Peace Message
A reporter from a TV channel asked Swamishri, 'What is your message for world peace?'
Swamishri replied, 'Today we find that every person in any part of the world needs peace. For this everyone should make his or her life morally and spiritually oriented. One should give up one's vices and harmful habits and entertain good feelings and love for everyone. One should nourish sentiments of giving to others rather than taking, and in doing good of others rather than causing damage or destruction. One should cultivate virtues of satya, ahimsa, brahmacharya, etc. and a firm refuge in God. Let everyone have a firm refuge in their faith and offer devotion and abide by their prescribed instructions and moral regulations. Only then can there be world peace. So, the more religious and spiritual feelings there are, the better our world will become. There has been progress, but it is all merely external. This is necessary, but it is merely physical and concerned with the body. But the progress for the happiness of one's atma is spiritual progress. May God give strength and inspiration to all.'
10-4-2003, Amreli
A reporter from a TV channel asked Swamishri, 'What is your message for world peace?'
Swamishri replied, 'Today we find that every person in any part of the world needs peace. For this everyone should make his or her life morally and spiritually oriented. One should give up one's vices and harmful habits and entertain good feelings and love for everyone. One should nourish sentiments of giving to others rather than taking, and in doing good of others rather than causing damage or destruction. One should cultivate virtues of satya, ahimsa, brahmacharya, etc. and a firm refuge in God. Let everyone have a firm refuge in their faith and offer devotion and abide by their prescribed instructions and moral regulations. Only then can there be world peace. So, the more religious and spiritual feelings there are, the better our world will become. There has been progress, but it is all merely external. This is necessary, but it is merely physical and concerned with the body. But the progress for the happiness of one's atma is spiritual progress. May God give strength and inspiration to all.'
10-4-2003, Amreli
True Darshan
During late afternoon, Swamishri went on a round of darshan of the places where Jhina Bhagat (Yogiji Maharaj) studied, bathed in the river Shetrunji and worshipped Thakorji at the old mandir.
When Swamishri came to the river Shetrunji, he performed pradakshina of the memorial shrine of Jhina Bhagat. Then he expressed a desire to descend down the ghat (embankment). During this time a sadhu soaked his upper cloth in the river and brought it to Swamishri, who then applied it on his head. Despite this, Swamishri still nourished a wish to go down to the river. The attendant sadhus explained that the descent and the ascent was difficult and uncomfortable. Still Swamishri walked down and stood by a parapet. A sadhu climbed down the narrow steps to the river, soaked his upper cloth and brought it to Swamishri who then reverentially applied it to his head and sprinkled it on the sadhus and devotees with him. Then Swamishri walked up with the support of the attendant sadhus and said, 'This is the meaning of having done darshan. How can doing it from the top be called darshan!'
Despite being 82-years-old, Swamishri's spirit of devotion to God and his guru is exemplary.
14-4-2003, Dhari
During late afternoon, Swamishri went on a round of darshan of the places where Jhina Bhagat (Yogiji Maharaj) studied, bathed in the river Shetrunji and worshipped Thakorji at the old mandir.
When Swamishri came to the river Shetrunji, he performed pradakshina of the memorial shrine of Jhina Bhagat. Then he expressed a desire to descend down the ghat (embankment). During this time a sadhu soaked his upper cloth in the river and brought it to Swamishri, who then applied it on his head. Despite this, Swamishri still nourished a wish to go down to the river. The attendant sadhus explained that the descent and the ascent was difficult and uncomfortable. Still Swamishri walked down and stood by a parapet. A sadhu climbed down the narrow steps to the river, soaked his upper cloth and brought it to Swamishri who then reverentially applied it to his head and sprinkled it on the sadhus and devotees with him. Then Swamishri walked up with the support of the attendant sadhus and said, 'This is the meaning of having done darshan. How can doing it from the top be called darshan!'
Despite being 82-years-old, Swamishri's spirit of devotion to God and his guru is exemplary.
14-4-2003, Dhari
Sanctifying a Highway
After having darshan and performing pradakshina of Thakorji at Nadiad mandir, Swamishri departed for Amdavad by car. As the driver drove through Nadiad, Swamishri asked for some sanctified flowers from the attendant sadhu. The attendant sadhu guessed that someone must have told Swamishri to sanctify his place and he would thus give him the flowers while remaining in the car. When Swamishri's car crossed the city limits of Nadiad he still had the flowers in his hand. The car came onto the new express highway to Amdavad. After driving a short distance Swamishri sprinkled the flower petals from his window and said, 'Jai Maharaj!' and then told the attendant sadhu, 'Let Thakorji see and bless the highway.'
Since Swamishri was travelling for the first time on the newly opened highway, he had it blessed by Thakorji and showered sanctified flowers. Swamishri's subtle devotion to God before accepting anything becomes evident on such occasions.
10-6-2003, Nadiad to Amdavad
After having darshan and performing pradakshina of Thakorji at Nadiad mandir, Swamishri departed for Amdavad by car. As the driver drove through Nadiad, Swamishri asked for some sanctified flowers from the attendant sadhu. The attendant sadhu guessed that someone must have told Swamishri to sanctify his place and he would thus give him the flowers while remaining in the car. When Swamishri's car crossed the city limits of Nadiad he still had the flowers in his hand. The car came onto the new express highway to Amdavad. After driving a short distance Swamishri sprinkled the flower petals from his window and said, 'Jai Maharaj!' and then told the attendant sadhu, 'Let Thakorji see and bless the highway.'
Since Swamishri was travelling for the first time on the newly opened highway, he had it blessed by Thakorji and showered sanctified flowers. Swamishri's subtle devotion to God before accepting anything becomes evident on such occasions.
10-6-2003, Nadiad to Amdavad
Care and Concern
On seeing two veteran devotees from the time of Shastriji Maharaj,
Swamishri called them, “Come here. You are old in Satsang. Do you come to the mandir?”
Jagdishbhai replied, “I come everyday.”
A local sadhu added, “He does not come to the satsang assembly.”
Swamishri responded, “Do you remember that Yogiji Maharaj once massaged your feet!”
Jagdishbhai said, “I come since you have instructed me.”
Swamishri explained, “It is Yogiji Maharaj’s command to attend the Sunday assembly.”
The local sadhu clarified his statement, “He comes to the Sunday assembly but he does not attend the weekly suburb assembly.”
Swamishri replied, “If the circumstances permit you should attend your local area assembly, but you must attend the Sunday assembly. You will have the darshan of Thakorji, meet the sadhus,... If you obey this command, you will experience peace.”
Then Swamishri added, “It is because that I have love for you that I am telling you. Forgive me for saying it emphatically.”
Both the devotees replied with folded hands, “Swamishri, you have the right to tell us.”
Often, Swamishri expresses his care and concern for the spiritual progress of devotees by telling them to attend the Sunday assembly.
21 June 2003, Amdavad
On seeing two veteran devotees from the time of Shastriji Maharaj,
Swamishri called them, “Come here. You are old in Satsang. Do you come to the mandir?”
Jagdishbhai replied, “I come everyday.”
A local sadhu added, “He does not come to the satsang assembly.”
Swamishri responded, “Do you remember that Yogiji Maharaj once massaged your feet!”
Jagdishbhai said, “I come since you have instructed me.”
Swamishri explained, “It is Yogiji Maharaj’s command to attend the Sunday assembly.”
The local sadhu clarified his statement, “He comes to the Sunday assembly but he does not attend the weekly suburb assembly.”
Swamishri replied, “If the circumstances permit you should attend your local area assembly, but you must attend the Sunday assembly. You will have the darshan of Thakorji, meet the sadhus,... If you obey this command, you will experience peace.”
Then Swamishri added, “It is because that I have love for you that I am telling you. Forgive me for saying it emphatically.”
Both the devotees replied with folded hands, “Swamishri, you have the right to tell us.”
Often, Swamishri expresses his care and concern for the spiritual progress of devotees by telling them to attend the Sunday assembly.
21 June 2003, Amdavad
A Win-Win Situation
Pradipbhai, a Hindi speaking aspirant, came with his son to Swamishri.
Pradipbhai: My son has passed with 88% in his tenth grade exams. Now he wishes to do further studies in the engineering faculty. But I’ve been telling him to go into medicine.
Swamishri asked the boy, “What is your wish?”
Boy: I prefer to do engineering.
Pradipbhai: If he studies medicine then he will be able to serve society in a better way.
Swamishri: But he desires to do engineering. If he does study medicine as you wish, then he will not be able to put his mind to it.
Pradipbhai: He will do whatever you say.
Swamishri: Let him do engineering.
Then Swamishri told the boy, “I have told you to do according to your wish. Now you should do what I wish. Study properly and be obedient to your mother and father. Do puja and remember God.”
Swamishri forged with care and understanding a win-win situation where he permitted the boy to do further studies according to his liking and at the same time strengthened his respect for his parents and advised him to study sincerely.
22 June 2003, Amdavad
Pradipbhai, a Hindi speaking aspirant, came with his son to Swamishri.
Pradipbhai: My son has passed with 88% in his tenth grade exams. Now he wishes to do further studies in the engineering faculty. But I’ve been telling him to go into medicine.
Swamishri asked the boy, “What is your wish?”
Boy: I prefer to do engineering.
Pradipbhai: If he studies medicine then he will be able to serve society in a better way.
Swamishri: But he desires to do engineering. If he does study medicine as you wish, then he will not be able to put his mind to it.
Pradipbhai: He will do whatever you say.
Swamishri: Let him do engineering.
Then Swamishri told the boy, “I have told you to do according to your wish. Now you should do what I wish. Study properly and be obedient to your mother and father. Do puja and remember God.”
Swamishri forged with care and understanding a win-win situation where he permitted the boy to do further studies according to his liking and at the same time strengthened his respect for his parents and advised him to study sincerely.
22 June 2003, Amdavad
All-Doership of God and Guru
Dr. Mangal Patel, the chairman of the State Legislative Assembly, Gujarat, came for Swamishri’s darshan and blessings. On learning about the sheer expanse of services performed by Swamishri he asked in amazement, “How do you quietly and peacefully run the more than 500 mandirs and the Satsang that has spread in India and abroad?”
Swamishri humbly replied, “I am not running anything. It is my guru and God who are running everything. I do not believe that I am doing something. God is the doer of everything. But when one believes that one is doing everything and it does not work out properly, one becomes depressed. One should make all the efforts, then the fruits of one’s actions depend upon God. And supposing one does not get success then one should firmly believe that it is for one’s benefit.
“Our guruji has taught us that if you fill a pot with water and place it on your head then you will feel its burden. But when you dive in the water, despite the ‘tons’ of water on your head, you do not feel its weight. So I am not doing anything. It is God and the guru who is doing everything.
“There is no end to pain and misery due to ego and possessiveness. So I constantly believe that God and the guru are the all-doer. That is how the entire Sanstha is run....”
4 July 2003, Amdavad
Dr. Mangal Patel, the chairman of the State Legislative Assembly, Gujarat, came for Swamishri’s darshan and blessings. On learning about the sheer expanse of services performed by Swamishri he asked in amazement, “How do you quietly and peacefully run the more than 500 mandirs and the Satsang that has spread in India and abroad?”
Swamishri humbly replied, “I am not running anything. It is my guru and God who are running everything. I do not believe that I am doing something. God is the doer of everything. But when one believes that one is doing everything and it does not work out properly, one becomes depressed. One should make all the efforts, then the fruits of one’s actions depend upon God. And supposing one does not get success then one should firmly believe that it is for one’s benefit.
“Our guruji has taught us that if you fill a pot with water and place it on your head then you will feel its burden. But when you dive in the water, despite the ‘tons’ of water on your head, you do not feel its weight. So I am not doing anything. It is God and the guru who is doing everything.
“There is no end to pain and misery due to ego and possessiveness. So I constantly believe that God and the guru are the all-doer. That is how the entire Sanstha is run....”
4 July 2003, Amdavad
Materialistic Tendencies
On meeting Swamishri, the Zonal Executive director of ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Company), Ankleshwar, asked, “Despite all facilities for and payment of proper wages to labourers and office staff, why do they still talk of taking more rather than giving for what they get? And for this they create agitation. Why is this?”
Swamishri replied, “It is because of the rise in materialism we find such tendencies. Our culture teaches us to give. Our scriptures say that we should do something for others. They show the principles of charity, compassion, nonviolence, celibacy, etc. But we do not see this. People do not think as to what they should do for our society and country. But they entertain thoughts about doing things for themselves. And that is why we have conflicts. This is the reason for the lack of peace. What is required in education is not given (values). Firstly, it is the duty of parents, but they are not paying any attention. They have become busy. Along with education, spiritual education needs to be taught. Before we were taught poems like, ‘O God, may we worship You ...’ People talk about Ram’s kingdom (Ram Rajya) today, but they do not think about how Ram ruled his kingdom. He did so much for his people.
“Maharaja Bhagwatsinhji of Gondal provided for the needs of his citizens. He helped them in times of famine and calamities. He made such milestones that people could rest and get shade beneath them. He took care of such small needs of his people. He had his children educated and then told them to work as employees, and to make do with the salary provided. He believed that people’s money should not be wasted. He lived in simplicity - clothes, food and everything. We should have such rulers; only then can the citizens live happily.”
17 August 2003, Bharuch
On meeting Swamishri, the Zonal Executive director of ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Company), Ankleshwar, asked, “Despite all facilities for and payment of proper wages to labourers and office staff, why do they still talk of taking more rather than giving for what they get? And for this they create agitation. Why is this?”
Swamishri replied, “It is because of the rise in materialism we find such tendencies. Our culture teaches us to give. Our scriptures say that we should do something for others. They show the principles of charity, compassion, nonviolence, celibacy, etc. But we do not see this. People do not think as to what they should do for our society and country. But they entertain thoughts about doing things for themselves. And that is why we have conflicts. This is the reason for the lack of peace. What is required in education is not given (values). Firstly, it is the duty of parents, but they are not paying any attention. They have become busy. Along with education, spiritual education needs to be taught. Before we were taught poems like, ‘O God, may we worship You ...’ People talk about Ram’s kingdom (Ram Rajya) today, but they do not think about how Ram ruled his kingdom. He did so much for his people.
“Maharaja Bhagwatsinhji of Gondal provided for the needs of his citizens. He helped them in times of famine and calamities. He made such milestones that people could rest and get shade beneath them. He took care of such small needs of his people. He had his children educated and then told them to work as employees, and to make do with the salary provided. He believed that people’s money should not be wasted. He lived in simplicity - clothes, food and everything. We should have such rulers; only then can the citizens live happily.”
17 August 2003, Bharuch
Less Wants
A devotee came to meet Swamishri with his son. The son was studying B.Sc. Agriculture in Anand. Swamishri blessed him.
Then someone informed Swamishri, “He desires to buy a mobile phone.”
Swamishri explained, “If you keep a mobile phone, you won’t be able to study properly. The ringing tone of phone calls will not allow you to sleep either. There is no need for it now. After all, you are not running a business. The less your wants, the better it will be for you. And whenever you wish to ring someone you can always do so from a telephone booth. Uptil now you were able to do without it. By not having it, your father will be less burdened and you’ll be able to study better. This is for your benefit.”
25 August 2003, Atladra
A devotee came to meet Swamishri with his son. The son was studying B.Sc. Agriculture in Anand. Swamishri blessed him.
Then someone informed Swamishri, “He desires to buy a mobile phone.”
Swamishri explained, “If you keep a mobile phone, you won’t be able to study properly. The ringing tone of phone calls will not allow you to sleep either. There is no need for it now. After all, you are not running a business. The less your wants, the better it will be for you. And whenever you wish to ring someone you can always do so from a telephone booth. Uptil now you were able to do without it. By not having it, your father will be less burdened and you’ll be able to study better. This is for your benefit.”
25 August 2003, Atladra
Advice for a Journalist
A satsangi youth introduced his journalist friend to Swamishri. In response, Swamishri blessed him and advised, “You must write good and true news for your paper; preferably about values, character and religion. You can also write about political news. But present the news in such a way that it does not hurt the people. If a small cut is necessary for an operation and a long one is made instead, then how would you feel? Likewise, present the news on a truthful and factual basis. The bad news should be given in such a way that it does not hurt or create bitterness.”
29 August 2003, Atladra
A satsangi youth introduced his journalist friend to Swamishri. In response, Swamishri blessed him and advised, “You must write good and true news for your paper; preferably about values, character and religion. You can also write about political news. But present the news in such a way that it does not hurt the people. If a small cut is necessary for an operation and a long one is made instead, then how would you feel? Likewise, present the news on a truthful and factual basis. The bad news should be given in such a way that it does not hurt or create bitterness.”
29 August 2003, Atladra
Principal Purpose
Every year, prior to the Jal Jhilani festival, Swamishri’s Thakorji, Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, is carried in a decorative palanquin in a devotional procession of sadhus and devotees in Sarangpur village. This year, a newly ornate palanquin was prepared by sadhus and brought before Swamishri. On seeing it Swamishri immediately assessed, “The seating space in the palanquin is very confined and deep. How will people have darshan of Thakorji during the procession?”
In a single glance, Swamishri perceived that the principal purpose of Thakorji’s darshan would not be served. The devotees would not be able to have Thakorji’s darshan and be blessed by His divine vision. The sadhus made the necessary changes to enable devotees to have Thakorji’s darshan.
6 September 2003, Sarangpur; Jal Jhilani Festival
Every year, prior to the Jal Jhilani festival, Swamishri’s Thakorji, Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, is carried in a decorative palanquin in a devotional procession of sadhus and devotees in Sarangpur village. This year, a newly ornate palanquin was prepared by sadhus and brought before Swamishri. On seeing it Swamishri immediately assessed, “The seating space in the palanquin is very confined and deep. How will people have darshan of Thakorji during the procession?”
In a single glance, Swamishri perceived that the principal purpose of Thakorji’s darshan would not be served. The devotees would not be able to have Thakorji’s darshan and be blessed by His divine vision. The sadhus made the necessary changes to enable devotees to have Thakorji’s darshan.
6 September 2003, Sarangpur; Jal Jhilani Festival