Straightforward and Saintly
Shilnidhi Swami described an incident of Mahant Swami Maharaj’s straightforwardness while sitting before him, “In 2007, you were in Pandro, Kutch. You started discoursing in the morning assembly. A volunteer came up to me and hurriedly said, ‘Everyone here has go to work and their means of transport will arrive shortly. Tell Swami to end his katha.’ On the previous day, the same volunteer had announced that Mahant Swamiji would give a discourse after arti at 7.00 a.m. But I was not knowing that you were supposed to discourse for only five minutes. So, I came and informed you about the situation. And you immediately stopped doing katha. Later on, you never said a single word of rebuke to me and never spoke about this incident again.”Swamishri’s straightforwardness reflected his saintly, simple and humble personality.
14 September 2016, Mumbai
Shilnidhi Swami described an incident of Mahant Swami Maharaj’s straightforwardness while sitting before him, “In 2007, you were in Pandro, Kutch. You started discoursing in the morning assembly. A volunteer came up to me and hurriedly said, ‘Everyone here has go to work and their means of transport will arrive shortly. Tell Swami to end his katha.’ On the previous day, the same volunteer had announced that Mahant Swamiji would give a discourse after arti at 7.00 a.m. But I was not knowing that you were supposed to discourse for only five minutes. So, I came and informed you about the situation. And you immediately stopped doing katha. Later on, you never said a single word of rebuke to me and never spoke about this incident again.”Swamishri’s straightforwardness reflected his saintly, simple and humble personality.
14 September 2016, Mumbai
Rajipo Upon a United Family
Divyatanay Swami recalled an incident of Mahant Swami Maharaj’s inclination and rajipo on a family living unitedly and harmoniously together. He said, “In 2012, Mahant Swami Maharaj visited the satsang mandal in Indore. Here, a devotee named Dilipbhai Rathod lived together with his extended family of 35 members. Since his former house was small, Dilipbhai had bought a bigger home with three floors. So, arrangements were made for Mahant Swamiji’s visit there.“At that time it was decided by the Sanstha that [due to] Mahant Swamiji’s [advancing age he] would only visit and sanctify the ground floor of any house. However, if the house had a lift he could visit the other floors.“In Dilipbhai’s case, his house did not have a lift. But he was happy with Mahant Swamiji’s visit to the ground floor. However, when Mahant Swamiji heard about the family’s unity and harmony, he said, ‘Let us go upstairs.’ The sadhus said there was no lift. Swamishri replied that it didn’t matter. Again the sadhus informed him that Dilipbhai had not insisted that he sanctify the upper floors. Still, Swamishri climbed all the three floors, visiting all the rooms and the terrace on top. When I asked Mahant Swamiji, ‘Why he had taken so much strain?’ Swamiji replied, ‘Look at their unity. How united they all stay!’Everyone realized the importance of having family unity, which earns the inner blessings and rajipo of the Satpurush.
15 September 2016, Mumbai
Divyatanay Swami recalled an incident of Mahant Swami Maharaj’s inclination and rajipo on a family living unitedly and harmoniously together. He said, “In 2012, Mahant Swami Maharaj visited the satsang mandal in Indore. Here, a devotee named Dilipbhai Rathod lived together with his extended family of 35 members. Since his former house was small, Dilipbhai had bought a bigger home with three floors. So, arrangements were made for Mahant Swamiji’s visit there.“At that time it was decided by the Sanstha that [due to] Mahant Swamiji’s [advancing age he] would only visit and sanctify the ground floor of any house. However, if the house had a lift he could visit the other floors.“In Dilipbhai’s case, his house did not have a lift. But he was happy with Mahant Swamiji’s visit to the ground floor. However, when Mahant Swamiji heard about the family’s unity and harmony, he said, ‘Let us go upstairs.’ The sadhus said there was no lift. Swamishri replied that it didn’t matter. Again the sadhus informed him that Dilipbhai had not insisted that he sanctify the upper floors. Still, Swamishri climbed all the three floors, visiting all the rooms and the terrace on top. When I asked Mahant Swamiji, ‘Why he had taken so much strain?’ Swamiji replied, ‘Look at their unity. How united they all stay!’Everyone realized the importance of having family unity, which earns the inner blessings and rajipo of the Satpurush.
15 September 2016, Mumbai
He Is Here!
After performing the shangar arti in the mandir, Mahant Swami Maharaj was coming down on a hydraulic lift. A youth, standing with a picture of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, asked, “With Pramukh Swami Maharaj gone, now what?”Mahant Swami Maharaj pointed his finger to his chest and revealed, “He has not gone. He is here.”
2 October 2016, Nadiad
After performing the shangar arti in the mandir, Mahant Swami Maharaj was coming down on a hydraulic lift. A youth, standing with a picture of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, asked, “With Pramukh Swami Maharaj gone, now what?”Mahant Swami Maharaj pointed his finger to his chest and revealed, “He has not gone. He is here.”
2 October 2016, Nadiad
Servant of Servants
A student of the BAPS hostel in Nadiad said to Swamishri, “We would like to repeat history today.” And then all the students chorused the song which had once been sung in Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s presence, “The sun asks, the moon asks, a shining star asks: Who is Pramukh Swami, Who is Mahant Swami?”The student asked, “After listening to this song, Pramukh Swami Maharaj gave a reply and created history. Now we request you to introduce to us as to ‘Who is Mahant Swami?’”Everyone present was agog as to what Swamishri would reply. Instantly, Mahant Swami Maharaj expressed, “A servant of servants.”
2 October 2016, Nadiad
A student of the BAPS hostel in Nadiad said to Swamishri, “We would like to repeat history today.” And then all the students chorused the song which had once been sung in Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s presence, “The sun asks, the moon asks, a shining star asks: Who is Pramukh Swami, Who is Mahant Swami?”The student asked, “After listening to this song, Pramukh Swami Maharaj gave a reply and created history. Now we request you to introduce to us as to ‘Who is Mahant Swami?’”Everyone present was agog as to what Swamishri would reply. Instantly, Mahant Swami Maharaj expressed, “A servant of servants.”
2 October 2016, Nadiad
The Same Gunatit Guru
Someone asked Swamishri, “Will you take us all to Akshardham?”Swamishri replied, “Through your darshan others will go to Akshardham!”“Are you the same as Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj?”Swamishri gestured with his hand and replied, “Yes, the same.”
2 October 2016, Nadiad
Someone asked Swamishri, “Will you take us all to Akshardham?”Swamishri replied, “Through your darshan others will go to Akshardham!”“Are you the same as Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj?”Swamishri gestured with his hand and replied, “Yes, the same.”
2 October 2016, Nadiad
A youth, Vrushant Patel, of Vaso narrated the behaviour of a ghost that had recently possessed his wife. The ghost said, “I am Bhulobhai of Manjipura. I will not leave your wife’s body because I want to know where Pramukh Swami is now!”Then, Vrushant showed a photo of Mahant Swami Maharaj to his wife. She took the photo and looked at it intently for some time. Then the ghost replied, “Bhagwan Swaminarayan is present in Mahant Swami Maharaj. I’m going.” And the ghost departed.
3 October 2016, Nadiad
3 October 2016, Nadiad
Guru Bhakti
Jignesh, a devotee, requested, “Swamishri, I have a wish. Kindly say yes to it.” Then, he explained, “I am going to build a new home, and I wish to name it ‘Keshav Palace’.”Swamishri said no. Jignesh requested again to allow him to use his name.Swamishri replied, “The guru’s name [Pramukh Swami Maharaj] should always be first.”Jignesh argued further, “Until now, whatever constructions of homes and offices I had done were named after Pramukh Swami Maharaj. However, from now onwards, [as you are our guru], allow me to name my new constructions after you.”Swamishri patiently answered, “In Pramukh Swami’s name all are included.”Out of his profound devotion and reverence to his guru Mahant Swami Maharaj remained unrelenting in his resolve.
5 October 2016, Nadiad
Jignesh, a devotee, requested, “Swamishri, I have a wish. Kindly say yes to it.” Then, he explained, “I am going to build a new home, and I wish to name it ‘Keshav Palace’.”Swamishri said no. Jignesh requested again to allow him to use his name.Swamishri replied, “The guru’s name [Pramukh Swami Maharaj] should always be first.”Jignesh argued further, “Until now, whatever constructions of homes and offices I had done were named after Pramukh Swami Maharaj. However, from now onwards, [as you are our guru], allow me to name my new constructions after you.”Swamishri patiently answered, “In Pramukh Swami’s name all are included.”Out of his profound devotion and reverence to his guru Mahant Swami Maharaj remained unrelenting in his resolve.
5 October 2016, Nadiad
Glory for Guru’s Disciple
Mahant Swami Maharaj went for his routine morning darshan to Yogiji Maharaj’s room. Here, Harshadbhai Rana, a veteran devotee, recalled, “After Yogiji Maharaj passed away, Pramukh Swami Maharaj did his first puja [as a guru] here in this room. I was sitting besides him.”Immediately Mahant Swami Maharaj bowed to Harshadbhai with respect and glory.
3 November 2016, Gondal
Mahant Swami Maharaj went for his routine morning darshan to Yogiji Maharaj’s room. Here, Harshadbhai Rana, a veteran devotee, recalled, “After Yogiji Maharaj passed away, Pramukh Swami Maharaj did his first puja [as a guru] here in this room. I was sitting besides him.”Immediately Mahant Swami Maharaj bowed to Harshadbhai with respect and glory.
3 November 2016, Gondal
A Servant
Shri Krushnabhai Pandya, a devotee of Gondal, declared his own achievements in order to elicit an answer from Swamishri about his accomplishments. He said, “I am Shri Krushna Pandya. I was awarded the best national teacher’s award. I was the principal of our school in Gondal. For years I had served as a regional head (sanyojak) of satsang activities. These are my achievements. Now, I would like you to declare your accomplishments and who you are.”Without a moment’s hesitation Swamishri replied, “A sevak.”Shri Krushna Pandya pressed him to elaborate further, but Swamishri gave the same reply, “I am a sevak.” Then Swamishri bowed down to him in recognition of his achievements and services.
5 November 2016, Gondal
Shri Krushnabhai Pandya, a devotee of Gondal, declared his own achievements in order to elicit an answer from Swamishri about his accomplishments. He said, “I am Shri Krushna Pandya. I was awarded the best national teacher’s award. I was the principal of our school in Gondal. For years I had served as a regional head (sanyojak) of satsang activities. These are my achievements. Now, I would like you to declare your accomplishments and who you are.”Without a moment’s hesitation Swamishri replied, “A sevak.”Shri Krushna Pandya pressed him to elaborate further, but Swamishri gave the same reply, “I am a sevak.” Then Swamishri bowed down to him in recognition of his achievements and services.
5 November 2016, Gondal
Preserving One’s Faith
Rajeshbhai Patadiya of Shrinath Gadh asked Swamishri about an issue his son, Sohil, was facing. He said, “My son is under training at the National Cadets Corp (NCC) in Vidyanagar. After this, he may get an opportunity to join the Indian army. But his NCC commander categorically told him that he would not be able to apply the tilak-chandlo on his forehead in the army. So, Sohil gave examples of soldiers of other religions who apply their religious symbols. The commander replied, ‘There is no sanction in the army charter for applying the Swaminarayan tilak-chandlo.’ So, what should he do?”Swamishri clearly stated, “Tell him to opt for another career. There’s no need to stop doing the tilak-chandlo.”
5 November 2016, Gondal
Rajeshbhai Patadiya of Shrinath Gadh asked Swamishri about an issue his son, Sohil, was facing. He said, “My son is under training at the National Cadets Corp (NCC) in Vidyanagar. After this, he may get an opportunity to join the Indian army. But his NCC commander categorically told him that he would not be able to apply the tilak-chandlo on his forehead in the army. So, Sohil gave examples of soldiers of other religions who apply their religious symbols. The commander replied, ‘There is no sanction in the army charter for applying the Swaminarayan tilak-chandlo.’ So, what should he do?”Swamishri clearly stated, “Tell him to opt for another career. There’s no need to stop doing the tilak-chandlo.”
5 November 2016, Gondal