the assembly hall, he was welcomed by thunderous clapping from the devotees. After Thakorji's darshan, Swamishri sat on a sofa and listened to the spiritual discourse for half an hour. When the discourse concluded at 7.30 p.m., Swamishri returned to his residence and said with deep satisfaction, 'I have obeyed Yogiji Maharaj's instruction (of attending the Sunday assembly). I had the opportunity of having the darshan of the devotees and in pleasing them.'
Even in such a debilitated state, Swamishri personally ensured that he obeyed the wish of Yogiji Maharaj by attending the Sunday discourse.
12-3-2000, Gandhinagar
Despite physical weakness due to an illness, Swamishri expressed a wish to go to the Sunday assembly this evening. When Swamishri entered in the assembly hall, he was welcomed by thunderous clapping from the devotees. After Thakorji's darshan, Swamishri sat on a sofa and listened to the spiritual discourse for half an hour. When the discourse concluded at 7.30 p.m., Swamishri returned to his residence and said with deep satisfaction, 'I have obeyed Yogiji Maharaj's instruction (of attending the Sunday assembly). I had the opportunity of having the darshan of the devotees and in pleasing them.'
Even in such a debilitated state, Swamishri personally ensured that he obeyed the wish of Yogiji Maharaj by attending the Sunday discourse.
12-3-2000, Gandhinagar
Freedom from Fear
An aspirant troubled by a gnawing fear came up for Swamishri's blessings. He said that a Brahmin had told him that his son has kal-sarp dosh in his horoscope. 'He has predicted that my son will suffer from some physical problem.'
Swamishri replied, 'Don't get entangled in such predictions. Chant the holy name of Swaminarayan. The body is susceptible to disease. Even I have stomachaches and fever. So there is no need to be fearful or superstitious. Engage yourself in bhajan and all will be well.'
Swamishri consolidated the aspirant's faith in God. He often prescribes the mahapuja ritual to dissolve fears because of unfavourable stars.
An aspirant troubled by a gnawing fear came up for Swamishri's blessings. He said that a Brahmin had told him that his son has kal-sarp dosh in his horoscope. 'He has predicted that my son will suffer from some physical problem.'
Swamishri replied, 'Don't get entangled in such predictions. Chant the holy name of Swaminarayan. The body is susceptible to disease. Even I have stomachaches and fever. So there is no need to be fearful or superstitious. Engage yourself in bhajan and all will be well.'
Swamishri consolidated the aspirant's faith in God. He often prescribes the mahapuja ritual to dissolve fears because of unfavourable stars.