Lying is No Use
Everyday, devotees from different areas of Amdavad would come to Swamishri for guidance on their personal dilemmas. Today, a youth came up to Swamishri and immediately, 'Bapa, I tell a lot of lies!' Swamishri replied, 'You've spoken the truth here, so everything will turn out fine. By lying you lose your reputation, so you should never lie. However, profitable it may be, you should not lie.'
24-4-98, Amdavad
Everyday, devotees from different areas of Amdavad would come to Swamishri for guidance on their personal dilemmas. Today, a youth came up to Swamishri and immediately, 'Bapa, I tell a lot of lies!' Swamishri replied, 'You've spoken the truth here, so everything will turn out fine. By lying you lose your reputation, so you should never lie. However, profitable it may be, you should not lie.'
24-4-98, Amdavad
A Wish Fulfilled
A youth named Shelat was waiting in the queue to meet Swamishri. He had a wish and when he came to Swamishri, it was fulfilled. Tears welled up in his eyes and he said in a broken voice, 'As I was approaching you, I wished that you grab hold of my finger. And you did. Now please hold it forever. Please don't ever let it go.'
24-4-98, Amdavad
A youth named Shelat was waiting in the queue to meet Swamishri. He had a wish and when he came to Swamishri, it was fulfilled. Tears welled up in his eyes and he said in a broken voice, 'As I was approaching you, I wished that you grab hold of my finger. And you did. Now please hold it forever. Please don't ever let it go.'
24-4-98, Amdavad
Smiling Through Thick and Thin
After puja Swamishri was making his way to his residence. As he entered the waiting hall, he was led to Manish, a youth seated on the sofa. Due to a backbone disease, 18-year-old Manish had the physique of a 3-4 year old boy. Despite all his difficulties, he regularly attends his local weekly sabha and has great faith in Swamishri. As Swamishri approached him, Manish said, 'Bapa, take me to Dham!' Swamishri responded, 'See, he has so many difficulties, yet he is not downhearted. He is full of courage, enthusiasm and laughter. He discounts his problems. This is atmanishtha.' Swamishri likes those who faces and tolerate difficulties with a smile.
25-4-98, Amdavad
After puja Swamishri was making his way to his residence. As he entered the waiting hall, he was led to Manish, a youth seated on the sofa. Due to a backbone disease, 18-year-old Manish had the physique of a 3-4 year old boy. Despite all his difficulties, he regularly attends his local weekly sabha and has great faith in Swamishri. As Swamishri approached him, Manish said, 'Bapa, take me to Dham!' Swamishri responded, 'See, he has so many difficulties, yet he is not downhearted. He is full of courage, enthusiasm and laughter. He discounts his problems. This is atmanishtha.' Swamishri likes those who faces and tolerate difficulties with a smile.
25-4-98, Amdavad
It Takes Just Seconds
Swamishri used the newly-fitted lift to reach and return from the new assembly hall in the basement. The company had appointed Rakesh to operate the lift in the first few days.
Every morning, Rakesh would be in the company of Swamishri for about 20 seconds, while he transported Swamishri to and from the assembly hall. Within a few days, even this brief contact with Swamishri had transformed Rakesh. Today he told Swamishri, 'Bapa! A miracle has happened in my life. I used to chew 50 packets of tobacco every day. But after you placed your hand on my hand, I don't even feel like looking at tobacco anymore. I have a private business on the side, and that too, has picked up and I have convinced two of my friends to stop chewing tobacco.'
This is the effect of Swamishri's company and divine touch. In mere seconds, he can transform the lives of even hardened addicts.
1-5-98, Amdavad
Swamishri used the newly-fitted lift to reach and return from the new assembly hall in the basement. The company had appointed Rakesh to operate the lift in the first few days.
Every morning, Rakesh would be in the company of Swamishri for about 20 seconds, while he transported Swamishri to and from the assembly hall. Within a few days, even this brief contact with Swamishri had transformed Rakesh. Today he told Swamishri, 'Bapa! A miracle has happened in my life. I used to chew 50 packets of tobacco every day. But after you placed your hand on my hand, I don't even feel like looking at tobacco anymore. I have a private business on the side, and that too, has picked up and I have convinced two of my friends to stop chewing tobacco.'
This is the effect of Swamishri's company and divine touch. In mere seconds, he can transform the lives of even hardened addicts.
1-5-98, Amdavad
No Gift Like God
In the evening, Swamishri arrived for the darshan of Thakorji in the main mandir. In the pradikshana area, two youths were standing holding numerous copies of the all-in-one murti. They requested Swamishri to sanctify them. Swamishri touched them with his hands and enquired, 'Who are these for?' The youths replied, 'They are to be given as gifts at a mass marriage ceremony.' Swamishri immediately showed his pleasure, 'This is an excellent gift. There is no other gift like it. When you give it, tell the couples that they should not just leave the murti in a corner, but that they should do darshan of it daily. They should pray before the murti and offer puja. Tell them that there is nothing greater than God and that they have been given God.'
6-5-98, Amdavad
In the evening, Swamishri arrived for the darshan of Thakorji in the main mandir. In the pradikshana area, two youths were standing holding numerous copies of the all-in-one murti. They requested Swamishri to sanctify them. Swamishri touched them with his hands and enquired, 'Who are these for?' The youths replied, 'They are to be given as gifts at a mass marriage ceremony.' Swamishri immediately showed his pleasure, 'This is an excellent gift. There is no other gift like it. When you give it, tell the couples that they should not just leave the murti in a corner, but that they should do darshan of it daily. They should pray before the murti and offer puja. Tell them that there is nothing greater than God and that they have been given God.'
6-5-98, Amdavad
Steps of Appreciation
This is midsummer in Amdavad and the temperature soared to around 45 degree C daily. Even morning and evening, teams of volunteers would sweep and mop the main mandir and pradakshina area. They would then lay out the carpets for Swamishri to walk on as he made his way around the mandir while having the darshan of the murtis.
During the day, the scorching heat of the sun would heat the marble to such an extent that it would be impossible to stand barefooted on it for more than a few seconds. So in the evenings, to cool the marble on Swamishri's path, the volunteers would splash cold water upto a dozen times and then wipe it dry.
This evening, the volunteers were busy at work preparing Swamishri's route. All of a sudden they spotted Swamishri approaching the mandir. He was earlier than normal and they had not finished making all the arrangements. A frenzy developed - a mad rush to quickly dry the wet marble and lay the carpet. As Swamishri appeared at the top of the stairs and stepped onto the pradakshina, the volunteers still hadn't finished. Swamishri saw all the commotion and calmly began to make his way around the pradakshina. As he walked, one of the volunteers told Swamishri that because of his early arrival, the darshan arrangements were not totally complete. Then one of the sadhus told Swamishri of the immense efforts the volunteers put in daily to cool the marble and prepare the darshan route. Hearing of their devoted efforts, Swamishri immediately stepped off the carpet and took several bare-footed steps on the marble before returning to walk on the carpet. Feeling the cool marble touching his soles, Swamishri congratulated the volunteers for their devotion and blessed them. The observant volunteers had noticed Swamishri's unexpected detour and were overjoyed at Swamishri's gesture. These few steps became engraved in the hearts and minds of all. They became the topic of conversation amongst the volunteers.
Even the most seemingly insignificant actions by Swamishri generate so much delight. Such is his greatness.
This is midsummer in Amdavad and the temperature soared to around 45 degree C daily. Even morning and evening, teams of volunteers would sweep and mop the main mandir and pradakshina area. They would then lay out the carpets for Swamishri to walk on as he made his way around the mandir while having the darshan of the murtis.
During the day, the scorching heat of the sun would heat the marble to such an extent that it would be impossible to stand barefooted on it for more than a few seconds. So in the evenings, to cool the marble on Swamishri's path, the volunteers would splash cold water upto a dozen times and then wipe it dry.
This evening, the volunteers were busy at work preparing Swamishri's route. All of a sudden they spotted Swamishri approaching the mandir. He was earlier than normal and they had not finished making all the arrangements. A frenzy developed - a mad rush to quickly dry the wet marble and lay the carpet. As Swamishri appeared at the top of the stairs and stepped onto the pradakshina, the volunteers still hadn't finished. Swamishri saw all the commotion and calmly began to make his way around the pradakshina. As he walked, one of the volunteers told Swamishri that because of his early arrival, the darshan arrangements were not totally complete. Then one of the sadhus told Swamishri of the immense efforts the volunteers put in daily to cool the marble and prepare the darshan route. Hearing of their devoted efforts, Swamishri immediately stepped off the carpet and took several bare-footed steps on the marble before returning to walk on the carpet. Feeling the cool marble touching his soles, Swamishri congratulated the volunteers for their devotion and blessed them. The observant volunteers had noticed Swamishri's unexpected detour and were overjoyed at Swamishri's gesture. These few steps became engraved in the hearts and minds of all. They became the topic of conversation amongst the volunteers.
Even the most seemingly insignificant actions by Swamishri generate so much delight. Such is his greatness.
A Message to Youths
O Dearest Kishores,
You are charged with the desire to please Yogiji Maharaj. By cultivating love for him and devotion towards Maharaj, your life will be fulfilled. You should act so that you are not drawn towards worldly pleasures and should focus on the murti of Maharaj.
Gunatitanand Swami has said that we should always speak and listen to words describing the glory and virtues of God and his devotees. This is his principle. By doing this we progress. If someone is at fault, God will know. We should try to overcome the faults in us ... We, have no right to judge other people's faults
19-5-98, Amdavad.
O Dearest Kishores,
You are charged with the desire to please Yogiji Maharaj. By cultivating love for him and devotion towards Maharaj, your life will be fulfilled. You should act so that you are not drawn towards worldly pleasures and should focus on the murti of Maharaj.
Gunatitanand Swami has said that we should always speak and listen to words describing the glory and virtues of God and his devotees. This is his principle. By doing this we progress. If someone is at fault, God will know. We should try to overcome the faults in us ... We, have no right to judge other people's faults
19-5-98, Amdavad.
Heathrow Airport
Swamishri's revised schedule meant that he would fly from Mumbai to New York, spending only 2 hours in transit in London. So when Swamishri set foot in London, hundreds had gathered to catch a glimpse of Swamishri. Swamishri was escorted to the Maharaja Lounge by Atmaswarup Swami.
There, Nainesh lamented, 'Bapa, we've had to lose our labh since your stay in London has been cancelled.'
Swamishri responded, 'Now that you've come in contact with God and His Sadhu, there is nothing to lose. This will be a memory for you!'
Nainesh continued, 'But Bapa, why do you allow yourself to fall ill?'
Swamishri replied, 'Where's the illness? Can you see it? Because of age these things happen.'
Swamishri was then presented with the signatures of over a 1000 devotees - young and old - wishing him a humble 'Jai Swaminarayan'. He wrote a brief but memorable reply to them all:
Swami Shriji
Maharaj-Swami, Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj will be pleased on seeing your devotion and love, which is so full of understanding. May such understanding, love and devotion continue to remain with you.
My health is good. Do not worry. I wish to meet you all, so we are meeting by this letter.
I love you.
Then as Swamishri got up to board the plane to continue his journey to New York, Atmaswarup Swami garlanded Swamishri with a very big garland made of freshly-popped popcorn. Removing it from around his neck, Swamishri said, 'Distribute this popcorn to everyone in the Sunday assembly. And convey my Jai Swaminarayan to all.'
4-7-98, Saturday.
Swamishri's revised schedule meant that he would fly from Mumbai to New York, spending only 2 hours in transit in London. So when Swamishri set foot in London, hundreds had gathered to catch a glimpse of Swamishri. Swamishri was escorted to the Maharaja Lounge by Atmaswarup Swami.
There, Nainesh lamented, 'Bapa, we've had to lose our labh since your stay in London has been cancelled.'
Swamishri responded, 'Now that you've come in contact with God and His Sadhu, there is nothing to lose. This will be a memory for you!'
Nainesh continued, 'But Bapa, why do you allow yourself to fall ill?'
Swamishri replied, 'Where's the illness? Can you see it? Because of age these things happen.'
Swamishri was then presented with the signatures of over a 1000 devotees - young and old - wishing him a humble 'Jai Swaminarayan'. He wrote a brief but memorable reply to them all:
Swami Shriji
Maharaj-Swami, Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj will be pleased on seeing your devotion and love, which is so full of understanding. May such understanding, love and devotion continue to remain with you.
My health is good. Do not worry. I wish to meet you all, so we are meeting by this letter.
I love you.
Then as Swamishri got up to board the plane to continue his journey to New York, Atmaswarup Swami garlanded Swamishri with a very big garland made of freshly-popped popcorn. Removing it from around his neck, Swamishri said, 'Distribute this popcorn to everyone in the Sunday assembly. And convey my Jai Swaminarayan to all.'
4-7-98, Saturday.
Introspection
One of the youths accompanying Swamishri on this flight from Mumbai to New York approached Swamishri.
'Do you want to ask anything?' Swamishri enquired. The youth said, 'I have a very bad nature.' Tearfully, he continued, 'Anger....' He was unable to continue further. Swamishri lovingly comforted him, 'Whenever you get angry recite the Swaminarayan mantra. Anger lasts only a couple of minutes but causes everyone trouble. So, at such times, remember Maharaj and remain calm. Anger is not productive.'
By the grace of Swamishri, even youngsters are inspired to introspect and correct their faults.
4-7-98, Saturday.
One of the youths accompanying Swamishri on this flight from Mumbai to New York approached Swamishri.
'Do you want to ask anything?' Swamishri enquired. The youth said, 'I have a very bad nature.' Tearfully, he continued, 'Anger....' He was unable to continue further. Swamishri lovingly comforted him, 'Whenever you get angry recite the Swaminarayan mantra. Anger lasts only a couple of minutes but causes everyone trouble. So, at such times, remember Maharaj and remain calm. Anger is not productive.'
By the grace of Swamishri, even youngsters are inspired to introspect and correct their faults.
4-7-98, Saturday.