One's innate nature can be eradicated
'For a person to eradicate one's innate nature is indeed difficult. In spite of this, if one has realised Satsang to be the fulfiller of one's self-interest, then it is not difficult to do so. For example, the members of Dãdã Khãchar's family have an interest in keeping Me here, so they do not retain any nature which I do not like. In this way, one's innate nature can be eradicated due to self-interest…'
[Gadhadã III-24]
'For a person to eradicate one's innate nature is indeed difficult. In spite of this, if one has realised Satsang to be the fulfiller of one's self-interest, then it is not difficult to do so. For example, the members of Dãdã Khãchar's family have an interest in keeping Me here, so they do not retain any nature which I do not like. In this way, one's innate nature can be eradicated due to self-interest…'
[Gadhadã III-24]
Not controlling one's indriyas, the cause of misery
“A person who has not controlled his indriyas by vairãgya and swadharma remains miserable, despite staying in the company of God and His Bhakta.
[Gadhadã III-8]
“A person who has not controlled his indriyas by vairãgya and swadharma remains miserable, despite staying in the company of God and His Bhakta.
[Gadhadã III-8]
How can a hypocrite be recognized?
Then Nãjã Bhakta asked, “How can one recognise a person who, when he speaks, shows that he has faith in God like that of a devotee, yet does not truly have the total refuge of God?”
Shriji Mahãrãj replied, “Only after staying together and working together can one recognise the strength or weakness of the faith of a devotee of God. One who has little faith would become agitated and find a path out of the Satsang fellowship. He would seek solitude where he could engage in worship to his capacity, but he would not be able to tolerate the pressures of living with the fellowship of devotees. Thus, refuge of God is of three levels: highest, medium, and lowest. Due to this, there are three levels of devotees.”
[Vartãl-5.8,9]
Then Nãjã Bhakta asked, “How can one recognise a person who, when he speaks, shows that he has faith in God like that of a devotee, yet does not truly have the total refuge of God?”
Shriji Mahãrãj replied, “Only after staying together and working together can one recognise the strength or weakness of the faith of a devotee of God. One who has little faith would become agitated and find a path out of the Satsang fellowship. He would seek solitude where he could engage in worship to his capacity, but he would not be able to tolerate the pressures of living with the fellowship of devotees. Thus, refuge of God is of three levels: highest, medium, and lowest. Due to this, there are three levels of devotees.”
[Vartãl-5.8,9]
This was sung this morning during Shangar Arti, 1 Jan 2019, Magshar Vad Ekadashi Samvat 2075 makes the day today ...Sahajanand Swami gave the world the Swaminarayan Mahamantra. Resembling the theme vaghas at Robbinsville Akshardham
“pandade pandade swaminarayan“
“pandade pandade swaminarayan“
Childhood Memories
It was the night before mundan (monthly shave). To enable everyone to have darshan of Swamishri's mundan, a barber's chair, which was of adjustable height, had been brought. Swamishri was shown the chair. Meanwhile, Gnaneshwar Swami asked Swamishri, 'When you were young, did the barber come to your house to give you a hair cut?'
'Yes,' replied Swamishri, 'the barber had been contracted. In return for his services, he would get some grains. He would know when to come, so he came regularly .'
Then Shvetvaikunth Swami asked, 'How did you part your hair - on the side or in the middle?'
'On the side,' Swamishri replied!
Everyone smiled with joy on hearing Swamishri's innocent and honest reply.
9-3-98, Sarangpur.
It was the night before mundan (monthly shave). To enable everyone to have darshan of Swamishri's mundan, a barber's chair, which was of adjustable height, had been brought. Swamishri was shown the chair. Meanwhile, Gnaneshwar Swami asked Swamishri, 'When you were young, did the barber come to your house to give you a hair cut?'
'Yes,' replied Swamishri, 'the barber had been contracted. In return for his services, he would get some grains. He would know when to come, so he came regularly .'
Then Shvetvaikunth Swami asked, 'How did you part your hair - on the side or in the middle?'
'On the side,' Swamishri replied!
Everyone smiled with joy on hearing Swamishri's innocent and honest reply.
9-3-98, Sarangpur.
Ways to Help
The children of Sankari asked Swamishri, 'A magnificent shikharbaddh mandir is being built here. In what ways can we do seva and be of help?'
Swamishri replied, 'You should preserve your values. Do not spend money unwisely or on bad habits. You can also help by keeping the mandir clean. You should attend the Bal Mandal sabha every week and behave in a way that inspires others towards good virtues.'
·God is the all doer. One gets happiness and misery by the wish of God. In all situations maintain a resolute belief in God. Worshipping God is the way to peace.
The children of Sankari asked Swamishri, 'A magnificent shikharbaddh mandir is being built here. In what ways can we do seva and be of help?'
Swamishri replied, 'You should preserve your values. Do not spend money unwisely or on bad habits. You can also help by keeping the mandir clean. You should attend the Bal Mandal sabha every week and behave in a way that inspires others towards good virtues.'
·God is the all doer. One gets happiness and misery by the wish of God. In all situations maintain a resolute belief in God. Worshipping God is the way to peace.
Lying is No Use
Everyday, devotees from different areas of Amdavad would come to Swamishri for guidance on their personal dilemmas. Today, a youth came up to Swamishri and immediately, 'Bapa, I tell a lot of lies!' Swamishri replied, 'You've spoken the truth here, so everything will turn out fine. By lying you lose your reputation, so you should never lie. However, profitable it may be, you should not lie.'
24-4-98, Amdavad
Everyday, devotees from different areas of Amdavad would come to Swamishri for guidance on their personal dilemmas. Today, a youth came up to Swamishri and immediately, 'Bapa, I tell a lot of lies!' Swamishri replied, 'You've spoken the truth here, so everything will turn out fine. By lying you lose your reputation, so you should never lie. However, profitable it may be, you should not lie.'
24-4-98, Amdavad
A Wish Fulfilled
A youth named Shelat was waiting in the queue to meet Swamishri. He had a wish and when he came to Swamishri, it was fulfilled. Tears welled up in his eyes and he said in a broken voice, 'As I was approaching you, I wished that you grab hold of my finger. And you did. Now please hold it forever. Please don't ever let it go.'
24-4-98, Amdavad
A youth named Shelat was waiting in the queue to meet Swamishri. He had a wish and when he came to Swamishri, it was fulfilled. Tears welled up in his eyes and he said in a broken voice, 'As I was approaching you, I wished that you grab hold of my finger. And you did. Now please hold it forever. Please don't ever let it go.'
24-4-98, Amdavad
Smiling Through Thick and Thin
After puja Swamishri was making his way to his residence. As he entered the waiting hall, he was led to Manish, a youth seated on the sofa. Due to a backbone disease, 18-year-old Manish had the physique of a 3-4 year old boy. Despite all his difficulties, he regularly attends his local weekly sabha and has great faith in Swamishri. As Swamishri approached him, Manish said, 'Bapa, take me to Dham!' Swamishri responded, 'See, he has so many difficulties, yet he is not downhearted. He is full of courage, enthusiasm and laughter. He discounts his problems. This is atmanishtha.' Swamishri likes those who faces and tolerate difficulties with a smile.
25-4-98, Amdavad
After puja Swamishri was making his way to his residence. As he entered the waiting hall, he was led to Manish, a youth seated on the sofa. Due to a backbone disease, 18-year-old Manish had the physique of a 3-4 year old boy. Despite all his difficulties, he regularly attends his local weekly sabha and has great faith in Swamishri. As Swamishri approached him, Manish said, 'Bapa, take me to Dham!' Swamishri responded, 'See, he has so many difficulties, yet he is not downhearted. He is full of courage, enthusiasm and laughter. He discounts his problems. This is atmanishtha.' Swamishri likes those who faces and tolerate difficulties with a smile.
25-4-98, Amdavad