Three Keys to Development
A children's activity volunteer asked Swamishri, 'Bapa! We run the Bal Mandal in our own way, but would you like to give any special instructions regarding it?'
Swamishri responded, 'You should be aware in not creating any lapses in the children's academic studies. If they are weak then employ teachers for that particular subject. They should not fall back in their studies. And the parents should not feel that their children have lagged in their studies because of their attendance to the mandir.'
'Secondly, their health. Pay attention and take care for their good health. Explain to them to give up eating out in restaurants and hotels.
'And thirdly, their character and satsang values. Introduce them to Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. Narrate stories from the parables given by Yogiji Maharaj and inspire them to do puja daily.'
For the all-round development of children, Swamishri lucidly highlighted the three essential aspects of education, health and satsang (values).
15-8-2000, Charlotte
A children's activity volunteer asked Swamishri, 'Bapa! We run the Bal Mandal in our own way, but would you like to give any special instructions regarding it?'
Swamishri responded, 'You should be aware in not creating any lapses in the children's academic studies. If they are weak then employ teachers for that particular subject. They should not fall back in their studies. And the parents should not feel that their children have lagged in their studies because of their attendance to the mandir.'
'Secondly, their health. Pay attention and take care for their good health. Explain to them to give up eating out in restaurants and hotels.
'And thirdly, their character and satsang values. Introduce them to Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. Narrate stories from the parables given by Yogiji Maharaj and inspire them to do puja daily.'
For the all-round development of children, Swamishri lucidly highlighted the three essential aspects of education, health and satsang (values).
15-8-2000, Charlotte
A Pledge to Give Up Meat
This evening, Swamishri gave a message for children and youths to the popular ITV channel. On blessing the cameraman, Mr. Ramnarayan Dayaram, Swamishri asked him, 'Do you have any bad habits or addictions?'
Ramnarayan replied that he was not a vegetarian.
When Swamishri explained to him to become a vegetarian, Ramnarayan simply shrugged his shoulders and said it would be difficult to give it up.
'By giving up meat you won't die. Millions of people are living without it. So give it up,' Swamishri urged.
'I'll try my best,' he replied half-heartedly.
'Have you seen a fish swim in water? It goes this way and that way enjoying itself. Is it good to take it out, kill it and eat it? Would you like someone to snatch your son from you, kill him and then eat him?' Swamishri argued rationally.
'No, of course not?'
'Then you are doing exactly that! Therefore you should give it up. At least have a little compassion for life. Live and let them live too.'
Swamishri's arguments and selfless motive convinced Ramnarayan and he pledged to give up meat.
24-8-2000, New York
This evening, Swamishri gave a message for children and youths to the popular ITV channel. On blessing the cameraman, Mr. Ramnarayan Dayaram, Swamishri asked him, 'Do you have any bad habits or addictions?'
Ramnarayan replied that he was not a vegetarian.
When Swamishri explained to him to become a vegetarian, Ramnarayan simply shrugged his shoulders and said it would be difficult to give it up.
'By giving up meat you won't die. Millions of people are living without it. So give it up,' Swamishri urged.
'I'll try my best,' he replied half-heartedly.
'Have you seen a fish swim in water? It goes this way and that way enjoying itself. Is it good to take it out, kill it and eat it? Would you like someone to snatch your son from you, kill him and then eat him?' Swamishri argued rationally.
'No, of course not?'
'Then you are doing exactly that! Therefore you should give it up. At least have a little compassion for life. Live and let them live too.'
Swamishri's arguments and selfless motive convinced Ramnarayan and he pledged to give up meat.
24-8-2000, New York
Deep Bonds
Janak Jadav, a satsangi youth of Mumbai, asked Swamishri, “You had visited my house in Mumbai.” Swamishri spontaneously replied, “At 11 o’clock.”The attendant sadhus were astonished and asked, “At night?” Swamishri gestured with a no. This meant that Swamishri had visited Janak’s home at 11.00 a.m. On enquiring about it from Janak, Swamishri had visited his house in 2004. Swamishri amazingly remembers not only the person’s house but also the time of day of his visit and sometimes he also mentions the prevailing weather. Such incidents not only reflect Swamishri’s extraordinary memory power but also his deep bonds with the devotees.
25 June 2018, Sarangpur
Janak Jadav, a satsangi youth of Mumbai, asked Swamishri, “You had visited my house in Mumbai.” Swamishri spontaneously replied, “At 11 o’clock.”The attendant sadhus were astonished and asked, “At night?” Swamishri gestured with a no. This meant that Swamishri had visited Janak’s home at 11.00 a.m. On enquiring about it from Janak, Swamishri had visited his house in 2004. Swamishri amazingly remembers not only the person’s house but also the time of day of his visit and sometimes he also mentions the prevailing weather. Such incidents not only reflect Swamishri’s extraordinary memory power but also his deep bonds with the devotees.
25 June 2018, Sarangpur
Joy of Giving to Others
While having breakfast, Mahant Swami Maharaj (Swamishri) described Yogiji Maharaj’s cooking skills, “Once, he made magas out of 4.5 kg of gram flour. It was very tasty, and he made it with great joy. And thereafter, he served others with great enthusiasm.”
Mahant Swami Maharaj’s attendant commented that like Yogiji Maharaj, he (Swamishri) too was also not inclined towards eating.
Swamishri said, “I like jadaryu [sweet item made of millet or wheat flour] and magas. I wondered what should I do [with them on my plate]? Then, I thought I would eat them through the sadhus.” Immediately thereafter, Swamishri distributed those sweet items from his dish to the sadhus seated before him. Then, the attendant sadhus suggested that they bring the extra jadaryu offered to Thakorji for him to eat. But Swamishri calmly replied, “No.”
Swamishri’s inclination to readily serve others and his indifference to food and taste reflects his profound desirelessness.
9 June 2018, Limbdi
While having breakfast, Mahant Swami Maharaj (Swamishri) described Yogiji Maharaj’s cooking skills, “Once, he made magas out of 4.5 kg of gram flour. It was very tasty, and he made it with great joy. And thereafter, he served others with great enthusiasm.”
Mahant Swami Maharaj’s attendant commented that like Yogiji Maharaj, he (Swamishri) too was also not inclined towards eating.
Swamishri said, “I like jadaryu [sweet item made of millet or wheat flour] and magas. I wondered what should I do [with them on my plate]? Then, I thought I would eat them through the sadhus.” Immediately thereafter, Swamishri distributed those sweet items from his dish to the sadhus seated before him. Then, the attendant sadhus suggested that they bring the extra jadaryu offered to Thakorji for him to eat. But Swamishri calmly replied, “No.”
Swamishri’s inclination to readily serve others and his indifference to food and taste reflects his profound desirelessness.
9 June 2018, Limbdi
Regardless of Fever
Jnanvatsal Swami narrated an incident of Mahant Swami Maharaj when he was a sadguru. He said, “In 1989, a picnic was arranged for the Vidyanagar Chhatralaya students to visit the Kabir Vad (a famous banyan tree), near Bharuch. You [Mahant Swami Maharaj] were also with us, but we were unaware that you had a fever. On reaching the banks of the River Narmada we told you to join us in taking a dip in the cool waters. We also poured water on you. Though you were shivering because of a fever and the cold water, all fifty of us were oblivious of your condition. We only came to know about it after returning to the Chhatralaya. However Swami, you did not utter a single word.”
To please the youths Swamishri disregarded his own health.
17 June 2018, Anand
Jnanvatsal Swami narrated an incident of Mahant Swami Maharaj when he was a sadguru. He said, “In 1989, a picnic was arranged for the Vidyanagar Chhatralaya students to visit the Kabir Vad (a famous banyan tree), near Bharuch. You [Mahant Swami Maharaj] were also with us, but we were unaware that you had a fever. On reaching the banks of the River Narmada we told you to join us in taking a dip in the cool waters. We also poured water on you. Though you were shivering because of a fever and the cold water, all fifty of us were oblivious of your condition. We only came to know about it after returning to the Chhatralaya. However Swami, you did not utter a single word.”
To please the youths Swamishri disregarded his own health.
17 June 2018, Anand
Offering Respects
After completing his morning puja, Swamishri was walking through a corridor towards his residence. On the way, several youths were holding photos, printed on a large flex sheet, of the hari mandirs in the rural towns and villages near Anand. The maps of these rural places were printed with their names on a flex sheet and spread along Swamishri’s pathway. Yogipurush Swami pointed them out and said, “Swami, look at them as you proceed ahead and we will believe that you have done padhramanis there.” Instantly, Swamishri started removing his slippers.
Yogipurush Swami urged, “Swami, they are only maps of the places where our hari mandirs exist.” But Swamishri removed his slippers and started walking on the printed maps.
Later, when Swamishri was asked why he had removed his slippers he replied, “Because the names of the mandir places were written on the maps.”
Swamishri’s subtle mahima (glory) for the names of the towns or villages where the hari mandirs exist is amazing and noteworthy.
21 June 2018, Anand
After completing his morning puja, Swamishri was walking through a corridor towards his residence. On the way, several youths were holding photos, printed on a large flex sheet, of the hari mandirs in the rural towns and villages near Anand. The maps of these rural places were printed with their names on a flex sheet and spread along Swamishri’s pathway. Yogipurush Swami pointed them out and said, “Swami, look at them as you proceed ahead and we will believe that you have done padhramanis there.” Instantly, Swamishri started removing his slippers.
Yogipurush Swami urged, “Swami, they are only maps of the places where our hari mandirs exist.” But Swamishri removed his slippers and started walking on the printed maps.
Later, when Swamishri was asked why he had removed his slippers he replied, “Because the names of the mandir places were written on the maps.”
Swamishri’s subtle mahima (glory) for the names of the towns or villages where the hari mandirs exist is amazing and noteworthy.
21 June 2018, Anand
Favourite Time of Day
Swamishri’s attendant, Uttamyogi Swami, asked, “Which is your favourite time during the day?”
Swamishri gave an unexpected answer, “Meeting the devotees [mulakat].”
All were surprised by the answer and enquired, “Why mulakat?”
Swamishri replied, “Because I get to meet the dedicated devotees of Akshar-Purushottam, who are muktas.”
25 June 2018, Bochasan
Swamishri’s attendant, Uttamyogi Swami, asked, “Which is your favourite time during the day?”
Swamishri gave an unexpected answer, “Meeting the devotees [mulakat].”
All were surprised by the answer and enquired, “Why mulakat?”
Swamishri replied, “Because I get to meet the dedicated devotees of Akshar-Purushottam, who are muktas.”
25 June 2018, Bochasan
A Disabled Devotee
Swamishri was returning by car from his daily puja venue to the BAPS Mandir in Godhra. Many devotees were waiting on the footpath for darshan. While Swamishri was blessing them by looking at them, he saw a disabled devotee with flowers in his hands. Swamishri wished to meet the devotee, but by then the car had reached the mandir gate. Swamishri told the driver to stop, and he gestured to call the disabled devotee. It took (a little) time to find the devotee. So, the attendant sadhus, who were not aware that the devotee was disabled, suggested to Swamishri that they move ahead and wait inside the mandir compound. But Swamishri insisted upon having the car reversed towards the disabled devotee. By that time, the devotee arrived. Swamishri lovingly accepted his flowers and thus fulfilled his devotion. The devotee was overwhelmed with joy because he had not anticipated Swamishri’s close encounter and blessings.
30 June 2018, Godhra
Swamishri was returning by car from his daily puja venue to the BAPS Mandir in Godhra. Many devotees were waiting on the footpath for darshan. While Swamishri was blessing them by looking at them, he saw a disabled devotee with flowers in his hands. Swamishri wished to meet the devotee, but by then the car had reached the mandir gate. Swamishri told the driver to stop, and he gestured to call the disabled devotee. It took (a little) time to find the devotee. So, the attendant sadhus, who were not aware that the devotee was disabled, suggested to Swamishri that they move ahead and wait inside the mandir compound. But Swamishri insisted upon having the car reversed towards the disabled devotee. By that time, the devotee arrived. Swamishri lovingly accepted his flowers and thus fulfilled his devotion. The devotee was overwhelmed with joy because he had not anticipated Swamishri’s close encounter and blessings.
30 June 2018, Godhra
Bhakti Towards the Lord and Guru
Swamishri arrived for the evening satsang assembly. The stage comprised of a traditional tribal straw hut. In the middle was a beautiful sofa for Mahant Swami Maharaj, flanked by raised seats for the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. As soon as Swamishri saw his seat he frowned and uttered, “Maharaj’s seat is ordinary, Swami Bapa’s seat is also ordinary and mine is royal!” Swamishri expressed his displeasure for the inappropriate arrangement. Hurriedly, the attendants brought an ordinary sofa for Swamishri. Thereafter, Swamishri felt pleased and comfortable.
Swamishri’s bhakti and humility towards Shriji Maharaj and guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj are exemplary.
31 June 2018, Godhra
Swamishri arrived for the evening satsang assembly. The stage comprised of a traditional tribal straw hut. In the middle was a beautiful sofa for Mahant Swami Maharaj, flanked by raised seats for the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. As soon as Swamishri saw his seat he frowned and uttered, “Maharaj’s seat is ordinary, Swami Bapa’s seat is also ordinary and mine is royal!” Swamishri expressed his displeasure for the inappropriate arrangement. Hurriedly, the attendants brought an ordinary sofa for Swamishri. Thereafter, Swamishri felt pleased and comfortable.
Swamishri’s bhakti and humility towards Shriji Maharaj and guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj are exemplary.
31 June 2018, Godhra
Despite a Cramped Thumb
In the evening, Swamishri was meeting the devotees in a small hall as they came to him one by one. He personally looked at each one of them and, when required, listened to their problems and blessed them by placing his hand on their heads. After 25 minutes someone noticed that Swamishri was having some problem with his left thumb. After observing from close quarters it became clear that Swamishri’s thumb had become cramped. In spite of this, Swamishri continued blessing the devotees. Three minutes later, Swamishri’s thumb got locked and he was unable to open and stretch it. The line of devotees was temporarily halted and Swamishri’s thumb was treated. But there was no improvement. Finally, senior swamis decided to cancel the meeting with the remaining devotees. But Swamishri gestured to allow all those present in the hall to meet him. As they passed by, Swamishri extended his right hand towards the devotees and blessed them in spite of his difficulty. Thereafter, his thumb was treated and Swamishri came to the Pramukh Mandiram cabin to bless the remaining devotees from a distance.
12 July 2018, Sarangpur
In the evening, Swamishri was meeting the devotees in a small hall as they came to him one by one. He personally looked at each one of them and, when required, listened to their problems and blessed them by placing his hand on their heads. After 25 minutes someone noticed that Swamishri was having some problem with his left thumb. After observing from close quarters it became clear that Swamishri’s thumb had become cramped. In spite of this, Swamishri continued blessing the devotees. Three minutes later, Swamishri’s thumb got locked and he was unable to open and stretch it. The line of devotees was temporarily halted and Swamishri’s thumb was treated. But there was no improvement. Finally, senior swamis decided to cancel the meeting with the remaining devotees. But Swamishri gestured to allow all those present in the hall to meet him. As they passed by, Swamishri extended his right hand towards the devotees and blessed them in spite of his difficulty. Thereafter, his thumb was treated and Swamishri came to the Pramukh Mandiram cabin to bless the remaining devotees from a distance.
12 July 2018, Sarangpur