Spick and Span
Mahant Swami Maharaj was about to leave his bedroom and depart from Ahmedabad Mandir for his onward journey to Kolkata. The attendant sadhu had packed everything and tidied up. However, Swamishri noticed the creased bedspread on his bed and the misplaced pillow and started smoothening the creases and arranging the pillow appropriately. The attendant sadhu, who was in a hurry to leave, told Swamishri that the bedsheet and pillow would be properly arranged later by the youth volunteers. So, there was no need for him to do that. But Swamishri replied, “No. We should leave everything in a proper manner. In fact, it should be left in a better condition than it was before.”Like Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who always made sure that things were left in their proper place and everything was spick and span prior to departing from a devotee’s home, Mahant Swami Maharaj has the same virtue of keeping things in their proper place.
23 April 2017, Ahmedabad
Mahant Swami Maharaj was about to leave his bedroom and depart from Ahmedabad Mandir for his onward journey to Kolkata. The attendant sadhu had packed everything and tidied up. However, Swamishri noticed the creased bedspread on his bed and the misplaced pillow and started smoothening the creases and arranging the pillow appropriately. The attendant sadhu, who was in a hurry to leave, told Swamishri that the bedsheet and pillow would be properly arranged later by the youth volunteers. So, there was no need for him to do that. But Swamishri replied, “No. We should leave everything in a proper manner. In fact, it should be left in a better condition than it was before.”Like Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who always made sure that things were left in their proper place and everything was spick and span prior to departing from a devotee’s home, Mahant Swami Maharaj has the same virtue of keeping things in their proper place.
23 April 2017, Ahmedabad
Calm and Cool
Swamishri departed from the Swaminarayan Mandir in Ahmedabad at 9.10 a.m. to proceed towards Kolkata by flight. He landed at Kolkata airport at 12.15 p.m., and the long journey to the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir was scheduled to be covered by helicopter. Since the helicopter had not arrived, Swamishri waited, remaining seated in the aeroplane and later in a car at the airport. The helicopter finally arrived at 1.45 p.m. Swamishri and the group of sadhus got into the helicopter. However, prior to departing, 15 to 20 minutes would be required to refuel the helicopter. But, even after the refuelling was completed, the helicopter did not take off. On enquiring about the delay, it became known that the control tower had not given the permission to fly. By now everyone’s patience had frayed. In addition, it was ekadashi.Swamishri’s attendant asked him, “During such testing situations don’t you feel stressed or bored?” Swamishri gestured as if he was turning the mala and replied, “I am happy because I’m doing bhajan of God.”It was 2.45 p.m., and still the permission to fly had not been granted. Finally, it was decided to cover the journey to the mandir by road. At 3.00 p.m., Swamishri and his attendant sadhus left by car and arrived in the mandir precincts at about 4.00 p.m. He was welcomed with a garland. Thereafter, Swamishri patiently did darshan of Thakorji and blessed all the devotees in spite of being fatigued by the long journey. It had taken seven hours to arrive from Ahmedabad (9.10 a.m. to 4.07 p.m.)While retiring that night Swamishri was told that he had to go through a lot of hassle that day. He replied calmly, “It was God’s wish.”Swamishri’s forbearance was exemplary. He remained unruffled and cool all through the journey, smiling and conversing with the sadhus.
23 April 2017, Kolkata
Swamishri departed from the Swaminarayan Mandir in Ahmedabad at 9.10 a.m. to proceed towards Kolkata by flight. He landed at Kolkata airport at 12.15 p.m., and the long journey to the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir was scheduled to be covered by helicopter. Since the helicopter had not arrived, Swamishri waited, remaining seated in the aeroplane and later in a car at the airport. The helicopter finally arrived at 1.45 p.m. Swamishri and the group of sadhus got into the helicopter. However, prior to departing, 15 to 20 minutes would be required to refuel the helicopter. But, even after the refuelling was completed, the helicopter did not take off. On enquiring about the delay, it became known that the control tower had not given the permission to fly. By now everyone’s patience had frayed. In addition, it was ekadashi.Swamishri’s attendant asked him, “During such testing situations don’t you feel stressed or bored?” Swamishri gestured as if he was turning the mala and replied, “I am happy because I’m doing bhajan of God.”It was 2.45 p.m., and still the permission to fly had not been granted. Finally, it was decided to cover the journey to the mandir by road. At 3.00 p.m., Swamishri and his attendant sadhus left by car and arrived in the mandir precincts at about 4.00 p.m. He was welcomed with a garland. Thereafter, Swamishri patiently did darshan of Thakorji and blessed all the devotees in spite of being fatigued by the long journey. It had taken seven hours to arrive from Ahmedabad (9.10 a.m. to 4.07 p.m.)While retiring that night Swamishri was told that he had to go through a lot of hassle that day. He replied calmly, “It was God’s wish.”Swamishri’s forbearance was exemplary. He remained unruffled and cool all through the journey, smiling and conversing with the sadhus.
23 April 2017, Kolkata
Blesses Everyone
After doing darshan at the Yagnapurush Smruti Mandir, Swamishri sat in a golf car to go to the assembly hall to perform his morning puja. On the way, Swamishri was looking at each and every devotee standing for darshan and blessing them. At that time an attendant sadhu started narrating a problem of a devotee to Swamishri, but Swamishri remained engrossed in blessing the devotees. Subsequently, the attendant sadhu paused for a while and then re-commenced, but Swamishri did not divert his attention from the devotees. Again the attendant sadhu stopped speaking and started explaining after some time. Then Swamishri restrained him, saying, “Afterwards.”Swamishri always desires to attend to each and every devotee and fulfil their wish to be blessed.
2 June 2017, Sarangpur
After doing darshan at the Yagnapurush Smruti Mandir, Swamishri sat in a golf car to go to the assembly hall to perform his morning puja. On the way, Swamishri was looking at each and every devotee standing for darshan and blessing them. At that time an attendant sadhu started narrating a problem of a devotee to Swamishri, but Swamishri remained engrossed in blessing the devotees. Subsequently, the attendant sadhu paused for a while and then re-commenced, but Swamishri did not divert his attention from the devotees. Again the attendant sadhu stopped speaking and started explaining after some time. Then Swamishri restrained him, saying, “Afterwards.”Swamishri always desires to attend to each and every devotee and fulfil their wish to be blessed.
2 June 2017, Sarangpur
A Candid Dialogue
An extract from an inspiring dialogue between a spiritual aspirant and Swamishri is as follows:
Swamishri: Just as there are royal families in some countries, ours is a divine family. One may witness others’ swabhavs, but they should be ignored. Everyone is divine. One should not react to them, but tolerate. By retorting to others how can one mould oneself !
Aspirant: How can I become attached to you?
Swamishri: Through interaction and spiritual association.
Aspirant: How can I do that, because it is not possible to be with you all the time?
Swamishri: Through one’s mind (mental association).
Aspirant: Does this mean that through mental association you hear us and are always with us?
Swamishri: Yes.
Aspirant: How do you reply when we mentally ask you?
Swamishri: Once you start doing it you’ll get answers from within.
Aspirant: Who are you?
Swamishri: Satpurush. Our clear understanding is that we have the association of Maharaj, Swami and the Satpurush.
2 June 2017, Sarangpur
An extract from an inspiring dialogue between a spiritual aspirant and Swamishri is as follows:
Swamishri: Just as there are royal families in some countries, ours is a divine family. One may witness others’ swabhavs, but they should be ignored. Everyone is divine. One should not react to them, but tolerate. By retorting to others how can one mould oneself !
Aspirant: How can I become attached to you?
Swamishri: Through interaction and spiritual association.
Aspirant: How can I do that, because it is not possible to be with you all the time?
Swamishri: Through one’s mind (mental association).
Aspirant: Does this mean that through mental association you hear us and are always with us?
Swamishri: Yes.
Aspirant: How do you reply when we mentally ask you?
Swamishri: Once you start doing it you’ll get answers from within.
Aspirant: Who are you?
Swamishri: Satpurush. Our clear understanding is that we have the association of Maharaj, Swami and the Satpurush.
2 June 2017, Sarangpur
A Candid Dialogue
An extract from an inspiring dialogue between a spiritual aspirant and Swamishri is as follows:
Swamishri: Just as there are royal families in some countries, ours is a divine family. One may witness others’ swabhavs, but they should be ignored. Everyone is divine. One should not react to them, but tolerate. By retorting to others how can one mould oneself !
Aspirant: How can I become attached to you?
Swamishri: Through interaction and spiritual association.
Aspirant: How can I do that, because it is not possible to be with you all the time?
Swamishri: Through one’s mind (mental association).
Aspirant: Does this mean that through mental association you hear us and are always with us?
Swamishri: Yes.
Aspirant: How do you reply when we mentally ask you?
Swamishri: Once you start doing it you’ll get answers from within.
Aspirant: Who are you?
Swamishri: Satpurush. Our clear understanding is that we have the association of Maharaj, Swami and the Satpurush.
2 June 2017, Sarangpur
An extract from an inspiring dialogue between a spiritual aspirant and Swamishri is as follows:
Swamishri: Just as there are royal families in some countries, ours is a divine family. One may witness others’ swabhavs, but they should be ignored. Everyone is divine. One should not react to them, but tolerate. By retorting to others how can one mould oneself !
Aspirant: How can I become attached to you?
Swamishri: Through interaction and spiritual association.
Aspirant: How can I do that, because it is not possible to be with you all the time?
Swamishri: Through one’s mind (mental association).
Aspirant: Does this mean that through mental association you hear us and are always with us?
Swamishri: Yes.
Aspirant: How do you reply when we mentally ask you?
Swamishri: Once you start doing it you’ll get answers from within.
Aspirant: Who are you?
Swamishri: Satpurush. Our clear understanding is that we have the association of Maharaj, Swami and the Satpurush.
2 June 2017, Sarangpur
Oneness with Swami Bapa
Hitesh Patel (Contact) and Dipen Patel informed Swamishri, “Today is the 13th, and ten months to this very day and time Pramukh Swami Maharaj departed for Akshardham. Thereafter, we had prayed to you, ‘May we bond with you.’ And we have bonded with you in such a way that when we meditate on Swami Bapa you naturally appear shortly thereafter in our mind. We experience the same joy now as we did with Swami Bapa. We feel that Bapa has not gone.”
Swamishri pointed his finger to his chest and revealed, “Enã ej chhe [He and I are the same].”
13 June 2017, Ahmedabad to Delhi
Hitesh Patel (Contact) and Dipen Patel informed Swamishri, “Today is the 13th, and ten months to this very day and time Pramukh Swami Maharaj departed for Akshardham. Thereafter, we had prayed to you, ‘May we bond with you.’ And we have bonded with you in such a way that when we meditate on Swami Bapa you naturally appear shortly thereafter in our mind. We experience the same joy now as we did with Swami Bapa. We feel that Bapa has not gone.”
Swamishri pointed his finger to his chest and revealed, “Enã ej chhe [He and I are the same].”
13 June 2017, Ahmedabad to Delhi
Profound Devotion to Thakorji
Swamishri and his retinue of sadhus were on a flight to London. As the plane was cruising over Russia Swamishri told the attendant sadhu to take Thakorji by the window so that He could look down and bless the country. Someone stated, “Swamishri, because of the clouds the land is not visible.”
To everyone’s amazement Swamishri replied, “Thakorji can see through the clouds.”
Then an attendant sadhu offered a glass of juice to Swamishri. After taking a sip Swamishri gave it back to the attendant sadhu, who unintentionally placed it before Thakorji. On seeing this, Swamishri told the attendant sadhu to take the glass away because it is disrespectful to place [a used glass] before Thakorji.
Swamishri’s supreme devotion to Thakorji is evident from the way he perceives and respects Thakorji.
15 June 2017, Delhi to London
Swamishri and his retinue of sadhus were on a flight to London. As the plane was cruising over Russia Swamishri told the attendant sadhu to take Thakorji by the window so that He could look down and bless the country. Someone stated, “Swamishri, because of the clouds the land is not visible.”
To everyone’s amazement Swamishri replied, “Thakorji can see through the clouds.”
Then an attendant sadhu offered a glass of juice to Swamishri. After taking a sip Swamishri gave it back to the attendant sadhu, who unintentionally placed it before Thakorji. On seeing this, Swamishri told the attendant sadhu to take the glass away because it is disrespectful to place [a used glass] before Thakorji.
Swamishri’s supreme devotion to Thakorji is evident from the way he perceives and respects Thakorji.
15 June 2017, Delhi to London
Praying for Rains
After his breakfast, Swamishri reclined on a bed for his routine nap at 8.20 a.m. Shortly thereafter, he got up earlier than usual and sat on his bed. The attendant sadhus asked, “Swami, are you not well? Is there any difficulty?”
“No.”
“Then why are you sitting in this manner? What has happened?”
“I am praying.”
“For what?”
“For the rains to shower in India so that all the devotees and people become happy.”
“When do you pray?”
“Daily.”
Swamishri ignored his own comfort and sleep to pray for the welfare of others.
25 June 2017, Atlanta
After his breakfast, Swamishri reclined on a bed for his routine nap at 8.20 a.m. Shortly thereafter, he got up earlier than usual and sat on his bed. The attendant sadhus asked, “Swami, are you not well? Is there any difficulty?”
“No.”
“Then why are you sitting in this manner? What has happened?”
“I am praying.”
“For what?”
“For the rains to shower in India so that all the devotees and people become happy.”
“When do you pray?”
“Daily.”
Swamishri ignored his own comfort and sleep to pray for the welfare of others.
25 June 2017, Atlanta
Absolute Obedience
Swamishri was asked why he was inclined towards eating baked puffed rice (mamra) for breakfast. He recalled, “I was a parshad at that time and was with Yogiji Maharaj in Nadiad. Whenever we had to travel by train there was a great chance that we would have to observe a fast. So, prior to the journey, I used to take a heavy breakfast or meal. That morning, in Nadiad, there were patarveliya for breakfast. I decided to eat more of them. However, when someone came to serve them in my bowl, Yogiji Maharaj stopped him and said, ‘Don’t serve them to him. He doesn’t like patarveliya, he likes mamra.’ So from then on I’ve been eating mamra.”
The attendants asked, “So, you don’t like patarveliya?”
Swamishri replied, “I do, but I don’t eat them.”
Swamishri gave up his own inclination and taste preference to abide by the guru’s wish, thus reflecting his total dedication and obedience to his guru.
27 June 2017, Atlanta
Swamishri was asked why he was inclined towards eating baked puffed rice (mamra) for breakfast. He recalled, “I was a parshad at that time and was with Yogiji Maharaj in Nadiad. Whenever we had to travel by train there was a great chance that we would have to observe a fast. So, prior to the journey, I used to take a heavy breakfast or meal. That morning, in Nadiad, there were patarveliya for breakfast. I decided to eat more of them. However, when someone came to serve them in my bowl, Yogiji Maharaj stopped him and said, ‘Don’t serve them to him. He doesn’t like patarveliya, he likes mamra.’ So from then on I’ve been eating mamra.”
The attendants asked, “So, you don’t like patarveliya?”
Swamishri replied, “I do, but I don’t eat them.”
Swamishri gave up his own inclination and taste preference to abide by the guru’s wish, thus reflecting his total dedication and obedience to his guru.
27 June 2017, Atlanta