Patience and Love
In the welcome assembly, devotees from different regions of England offered garlands or bouquets to Swamishri. An aged devotee, Harmankaka, stepped onto the stage with his walking stick. After offering a bouquet to Swamishri, he wished to bow and touch Swamishri’s feet. As he was thinking about placing his stick on one side, Swamishri held it for him. After bowing down, he got up and then took out his rosary and gave it to Swamishri to say it and sanctify it - a routine he has been doing every time he welcomes Swamishri. Swamishri satisfied his wish and Harmankaka ambled happily across the stage with his walking stick.
The entire assembly saw Swamishri’s patience and love for a senior devotee.
24 April 2004, London
In the welcome assembly, devotees from different regions of England offered garlands or bouquets to Swamishri. An aged devotee, Harmankaka, stepped onto the stage with his walking stick. After offering a bouquet to Swamishri, he wished to bow and touch Swamishri’s feet. As he was thinking about placing his stick on one side, Swamishri held it for him. After bowing down, he got up and then took out his rosary and gave it to Swamishri to say it and sanctify it - a routine he has been doing every time he welcomes Swamishri. Swamishri satisfied his wish and Harmankaka ambled happily across the stage with his walking stick.
The entire assembly saw Swamishri’s patience and love for a senior devotee.
24 April 2004, London
Care and Love
The lift doors opened in the mandir pradakshina. Swamishri stepped onto a red carpet which had been laid to ward off the cold marble floor. On seeing a middle-aged Parsi devotee opposite the lift doors, Swamishri in an instant called out, “Oh Nosh! Your carpet is still in use.” The devotee was overwhelmed with joy.
Even four years after Swamishri last visited London, he instantly called the devotee by his name. This reflects his love and camaraderie with young and old devotees alike.
24 April 2004, London
The lift doors opened in the mandir pradakshina. Swamishri stepped onto a red carpet which had been laid to ward off the cold marble floor. On seeing a middle-aged Parsi devotee opposite the lift doors, Swamishri in an instant called out, “Oh Nosh! Your carpet is still in use.” The devotee was overwhelmed with joy.
Even four years after Swamishri last visited London, he instantly called the devotee by his name. This reflects his love and camaraderie with young and old devotees alike.
24 April 2004, London
Swamishri's Intimacy
A youth volunteer introduced himself to Swamishri, “My name is Haresh and my native village is Shrijipura.”
“What is your father’s name?” Swamishri enquired.
“Ramji Chhagan.”
Swamishri knows each and every household and the names of devotees in Shrijipura. Swamishri then remembered the volunteer’s relatives, “He is originally of Ugamedi village. When Shastriji Maharaj acquired land in Shrijipura he had also asked devotees to reside there and to till the land. His father’s name is Ramji and his brother is called Dayal. Chhagan has two children, and three brothers, namely, Trikam the eldest, then Chhagan, Narayan and Talshi. Ramji’s brother is a sadhu in Sarangpur. And Manilal of Surat is related to him.”
Haresh stood amazed at Swamishri’s intimacy with his family.
26 April 2004, London
A youth volunteer introduced himself to Swamishri, “My name is Haresh and my native village is Shrijipura.”
“What is your father’s name?” Swamishri enquired.
“Ramji Chhagan.”
Swamishri knows each and every household and the names of devotees in Shrijipura. Swamishri then remembered the volunteer’s relatives, “He is originally of Ugamedi village. When Shastriji Maharaj acquired land in Shrijipura he had also asked devotees to reside there and to till the land. His father’s name is Ramji and his brother is called Dayal. Chhagan has two children, and three brothers, namely, Trikam the eldest, then Chhagan, Narayan and Talshi. Ramji’s brother is a sadhu in Sarangpur. And Manilal of Surat is related to him.”
Haresh stood amazed at Swamishri’s intimacy with his family.
26 April 2004, London
Love and Compassion
During the personal meeting session with Swamishri a mentally challenged boy called Amrut arrived. He liked BAPS Amrut Herbal Care ayurvedic products. An interesting dialogue followed.
When sadhus asked him whether he wished to ask for anything, he replied, “Yes, give me Amrut toothpaste.”
Swamishri smiled at his request. Then Amrut stood on his toes and placed his hands on Swamishri’s head. Swamishri and everyone broke out with laughter. Then Amrut said, “Bapa, you are so lucky.”
Again the room was drowned in laughter.
Swamishri is accessible to all. Earlier the same morning, Swamishri met the Air Chief Marshall of Britain with honour and respect. Similarly, Swamishri lovingly met Amrut, showering his love and compassion upon him.
26 April 2004, London
During the personal meeting session with Swamishri a mentally challenged boy called Amrut arrived. He liked BAPS Amrut Herbal Care ayurvedic products. An interesting dialogue followed.
When sadhus asked him whether he wished to ask for anything, he replied, “Yes, give me Amrut toothpaste.”
Swamishri smiled at his request. Then Amrut stood on his toes and placed his hands on Swamishri’s head. Swamishri and everyone broke out with laughter. Then Amrut said, “Bapa, you are so lucky.”
Again the room was drowned in laughter.
Swamishri is accessible to all. Earlier the same morning, Swamishri met the Air Chief Marshall of Britain with honour and respect. Similarly, Swamishri lovingly met Amrut, showering his love and compassion upon him.
26 April 2004, London
Blessing to Relieve Suffering
After his morning rituals, Swamishri came out to go for Thakorji’s darshan. By the door was D.C. Patel, a senior youth coordinator. Someone said, “Swamishri, D.C. suffers from severe knee pain.” At the time D.C. was standing with folded hands offering his respects to Swamishri. On hearing this, Swamishri went upto D.C. and to the surprise of the latter Swamishri bent down to bless his knees with his hands. D.C. Patel immediately held Swamishri’s hands and helped him up.
Swamishri’s compassion and spirit of service to relieve the pain and suffering of devotees is reflected through his actions.
28 April 2004, London
After his morning rituals, Swamishri came out to go for Thakorji’s darshan. By the door was D.C. Patel, a senior youth coordinator. Someone said, “Swamishri, D.C. suffers from severe knee pain.” At the time D.C. was standing with folded hands offering his respects to Swamishri. On hearing this, Swamishri went upto D.C. and to the surprise of the latter Swamishri bent down to bless his knees with his hands. D.C. Patel immediately held Swamishri’s hands and helped him up.
Swamishri’s compassion and spirit of service to relieve the pain and suffering of devotees is reflected through his actions.
28 April 2004, London
Sound Advice
A devotee youth explained to Swamishri the details of a business he wished to do. Then he asked, “A devotee has asked me to form a partnership with him, but when I talked to him about making it official on a written document he said, ‘Where is the need for us to have it documented? Between you and me we have Swamishri, so why worry?’ “
Swamishri replied with a word of advice, “As devotees, you are both fine. I bless both of you. However, your partnership must be signed and documented. Then, later, you won’t have any problems. You must be clear as to what percentage is yours and his in the business. Do not be unclear in such matters. You must have it on a written document as prescribed in the Shikshapatri.”
29 April 2004, London
A devotee youth explained to Swamishri the details of a business he wished to do. Then he asked, “A devotee has asked me to form a partnership with him, but when I talked to him about making it official on a written document he said, ‘Where is the need for us to have it documented? Between you and me we have Swamishri, so why worry?’ “
Swamishri replied with a word of advice, “As devotees, you are both fine. I bless both of you. However, your partnership must be signed and documented. Then, later, you won’t have any problems. You must be clear as to what percentage is yours and his in the business. Do not be unclear in such matters. You must have it on a written document as prescribed in the Shikshapatri.”
29 April 2004, London
Guiding Principle
The owner and editor, Kishorebhai Kamdar and Milanbhai respectively, of a weekly magazine for Indians, Gujarat Sandesh, came to seek Swamishri’s blessings. Swamishri sanctified their magazine before Thakorji and advised, “Alongwith other news include religious news, too. The new generation needs to know of it. Give that which has a good (positive) effect on the lives of Hindu boys. Since you have ‘Sandesh’ (means news or message) as part of the magazine’s name you also need to give God’s message. Do not take advertisements that promote violence. Take such news that inspire values in people.”
Swamishri’s message is a guiding principle for all news media. As one who is active in solving the social ills that prevail in our society, Swamishri perfectly guides and advises on all matters of society.
29 April 2004, London
The owner and editor, Kishorebhai Kamdar and Milanbhai respectively, of a weekly magazine for Indians, Gujarat Sandesh, came to seek Swamishri’s blessings. Swamishri sanctified their magazine before Thakorji and advised, “Alongwith other news include religious news, too. The new generation needs to know of it. Give that which has a good (positive) effect on the lives of Hindu boys. Since you have ‘Sandesh’ (means news or message) as part of the magazine’s name you also need to give God’s message. Do not take advertisements that promote violence. Take such news that inspire values in people.”
Swamishri’s message is a guiding principle for all news media. As one who is active in solving the social ills that prevail in our society, Swamishri perfectly guides and advises on all matters of society.
29 April 2004, London
The Divine Speaks Through Swamishri
When Swamishri arrived in the evening assembly Viveksagar Swami was explaining the unique attributes of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Thereafter, the microphone used by Swamishri was arranged for his blessings, but it failed to function. The devotees in the assembly started chanting the holy name of Swaminarayan. A youth, Kishan Makwana, came and arranged another microphone for Swamishri.
“What have you done?” Swamishri amusingly referred to the situation.
“I haven’t done anything. Your mic has broken down,” the youth replied.
Swamishri replied, “My mic never breaks down. Maharaj, Swami, Shastriji Maharaj and Yogi Bapa speak through it.”
Swamishri naturally revealed that God and his gurus speak through him.
29 April 2004, London
When Swamishri arrived in the evening assembly Viveksagar Swami was explaining the unique attributes of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Thereafter, the microphone used by Swamishri was arranged for his blessings, but it failed to function. The devotees in the assembly started chanting the holy name of Swaminarayan. A youth, Kishan Makwana, came and arranged another microphone for Swamishri.
“What have you done?” Swamishri amusingly referred to the situation.
“I haven’t done anything. Your mic has broken down,” the youth replied.
Swamishri replied, “My mic never breaks down. Maharaj, Swami, Shastriji Maharaj and Yogi Bapa speak through it.”
Swamishri naturally revealed that God and his gurus speak through him.
29 April 2004, London
Guardian of Sanatan Dharma
Two youth leaders of the National Hindu Students Forum came to meet Swamishri. They explained their efforts in creating awareness for and fostering Hindu Dharma among Indian college students in England. Swamishri was pleased on hearing of their sincere efforts. He appreciated their services and added, “It is good that you are offering your services for Hindu Dharma but you must follow our moral code of conduct (niyam-dharma). Never take liquor and meat.”
As a guardian of Sanatan Dharma, Swamishri teaches that merely offering services for the preservation of Hindu Dharma is not enough, but it is necessary to follow its ideals to experience a ring of pride and self-joy.
30 April 2004, London
Two youth leaders of the National Hindu Students Forum came to meet Swamishri. They explained their efforts in creating awareness for and fostering Hindu Dharma among Indian college students in England. Swamishri was pleased on hearing of their sincere efforts. He appreciated their services and added, “It is good that you are offering your services for Hindu Dharma but you must follow our moral code of conduct (niyam-dharma). Never take liquor and meat.”
As a guardian of Sanatan Dharma, Swamishri teaches that merely offering services for the preservation of Hindu Dharma is not enough, but it is necessary to follow its ideals to experience a ring of pride and self-joy.
30 April 2004, London
Happiness in Becoming Addiction-Free
Mamtora, originally from Malawi, became emotional on meeting Swamishri, “Swami, fifteen years ago I was addicted to alcohol. On meeting you then you lovingly explained to me to give up drinking. Through your blessings and strength I gave up alcohol from that very day. Today I am very happy.” Then with folded hands Mamtora prayed, “Bapa, bless me so that I can inspire others to give up addictions.”
Swamishri showered his blessings and expressed his joy upon the devotee and said, “Now that you are happy make others happy like yourself. You will benefit immensely and be blessed with devotion to God in your heart. “
30 April 2004, London
Mamtora, originally from Malawi, became emotional on meeting Swamishri, “Swami, fifteen years ago I was addicted to alcohol. On meeting you then you lovingly explained to me to give up drinking. Through your blessings and strength I gave up alcohol from that very day. Today I am very happy.” Then with folded hands Mamtora prayed, “Bapa, bless me so that I can inspire others to give up addictions.”
Swamishri showered his blessings and expressed his joy upon the devotee and said, “Now that you are happy make others happy like yourself. You will benefit immensely and be blessed with devotion to God in your heart. “
30 April 2004, London