An Ideal Student
Jinabhai was very clever in his studies. He always stood first in every class, all through his career. He won many prizes. Sometimes dull or lazy students would sit beside Jinabhai with a hope of copying his exercises. Some bullies would threaten Jina, 'When you have done all the questions you had better tell us the answers.' Jina laughed, and said, 'Alright, I will tell you. I will tilt my slate so that you can see everything I have written.'
Whenever the teacher set any problem, Jinabhai solved it immediately, and would turn his slate upside down. All those around him who had neglected their previous lessons, would ask in a whisper, 'What is the answer?' But Jinabhai kept silent.
One day some of the boys threatened him, 'Jina, show us your slate; otherwise we will beat you up.' But Jina was not frightened because he had a good reason for not showing. He said, 'If my answer is wrong, then your answer will also be wrong.'
Whenever other students succeeded in copying his work, Jinabhai did not like it. He would tell them off, 'It is wrong to copy. By copying you are cheating God.'
Thus Jinabhai always insisted that others should learn by working hard and should not cheat. It is a sin to copy. We should remember these words of Jinabhai whenever we are tempted to copy from others.
Jinabhai was very clever in his studies. He always stood first in every class, all through his career. He won many prizes. Sometimes dull or lazy students would sit beside Jinabhai with a hope of copying his exercises. Some bullies would threaten Jina, 'When you have done all the questions you had better tell us the answers.' Jina laughed, and said, 'Alright, I will tell you. I will tilt my slate so that you can see everything I have written.'
Whenever the teacher set any problem, Jinabhai solved it immediately, and would turn his slate upside down. All those around him who had neglected their previous lessons, would ask in a whisper, 'What is the answer?' But Jinabhai kept silent.
One day some of the boys threatened him, 'Jina, show us your slate; otherwise we will beat you up.' But Jina was not frightened because he had a good reason for not showing. He said, 'If my answer is wrong, then your answer will also be wrong.'
Whenever other students succeeded in copying his work, Jinabhai did not like it. He would tell them off, 'It is wrong to copy. By copying you are cheating God.'
Thus Jinabhai always insisted that others should learn by working hard and should not cheat. It is a sin to copy. We should remember these words of Jinabhai whenever we are tempted to copy from others.
Swabhavs Can Be Destroyed
Then Shriji Mahãrãj continued, 'If a person has some swabhãvs, and he thoughtfully attempts to eradicate them by associating with the Sant, then they can be destroyed. However, a person's vicious swabhãvs will not be eradicated if he foolishly applies any other methods…'
[Sãrangpur-18]
Then Shriji Mahãrãj continued, 'If a person has some swabhãvs, and he thoughtfully attempts to eradicate them by associating with the Sant, then they can be destroyed. However, a person's vicious swabhãvs will not be eradicated if he foolishly applies any other methods…'
[Sãrangpur-18]
Changing Lives
Dalubhai of the village Dedvasan in Surat district says with pride, 'Before we entered the Satsang we used to eat raw meat. We would kill four or five goats and sell their meat. Even our women and children used to drink wine. Children would go naked. There would be no grains at home. When our hungry children asked for food, we used to give them some wine to drink so they would lie unconscious. That was our wretched life.
'Then we came into contact with the sadhus. Through their efforts and the grace, loving guidance and inspiration of Pramukh Swami our lives changed altogether.'
Dalubhai of the village Dedvasan in Surat district says with pride, 'Before we entered the Satsang we used to eat raw meat. We would kill four or five goats and sell their meat. Even our women and children used to drink wine. Children would go naked. There would be no grains at home. When our hungry children asked for food, we used to give them some wine to drink so they would lie unconscious. That was our wretched life.
'Then we came into contact with the sadhus. Through their efforts and the grace, loving guidance and inspiration of Pramukh Swami our lives changed altogether.'
Putting People First
Once, Swamishri was giving a spiritual discourse in a remote tribal village. Everyone was engrossed in Swamishri's speech until he stopped abruptly.
Everybody looked around and saw a small figure of a man, perhaps in his early fifties.
He had worn his clothes to shreds and it appeared he had not washed himself for months. The man, who belonged to a tribal community of the village, felt sure to be ridiculed in public.
But Swamishri called him over and said, 'Come here brother, come close.'
Swamishri's kind eyes drew him near. Just as he was about to bow down, Swamishri produced a flower, which was by his side, and presented it to the man.
The man nervously stretched his arm out to accept the flower. In his heart he felt he was going to be shunned by the people at any moment. Swamishri then placed his affectionate hand on his head and blessed him.
He felt peace at heart. From previous experience if anybody touched him, it was only to push or slap him.
He felt blessed for the first time in his life. He straightened his crooked frame and walked off with the feeling, 'I'm a human being too.'
Swamishri looks at everyone with an equal eye.
This is the hallmark of a true sadhu. He cares for the welfare and advancement of everyone regardless of caste, creed, color, culture or country.
Once, Swamishri was giving a spiritual discourse in a remote tribal village. Everyone was engrossed in Swamishri's speech until he stopped abruptly.
Everybody looked around and saw a small figure of a man, perhaps in his early fifties.
He had worn his clothes to shreds and it appeared he had not washed himself for months. The man, who belonged to a tribal community of the village, felt sure to be ridiculed in public.
But Swamishri called him over and said, 'Come here brother, come close.'
Swamishri's kind eyes drew him near. Just as he was about to bow down, Swamishri produced a flower, which was by his side, and presented it to the man.
The man nervously stretched his arm out to accept the flower. In his heart he felt he was going to be shunned by the people at any moment. Swamishri then placed his affectionate hand on his head and blessed him.
He felt peace at heart. From previous experience if anybody touched him, it was only to push or slap him.
He felt blessed for the first time in his life. He straightened his crooked frame and walked off with the feeling, 'I'm a human being too.'
Swamishri looks at everyone with an equal eye.
This is the hallmark of a true sadhu. He cares for the welfare and advancement of everyone regardless of caste, creed, color, culture or country.
Appreciation of Service
In 1978, Swamishri was returning from the Yogiji Maharaj Memorial (Smruti Mandir) in Gondal. On the way, he met an 80-year-old gate keeper named Nagji Aataa.
'How do you do?' asked Swamishri. The old man was overjoyed. He could not find appropriate words so he just acknowledged with a nod.
Swamishri blessed the man and said, 'You have long served both Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. Therefore, you are sitting in Akshardham. Just remember God and perform your duties well.'
Swamishri had charged the old man with a new spirit of hope and confidence.
1978, Gondal.
In 1978, Swamishri was returning from the Yogiji Maharaj Memorial (Smruti Mandir) in Gondal. On the way, he met an 80-year-old gate keeper named Nagji Aataa.
'How do you do?' asked Swamishri. The old man was overjoyed. He could not find appropriate words so he just acknowledged with a nod.
Swamishri blessed the man and said, 'You have long served both Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. Therefore, you are sitting in Akshardham. Just remember God and perform your duties well.'
Swamishri had charged the old man with a new spirit of hope and confidence.
1978, Gondal.
'I Will Teach Brahmavidya.'
Ravjibhai of Mahelav had no children. He would watch with fascination Dungar Bhakta (Shastrij Maharaj) going to school everyday and yearned to have such a son in his family befitting his wealth. Once he asked Dungar Bhakta, 'Will you come to my house and stay with me, Dungar? I shall admit you in the English school of Petlad for higher studies and make you a big officer of the British Government.'
Dungar Bhakta (Shastriji Maharaj) laughed at this suggestion and replied, 'I do not want to undertake that type of education which would qualify me to take up mere service and render me dependent on others. I shall, instead, become a sadhu and a learned pundit, and teach Brahmavidya (spiritual science) to others.'
Ravjibhai of Mahelav had no children. He would watch with fascination Dungar Bhakta (Shastrij Maharaj) going to school everyday and yearned to have such a son in his family befitting his wealth. Once he asked Dungar Bhakta, 'Will you come to my house and stay with me, Dungar? I shall admit you in the English school of Petlad for higher studies and make you a big officer of the British Government.'
Dungar Bhakta (Shastriji Maharaj) laughed at this suggestion and replied, 'I do not want to undertake that type of education which would qualify me to take up mere service and render me dependent on others. I shall, instead, become a sadhu and a learned pundit, and teach Brahmavidya (spiritual science) to others.'
Jay Swaminarayan,
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Satsang Exam Division in Shahibaug, Ahmedabad remains under lockdown since March 25, 2020. In view of the prevailing circumstances within our society, consideration for public health and the limited accessibility to mandir facilities, the March 2020 Exam results cannot not be prepared and processed.
Based on this situation, and in order to allow the timely commencement of the March 7, 2021 Satsang Exam cycle registration, Guruhari Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj has blessed all present examinees of March 2020 Exams to be graced and promoted to the next level of their exam sequence.
Please make a note that absentees are not promoted and are requested to sit for same Satsang Exam level.
Also, given the lockdown situation, several countries answer paper shipments have not been delivered to Exam Division, India. We are still awaiting shipments. Therefore, these results have not been posted and will be posted upon receipt when attendance can be verified.
Satsang Exam Division, India
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Satsang Exam Division in Shahibaug, Ahmedabad remains under lockdown since March 25, 2020. In view of the prevailing circumstances within our society, consideration for public health and the limited accessibility to mandir facilities, the March 2020 Exam results cannot not be prepared and processed.
Based on this situation, and in order to allow the timely commencement of the March 7, 2021 Satsang Exam cycle registration, Guruhari Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj has blessed all present examinees of March 2020 Exams to be graced and promoted to the next level of their exam sequence.
Please make a note that absentees are not promoted and are requested to sit for same Satsang Exam level.
Also, given the lockdown situation, several countries answer paper shipments have not been delivered to Exam Division, India. We are still awaiting shipments. Therefore, these results have not been posted and will be posted upon receipt when attendance can be verified.
Satsang Exam Division, India
The Gift of Akshardham
The task of organizing systematic car parking at the London mandir is an arduous one. The youth volunteer force, however, is so dedicated and well organized that the job is always done successfully.
During Swamishri's four month stay in the UK (from mid-July to mid-November), the car park volunteers quietly endured the biting cold during their service. One of their biggest and most important operations was to organize car parking on 24th June 1990 during the Foundation Stone Laying ceremony for the new mandir in Neasden. The youths were on duty for most of the day from very early in the morning. At 1.30 p.m., when the ceremony ended, Swamishri returned to the mandir. Ashokbhai, the head of the car park volunteers requested Swamishri to deliver a message over the walkie-talkie to all the volunteers. Swamishri took the walkie-talkie and said, 'All of you have earned the blessings of Maharaj by standing out there. May Maharaj grant you the gift of Akshardham and the courage to perform such seva.
No sooner did Swamishri finish the message, the youths shouted from the other end, 'Thank you.' Hearing this Swamishri said. 'I should be the one to thank you because you all missed the ceremony to perform your service.'
Later, Swamishri called Ashokbhai and sent a basinful of jalebi and sata to all the youths standing at their post. With this he said, 'Tell all the youths to eat this prasad right away.'
Finally, Swamishri took the walkie-talkie once more and said, 'Your seva is worthy of offering prostrations to.
Such is the heartfelt care and attention Swamishri has for his youths. He does not forget to appreciate their services.
24-6-90, London.
The task of organizing systematic car parking at the London mandir is an arduous one. The youth volunteer force, however, is so dedicated and well organized that the job is always done successfully.
During Swamishri's four month stay in the UK (from mid-July to mid-November), the car park volunteers quietly endured the biting cold during their service. One of their biggest and most important operations was to organize car parking on 24th June 1990 during the Foundation Stone Laying ceremony for the new mandir in Neasden. The youths were on duty for most of the day from very early in the morning. At 1.30 p.m., when the ceremony ended, Swamishri returned to the mandir. Ashokbhai, the head of the car park volunteers requested Swamishri to deliver a message over the walkie-talkie to all the volunteers. Swamishri took the walkie-talkie and said, 'All of you have earned the blessings of Maharaj by standing out there. May Maharaj grant you the gift of Akshardham and the courage to perform such seva.
No sooner did Swamishri finish the message, the youths shouted from the other end, 'Thank you.' Hearing this Swamishri said. 'I should be the one to thank you because you all missed the ceremony to perform your service.'
Later, Swamishri called Ashokbhai and sent a basinful of jalebi and sata to all the youths standing at their post. With this he said, 'Tell all the youths to eat this prasad right away.'
Finally, Swamishri took the walkie-talkie once more and said, 'Your seva is worthy of offering prostrations to.
Such is the heartfelt care and attention Swamishri has for his youths. He does not forget to appreciate their services.
24-6-90, London.
A Memorable Phone Call
Once Swamishri was in USA. From New York he phoned Amdavad mandir. He enquired about everyone's welfare. Then Swamishri called Raichand on the phone and asked him how he was. Raichand was simply overjoyed. Though he is not a member of the mandir committee nor a doctor or an engineer, but a simple shepherd who tends the mandir cows, Swamishri remembered him and talked with him. The middle-aged Raichand still cherishes that short, sweet, memorable telephone conversation.
Once Swamishri was in USA. From New York he phoned Amdavad mandir. He enquired about everyone's welfare. Then Swamishri called Raichand on the phone and asked him how he was. Raichand was simply overjoyed. Though he is not a member of the mandir committee nor a doctor or an engineer, but a simple shepherd who tends the mandir cows, Swamishri remembered him and talked with him. The middle-aged Raichand still cherishes that short, sweet, memorable telephone conversation.