Sharp Memory
Mr. A.K. Saxena, the general manager of Amdavad Telecom came for Swamishri's darshan. Introducing him, a sadhu said, 'Bapa, he's coming for your darshan for the first time.'
Swamishri immediately said, 'We've met before... where...?'
'That was S.K. Gupta,' suggested the sadhu.
'No, not Mr. Gupta. It was Mr. Saxena,' Swamishri replied. Resolving the issue, Mr. Saxena said, 'Yes, three years ago I had come for Swamishri's darshan.'
Swamishri blessed him. As Mr. Saxena left, he commented, 'Three years ago, I had met Swamishri for a few moments only. Since then, Swamishri has met thousands of people, yet he still remembers me by name!'
Such is Swamishri's memory power, that even at the age of 78, his recall is as sharp as ever.
6-3-1999, Sarangpur
Mr. A.K. Saxena, the general manager of Amdavad Telecom came for Swamishri's darshan. Introducing him, a sadhu said, 'Bapa, he's coming for your darshan for the first time.'
Swamishri immediately said, 'We've met before... where...?'
'That was S.K. Gupta,' suggested the sadhu.
'No, not Mr. Gupta. It was Mr. Saxena,' Swamishri replied. Resolving the issue, Mr. Saxena said, 'Yes, three years ago I had come for Swamishri's darshan.'
Swamishri blessed him. As Mr. Saxena left, he commented, 'Three years ago, I had met Swamishri for a few moments only. Since then, Swamishri has met thousands of people, yet he still remembers me by name!'
Such is Swamishri's memory power, that even at the age of 78, his recall is as sharp as ever.
6-3-1999, Sarangpur
Glory of God
Swamishri arrived at Gandhinagar from Atladra. After darshan, he sat down for dinner. Hitesh Dharia, a guide at the Akshardham monument, narrated the experiences of visitors to Akshardham. At the end, Hitesh asked Swamishri, 'What is the fruit of visiting Akshardham?'
Swamishri replied, 'Whoever visits will see and appreciate. They will experience peace and happiness...'
'Can I say what the real benefit of visiting Akshardham is?' Hitesh interrupted. Then he answered, 'The biggest benefit for a visitor to Akshardham is that he gets to know about Pramukh Swami Maharaj.'
Hearing this Swamishri countered, 'Everything is due to the grace of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The murti seated here in Akshardham is divine and because of the murti everyone benefits by their visit here.'
'But, you reveal the true identity and glory of that murti,' Hitesh said.
'Yes, but the real force is God. Without God, we are worth nothing,' concluded Swamishri.
Swamishri's devotion for God and personal humility touched everyone.
20-2-1999, Gandhinagar
Swamishri arrived at Gandhinagar from Atladra. After darshan, he sat down for dinner. Hitesh Dharia, a guide at the Akshardham monument, narrated the experiences of visitors to Akshardham. At the end, Hitesh asked Swamishri, 'What is the fruit of visiting Akshardham?'
Swamishri replied, 'Whoever visits will see and appreciate. They will experience peace and happiness...'
'Can I say what the real benefit of visiting Akshardham is?' Hitesh interrupted. Then he answered, 'The biggest benefit for a visitor to Akshardham is that he gets to know about Pramukh Swami Maharaj.'
Hearing this Swamishri countered, 'Everything is due to the grace of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The murti seated here in Akshardham is divine and because of the murti everyone benefits by their visit here.'
'But, you reveal the true identity and glory of that murti,' Hitesh said.
'Yes, but the real force is God. Without God, we are worth nothing,' concluded Swamishri.
Swamishri's devotion for God and personal humility touched everyone.
20-2-1999, Gandhinagar
Happiness and Miseries
An Indian newspaper editor asked Swamishri a few questions:
Q: Spirituality is the right path, and man should follow it. However, those who walk the path of immorality and perform impious acts achieve mundane progress and are happier, whereas those who are spiritual are unhappy and miserable. Why is this?
A: Outwardly it seems that one who has wealth is happy, but one cannot always believe this to be true. On the surface it appears that he is happy, but inside he is unhappy. He is always running, evading and anxious. The fruit of immorality (adharma) is misery and pain. Sooner or later he will have to suffer for it. One who does good will get good fruits. He feels happy within and God looks after him and makes him happier.
Duryodhan was immoral and he seemed happy outwardly, whereas the Pandavs had to roam in the forests during their exile. But, the peace the Pandavs had, Duryodhan did not have!
Q: Why do you, a great sadhu, accept illness?
A: The human body is a home to illnesses.
Q: Though this is true, you should not accept it.
A: (With reference to accepting illness Swamishri added) So that others may derive strength and inspiration, and not become afraid of diseases or illnesses, one should engage in bhajan.
10-4-1999, Surat
An Indian newspaper editor asked Swamishri a few questions:
Q: Spirituality is the right path, and man should follow it. However, those who walk the path of immorality and perform impious acts achieve mundane progress and are happier, whereas those who are spiritual are unhappy and miserable. Why is this?
A: Outwardly it seems that one who has wealth is happy, but one cannot always believe this to be true. On the surface it appears that he is happy, but inside he is unhappy. He is always running, evading and anxious. The fruit of immorality (adharma) is misery and pain. Sooner or later he will have to suffer for it. One who does good will get good fruits. He feels happy within and God looks after him and makes him happier.
Duryodhan was immoral and he seemed happy outwardly, whereas the Pandavs had to roam in the forests during their exile. But, the peace the Pandavs had, Duryodhan did not have!
Q: Why do you, a great sadhu, accept illness?
A: The human body is a home to illnesses.
Q: Though this is true, you should not accept it.
A: (With reference to accepting illness Swamishri added) So that others may derive strength and inspiration, and not become afraid of diseases or illnesses, one should engage in bhajan.
10-4-1999, Surat
Nothing Impresses Like Good Character
This morning, during Swamishri's personal counselling hours, a teenager asked a couple of questions.
Teenager: I always desire to impress people and I know it is wrong.
Swamishri: One should not have such desires. If you perform good acts and have character in life, then people will automatically be impressed by you. If you are good then people will not say otherwise.
Teenager: Sometimes I do bad things.
Swamishri: When you desire to impress anyone you will feel like doing bad things. So you must have character and live by God's laws. Then people will appreciate you and you will not think of doing bad things.
The teenager appreciated Swamishri's counsel.
11-4-1999, Surat
This morning, during Swamishri's personal counselling hours, a teenager asked a couple of questions.
Teenager: I always desire to impress people and I know it is wrong.
Swamishri: One should not have such desires. If you perform good acts and have character in life, then people will automatically be impressed by you. If you are good then people will not say otherwise.
Teenager: Sometimes I do bad things.
Swamishri: When you desire to impress anyone you will feel like doing bad things. So you must have character and live by God's laws. Then people will appreciate you and you will not think of doing bad things.
The teenager appreciated Swamishri's counsel.
11-4-1999, Surat
Reforming People
A sadhu introduced a youth to Swamishri and revealed, 'This person is addicted to liquor. And when he gets intoxicated he beats his wife.'
Swamishri advised, 'How can you do this young man! Have you married her to beat her up! You come home drunk and create trouble. One day your wife will beat you up! From now onwards stop beating her and give up drinking altogether.' Swamishri then inspired him to take a pledge and give up drinking once and for all.
Later that day, a teenager asked Swamishri, 'Swami Bapa, on the occasion of Kishore Day today what does Ghanshyam Maharaj have to say to the teenagers?'
Swamishri gave him a written reply, 'One should go to the kishore mandal regularly, study properly, strengthen one's niyam-dharma and obey one's parents.'
13-4-1999, Surat
A sadhu introduced a youth to Swamishri and revealed, 'This person is addicted to liquor. And when he gets intoxicated he beats his wife.'
Swamishri advised, 'How can you do this young man! Have you married her to beat her up! You come home drunk and create trouble. One day your wife will beat you up! From now onwards stop beating her and give up drinking altogether.' Swamishri then inspired him to take a pledge and give up drinking once and for all.
Later that day, a teenager asked Swamishri, 'Swami Bapa, on the occasion of Kishore Day today what does Ghanshyam Maharaj have to say to the teenagers?'
Swamishri gave him a written reply, 'One should go to the kishore mandal regularly, study properly, strengthen one's niyam-dharma and obey one's parents.'
13-4-1999, Surat
Help Others
In the morning, a devotee came with his two sons. 'Bapa, he wants to become a top scientist,' the devotee said, pointing to one of his sons. 'And, he wants to become an MBA,' pointing to his other son.
Swamishri blessed them, and advised, 'Do what interests you, pray to God and remain firm in Satsang. Then you will succeed. Don't become a scientist and make weapons to kill people! Do what is good for others. Do what will help others.'
19-5-1999, Mumbai
In the morning, a devotee came with his two sons. 'Bapa, he wants to become a top scientist,' the devotee said, pointing to one of his sons. 'And, he wants to become an MBA,' pointing to his other son.
Swamishri blessed them, and advised, 'Do what interests you, pray to God and remain firm in Satsang. Then you will succeed. Don't become a scientist and make weapons to kill people! Do what is good for others. Do what will help others.'
19-5-1999, Mumbai
Gains
At 1.00 p.m., Swamishri departed in a delayed flight from Mumbai to Rajkot. He arrived at Rajkot airport at 2.57 p.m. By the time Swamishri reached the mandir it was 3.35 p.m. More than 400 devotees had been waiting for over two hours in the hot afternoon sun for Swamishri's darshan. Though it was late, Swamishri addressed the devotees, 'I am late. And when it's late one thinks when will (Swami) come? You feel that you have missed some work at home because of the delay, but you have gained the opportunity of having God's darshan, the darshan of the mandir's flags, kalashas and all these sadhus and devotees assembled here. So the delay here (in the mandir) is for your good, because it is for your moksha. Otherwise, for infinite births you have been late and delayed! Because when you had not met God and His holy Sadhu, you were late!'
23-10-1999, Rajkot
At 1.00 p.m., Swamishri departed in a delayed flight from Mumbai to Rajkot. He arrived at Rajkot airport at 2.57 p.m. By the time Swamishri reached the mandir it was 3.35 p.m. More than 400 devotees had been waiting for over two hours in the hot afternoon sun for Swamishri's darshan. Though it was late, Swamishri addressed the devotees, 'I am late. And when it's late one thinks when will (Swami) come? You feel that you have missed some work at home because of the delay, but you have gained the opportunity of having God's darshan, the darshan of the mandir's flags, kalashas and all these sadhus and devotees assembled here. So the delay here (in the mandir) is for your good, because it is for your moksha. Otherwise, for infinite births you have been late and delayed! Because when you had not met God and His holy Sadhu, you were late!'
23-10-1999, Rajkot
Essence of Vachanamrut
To grasp the essence of something is a difficult and often impossible task. The exercise becomes more challenging from the physical, mental to the spiritual aspects of life. However, God-realised souls easily extract the essence of things.
When Swamishri was asked to write the essence of the Vachanamrut on a large-size replica, he wrote, 'To realise ekantik dharma, become brahmarup and offer bhakti to Shriji Maharaj.'
25-10-1999, Gondal
To grasp the essence of something is a difficult and often impossible task. The exercise becomes more challenging from the physical, mental to the spiritual aspects of life. However, God-realised souls easily extract the essence of things.
When Swamishri was asked to write the essence of the Vachanamrut on a large-size replica, he wrote, 'To realise ekantik dharma, become brahmarup and offer bhakti to Shriji Maharaj.'
25-10-1999, Gondal
Matching with Narayan
While Swamishri was doing darshan of the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj in the mandir shrine, a sadhu said, 'Today, Lakshmiji has been adorned with a yellow chandlo, however Dr. Swami said there should be a red chandlo instead.'
Swamishri replied, 'Yes, that's right. Because the murti of Narayan has a red chandlo.'
The sadhu stated, 'Because Lakshmiji is adorned in a yellow sari then the colour of the chandlo should match with it! The colour of the chandlo should be the same as the colour of the sari.'
Swamishri tellingly replied, 'Should it be matched with the sari or Narayan?'
Swamishri is a great proponent of tradition and faith. The chandlo is a mark of privilege and auspiciousness. And there is also an emphasis in Swamishri's words that one should match or be in tune with God and not with mundane fashions and things.
24-11-1999, Bochasan
While Swamishri was doing darshan of the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj in the mandir shrine, a sadhu said, 'Today, Lakshmiji has been adorned with a yellow chandlo, however Dr. Swami said there should be a red chandlo instead.'
Swamishri replied, 'Yes, that's right. Because the murti of Narayan has a red chandlo.'
The sadhu stated, 'Because Lakshmiji is adorned in a yellow sari then the colour of the chandlo should match with it! The colour of the chandlo should be the same as the colour of the sari.'
Swamishri tellingly replied, 'Should it be matched with the sari or Narayan?'
Swamishri is a great proponent of tradition and faith. The chandlo is a mark of privilege and auspiciousness. And there is also an emphasis in Swamishri's words that one should match or be in tune with God and not with mundane fashions and things.
24-11-1999, Bochasan
Don't Take It to Heart
A youth introduced Anil to Swamishri and said, 'Anil only speaks when he is spoken to. And while in the mandir, sometimes when he is not called or told off, he feels hurt and tries to reason why it happens to him. He then loses all enthusiasm and decides not to come to the mandir.'
Swamishri called Anil and explained, 'Don't people have bad members in their family? Similarly, you will find such people everywhere. You should not take things to heart when someone speaks harshly to you. Always be focussed on God.'
Swamishri then placed a garland round Anil's neck and added, 'When the President arrives, you go to see him even when you are not invited because you have understood his importance. You go through all the strain and effort to go, even when he does not know you or call you. Likewise, in Satsang, you should not take it to heart when someone does not call you.'
Swamishri imparted a sound, practical understanding to overcome feelings of neglect or humiliation.
18-12-1999, Sultanabad
A youth introduced Anil to Swamishri and said, 'Anil only speaks when he is spoken to. And while in the mandir, sometimes when he is not called or told off, he feels hurt and tries to reason why it happens to him. He then loses all enthusiasm and decides not to come to the mandir.'
Swamishri called Anil and explained, 'Don't people have bad members in their family? Similarly, you will find such people everywhere. You should not take things to heart when someone speaks harshly to you. Always be focussed on God.'
Swamishri then placed a garland round Anil's neck and added, 'When the President arrives, you go to see him even when you are not invited because you have understood his importance. You go through all the strain and effort to go, even when he does not know you or call you. Likewise, in Satsang, you should not take it to heart when someone does not call you.'
Swamishri imparted a sound, practical understanding to overcome feelings of neglect or humiliation.
18-12-1999, Sultanabad