Solutions to Anger and Laziness
Swamishri was travelling by Singapore Airlines from Auckland to Singapore. During the flight, Kirtan, a boy of thirteen from USA, asked Swamishri a few questions.
Kirtan: I get very angry! How can I overcome it?
Swamishri: Whenever you get angry, remember Shriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj and chant 'Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan' in your mind. By remembering Maharaj your anger will subside. Now, just think where is the need to get angry? There is no gain by getting angry on anyone. By getting angry, your work is not done. In fact the other person is left miserable and distressed. By doing bhajan and chanting 'Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan', the distress of the other person, and yours, is dissolved.
Kirtan: I am very lazy. How can I get rid of it?
Swamishri: That you shouldn't have at all. How can you be lazy at such a young age! If you have laziness at this age, then you won't be able to study and will never get a good job. Laziness is your enemy. Think likewise and get rid of it.
Wake up early in the morning. Engage yourself in prayer and study. You should not be lazy in any type of work. Don't say 'later', do your work 'now'. Don't leave your study, lessons, your mala for tomorrow or later. Do it today.
After a while, Swamishri asked Kirtan, 'Now I'll ask you a question. When you grow up will you be as good as you are now? Because children get spoilt when they grow up. They don't come to Satsang, don't do puja and get entangled in bad company. God will be happy and grant you moksha if you maintain satsang in your life.'
Kirtan promised Swamishri that he would maintain satsang in his life.
24-2-2002, Auckland to Singapore
Swamishri was travelling by Singapore Airlines from Auckland to Singapore. During the flight, Kirtan, a boy of thirteen from USA, asked Swamishri a few questions.
Kirtan: I get very angry! How can I overcome it?
Swamishri: Whenever you get angry, remember Shriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj and chant 'Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan' in your mind. By remembering Maharaj your anger will subside. Now, just think where is the need to get angry? There is no gain by getting angry on anyone. By getting angry, your work is not done. In fact the other person is left miserable and distressed. By doing bhajan and chanting 'Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan', the distress of the other person, and yours, is dissolved.
Kirtan: I am very lazy. How can I get rid of it?
Swamishri: That you shouldn't have at all. How can you be lazy at such a young age! If you have laziness at this age, then you won't be able to study and will never get a good job. Laziness is your enemy. Think likewise and get rid of it.
Wake up early in the morning. Engage yourself in prayer and study. You should not be lazy in any type of work. Don't say 'later', do your work 'now'. Don't leave your study, lessons, your mala for tomorrow or later. Do it today.
After a while, Swamishri asked Kirtan, 'Now I'll ask you a question. When you grow up will you be as good as you are now? Because children get spoilt when they grow up. They don't come to Satsang, don't do puja and get entangled in bad company. God will be happy and grant you moksha if you maintain satsang in your life.'
Kirtan promised Swamishri that he would maintain satsang in his life.
24-2-2002, Auckland to Singapore
God-Realisation
Mr. Haresh Jani, a reporter from the daily Gujarat Mitra asked a few questions to Swamishri.
Mr. Jani: Bhagwan Shri Ram appeared in a dream to the Mahant of Ayodhya and told him to perform the foundation-stone laying ceremony. Can this be true?
Swamishri: Yes. Our rishis were realised souls. Those who are engaged in spiritual endeavours are inspired and talk accordingly. Our rishis performed austerities and other endeavours and attained the state of self-realisation.
Mr. Jani: Have you attained realisation?
Swamishri: Ever since I met God I've had realisation. I attained the knowledge of God through the guru and thus got realisation.
Mr. Jani: What is the straight way to heaven?
Swamishri: One will attain the straight way to His divine abode by having refuge in God, following instructions prescribed by God and associating with a bona fide sadhu.
18-3-2002, Dummas
Mr. Haresh Jani, a reporter from the daily Gujarat Mitra asked a few questions to Swamishri.
Mr. Jani: Bhagwan Shri Ram appeared in a dream to the Mahant of Ayodhya and told him to perform the foundation-stone laying ceremony. Can this be true?
Swamishri: Yes. Our rishis were realised souls. Those who are engaged in spiritual endeavours are inspired and talk accordingly. Our rishis performed austerities and other endeavours and attained the state of self-realisation.
Mr. Jani: Have you attained realisation?
Swamishri: Ever since I met God I've had realisation. I attained the knowledge of God through the guru and thus got realisation.
Mr. Jani: What is the straight way to heaven?
Swamishri: One will attain the straight way to His divine abode by having refuge in God, following instructions prescribed by God and associating with a bona fide sadhu.
18-3-2002, Dummas
Inner Purification
Ramesh, a satsangi youth living at the Akshar Purushottam Hostel in Vidyanagar, confessed to Swamishri about his weakness. He said, 'Bapa, I love watching films. I have taken pledges to give it up, but I can't resist myself from going. So I fail in my pledges.'
A friend of his added, 'He changes his hairstyle and beard according to the latest styles. He also has a fad for clothes and buys new clothes every 15 days.'
Ramesh agreed and requested, 'Swami give me a niyam so that everything gets resolved for life.'
Swamishri blessed Ramesh with some sound advice, 'You desire to look good so that others become attracted to you. Give up this desire altogether. You can do without it. Look at us. We shave our beard after a month, and still people come to see us. There is no need for superficial show. It is more important to make yourself better from within. Everyone has to rid themselves of the inner desires of material inclinations and hostility. By keeping pace with the changing fashions, you waste time and money. By watching films, do you not allow desires for worldly things to enter within? Instead of ridding your desires, you are allowing them to enter within. So, do not watch films, do not go to discos and parties. Resolve to give them up altogether.' Ramesh agreed and received Swamishri's blessings.
20-3-2002, Vidyanagar
Ramesh, a satsangi youth living at the Akshar Purushottam Hostel in Vidyanagar, confessed to Swamishri about his weakness. He said, 'Bapa, I love watching films. I have taken pledges to give it up, but I can't resist myself from going. So I fail in my pledges.'
A friend of his added, 'He changes his hairstyle and beard according to the latest styles. He also has a fad for clothes and buys new clothes every 15 days.'
Ramesh agreed and requested, 'Swami give me a niyam so that everything gets resolved for life.'
Swamishri blessed Ramesh with some sound advice, 'You desire to look good so that others become attracted to you. Give up this desire altogether. You can do without it. Look at us. We shave our beard after a month, and still people come to see us. There is no need for superficial show. It is more important to make yourself better from within. Everyone has to rid themselves of the inner desires of material inclinations and hostility. By keeping pace with the changing fashions, you waste time and money. By watching films, do you not allow desires for worldly things to enter within? Instead of ridding your desires, you are allowing them to enter within. So, do not watch films, do not go to discos and parties. Resolve to give them up altogether.' Ramesh agreed and received Swamishri's blessings.
20-3-2002, Vidyanagar
Appreciating Old People
Swamishri respects, appreciates and remembers senior devotees and old people for their sacrifices, services and devotion. Through recognition, Swamishri revives and enhances feelings of care and respect in families and societies.
On April 10, 2002, Swamishri was in Sarangpur. There was a crowd of devotees and sadhus with him as he was heading towards his residence. Suddenly he moved towards an old man in a wheelchair. Swamishri smiled and said, 'Oh! It's Ramji Bhagat.' Then Swamishri began recalling events that stretched back over 50 years. 'I remember when Shastriji Maharaj celebrated the Jal Jhilani festival here in Sarangpur Ramji Bhagat used to carry the palanquin with Thakorji for home visits in the village. He is from Keriya. He used to come with his friend, Purushottambhai. The two never missed a single festival. And they worked very hard, offering their services for years in the festivals... I remember them well.'
Ramji Bhagat was 94. The fact that Swamishri remembers senior devotees like Ramji Bhagat reflects his loving care and appreciation for them.
10-4-2002, Sarangpur
Swamishri respects, appreciates and remembers senior devotees and old people for their sacrifices, services and devotion. Through recognition, Swamishri revives and enhances feelings of care and respect in families and societies.
On April 10, 2002, Swamishri was in Sarangpur. There was a crowd of devotees and sadhus with him as he was heading towards his residence. Suddenly he moved towards an old man in a wheelchair. Swamishri smiled and said, 'Oh! It's Ramji Bhagat.' Then Swamishri began recalling events that stretched back over 50 years. 'I remember when Shastriji Maharaj celebrated the Jal Jhilani festival here in Sarangpur Ramji Bhagat used to carry the palanquin with Thakorji for home visits in the village. He is from Keriya. He used to come with his friend, Purushottambhai. The two never missed a single festival. And they worked very hard, offering their services for years in the festivals... I remember them well.'
Ramji Bhagat was 94. The fact that Swamishri remembers senior devotees like Ramji Bhagat reflects his loving care and appreciation for them.
10-4-2002, Sarangpur
No to Addictions
Bhikhubhai Shamji, a farmer of Bhadra village, and his sons were chronic addicts of bidis and gutkhas. When Bhikhubhai came to the mandir, Swamishri asked, 'How much did you spend on addictions last year?' Bhikhubhai replied, 'Rs. 80,000.' Swamishri was surprised and shocked, 'You spent so much!' Bhikhubhai replied without regret, 'Well, why not when there are three to four of us who smoke.'
Swamishri spoke about the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco on one's body, family and financial status. Then Swamishri pointed to Bhikhubhai's brother-in-law, 'Because your brother-in-law doesn't smoke, see how fit and strong his body is and look at yours!'
Bhikhubhai replied shamelessly, 'It is what it is!' Swamishri urged, 'Take a pledge to give up smoking and eating gutkhas from today.'
Bhikhubhai, 'I'll give it up gradually. It cannot be given up in one day.' Swamishri, 'It has to be given up in one go and not gradually.' Bhikhubhai remained adamant, 'It will go slowly.' Swamishri patiently explained further, but Bhikhubhai did not relent. Two days later his sons came to meet Swamishri. After he explained to them, they took a pledge not to smoke and chew tobacco. For over three decades Swamishri has been crusading untiringly against addictions for the benefit of hundreds of thousands of people.
6-5-2002, Bhadra
Bhikhubhai Shamji, a farmer of Bhadra village, and his sons were chronic addicts of bidis and gutkhas. When Bhikhubhai came to the mandir, Swamishri asked, 'How much did you spend on addictions last year?' Bhikhubhai replied, 'Rs. 80,000.' Swamishri was surprised and shocked, 'You spent so much!' Bhikhubhai replied without regret, 'Well, why not when there are three to four of us who smoke.'
Swamishri spoke about the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco on one's body, family and financial status. Then Swamishri pointed to Bhikhubhai's brother-in-law, 'Because your brother-in-law doesn't smoke, see how fit and strong his body is and look at yours!'
Bhikhubhai replied shamelessly, 'It is what it is!' Swamishri urged, 'Take a pledge to give up smoking and eating gutkhas from today.'
Bhikhubhai, 'I'll give it up gradually. It cannot be given up in one day.' Swamishri, 'It has to be given up in one go and not gradually.' Bhikhubhai remained adamant, 'It will go slowly.' Swamishri patiently explained further, but Bhikhubhai did not relent. Two days later his sons came to meet Swamishri. After he explained to them, they took a pledge not to smoke and chew tobacco. For over three decades Swamishri has been crusading untiringly against addictions for the benefit of hundreds of thousands of people.
6-5-2002, Bhadra
God's Doership
Swamishri instructed a sadhu to acquire free medicines from phar- maceutical companies for the honorary dispensaries running at our mandir in Sankari, Tithal (Kosamba) and Navsari.
The sadhu replied, 'I will make the effort and through your blessings it will all work out well.'
Swamishri replied, 'You believe in the power of blessings.'
The sadhu said, 'I believe that any task done intelligently, with due planning, and with your blessings will work out successfully. However, there are people who believe God to be the all-doer but do not make any efforts!'
Swamishri agreed, 'You are right. Firstly, one should endeavour intelligently. Then if the work is successfully done, believe God to be the doer, and if there is no success then still He is the doer.'
The sadhu replied, 'I believe in that.'
Swamishri finally revealed, 'That's right. I, too, live according to that belief. One must make a hundred percent effort in whatever one does. Then by believing God to be the all-doer one experiences peace of mind. Otherwise, there would be no end to worries!'
Swamishri's conviction and faith in Bhagwan Swaminarayan's all-doership is evident through his blissful, relaxed and unperturbed life. He accepts both success and failure as the wish of God.
18-6-2002, Tithal (Kosamba)
Swamishri instructed a sadhu to acquire free medicines from phar- maceutical companies for the honorary dispensaries running at our mandir in Sankari, Tithal (Kosamba) and Navsari.
The sadhu replied, 'I will make the effort and through your blessings it will all work out well.'
Swamishri replied, 'You believe in the power of blessings.'
The sadhu said, 'I believe that any task done intelligently, with due planning, and with your blessings will work out successfully. However, there are people who believe God to be the all-doer but do not make any efforts!'
Swamishri agreed, 'You are right. Firstly, one should endeavour intelligently. Then if the work is successfully done, believe God to be the doer, and if there is no success then still He is the doer.'
The sadhu replied, 'I believe in that.'
Swamishri finally revealed, 'That's right. I, too, live according to that belief. One must make a hundred percent effort in whatever one does. Then by believing God to be the all-doer one experiences peace of mind. Otherwise, there would be no end to worries!'
Swamishri's conviction and faith in Bhagwan Swaminarayan's all-doership is evident through his blissful, relaxed and unperturbed life. He accepts both success and failure as the wish of God.
18-6-2002, Tithal (Kosamba)
Eternal Happiness
During a combined children and youth camp held in the presence of Swamishri, a youth asked Swamishri, 'Swami, you are very happy and always rejoicing in eternal joy. Is this true?'
Swamishri: 'I am happy because I've met God and the guru. When the soul attains God, it experiences joy. Because God is the source of all joy, from Him comes all joy and happiness. And having attained that joy one does not desire for worldly happiness!'
Then a youth pointing to a boy who had played an unhappy son of a rich man in a skit called 'A happy man's clothes', asked Swamishri whether he would give him his clothes.
Swamishri replied pointing to his upper cloth (gatariyu), 'If I were to give him this (that is if he were to become a sadhu) he would become happy. There would be no troubles or miseries for him. Secondly, I have this rosary. If he starts saying the rosary, then he would become happy. We should wear the 'clothes' of God, 'clothes' of knowledge, bhakti and 'clothes' of the guru, then there will be no miseries.
'Yogiji Maharaj used to say that this rosary is an 'atom bomb'. It will make everyone in the world happy. Hence, if one has the rosary, then there will be happiness in life... When one realises the knowledge of God, then one will become happy. When one becomes focused on God and realises Him, then one does not desire for mundane happiness.'
For eternal happiness, Swamishri prescribed the need for focussing on God, realising His knowledge, offering devotion to Him and chanting His name.
18-6-2002, Tithal (Kosamba)
During a combined children and youth camp held in the presence of Swamishri, a youth asked Swamishri, 'Swami, you are very happy and always rejoicing in eternal joy. Is this true?'
Swamishri: 'I am happy because I've met God and the guru. When the soul attains God, it experiences joy. Because God is the source of all joy, from Him comes all joy and happiness. And having attained that joy one does not desire for worldly happiness!'
Then a youth pointing to a boy who had played an unhappy son of a rich man in a skit called 'A happy man's clothes', asked Swamishri whether he would give him his clothes.
Swamishri replied pointing to his upper cloth (gatariyu), 'If I were to give him this (that is if he were to become a sadhu) he would become happy. There would be no troubles or miseries for him. Secondly, I have this rosary. If he starts saying the rosary, then he would become happy. We should wear the 'clothes' of God, 'clothes' of knowledge, bhakti and 'clothes' of the guru, then there will be no miseries.
'Yogiji Maharaj used to say that this rosary is an 'atom bomb'. It will make everyone in the world happy. Hence, if one has the rosary, then there will be happiness in life... When one realises the knowledge of God, then one will become happy. When one becomes focused on God and realises Him, then one does not desire for mundane happiness.'
For eternal happiness, Swamishri prescribed the need for focussing on God, realising His knowledge, offering devotion to Him and chanting His name.
18-6-2002, Tithal (Kosamba)
Jewel of India
The chief editor of The Times of India, Mumbai, Shri Balkrishnan, praised Swamishri's socio-spiritual achievements and said that he is a spiritual engineer. Swamishri replied, 'I have done nothing. Whatever is achieved is through God's grace and through the efforts of these sadhus and devotees.'
Shri Balkrishnan responded, 'But it is through your leadership that things are accomplished. I feel that Pramukh Swami should be given the Bharat Ratna* award. Though you are a jewel of Bharat, there should be an official recognition by giving you the award.'
Swamishri, pointing to a murti of Akshar and Purushottam, happily replied, 'Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Yogiji Maharaj have given me the award. I am happy and contented with that. There is no need for worldly awards.'
Despite all his grand achievements, Swamishri has no desires for recognition because he is content with the blessings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his guru Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj.
11-7-2002, Mumbai
* The highest civilian award in India.
The chief editor of The Times of India, Mumbai, Shri Balkrishnan, praised Swamishri's socio-spiritual achievements and said that he is a spiritual engineer. Swamishri replied, 'I have done nothing. Whatever is achieved is through God's grace and through the efforts of these sadhus and devotees.'
Shri Balkrishnan responded, 'But it is through your leadership that things are accomplished. I feel that Pramukh Swami should be given the Bharat Ratna* award. Though you are a jewel of Bharat, there should be an official recognition by giving you the award.'
Swamishri, pointing to a murti of Akshar and Purushottam, happily replied, 'Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Yogiji Maharaj have given me the award. I am happy and contented with that. There is no need for worldly awards.'
Despite all his grand achievements, Swamishri has no desires for recognition because he is content with the blessings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his guru Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj.
11-7-2002, Mumbai
* The highest civilian award in India.
Akshardham
For the first time ever in the Swaminarayan Sampraday a children's monthly - Swaminarayan Bal Prakash - was being published. A brief introduction was given about the monthly during a volunteers' training camp. When it was announced that Swamishri would become its first subscriber, two volunteers took a copy of the monthly alongwith a subscription receipt book. After inaugurating the magazine, Swamishri wrote his name in the receipt book - Shastri Narayanswarupdas. Then Swamishri paused as to what to write in the address column. He asked the volunteer, 'What shall I write in the address section? Sankari? Bochasan? Amdavad?'
The volunteer said, 'Write the address of the place you come from.'
Swamishri wrote, 'Akshardham.'
Then after writing the date, Swamishri came across the subscription charge column and said, 'I am a sadhu so I do not have any money.'
Swamishri's pure saintliness and divinity is revealed by his absolute renunciation and the fact that he is from Akshardham - God's abode.
15-7-2002, Sankari
For the first time ever in the Swaminarayan Sampraday a children's monthly - Swaminarayan Bal Prakash - was being published. A brief introduction was given about the monthly during a volunteers' training camp. When it was announced that Swamishri would become its first subscriber, two volunteers took a copy of the monthly alongwith a subscription receipt book. After inaugurating the magazine, Swamishri wrote his name in the receipt book - Shastri Narayanswarupdas. Then Swamishri paused as to what to write in the address column. He asked the volunteer, 'What shall I write in the address section? Sankari? Bochasan? Amdavad?'
The volunteer said, 'Write the address of the place you come from.'
Swamishri wrote, 'Akshardham.'
Then after writing the date, Swamishri came across the subscription charge column and said, 'I am a sadhu so I do not have any money.'
Swamishri's pure saintliness and divinity is revealed by his absolute renunciation and the fact that he is from Akshardham - God's abode.
15-7-2002, Sankari
Love for Devotees
Swamishri asked a sadhu, 'While we were coming to Sankari by road there was a village near Bhatiya. What is it called?'
'Lingad,' the sadhu replied.
'Yes. We passed it. Some devotees were waiting for us, but we did not stop (because Swamishri was engrossed in reading). They must have felt bad. I will give you a letter (of apology) to give to them.'
'Bapa, they will not have felt bad about it. They are staunch devotees,' the sadhu replied.
Swamishri's concern for probably having hurt the feelings of rural devotees is evident here. Though two days had passed since the incident had happened, Swamishri had not forgotten it despite his hectic schedule in the volunteer training camp programme. His love for even the ordinary devotees is reflected here. For Swamishri's satisfaction, the sadhu told him that he would bring the devotees for darshan.
The next day when the devotees met Swamishri, he expressed his regrets, 'Forgive me. I was engrossed in reading and didn't realise immediately that you were waiting. So be happy.'
The devotees replied, 'Swami, we did not feel bad. In fact we were happy to have your darshan.'
Swamishri then enquired about everyone's name and blessed them.
17-7-2002, Sankari
Swamishri asked a sadhu, 'While we were coming to Sankari by road there was a village near Bhatiya. What is it called?'
'Lingad,' the sadhu replied.
'Yes. We passed it. Some devotees were waiting for us, but we did not stop (because Swamishri was engrossed in reading). They must have felt bad. I will give you a letter (of apology) to give to them.'
'Bapa, they will not have felt bad about it. They are staunch devotees,' the sadhu replied.
Swamishri's concern for probably having hurt the feelings of rural devotees is evident here. Though two days had passed since the incident had happened, Swamishri had not forgotten it despite his hectic schedule in the volunteer training camp programme. His love for even the ordinary devotees is reflected here. For Swamishri's satisfaction, the sadhu told him that he would bring the devotees for darshan.
The next day when the devotees met Swamishri, he expressed his regrets, 'Forgive me. I was engrossed in reading and didn't realise immediately that you were waiting. So be happy.'
The devotees replied, 'Swami, we did not feel bad. In fact we were happy to have your darshan.'
Swamishri then enquired about everyone's name and blessed them.
17-7-2002, Sankari