Menial Seva
Uttamshlok Swami recounted an incident of Mahant Swami Maharaj that he had witnessed as a youth during the Cultural Festival of India (CFI) in Edison, 1991. He said, “After the CFI was over, all the volunteers and sadhus were engaged in the wind-up seva of the mini cultural township. Mahant Swamiji was carrying a garbage bag and filling it with litter. I saw Swamishri was also picking up tin cans lying in shrubs and thorny bushes. I tried to stop him and said that I would retrieve them. But Swamishri wished to do the seva. So, I told Swamishri to collect only soft drink cans whereas we would pick up the other garbage items. But Swamishri did not heed to our request and continued doing the menial seva.”
In spite of being a sadguru (senior sadhu) then, Swamishri persisted in doing the menial seva. His humility and spirit of seva is exemplary.
7 July 2017, Chicago
Uttamshlok Swami recounted an incident of Mahant Swami Maharaj that he had witnessed as a youth during the Cultural Festival of India (CFI) in Edison, 1991. He said, “After the CFI was over, all the volunteers and sadhus were engaged in the wind-up seva of the mini cultural township. Mahant Swamiji was carrying a garbage bag and filling it with litter. I saw Swamishri was also picking up tin cans lying in shrubs and thorny bushes. I tried to stop him and said that I would retrieve them. But Swamishri wished to do the seva. So, I told Swamishri to collect only soft drink cans whereas we would pick up the other garbage items. But Swamishri did not heed to our request and continued doing the menial seva.”
In spite of being a sadguru (senior sadhu) then, Swamishri persisted in doing the menial seva. His humility and spirit of seva is exemplary.
7 July 2017, Chicago
Respect for Teenagers
A doormat was placed before Swamishri’s feet. He was informed that teenagers (kishores) had written their names and their own troublesome base natures (swabhavs) on it. They had conveyed a request to Swamishri to place his feet on the doormat to trample and crush their swabhavs. Without a moment’s hesitation Swamishri refused to place his feet on the doormat. Instead, to everyone’s surprise, he touched the doormat with his fingers and placed them briefly on his eyes and head out of respect. Swamishri felt that it was not appropriate to trample on the names of the teenage devotees.
While getting up, Swamishri again touched the doormat and placed his fingers on his head as a mark of respect for the teenagers. Everyone was inspired by Swamishri’s reverence for those who are associated with God or Satsang.
10 July 2017, Chicago
A doormat was placed before Swamishri’s feet. He was informed that teenagers (kishores) had written their names and their own troublesome base natures (swabhavs) on it. They had conveyed a request to Swamishri to place his feet on the doormat to trample and crush their swabhavs. Without a moment’s hesitation Swamishri refused to place his feet on the doormat. Instead, to everyone’s surprise, he touched the doormat with his fingers and placed them briefly on his eyes and head out of respect. Swamishri felt that it was not appropriate to trample on the names of the teenage devotees.
While getting up, Swamishri again touched the doormat and placed his fingers on his head as a mark of respect for the teenagers. Everyone was inspired by Swamishri’s reverence for those who are associated with God or Satsang.
10 July 2017, Chicago
Atmic Power
Swamishri had a medical check-up by a specialist doctor. The doctor prescribed a medicine and added, “By taking this medicine you’ll be happy.”
Swamishri responded, “I am always happy.” Then he added, “I only expressed my problem because I was asked to do so. Otherwise it would have gone on. In fact, I’ve had the pain from Kolkata [for the past two months].”
Atmaswarup Swami asked the doctor, “If he does not take your prescribed medicine, then what will happen?”
The doctor replied, “Then there is the possibility of him experiencing severe pain.”
Swamishri revealed, “My life is going on due to [my] atma’s strength.”
The doctor praised Swamishri’s inner strength, “You are very strong from within. Otherwise anyone else with your kind of ailment would have found it very difficult to tolerate. I’ve seen people cry due to this illness.”
When the renowned doctor was asked about his fee, he replied, “I don’t want any fees for my service. All I ask is for Swamiji’s blessings.”
The dialogue with the doctor revealed Swamishri’s tolerance, atmic strength and the fact that he is always happy.
12 July 2017, Chicago
Swamishri had a medical check-up by a specialist doctor. The doctor prescribed a medicine and added, “By taking this medicine you’ll be happy.”
Swamishri responded, “I am always happy.” Then he added, “I only expressed my problem because I was asked to do so. Otherwise it would have gone on. In fact, I’ve had the pain from Kolkata [for the past two months].”
Atmaswarup Swami asked the doctor, “If he does not take your prescribed medicine, then what will happen?”
The doctor replied, “Then there is the possibility of him experiencing severe pain.”
Swamishri revealed, “My life is going on due to [my] atma’s strength.”
The doctor praised Swamishri’s inner strength, “You are very strong from within. Otherwise anyone else with your kind of ailment would have found it very difficult to tolerate. I’ve seen people cry due to this illness.”
When the renowned doctor was asked about his fee, he replied, “I don’t want any fees for my service. All I ask is for Swamiji’s blessings.”
The dialogue with the doctor revealed Swamishri’s tolerance, atmic strength and the fact that he is always happy.
12 July 2017, Chicago
Amazing Memory
Dipak Amin, a devotee, came for Swamishri’s darshan and informed, “You had stayed at my house during the murti-pratishtha occasion in my village, Dehgam.”
Swamishri revealed, “At that time it was very cold.” Everyone was amazed by Swamishri’s sharp memory about such a minor detail.
The sadhus then asked Dipak about the year in which the pratishtha took place. Dipak replied, “It was in 1989–90.”
Swamishri clearly remembered the weather conditions in Dehgam about 27 years previously. In spite of having met countless people and stayed at innumerable homes thereafter Swamishri’s razor-sharp memory not only astounded everyone, but also reflected his
intense bond and love for a devotee.
14 July 2017, Chicago
Dipak Amin, a devotee, came for Swamishri’s darshan and informed, “You had stayed at my house during the murti-pratishtha occasion in my village, Dehgam.”
Swamishri revealed, “At that time it was very cold.” Everyone was amazed by Swamishri’s sharp memory about such a minor detail.
The sadhus then asked Dipak about the year in which the pratishtha took place. Dipak replied, “It was in 1989–90.”
Swamishri clearly remembered the weather conditions in Dehgam about 27 years previously. In spite of having met countless people and stayed at innumerable homes thereafter Swamishri’s razor-sharp memory not only astounded everyone, but also reflected his
intense bond and love for a devotee.
14 July 2017, Chicago
Bhagwan’s Disciple
Kavish, a child, explicitly asked Swamishri, “Are you God?”
Swamishri smiled and replied, “I am Bhagwan’s disciple and servant.”
14 July 2017, Chicago
Kavish, a child, explicitly asked Swamishri, “Are you God?”
Swamishri smiled and replied, “I am Bhagwan’s disciple and servant.”
14 July 2017, Chicago
Sharp Memory
“Swami, his name is Sulabh Patel,” a sadhu introduced a devotee to Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Swamishri asked, “Are you from Nadiad?”
Sulabhbhai replied, “No Swami, I’m from Houston.”
Swamishri asked him, “Where did you live before?”
Sulabhbhai recalled, “Yes Swami, I was a student staying at the Akshar-Purushottam Chhatralaya in Nadiad from 1994 to 1998.”
Everyone was amazed at Swamishri’s memory. He had remembered the devotee after twenty long years in spite of having met so many students thereafter!
Everyone present simply praised Swamishri’s phenomenal memory and thought that even Sulabhbhai had forgotten for a few minutes that he had once lived in Nadiad.
16 July 2017, Chicago
“Swami, his name is Sulabh Patel,” a sadhu introduced a devotee to Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Swamishri asked, “Are you from Nadiad?”
Sulabhbhai replied, “No Swami, I’m from Houston.”
Swamishri asked him, “Where did you live before?”
Sulabhbhai recalled, “Yes Swami, I was a student staying at the Akshar-Purushottam Chhatralaya in Nadiad from 1994 to 1998.”
Everyone was amazed at Swamishri’s memory. He had remembered the devotee after twenty long years in spite of having met so many students thereafter!
Everyone present simply praised Swamishri’s phenomenal memory and thought that even Sulabhbhai had forgotten for a few minutes that he had once lived in Nadiad.
16 July 2017, Chicago
Inner Self
Dr Rajmayurbhai was taking care of Swamishri’s health during his stay in Toronto. Today, Swamishri called him and appreciated his efforts, “Formerly he was obese, and I wondered how much more weight he would put on. But, he has been able to reduce it.”
Dr Rajmayurbhai prayed, “Swami, I have improved my outer physical self, however I pray that you improve my inner self.”
Swamishri smiled and replied, “You are a doctor of the physical body, whereas I deal with the inner self.”
28 July 2017, Toronto
Dr Rajmayurbhai was taking care of Swamishri’s health during his stay in Toronto. Today, Swamishri called him and appreciated his efforts, “Formerly he was obese, and I wondered how much more weight he would put on. But, he has been able to reduce it.”
Dr Rajmayurbhai prayed, “Swami, I have improved my outer physical self, however I pray that you improve my inner self.”
Swamishri smiled and replied, “You are a doctor of the physical body, whereas I deal with the inner self.”
28 July 2017, Toronto
Two Fasts
Mahant Swami Maharaj narrated an incident that had occurred while he was travelling by train.
“I was a parshad. I and a devotee from the time of Shastriji Maharaj were seated together in a service carriage. The train was jam-packed with passengers. Instead of 10 persons 20 had crowded [our compartment]. There was not even an inch of space left to move. The devotee started talking about the faults of other devotees. He was a senior devotee, and there was no way I could get up and leave. I did not like what he was saying. So, I started chanting ‘Swaminarayan’ in my mind, but I had to listen to what he was saying.
On reaching the mandir in Ahmedabad, the first question Yogi Bapa asked me was, ‘What conversation did you have while travelling by train?’ Never before had he asked me such a question. I replied, ‘[I heard] about others’ faults.’ He instantly told me, ‘Observe two fasts.’ Then, he told the devotee to observe one fast. So, no matter what, one will have to stop [talking ill of others] or else one will not be able to enter [Akshardham].”
4 August 2017, Los Angeles
Mahant Swami Maharaj narrated an incident that had occurred while he was travelling by train.
“I was a parshad. I and a devotee from the time of Shastriji Maharaj were seated together in a service carriage. The train was jam-packed with passengers. Instead of 10 persons 20 had crowded [our compartment]. There was not even an inch of space left to move. The devotee started talking about the faults of other devotees. He was a senior devotee, and there was no way I could get up and leave. I did not like what he was saying. So, I started chanting ‘Swaminarayan’ in my mind, but I had to listen to what he was saying.
On reaching the mandir in Ahmedabad, the first question Yogi Bapa asked me was, ‘What conversation did you have while travelling by train?’ Never before had he asked me such a question. I replied, ‘[I heard] about others’ faults.’ He instantly told me, ‘Observe two fasts.’ Then, he told the devotee to observe one fast. So, no matter what, one will have to stop [talking ill of others] or else one will not be able to enter [Akshardham].”
4 August 2017, Los Angeles
Firm About Fasts
Swamishri was informed about a request from Munidarshan Swami, kothari of Nagpur Mandir. The request was, “More than 25,000 well-wishers and devout people visit the Nagpur Mandir for darshan on the day of Janmashtami. On that day, all the volunteers of Nagpur and a few who come from Gujarat manage the arrangements for the visitors. Can the volunteer devotees do faral on that day?”
As per Shastriji Maharaj’s instruction Janmashtami is one of the five mandatory waterless fasts that sadhus and devotees of the BAPS observe.
Swamishri did not say anything. It was apparent that he wished them to observe the fast. A sadhu then asked, “ Swami, they will do whatever you say.”
Swamishri spoke emphatically, “They should observe the five big fasts [ordained by Shastriji Maharaj].”
The guru always remains steadfast in observing the wishes and instructions of his gurus and also in promoting them.
14 August 2017, Houston
Swamishri was informed about a request from Munidarshan Swami, kothari of Nagpur Mandir. The request was, “More than 25,000 well-wishers and devout people visit the Nagpur Mandir for darshan on the day of Janmashtami. On that day, all the volunteers of Nagpur and a few who come from Gujarat manage the arrangements for the visitors. Can the volunteer devotees do faral on that day?”
As per Shastriji Maharaj’s instruction Janmashtami is one of the five mandatory waterless fasts that sadhus and devotees of the BAPS observe.
Swamishri did not say anything. It was apparent that he wished them to observe the fast. A sadhu then asked, “ Swami, they will do whatever you say.”
Swamishri spoke emphatically, “They should observe the five big fasts [ordained by Shastriji Maharaj].”
The guru always remains steadfast in observing the wishes and instructions of his gurus and also in promoting them.
14 August 2017, Houston
Guru Is Always Present
Rushil, a youth, had drawn a nice picture of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. A few sadhus pointed out to Swamishri some unique aspects of the picture, “Swami Bapa is laughing beautifully, but his eyes are closed. It is difficult to draw a good picture with the eyes closed, and that is why people don’t draw it.”
Brahmavatsal Swami showed Swamishri a photo of Pramukh Swami Maharaj laughing with his eyes closed. Also, in that photo, Mahant Swami Maharaj is laughing, but his eyes are open. Then, Brahmavatsal Swami pointed out, “Here the eyes are closed and here they are open.”
Swamishri smiled softly and added, “The closed and opened eyes are one and the same.” Swamishri authenticated the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in him.
The guru is always present and alive.
16 August 2017, Houston
Rushil, a youth, had drawn a nice picture of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. A few sadhus pointed out to Swamishri some unique aspects of the picture, “Swami Bapa is laughing beautifully, but his eyes are closed. It is difficult to draw a good picture with the eyes closed, and that is why people don’t draw it.”
Brahmavatsal Swami showed Swamishri a photo of Pramukh Swami Maharaj laughing with his eyes closed. Also, in that photo, Mahant Swami Maharaj is laughing, but his eyes are open. Then, Brahmavatsal Swami pointed out, “Here the eyes are closed and here they are open.”
Swamishri smiled softly and added, “The closed and opened eyes are one and the same.” Swamishri authenticated the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in him.
The guru is always present and alive.
16 August 2017, Houston