God’s Name and Prayers
Swamishri landed in Dar-es-Salaam after an eight-hour flight from India. While he was retiring for the night the attendant swamis requested, “Take a grand sleep after a long, tiring journey.”
Swamishri revealed, “I don’t take a grand sleep. I didn’t sleep in the plane this afternoon.”
A surprised swami enquired, “Then what were you thinking of ?”
Swamishri replied, “[I was chanting] Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan, Maharaj-Swami and praying for solutions to some devotees’ problems.”
8 August 2019, Dar-es-Salaam
Swamishri landed in Dar-es-Salaam after an eight-hour flight from India. While he was retiring for the night the attendant swamis requested, “Take a grand sleep after a long, tiring journey.”
Swamishri revealed, “I don’t take a grand sleep. I didn’t sleep in the plane this afternoon.”
A surprised swami enquired, “Then what were you thinking of ?”
Swamishri replied, “[I was chanting] Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan, Maharaj-Swami and praying for solutions to some devotees’ problems.”
8 August 2019, Dar-es-Salaam
Solar Eclipse Announcement
There is a Solar Eclipse early Thursday morning 6/10. The preparations will start Wednesday Evening 6/9.
The details can be confusing so below is a summary:
Vedh
•Wednesday Evening onwards.
•Only water.
•Activities as normal.
Actual Eclipse
•Thursday Morning.
•No water.
•Sit in one spot and do bhakti, read, katha, Guruhari Darshan, satsang diksha etc.
After Eclipse
• Shower with your clothes on and wash any cloths you touched during the eclipse.
There is a Solar Eclipse early Thursday morning 6/10. The preparations will start Wednesday Evening 6/9.
The details can be confusing so below is a summary:
Vedh
•Wednesday Evening onwards.
•Only water.
•Activities as normal.
Actual Eclipse
•Thursday Morning.
•No water.
•Sit in one spot and do bhakti, read, katha, Guruhari Darshan, satsang diksha etc.
After Eclipse
• Shower with your clothes on and wash any cloths you touched during the eclipse.
Lessons in Perfection
Prior to his morning puja, Swamishri started performing arti of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj with swamis in a room. One swami was singing the arti in his sweet voice. After completing the arti, Swamishri sat on a sofa and asked the swami about a word he had sung in the last verse of the arti, “Is it sharane or charane [feet]?” The swami replied, “charane.” The other swamis corrected him and said, “Sharane.”
Swamishri’s sharp attention grasped the erroneous word and the swami who had sung it. Since none of the swamis present had noticed this, they were all amazed at Swamishri’s profound concentration and grace in correcting the swami’s error.
Thereafter, during his morning puja, Swamishri applied chandan tilaks on his arms, chest and forehead. But he was not satisfied with the imperfect tilak he had done on his forehead. Thus, Swamishri wiped it clean with a wet tissue and applied a perfect tilak.
Swamishri’s small actions teach important lessons of perfection in devotion and life.
Prior to his morning puja, Swamishri started performing arti of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj with swamis in a room. One swami was singing the arti in his sweet voice. After completing the arti, Swamishri sat on a sofa and asked the swami about a word he had sung in the last verse of the arti, “Is it sharane or charane [feet]?” The swami replied, “charane.” The other swamis corrected him and said, “Sharane.”
Swamishri’s sharp attention grasped the erroneous word and the swami who had sung it. Since none of the swamis present had noticed this, they were all amazed at Swamishri’s profound concentration and grace in correcting the swami’s error.
Thereafter, during his morning puja, Swamishri applied chandan tilaks on his arms, chest and forehead. But he was not satisfied with the imperfect tilak he had done on his forehead. Thus, Swamishri wiped it clean with a wet tissue and applied a perfect tilak.
Swamishri’s small actions teach important lessons of perfection in devotion and life.
Grace Upon an Ordinary Man
Swamishri and his entourage of swamis were staying at the White Sands Hotel for the 12-day Divyam shibirs for volunteers, devotees, teenagers and youths.
Today, after his morning walk, Swamishri came across Steven, a young, local native. He was standing with a pile of green coconuts. While Swamishri was enquiring about Steven, the latter started slicing a coconut and offered it to him to drink. Swamishri told his attendant swami to offer it to Thakorji. But the coconut was offered without a straw to an all-in-one murti. When the attendant swami offered it to Mahant Swami Maharaj, Swamishri told him to offer the coconut to Thakorji with a straw. After doing so, Swamishri drank a little. Thereafter, each day, Steven offered Swamishri a fresh coconut to drink.
One day, when Steven was stationed at another spot, Swamishri enquired whether he had sold enough coconuts that day. On knowing that he hadn’t, the volunteers told him to stand at his original spot.
Daily, Swamishri drank the coconut water and sanctified the remaining coconuts. Subsequently, the volunteers and devotees would buy the sanctified coconuts and pay a handsome sum to Steven.
Once Swamishri, looking at Steven’s old, ramshackled bicycle, said to a devotee, “Buy him a new bicycle.” The next day, Steven was happily waiting beside his new bicycle and a pile of coconuts. Swamishri placed a sanctified garland around the headlight of the bicycle. An elated Steven sliced a fresh coconut and held it while Swamishri drank from it.
Swamishri’s grace and compassion towards an ordinary person like Steven touched everyone’s hearts. Even though coconut water is not conducive to Swamishri’s constitution he took it to please Steven and sanctified all his coconuts so that he could earn a good daily income.
10 August 2019, Dar-es-Salaam
Swamishri and his entourage of swamis were staying at the White Sands Hotel for the 12-day Divyam shibirs for volunteers, devotees, teenagers and youths.
Today, after his morning walk, Swamishri came across Steven, a young, local native. He was standing with a pile of green coconuts. While Swamishri was enquiring about Steven, the latter started slicing a coconut and offered it to him to drink. Swamishri told his attendant swami to offer it to Thakorji. But the coconut was offered without a straw to an all-in-one murti. When the attendant swami offered it to Mahant Swami Maharaj, Swamishri told him to offer the coconut to Thakorji with a straw. After doing so, Swamishri drank a little. Thereafter, each day, Steven offered Swamishri a fresh coconut to drink.
One day, when Steven was stationed at another spot, Swamishri enquired whether he had sold enough coconuts that day. On knowing that he hadn’t, the volunteers told him to stand at his original spot.
Daily, Swamishri drank the coconut water and sanctified the remaining coconuts. Subsequently, the volunteers and devotees would buy the sanctified coconuts and pay a handsome sum to Steven.
Once Swamishri, looking at Steven’s old, ramshackled bicycle, said to a devotee, “Buy him a new bicycle.” The next day, Steven was happily waiting beside his new bicycle and a pile of coconuts. Swamishri placed a sanctified garland around the headlight of the bicycle. An elated Steven sliced a fresh coconut and held it while Swamishri drank from it.
Swamishri’s grace and compassion towards an ordinary person like Steven touched everyone’s hearts. Even though coconut water is not conducive to Swamishri’s constitution he took it to please Steven and sanctified all his coconuts so that he could earn a good daily income.
10 August 2019, Dar-es-Salaam
Perceiving Glory and Offering Respect
After having his afternoon meal, Swamishri took a brief walk along a lobby and on a garden walkway of the White Sands Hotel. The attendant swamis informed Swamishri that the sadhus were staying in the rooms they were passing by. Then, someone added, “Tyagvallabh Swami also stays here.”
Swamishri asked out of interest, “Where is Tyagvallabh Swami’s room?” When an attendant pointed it out, Swamishri started heading in that direction. Then someone said, “But Tyagvallabh Swami is out.” The words did not dampen Swamishri’s pace. On reaching the closed front door of Tyagvallabh Swami’s room 123, Swamishri folded his hands with glory (mahima), touched his forehead to the door and uttered, “Here lie countless pilgrim places [tirths].”
On 25 August, an attendant swami showed Swamishri a tall building some distance away in Dar-es-Salaam and said, “Kumarbhai [Chairman of Tanzania Satsang Mandal] lives on the topmost floor of that flat. Tyavallabh Swami’s stay is arranged there.” On hearing this, Swamishri folded his palms and bowed down.
Swamishri’s heartfelt respect for the sadguru swamis and singing their greatness and glory on many occasions reflect the deep divinity he perceives in them. It is a lesson in re-specting all and understanding their glory.
17 August 2019, Dar-es-Salaam
After having his afternoon meal, Swamishri took a brief walk along a lobby and on a garden walkway of the White Sands Hotel. The attendant swamis informed Swamishri that the sadhus were staying in the rooms they were passing by. Then, someone added, “Tyagvallabh Swami also stays here.”
Swamishri asked out of interest, “Where is Tyagvallabh Swami’s room?” When an attendant pointed it out, Swamishri started heading in that direction. Then someone said, “But Tyagvallabh Swami is out.” The words did not dampen Swamishri’s pace. On reaching the closed front door of Tyagvallabh Swami’s room 123, Swamishri folded his hands with glory (mahima), touched his forehead to the door and uttered, “Here lie countless pilgrim places [tirths].”
On 25 August, an attendant swami showed Swamishri a tall building some distance away in Dar-es-Salaam and said, “Kumarbhai [Chairman of Tanzania Satsang Mandal] lives on the topmost floor of that flat. Tyavallabh Swami’s stay is arranged there.” On hearing this, Swamishri folded his palms and bowed down.
Swamishri’s heartfelt respect for the sadguru swamis and singing their greatness and glory on many occasions reflect the deep divinity he perceives in them. It is a lesson in re-specting all and understanding their glory.
17 August 2019, Dar-es-Salaam
Self-Service
Swamishri retired for his afternoon nap on the last day of his stay at Subhashbhai Patel’s home. On waking up, Swamishri went to the bathroom for his afternoon ablutions. After some time, the attendant swami entered the bathroom and found Swamishri cleaning the toilet. The attendant swami stopped Swamishri and asked, “Why are you cleaning when there is no need for you to do it?” Swamishri smilingly replied, “[It’s] seva. It’s self-service. At least, I should do it on some days.”
At 86 years of age, Swamishri, in spite of being the guru, often performs such menial seva. He considers himself a sevak and not the guru of countless devotees and a worldwide organization.
Swamishri retired for his afternoon nap on the last day of his stay at Subhashbhai Patel’s home. On waking up, Swamishri went to the bathroom for his afternoon ablutions. After some time, the attendant swami entered the bathroom and found Swamishri cleaning the toilet. The attendant swami stopped Swamishri and asked, “Why are you cleaning when there is no need for you to do it?” Swamishri smilingly replied, “[It’s] seva. It’s self-service. At least, I should do it on some days.”
At 86 years of age, Swamishri, in spite of being the guru, often performs such menial seva. He considers himself a sevak and not the guru of countless devotees and a worldwide organization.
Pleasing the Devotees
For all occasions, Swamishri always gets ready and arrives before the stipulated time. The attendant swamis recalled some incidents before Swamishri. Brahmavatsal Swami narrated one particular incident that had occurred in Nasik on 11 November 2017.
“Swamishri was scheduled to depart from a devotee’s home for his onward destination at 4.45 p.m. However, Swamishri got ready at 3.45 p.m. Even Thakorji and Thakorji’s pujari swami had not awakened. Even the plane in which Swamishri was scheduled to travel had not yet landed at the local airport. A question arose as to what Swamishri would do for an entire hour?
Swamishri began meeting the members of the host family. He then listened to the introductions of the other devotees present. Then, each one approached Swamishri for his autograph. Some brought ordinary pieces of paper, a few offered pages from a notebook and some even gave their volunteer ID cards for Swamishri to sign. A few devotees tore their pages into four pieces and gave them to those who did not have any paper. Swamishri happily signed his name on each piece of paper.
“But still there was time. Then the devotees started giving whatever they had with them to Swamishri to sanctify. Swamishri happily complied to their wishes. Thereafter, all the devotees met Swamishri individually and asked for solutions to their problems and to grant them his blessings.
“In short, everyone got the opportunity to personally meet Swamishri. By now, 25 minutes had elapsed and still there was time left. Then, Swamishri got up to visit and sanctify all the rooms and even the bathrooms. Finally, Swamishri attended to phone calls before departing to the airport.”
After listening to the above incident, Swamishri revealed his sentiments, “When some of them cut one page into four parts, I felt I must please them all, even though the pieces of paper were not of good quality. There was no other thought in my mind other than pleasing them in the way they wanted.”
Swamishri’s life revolves around fulfilling the devotees’ wishes and pleasing them.
16 September 2019, Johannesburg
For all occasions, Swamishri always gets ready and arrives before the stipulated time. The attendant swamis recalled some incidents before Swamishri. Brahmavatsal Swami narrated one particular incident that had occurred in Nasik on 11 November 2017.
“Swamishri was scheduled to depart from a devotee’s home for his onward destination at 4.45 p.m. However, Swamishri got ready at 3.45 p.m. Even Thakorji and Thakorji’s pujari swami had not awakened. Even the plane in which Swamishri was scheduled to travel had not yet landed at the local airport. A question arose as to what Swamishri would do for an entire hour?
Swamishri began meeting the members of the host family. He then listened to the introductions of the other devotees present. Then, each one approached Swamishri for his autograph. Some brought ordinary pieces of paper, a few offered pages from a notebook and some even gave their volunteer ID cards for Swamishri to sign. A few devotees tore their pages into four pieces and gave them to those who did not have any paper. Swamishri happily signed his name on each piece of paper.
“But still there was time. Then the devotees started giving whatever they had with them to Swamishri to sanctify. Swamishri happily complied to their wishes. Thereafter, all the devotees met Swamishri individually and asked for solutions to their problems and to grant them his blessings.
“In short, everyone got the opportunity to personally meet Swamishri. By now, 25 minutes had elapsed and still there was time left. Then, Swamishri got up to visit and sanctify all the rooms and even the bathrooms. Finally, Swamishri attended to phone calls before departing to the airport.”
After listening to the above incident, Swamishri revealed his sentiments, “When some of them cut one page into four parts, I felt I must please them all, even though the pieces of paper were not of good quality. There was no other thought in my mind other than pleasing them in the way they wanted.”
Swamishri’s life revolves around fulfilling the devotees’ wishes and pleasing them.
16 September 2019, Johannesburg
2021 Adhiveshan Skills Challenge submission deadlines
Canada: May 17 - 24
Midwest: July 16 - 23
Northeast: July 17 - 24
Southeast: June 07 - 14
Southwest: June 07 - 14
West: June 07 - 14
refer back to pdf for all the info***
Canada: May 17 - 24
Midwest: July 16 - 23
Northeast: July 17 - 24
Southeast: June 07 - 14
Southwest: June 07 - 14
West: June 07 - 14
refer back to pdf for all the info***
Swamishri’s Rajipo
Prior to the evening satsang assembly, the Mayor of Johannesburg, Honourable Herman Mashaba, came to meet Swamishri. The mayor praised and welcomed the proposed BAPS Mandir project in Johannesburg. Viratswarup Swami informed Swamishri, “The mayor is the joint leader of five parties of the city municipal corporation. The parties collectively work in harmony and unity to run Johannesburg. Prior to coming here, the mayor sat for five hours with his staff members to solve their problems. The mayor listened to their issues and explained that they should work harmoniously and unitedly.”
Swamishri was happy to hear that the mayor strives for harmony.
Thereafter, Swamishri and the mayor attended the evening satsang assembly. The mayor spoke first and thereafter Swamishri blessed the congregation. In conclusion, a unique garland was brought by sadhus to Swamishri as a farewell honour on his last evening in Johannesburg. The garland, prepared by all the women devotees of Africa, consisted of more than 130,000 puffed rice grains, each inscribed with the Swaminarayan mantra. Instantly, Swamishri called the mayor, who joined the swamis in carrying the garland. The beautiful, giant garland was first offered to Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and then to Swamishri. Immediately thereafter, Swamishri called the mayor near to him and garlanded him to everyone’s surprise and joy. The mayor was delighted.
On leaving the dais, Swamishri asked whether the mayor was going to have dinner and added, “Serve him dudhpak [sweetened, spicy milk].”
Later, Swamishri was asked why he had expressed his profuse pleasure and joy on the mayor by garlanding him. Swamishri replied, “He is a good person. He unites five parties and works harmoniously. [Today] he had talked to them collectively about working unitedly and harmoniously.”
The values of unity, fraternity and harmony are very dear to Swamishri. He showers his blessings and joy on whoever practises them.
18 September 2019, Johannesburg
Prior to the evening satsang assembly, the Mayor of Johannesburg, Honourable Herman Mashaba, came to meet Swamishri. The mayor praised and welcomed the proposed BAPS Mandir project in Johannesburg. Viratswarup Swami informed Swamishri, “The mayor is the joint leader of five parties of the city municipal corporation. The parties collectively work in harmony and unity to run Johannesburg. Prior to coming here, the mayor sat for five hours with his staff members to solve their problems. The mayor listened to their issues and explained that they should work harmoniously and unitedly.”
Swamishri was happy to hear that the mayor strives for harmony.
Thereafter, Swamishri and the mayor attended the evening satsang assembly. The mayor spoke first and thereafter Swamishri blessed the congregation. In conclusion, a unique garland was brought by sadhus to Swamishri as a farewell honour on his last evening in Johannesburg. The garland, prepared by all the women devotees of Africa, consisted of more than 130,000 puffed rice grains, each inscribed with the Swaminarayan mantra. Instantly, Swamishri called the mayor, who joined the swamis in carrying the garland. The beautiful, giant garland was first offered to Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and then to Swamishri. Immediately thereafter, Swamishri called the mayor near to him and garlanded him to everyone’s surprise and joy. The mayor was delighted.
On leaving the dais, Swamishri asked whether the mayor was going to have dinner and added, “Serve him dudhpak [sweetened, spicy milk].”
Later, Swamishri was asked why he had expressed his profuse pleasure and joy on the mayor by garlanding him. Swamishri replied, “He is a good person. He unites five parties and works harmoniously. [Today] he had talked to them collectively about working unitedly and harmoniously.”
The values of unity, fraternity and harmony are very dear to Swamishri. He showers his blessings and joy on whoever practises them.
18 September 2019, Johannesburg
Daily Home Assembly
In May 1977, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was answering a pile of letters at the Swaminarayan Mandir in Dadar, Mumbai.
Dhirendrabhai Vinchhi, a devotee of Surat, asked Swamishri, “What type of letters do you get?”
Swamishri replied, “People seek guidance or blessings for their problems like a court case, business crises, family illness, delinquent child, poor academic results, a pending file for visas to America,...”
Then Dhirendrabhai requested, “Can you show us an answer to all our problems so that we may never have to write such letters to you?” Swamishri revealed, “If all the family members sit together daily to listen to spiritual discourses then there won’t be the need to write such letters.”
This revolutionary concept of Daily Home Assembly introduced by Pramukh Swami Maharaj has worked wonders in dissolving family ills. The daily practice of home assembly has harmonized strained relations between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, bridged differences between husbands and wives, helped rein in anger, improved concentration and academic performance in children and enhanced virtues like tolerance, understanding, morality and spiritual faith. Daily Home Assembly is a seminal contribution by Swamishri for making families, society and the world a happier and peaceful place to live in.
May 1977, Mumbai
In May 1977, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was answering a pile of letters at the Swaminarayan Mandir in Dadar, Mumbai.
Dhirendrabhai Vinchhi, a devotee of Surat, asked Swamishri, “What type of letters do you get?”
Swamishri replied, “People seek guidance or blessings for their problems like a court case, business crises, family illness, delinquent child, poor academic results, a pending file for visas to America,...”
Then Dhirendrabhai requested, “Can you show us an answer to all our problems so that we may never have to write such letters to you?” Swamishri revealed, “If all the family members sit together daily to listen to spiritual discourses then there won’t be the need to write such letters.”
This revolutionary concept of Daily Home Assembly introduced by Pramukh Swami Maharaj has worked wonders in dissolving family ills. The daily practice of home assembly has harmonized strained relations between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, bridged differences between husbands and wives, helped rein in anger, improved concentration and academic performance in children and enhanced virtues like tolerance, understanding, morality and spiritual faith. Daily Home Assembly is a seminal contribution by Swamishri for making families, society and the world a happier and peaceful place to live in.
May 1977, Mumbai