No worldly desires
It was past 11.00 p.m. Around Yogiji Maharaj was seated a small group of teenagers. Innocently, one asked Swamiji, 'I have so many desires to enjoy the sense pleasures. Do you ever wish to enjoy them as well?'
Yogiji Maharaj burst into a hearty laugh as he replied, 'It is only when one has a mind that desires crop up! A true sadhu has no mind of his own. His mind and senses are merged totally with the divine form of God. What is there left to desire after this.'
20-5-59, Dangra.
It was past 11.00 p.m. Around Yogiji Maharaj was seated a small group of teenagers. Innocently, one asked Swamiji, 'I have so many desires to enjoy the sense pleasures. Do you ever wish to enjoy them as well?'
Yogiji Maharaj burst into a hearty laugh as he replied, 'It is only when one has a mind that desires crop up! A true sadhu has no mind of his own. His mind and senses are merged totally with the divine form of God. What is there left to desire after this.'
20-5-59, Dangra.
Conversing with God
In a small mandir here, Yogiji Maharaj consecrated the murtis of Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj and Shri Radha-Krishna. Swamiji then returned to his residence. The thal, (food offered to God) was still to be offered to Shri Harikrishna Maharaj - the small metallic murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan Swamishri always keeps with him. The Lord's plate was prepared, but the sweetmeat, shiro, was served in the same small saucepan it had been made in.
Yogiji Maharaj saw this. 'Put some shiro in the plate,' he said. 'Maharaj says he hasn't been served shiro. And that he would burn his fingers trying to take it from the saucepan.'
'Really, is that what Maharaj is saying?' asked a very surprised Ishwarcharan Swami. 'Yes, Maharaj just told me.'
Some shiro was placed in the Lord's plate.
Yogiji Maharaj then said, 'Maharaj says he will now accept the thal.' Thus Swamiji showed his oneness with Maharaj.
24-11-59, Nansio, East Africa.
In a small mandir here, Yogiji Maharaj consecrated the murtis of Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj and Shri Radha-Krishna. Swamiji then returned to his residence. The thal, (food offered to God) was still to be offered to Shri Harikrishna Maharaj - the small metallic murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan Swamishri always keeps with him. The Lord's plate was prepared, but the sweetmeat, shiro, was served in the same small saucepan it had been made in.
Yogiji Maharaj saw this. 'Put some shiro in the plate,' he said. 'Maharaj says he hasn't been served shiro. And that he would burn his fingers trying to take it from the saucepan.'
'Really, is that what Maharaj is saying?' asked a very surprised Ishwarcharan Swami. 'Yes, Maharaj just told me.'
Some shiro was placed in the Lord's plate.
Yogiji Maharaj then said, 'Maharaj says he will now accept the thal.' Thus Swamiji showed his oneness with Maharaj.
24-11-59, Nansio, East Africa.
Simple Living
Yogiji Maharaj never slept in a bed. He insisted that a thin mattress spread on the floor was enough for him. His was a life of complete detachment. He shunned anything even remotely considered a luxury. But now Swamiji was quite ill, sadhus and doctors tried to persuade him. Swamiji was adamant he would sleep on the floor. He refused to listen to any further argument. Naranbhai Sheth decided to talk to Swamiji on this matter. He was a friend of Swamiji's, and both loved each other immensely.
In all humbleness Naranbhai prayed, 'Bapa, you will have to sleep on the bed. I'm not going to listen to any of your arguments.'
Swamiji ignored him. Again everyone got together and said, 'Bapa, you are now 70- years-old, and plus you are ill, and so you will not be breaking any of the rules in the scriptures (the Shikshapatri and Dharmamrut) by sleeping on a bed.'
'Never… Maharaj has not commanded it.'
It seemed Swamiji would never give in. But today everybody had made up their minds, Swamiji should sleep on a bed. Finally, reluctantly, Swamiji agreed to everyone's request.
April 1961, Gondal.
Yogiji Maharaj never slept in a bed. He insisted that a thin mattress spread on the floor was enough for him. His was a life of complete detachment. He shunned anything even remotely considered a luxury. But now Swamiji was quite ill, sadhus and doctors tried to persuade him. Swamiji was adamant he would sleep on the floor. He refused to listen to any further argument. Naranbhai Sheth decided to talk to Swamiji on this matter. He was a friend of Swamiji's, and both loved each other immensely.
In all humbleness Naranbhai prayed, 'Bapa, you will have to sleep on the bed. I'm not going to listen to any of your arguments.'
Swamiji ignored him. Again everyone got together and said, 'Bapa, you are now 70- years-old, and plus you are ill, and so you will not be breaking any of the rules in the scriptures (the Shikshapatri and Dharmamrut) by sleeping on a bed.'
'Never… Maharaj has not commanded it.'
It seemed Swamiji would never give in. But today everybody had made up their minds, Swamiji should sleep on a bed. Finally, reluctantly, Swamiji agreed to everyone's request.
April 1961, Gondal.
Chairs for the Elderly
We had arranged a special function for some of the local dignitaries of Mahesana in the presence of Swamishri. Planning was meticulous and we tried to ensure that all arrangements were proper. I felt that we had taken care of every detail. At the end of the function, everyone received blessings from Swamishri and then went to the dining area. Then, as Swamishri made his way to his room, he passed by the dining area. He noticed that some of the elderly dignitaries were eating in a standing position. Turning to me, Swamishri commented, 'You should arrange some chairs for the elderly. It is more convenient for them to sit and eat.'
- Bhagwatprasad Swami
We had arranged a special function for some of the local dignitaries of Mahesana in the presence of Swamishri. Planning was meticulous and we tried to ensure that all arrangements were proper. I felt that we had taken care of every detail. At the end of the function, everyone received blessings from Swamishri and then went to the dining area. Then, as Swamishri made his way to his room, he passed by the dining area. He noticed that some of the elderly dignitaries were eating in a standing position. Turning to me, Swamishri commented, 'You should arrange some chairs for the elderly. It is more convenient for them to sit and eat.'
- Bhagwatprasad Swami
Dreaming of his Guru
Swamiji was in divine ecstasy this morning. His guru, Shastriji Maharaj, had appeared to him in a dream. Yogiji Maharaj was bubbling over with joy. For him his guru was everything. He would often talk of him with great respect, pride and devotion. He described at length what he had seen, 'Shastriji Maharaj was gracing Gondal. He was lying down in his room, he also wanted to go out. And so he held my hand as support and went… I went to fetch some water so he could wash his hands and just then my eyes opened…'
25-2-61, Gondal.
Swamiji was in divine ecstasy this morning. His guru, Shastriji Maharaj, had appeared to him in a dream. Yogiji Maharaj was bubbling over with joy. For him his guru was everything. He would often talk of him with great respect, pride and devotion. He described at length what he had seen, 'Shastriji Maharaj was gracing Gondal. He was lying down in his room, he also wanted to go out. And so he held my hand as support and went… I went to fetch some water so he could wash his hands and just then my eyes opened…'
25-2-61, Gondal.
Interview
The following interview was conducted by Mr. Harold of 'The Plain Dealer' and Tom Brekenridge of the daily, News Herald on 12-6-84 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Harold: What have you got to say about countries waging war on each other?
Swamishri: Fighting each other is wrong. Non-violence is our belief. Hindu scriptures say that non-violence is the highest ethical code (Ahimsa parmo dharmaha). We also say that one should love others.
Mr. Harold: What is the principle of your religion?
Swamishri: To live pure life of good character, believe oneself as atma (the soul) and then worship God. (Parmatma)
Next, Tom Brekenridge of the daily, 'News Herald' interviewed Swamishri.
Tom: How can countries come closer to each other?
Swamishri: Every country is interested in itself. What God has given each country is enough, but because of greed, each tries to gain from the other. This leads to misery and so countries cannot come closer. If they avoid doing this, they will come closer.
Tom: You bear such heavy responsibility, don't you feel it over-burdening?
Swamishri: God is the all-doer. We are only spreading the message of God. Whether Satsang increases or not is in the hands of God. We live according to His commands and wishes and therefore do not feel any burden. When man believes that 'I am doing all this, then everything becomes burdensome.
Tom: Everyday you do puja, sit with the devotees, writer letters and move around; when do you rest?
Swamishri: To spread God's message and to lead aspirants towards Him is rest enough.
The following interview was conducted by Mr. Harold of 'The Plain Dealer' and Tom Brekenridge of the daily, News Herald on 12-6-84 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Harold: What have you got to say about countries waging war on each other?
Swamishri: Fighting each other is wrong. Non-violence is our belief. Hindu scriptures say that non-violence is the highest ethical code (Ahimsa parmo dharmaha). We also say that one should love others.
Mr. Harold: What is the principle of your religion?
Swamishri: To live pure life of good character, believe oneself as atma (the soul) and then worship God. (Parmatma)
Next, Tom Brekenridge of the daily, 'News Herald' interviewed Swamishri.
Tom: How can countries come closer to each other?
Swamishri: Every country is interested in itself. What God has given each country is enough, but because of greed, each tries to gain from the other. This leads to misery and so countries cannot come closer. If they avoid doing this, they will come closer.
Tom: You bear such heavy responsibility, don't you feel it over-burdening?
Swamishri: God is the all-doer. We are only spreading the message of God. Whether Satsang increases or not is in the hands of God. We live according to His commands and wishes and therefore do not feel any burden. When man believes that 'I am doing all this, then everything becomes burdensome.
Tom: Everyday you do puja, sit with the devotees, writer letters and move around; when do you rest?
Swamishri: To spread God's message and to lead aspirants towards Him is rest enough.
True Leadership
After breakfast, Swamishri sat in the conference room. He was consoling and guiding the devotees - newcomers and others - who sought his advice and help in their multiple questions, worries and tensions. Late that morning an enthusiastic and devoted youth walked in with his father and brother to receive blessings for his coming marriage. Swamishri blessed him and prayed for a prosperous and happy married life. The youth was highly reputed for his earnest and sincere services (seva) and particularly for his manner of dealing with other youths. A senior leader of the volunteer force, who had accompanied them, casually informed Swamishri, 'Swamiji, his leadership is truly commendable.'
Swamishri said, 'In Satsang, to serve even the lowest of the low with utmost humility is true leadership.'
A very genuine and important principle.
10-4-88, London.
After breakfast, Swamishri sat in the conference room. He was consoling and guiding the devotees - newcomers and others - who sought his advice and help in their multiple questions, worries and tensions. Late that morning an enthusiastic and devoted youth walked in with his father and brother to receive blessings for his coming marriage. Swamishri blessed him and prayed for a prosperous and happy married life. The youth was highly reputed for his earnest and sincere services (seva) and particularly for his manner of dealing with other youths. A senior leader of the volunteer force, who had accompanied them, casually informed Swamishri, 'Swamiji, his leadership is truly commendable.'
Swamishri said, 'In Satsang, to serve even the lowest of the low with utmost humility is true leadership.'
A very genuine and important principle.
10-4-88, London.
Unity
The prolonged meeting finally ended. The clock had just ticked past 11.50 p.m. A group of youths, hands folded in silent prayer stood by the main door and central-heater in Swamishri's bedroom, anxiously waiting for his last darshan of the day. Their trouser bottoms were slightly rolled up, and a few had water-drenched shirts; an indication of their endless and exhausting services in the large kitchen department. Swamishri, walking out of the bathroom saw them. Instead of walking to his bed, he turned towards the youths, and with folded hands asked, 'Have you all eaten yet?'
'No!' they all chorused.
A concerned Swamishri asked further, 'Why so late, it's nearing twelve?'
Anil politely replied, 'Swamiji, we're waiting for the other youths serving in the car park to come, and then we'll all eat together.'
Hearing such brotherly, heart-pleasing words, Swamishri, with a delighted smile said, 'I'm very happy to see such understanding and oneness amongst yourselves. Yogiji Maharaj always loved and talked of unity … You should keep aside enough food for the late-comers. And, if it turns cold by the time they arrive, take the trouble to warm it up too… In this way if you look after one other, Maharaj will look after you.'
10-4-88, London.
The prolonged meeting finally ended. The clock had just ticked past 11.50 p.m. A group of youths, hands folded in silent prayer stood by the main door and central-heater in Swamishri's bedroom, anxiously waiting for his last darshan of the day. Their trouser bottoms were slightly rolled up, and a few had water-drenched shirts; an indication of their endless and exhausting services in the large kitchen department. Swamishri, walking out of the bathroom saw them. Instead of walking to his bed, he turned towards the youths, and with folded hands asked, 'Have you all eaten yet?'
'No!' they all chorused.
A concerned Swamishri asked further, 'Why so late, it's nearing twelve?'
Anil politely replied, 'Swamiji, we're waiting for the other youths serving in the car park to come, and then we'll all eat together.'
Hearing such brotherly, heart-pleasing words, Swamishri, with a delighted smile said, 'I'm very happy to see such understanding and oneness amongst yourselves. Yogiji Maharaj always loved and talked of unity … You should keep aside enough food for the late-comers. And, if it turns cold by the time they arrive, take the trouble to warm it up too… In this way if you look after one other, Maharaj will look after you.'
10-4-88, London.
Reinforcing the Conviction of God
'Thoughts regarding one's conviction of God should never be altered. In fact, it would be beneficial if they are repeatedly reinforced by listening to the greatness of God. Repeatedly altering them, however, would be detrimental…'
[Loyã-6]
'Thoughts regarding one's conviction of God should never be altered. In fact, it would be beneficial if they are repeatedly reinforced by listening to the greatness of God. Repeatedly altering them, however, would be detrimental…'
[Loyã-6]