An Idol of Service
During a special youth assembly in the mandir, Swamishri was watching a skit that highlighted the importance of service. The skit was about a youth assembly where the seating arrangements for Thakorji, sadhus and youths are disorganised. The main youth coordinator arrives and then waits to observe what happens. As other youths start arriving for the assembly, they all pass comments but do not tidy the situation. Finally, the coordinator scolds them and he, too, leaves without properly correcting the situation. Thereafter a question-answer session followed with Swamishri.
When Swamishri was taking leave from the assembly, instead of going towards the exit door, he went to the skit scene. Standing near the disorganised seat of Thakorji, Swamishri said, 'Let me do seva before leaving. When no one did it then let me do it. Maharaj will be pleased.' Then he bent low and organised the green cloth placed for Thakorji's seat and happily took leave from the assembly.
The entire assembly of youths was amazed that even at 80 years of age, Swamishri, without hesitation, took the opportunity of doing service.
29-4-2001, Mumbai
During a special youth assembly in the mandir, Swamishri was watching a skit that highlighted the importance of service. The skit was about a youth assembly where the seating arrangements for Thakorji, sadhus and youths are disorganised. The main youth coordinator arrives and then waits to observe what happens. As other youths start arriving for the assembly, they all pass comments but do not tidy the situation. Finally, the coordinator scolds them and he, too, leaves without properly correcting the situation. Thereafter a question-answer session followed with Swamishri.
When Swamishri was taking leave from the assembly, instead of going towards the exit door, he went to the skit scene. Standing near the disorganised seat of Thakorji, Swamishri said, 'Let me do seva before leaving. When no one did it then let me do it. Maharaj will be pleased.' Then he bent low and organised the green cloth placed for Thakorji's seat and happily took leave from the assembly.
The entire assembly of youths was amazed that even at 80 years of age, Swamishri, without hesitation, took the opportunity of doing service.
29-4-2001, Mumbai
Devotion to Harikrishna Maharaj
The newly built Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sankari was ready for the murti-pratishtha rituals. The yagna rituals prior to the consecration ceremony were over. The same day a grand procession of the murtis was going to take place in the afternoon. As Swamishri was about to retire for his afternoon nap at 1.30 p.m., Krishnavallabh Swami offered a tablet to him.
'I will not be able to swallow it without my dentures,' Swamishri replied.
'Since it is a vitamin tablet there's no problem in taking it at 4.00 p.m. when you put your dentures on,' informed Yogicharan Swami.
'You can take it with your routine juice,' Divyapurush Swami added.
'There's no need for the juice. I can take it with water,' Swamishri responded.
'But Swami, you can take it with the routine juice prepared for you,' the attendant sadhus explained.
'But when Thakorji is in the procession, how can I have the juice?' Swamishri questioned.
The attendant sadhus realised why Swamishri was refusing all the while. Because Swamishri's murti of Harikrishna Maharaj would be in the murti-pratishtha procession from early afternoon to evening, how could Swamishri have the juice that had not been offered to Maharaj.
Swamishri's supreme devotion to God is exceptional, never compromising or forgetting the minute care and devotion to Shriji Maharaj in any situation or circumstance.
17-5-2001, Sankari
The newly built Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sankari was ready for the murti-pratishtha rituals. The yagna rituals prior to the consecration ceremony were over. The same day a grand procession of the murtis was going to take place in the afternoon. As Swamishri was about to retire for his afternoon nap at 1.30 p.m., Krishnavallabh Swami offered a tablet to him.
'I will not be able to swallow it without my dentures,' Swamishri replied.
'Since it is a vitamin tablet there's no problem in taking it at 4.00 p.m. when you put your dentures on,' informed Yogicharan Swami.
'You can take it with your routine juice,' Divyapurush Swami added.
'There's no need for the juice. I can take it with water,' Swamishri responded.
'But Swami, you can take it with the routine juice prepared for you,' the attendant sadhus explained.
'But when Thakorji is in the procession, how can I have the juice?' Swamishri questioned.
The attendant sadhus realised why Swamishri was refusing all the while. Because Swamishri's murti of Harikrishna Maharaj would be in the murti-pratishtha procession from early afternoon to evening, how could Swamishri have the juice that had not been offered to Maharaj.
Swamishri's supreme devotion to God is exceptional, never compromising or forgetting the minute care and devotion to Shriji Maharaj in any situation or circumstance.
17-5-2001, Sankari
Eradicating Dehbhav
In a question-answer dialogue with Swamishri during the 'Divya Sannidhi Camp', a number of questions were first asked to the BAPS volunteers and then to Swamishri.
Q: What does Swamishri like?
Volunteers: Cultivating the virtues Swamishri possesses, such as, harmony (samp), friendship (suhradbhav), unity (ekta). Doing ghar sabha. Humility. To abstain from watching television,…
Swamishri: Everyone has given the answers to what I like - to do ghar sabha, not to be cynical about others, etc. This is all true but the heart of the matter is that one should dissolve one's dehbhav and offer devotion (to God). If dehbhav remains then all problems remain. We see faults in others because of our dehbhav. If one's dehbhav is erased then, automatically, all problems and conflicts will be solved. If one dissolves one's dehbhav and attains brahmabhav - the conviction that I am atma - then one will not have any problems or lose interest in spiritual discourses, kirtans and bhajans.
This dehbhav cannot be eradicated immediately because it has befriended the atma for a very long time. This friendship is a bond with one's own body, base nature, desires, senses and mind. It can be erased by engaging oneself in discourses, bhajan, seva and bhakti. We should pray to God to protect us from 'I-ness' and 'Mine-ness'.
23-5-2001, Sankari
In a question-answer dialogue with Swamishri during the 'Divya Sannidhi Camp', a number of questions were first asked to the BAPS volunteers and then to Swamishri.
Q: What does Swamishri like?
Volunteers: Cultivating the virtues Swamishri possesses, such as, harmony (samp), friendship (suhradbhav), unity (ekta). Doing ghar sabha. Humility. To abstain from watching television,…
Swamishri: Everyone has given the answers to what I like - to do ghar sabha, not to be cynical about others, etc. This is all true but the heart of the matter is that one should dissolve one's dehbhav and offer devotion (to God). If dehbhav remains then all problems remain. We see faults in others because of our dehbhav. If one's dehbhav is erased then, automatically, all problems and conflicts will be solved. If one dissolves one's dehbhav and attains brahmabhav - the conviction that I am atma - then one will not have any problems or lose interest in spiritual discourses, kirtans and bhajans.
This dehbhav cannot be eradicated immediately because it has befriended the atma for a very long time. This friendship is a bond with one's own body, base nature, desires, senses and mind. It can be erased by engaging oneself in discourses, bhajan, seva and bhakti. We should pray to God to protect us from 'I-ness' and 'Mine-ness'.
23-5-2001, Sankari
God is Greatest
A young boy, Vikesh, pointing at the murti of Shriji Maharaj, said to Swamishri, 'That is your reflection.'
Swamishri corrected him, 'God is not our reflection but (pointing towards himself) we are His reflection. Because of Him we are great and glorious. Our powers have been given by Him. Everything is His. Remember, God is the greatest and we should never forget Him.'
Swamishri lucidly explained about the supremacy of Shriji Maharaj.
17-8-2001, Bochasan
A young boy, Vikesh, pointing at the murti of Shriji Maharaj, said to Swamishri, 'That is your reflection.'
Swamishri corrected him, 'God is not our reflection but (pointing towards himself) we are His reflection. Because of Him we are great and glorious. Our powers have been given by Him. Everything is His. Remember, God is the greatest and we should never forget Him.'
Swamishri lucidly explained about the supremacy of Shriji Maharaj.
17-8-2001, Bochasan
Guru Sees Everything
In an evening assembly, students of the Akshar Purushottam Hostel presented a lively kawali programme in the presence of Swamishri.
A sadhu, with reference to the programme, said to Swamishri, 'The presentation of the kawali was very good.'
'The drama 'Ten Fools' was also well enacted,' another sadhu added.
'But, Swamishri you were not looking. You were engaged in letter-writing,' a sadhu said.
'I saw it all. I was looking at it while writing letters. It is your ignorance that you were unable to understand this,' Swamishri replied.
'Because you were writing letters this thought came to me,' the sadhu said hesitantly.
'Did I not talk about the kawali and drama in my discourse,' Swamishri responded. And then added, 'If one perceives with the eye of knowledge and one's atma, then questions like whether he has seen it or not will not arise. He sees all.'
Like Bhagatji Maharaj who said, 'A gnani (one who has realised knowledge) has infinite eyes.' Swamishri sees everything even though, sometimes, he may not physically seem to be doing so.
17-8-2001, Atladra
In an evening assembly, students of the Akshar Purushottam Hostel presented a lively kawali programme in the presence of Swamishri.
A sadhu, with reference to the programme, said to Swamishri, 'The presentation of the kawali was very good.'
'The drama 'Ten Fools' was also well enacted,' another sadhu added.
'But, Swamishri you were not looking. You were engaged in letter-writing,' a sadhu said.
'I saw it all. I was looking at it while writing letters. It is your ignorance that you were unable to understand this,' Swamishri replied.
'Because you were writing letters this thought came to me,' the sadhu said hesitantly.
'Did I not talk about the kawali and drama in my discourse,' Swamishri responded. And then added, 'If one perceives with the eye of knowledge and one's atma, then questions like whether he has seen it or not will not arise. He sees all.'
Like Bhagatji Maharaj who said, 'A gnani (one who has realised knowledge) has infinite eyes.' Swamishri sees everything even though, sometimes, he may not physically seem to be doing so.
17-8-2001, Atladra
God Looks After Everyone
Kanubhai Amin, a devotee from Mumbai, brought his mentally chal- lenged son, Samir, to be blessed by Swamishri. Then he expressed his anxiety, 'Swami, my son does not even know whose puja he does and who Swaminarayan is. How will he be redeemed?'
'It will be done. Since he was born in your home, he will be redeemed,' Swamishri assured.
Then Kanubhai expressed his frustration, 'This son of mine is like Jad Bharat (insensitive).'
'That's good. You can worship God without any hassle,' Swamishri replied.
'But what will happen to him when my wife and I die?' Kanubhai asked.
'You should not think of that. God is looking after him now and will care for him afterwards. It is He who looks after everyone.'
Swamishri reassured the devotee that God is the sustainer of all life.
28-8-2001, Sarangpur
Kanubhai Amin, a devotee from Mumbai, brought his mentally chal- lenged son, Samir, to be blessed by Swamishri. Then he expressed his anxiety, 'Swami, my son does not even know whose puja he does and who Swaminarayan is. How will he be redeemed?'
'It will be done. Since he was born in your home, he will be redeemed,' Swamishri assured.
Then Kanubhai expressed his frustration, 'This son of mine is like Jad Bharat (insensitive).'
'That's good. You can worship God without any hassle,' Swamishri replied.
'But what will happen to him when my wife and I die?' Kanubhai asked.
'You should not think of that. God is looking after him now and will care for him afterwards. It is He who looks after everyone.'
Swamishri reassured the devotee that God is the sustainer of all life.
28-8-2001, Sarangpur
Love for an Ordinary Devotee
An ordinary shepherd of Sarangpur, Raghu Bharwad, came for Swamishri's darshan. Swamishri called him lovingly, 'Come Raghuvir!'
Raghu, took off his pagh and bowed his head before Swamishri and said, 'Jai Swaminarayan.'
'Where have you been all these days? Why didn't you come to see me earlier?' Swamishri enquired.
'I have been sick for the past three to four days. See, here are the tablets...' and so saying, Raghu showed them to Swamishri. Swamishri listened to him with great interest.
'His children have built proper homes by the main road,' a sadhu informed Swamishri.
'Once, I'd like to take Swamishri there to sanctify it,' Raghu spoke in a rustic, candid tone.
'These sadhus will come,' Swamishri replied. Raghu was happy at the proposal and responded, 'Your love for me is the same as before.'
'Come to the mandir daily for Thakorji's darshan. This is a pilgrim place,' Swamishri told Raghu, 'in which Ganga, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dwarka and all pilgrim places are included.'
'Bless me with your grace always. It means everything to me,' Raghu asked while he was about to leave.
Swamishri raised his hand and blessed him.
Though, an ordinary shepherd, Swamishri's rapport and interest in Raghu reflect his care and love for ordinary rural devotees like him.
11-9-2001, Sarangpur
An ordinary shepherd of Sarangpur, Raghu Bharwad, came for Swamishri's darshan. Swamishri called him lovingly, 'Come Raghuvir!'
Raghu, took off his pagh and bowed his head before Swamishri and said, 'Jai Swaminarayan.'
'Where have you been all these days? Why didn't you come to see me earlier?' Swamishri enquired.
'I have been sick for the past three to four days. See, here are the tablets...' and so saying, Raghu showed them to Swamishri. Swamishri listened to him with great interest.
'His children have built proper homes by the main road,' a sadhu informed Swamishri.
'Once, I'd like to take Swamishri there to sanctify it,' Raghu spoke in a rustic, candid tone.
'These sadhus will come,' Swamishri replied. Raghu was happy at the proposal and responded, 'Your love for me is the same as before.'
'Come to the mandir daily for Thakorji's darshan. This is a pilgrim place,' Swamishri told Raghu, 'in which Ganga, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dwarka and all pilgrim places are included.'
'Bless me with your grace always. It means everything to me,' Raghu asked while he was about to leave.
Swamishri raised his hand and blessed him.
Though, an ordinary shepherd, Swamishri's rapport and interest in Raghu reflect his care and love for ordinary rural devotees like him.
11-9-2001, Sarangpur
3-Point Happiness Formula
Swamishri was engaged in his daily morning counselling and blessing session with devotees and visitors.
Some come to seek guidance and blessings for personal and social problems, whereas some ask for his blessings for spiritual progress. Whenever someone repents for his moral errors, Swamishri consoles him, forgives him, prescribes an atonement and relieves his conscience.
Once, two non-devotees came to Swamishri during his counselling session. On learning that one of them had an addiction Swamishri patiently explained the harmful effects of smoking and meat-eating. After a while he pledged to give them up. Then Swamishri gave them an important piece of advice: 'You should have three 'addictions':
One: To sustain your body you need food, but have vegetarian food only and no addictions.
Two: Do your work or business properly and honestly.
Three: Offer prayers and worship God.'
This simple 3-point universal formula is an answer to the welfare of one's body, society and soul.
The two visitors were impressed by Swamishri's crystal clarity in matters of life. They left relieved, elated and blessed.
26-9-2001, Amdavad
Swamishri was engaged in his daily morning counselling and blessing session with devotees and visitors.
Some come to seek guidance and blessings for personal and social problems, whereas some ask for his blessings for spiritual progress. Whenever someone repents for his moral errors, Swamishri consoles him, forgives him, prescribes an atonement and relieves his conscience.
Once, two non-devotees came to Swamishri during his counselling session. On learning that one of them had an addiction Swamishri patiently explained the harmful effects of smoking and meat-eating. After a while he pledged to give them up. Then Swamishri gave them an important piece of advice: 'You should have three 'addictions':
One: To sustain your body you need food, but have vegetarian food only and no addictions.
Two: Do your work or business properly and honestly.
Three: Offer prayers and worship God.'
This simple 3-point universal formula is an answer to the welfare of one's body, society and soul.
The two visitors were impressed by Swamishri's crystal clarity in matters of life. They left relieved, elated and blessed.
26-9-2001, Amdavad
Absolute Fulfilment
While Swamishri was having lunch, a sadhu was giving details about the Nobel Peace Prize. Swamishri was listening attentively. However, at the drone of conversation among those seated before Swamishri said, 'If anyone wants to get it then listen carefully.'
The sadhus responded, 'We are praying that you get the Peace Prize.'
'Having got Akshar Deri, that is the biggest Nobel Prize,' Swamishri responded. 'There is no need to pray for it. We have already got it.'
'We are all praying that you get the prize,' a sadhu added.
'I have already got it - Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. So I do not have any wish at all. I am in Akshardham.'
Swamishri's reply had a ring of absolute fulfilment and attainment of the Divine.
30-10-2001, Gondal
While Swamishri was having lunch, a sadhu was giving details about the Nobel Peace Prize. Swamishri was listening attentively. However, at the drone of conversation among those seated before Swamishri said, 'If anyone wants to get it then listen carefully.'
The sadhus responded, 'We are praying that you get the Peace Prize.'
'Having got Akshar Deri, that is the biggest Nobel Prize,' Swamishri responded. 'There is no need to pray for it. We have already got it.'
'We are all praying that you get the prize,' a sadhu added.
'I have already got it - Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. So I do not have any wish at all. I am in Akshardham.'
Swamishri's reply had a ring of absolute fulfilment and attainment of the Divine.
30-10-2001, Gondal
Offer It to Thakorji
An attendant sadhu brought a pair of spectacles to Swamishri and said, 'A youth has opened an optician shop. Ever since, he has been nourishing a desire to prepare a pair of glasses for you. Here, try this frame he has selected for you.'
On taking the frame Swamishri asked, 'Is it new? Then offer it to Thakorji.'
Immediately the attendant sadhu offered the frame to Thakorji.
Even though it was a new frame without the prescribed glasses, and offered to Swamishri merely for trying out, he did not accept without having it first offered to God.
Swamishri's subtle and profound devotion to God is unique and amazing.
9-11-2001, Mumbai
An attendant sadhu brought a pair of spectacles to Swamishri and said, 'A youth has opened an optician shop. Ever since, he has been nourishing a desire to prepare a pair of glasses for you. Here, try this frame he has selected for you.'
On taking the frame Swamishri asked, 'Is it new? Then offer it to Thakorji.'
Immediately the attendant sadhu offered the frame to Thakorji.
Even though it was a new frame without the prescribed glasses, and offered to Swamishri merely for trying out, he did not accept without having it first offered to God.
Swamishri's subtle and profound devotion to God is unique and amazing.
9-11-2001, Mumbai