The Sant who is Worthy of Being Worshipped on par with God
“What are the characteristics of a Sant who is worthy of being worshipped on par with God? Well, such a Sant suppresses the actions of mãyã’s gunas – the indriyas, the antahkaran, etc.; but he himself does not get suppressed by their actions. In addition to this, he only performs activities related to God; he is staunch in his observance of the five religious vows; and believing himself to be brahmarup, he worships Purushottam Bhagwãn. Such a Sant should not be thought of as a human being, nor should he be thought of as a demigod, because such behaviour is not possible for either humans or demigods. Indeed, even though that Sant appears to be human, he is still worthy of being worshipped on par with God. Therefore, whoever desires to attain liberation should serve such a Sant…”
[Gadhadã III-26]
“What are the characteristics of a Sant who is worthy of being worshipped on par with God? Well, such a Sant suppresses the actions of mãyã’s gunas – the indriyas, the antahkaran, etc.; but he himself does not get suppressed by their actions. In addition to this, he only performs activities related to God; he is staunch in his observance of the five religious vows; and believing himself to be brahmarup, he worships Purushottam Bhagwãn. Such a Sant should not be thought of as a human being, nor should he be thought of as a demigod, because such behaviour is not possible for either humans or demigods. Indeed, even though that Sant appears to be human, he is still worthy of being worshipped on par with God. Therefore, whoever desires to attain liberation should serve such a Sant…”
[Gadhadã III-26]
Having nothing further to achieve
“… Then, when affection for God is developed, his vrutti continuously remains on God. When that is achieved, he has nothing further to achieve; he has become fulfilled.”
[Gadhadã II-36]
“… Then, when affection for God is developed, his vrutti continuously remains on God. When that is achieved, he has nothing further to achieve; he has become fulfilled.”
[Gadhadã II-36]
For the Progress of Others
Swamishri's voice was very sweet. Hearing him sing the Harililamrut was considered a privilege. Kothari Harjivandas often had him sing various selected chapters and he even had them recorded. Those were the days of the gramophone.
On one occasion, Swamishri asked me to sing from the Harililamrut, as a sort of test of my talents. Now although the Harililamrut is a Gujarati scripture, it is written in the Devnagri (Hindi/Sanskrit) alphabet. I had only studied up to standard IV, so as best as I could, I took on the challenge, rather unsure of myself. But with Swamishri's grace, I managed pretty well. Swamishri was very pleased.
'Well done!' he said, before asking, 'Do you want to study Sanskrit? 'Thereafter, Swamishri took me to Gondal and made arrangements for me to study Sanskrit.How naturally he thinks of the progress of others.
Sadhu Premprakashdas
Swamishri's voice was very sweet. Hearing him sing the Harililamrut was considered a privilege. Kothari Harjivandas often had him sing various selected chapters and he even had them recorded. Those were the days of the gramophone.
On one occasion, Swamishri asked me to sing from the Harililamrut, as a sort of test of my talents. Now although the Harililamrut is a Gujarati scripture, it is written in the Devnagri (Hindi/Sanskrit) alphabet. I had only studied up to standard IV, so as best as I could, I took on the challenge, rather unsure of myself. But with Swamishri's grace, I managed pretty well. Swamishri was very pleased.
'Well done!' he said, before asking, 'Do you want to study Sanskrit? 'Thereafter, Swamishri took me to Gondal and made arrangements for me to study Sanskrit.How naturally he thinks of the progress of others.
Sadhu Premprakashdas
Service for the Soul
31 August 1987. Delhi. After visiting the pilgrim places in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, five busloads of sadhus arrived and eagerly awaited Swamishri's darshan. Our Himalayan pilgrimage was going to commence from here.
Today, our 'Gangotri' bus reached Swamishri. Chinmay Swami explained to him the route of our tour, where we were going to halt and also what seva each sadhu had been allocated.Swamishri asked me, 'What are you going to do?' 'Clean the toilets and bathrooms,' I replied.
'Chinmay,' Swamishri exclaimed, 'you can't let Pandit do that. Don't you know he's a great scholar?' Swamishri's words carried deeper meanings that were revealed in his following statement. 'Good. It's a good seva. At least this way you won't become egoistic. If you feel, 'Oh, I'm a scholar,' then it's all worthless. So do clean the bathrooms. It's a great seva.'Swamishri has time and again taught me valuable lessons in saintliness, humility, devotion, understanding, love, sincerity and duty.
In the 'Sharanagati Gadya', Ramanujacharya addresses God as 'Pita'si lokasya (O Lord! You are the Father of the World)'. True, God may be the father of the whole world, but for us sadhus - and in particular for me - I have, and continue to experience Swamishri as a father too.
Sadhu Shrutiprakashdas
31 August 1987. Delhi. After visiting the pilgrim places in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, five busloads of sadhus arrived and eagerly awaited Swamishri's darshan. Our Himalayan pilgrimage was going to commence from here.
Today, our 'Gangotri' bus reached Swamishri. Chinmay Swami explained to him the route of our tour, where we were going to halt and also what seva each sadhu had been allocated.Swamishri asked me, 'What are you going to do?' 'Clean the toilets and bathrooms,' I replied.
'Chinmay,' Swamishri exclaimed, 'you can't let Pandit do that. Don't you know he's a great scholar?' Swamishri's words carried deeper meanings that were revealed in his following statement. 'Good. It's a good seva. At least this way you won't become egoistic. If you feel, 'Oh, I'm a scholar,' then it's all worthless. So do clean the bathrooms. It's a great seva.'Swamishri has time and again taught me valuable lessons in saintliness, humility, devotion, understanding, love, sincerity and duty.
In the 'Sharanagati Gadya', Ramanujacharya addresses God as 'Pita'si lokasya (O Lord! You are the Father of the World)'. True, God may be the father of the whole world, but for us sadhus - and in particular for me - I have, and continue to experience Swamishri as a father too.
Sadhu Shrutiprakashdas
Not Being Impressed by Miracles
“In the Satsang fellowship, there are only a few devotees whose mind would not be affected by wealth, property, women, children, etc., and who would not develop faith in those who fulfill the desires related to those things. In fact, there cannot be many devotees who are like this.” Saying this, Shriji Mahãrãj continued, “This Muktãnand Swãmi and Gopãlãnand Swãmi are like that, because in no way would they become impressed by anyone, no matter how great he may be – even if he were to show miracles.”
[Gadhadã III-33]
“In the Satsang fellowship, there are only a few devotees whose mind would not be affected by wealth, property, women, children, etc., and who would not develop faith in those who fulfill the desires related to those things. In fact, there cannot be many devotees who are like this.” Saying this, Shriji Mahãrãj continued, “This Muktãnand Swãmi and Gopãlãnand Swãmi are like that, because in no way would they become impressed by anyone, no matter how great he may be – even if he were to show miracles.”
[Gadhadã III-33]
Collect Memories, Not Mementoes
During my Diwali vacation in 1973, I travelled with Swamishri around the Kheda region of Gujarat. One morning in the village of Limbdi, I was watching Swamishri clean his teeth with a datan. I had already asked Pragat Bhagat, Swamishri's attendant, to give me Swamishri's used datan as a memento for me to keep.
Swamishri finished brushing his teeth. He washed the datan and gave it to Pragat Bhagat to throw away. But Pragat Bhagat passed it on to me, as per our prior agreement. Swamishri saw this. 'Throw it away! Throw it away, I say!' Swamishri said, quite upset. 'These pieces of wood will do you no good in Satsang. Only by attaching yourself to the Sadhu will you truly understand Satsang and enjoy its bliss, not by collecting useless mementos like these.'
Swamishri's words revealed both his preference and his principle.
Sadhu Krishnapriyadas
During my Diwali vacation in 1973, I travelled with Swamishri around the Kheda region of Gujarat. One morning in the village of Limbdi, I was watching Swamishri clean his teeth with a datan. I had already asked Pragat Bhagat, Swamishri's attendant, to give me Swamishri's used datan as a memento for me to keep.
Swamishri finished brushing his teeth. He washed the datan and gave it to Pragat Bhagat to throw away. But Pragat Bhagat passed it on to me, as per our prior agreement. Swamishri saw this. 'Throw it away! Throw it away, I say!' Swamishri said, quite upset. 'These pieces of wood will do you no good in Satsang. Only by attaching yourself to the Sadhu will you truly understand Satsang and enjoy its bliss, not by collecting useless mementos like these.'
Swamishri's words revealed both his preference and his principle.
Sadhu Krishnapriyadas
Protocol Preserved
In 1975, a special memorial shrine to Yogiji Maharaj with Shriji Maharaj's charnarvind was inaugurated in Gondal. It was a particularly special occasion for me because that was when I was initiated into saffron.
Swamishri was busy with the Vedic rituals. The place was teeming with devotees, some of whom had traveled from far off villages to share in the auspicious event.
Unexpectedly, the Maharaja of Gondal, Jyoti Bapu, arrived. His unanticipated arrival raised the question of where to seat him. Haka Bapu, who was escorting him, was becoming restless. We had to adhere to the Maharaja's protocol, yet the thought of making new arrangements and having to make him wait put everyone in a dilemma.
Swamishri was sharp though. He understood the problem straight away. Without any further delay, Swamishri shuffled over on his seat and made room for Jyoti Bapu. 'Here, sit here Bapu,' Swamishri respectfully called to him.
Throughout the ceremony, Swamishri and the Maharaja shared the same seat. Swamishri's quick thinking and humility struck deep into the hearts of everyone present.
Sadhu Krishnapriyadas
In 1975, a special memorial shrine to Yogiji Maharaj with Shriji Maharaj's charnarvind was inaugurated in Gondal. It was a particularly special occasion for me because that was when I was initiated into saffron.
Swamishri was busy with the Vedic rituals. The place was teeming with devotees, some of whom had traveled from far off villages to share in the auspicious event.
Unexpectedly, the Maharaja of Gondal, Jyoti Bapu, arrived. His unanticipated arrival raised the question of where to seat him. Haka Bapu, who was escorting him, was becoming restless. We had to adhere to the Maharaja's protocol, yet the thought of making new arrangements and having to make him wait put everyone in a dilemma.
Swamishri was sharp though. He understood the problem straight away. Without any further delay, Swamishri shuffled over on his seat and made room for Jyoti Bapu. 'Here, sit here Bapu,' Swamishri respectfully called to him.
Throughout the ceremony, Swamishri and the Maharaja shared the same seat. Swamishri's quick thinking and humility struck deep into the hearts of everyone present.
Sadhu Krishnapriyadas
A Rosy Wish
April 1977. Chaitra sud 9. Bhagwan Swaminarayan's birthday according to the Hindu calendar had been celebrated by Swamishri in Amdavad. The next day, we all came to sit in Swamishri's morning puja. It was only early morning, yet the sweltering heat was already getting to me. Besides, I hadn't really recovered from the previous day's fast - even though I had broken it late the night before. Swamishri, on the other hand, had yet to drink anything. Nevertheless, he shone with a distinct rosiness and freshness.
After his puja had finished, Swamishri, in a spontaneous burst of joy, showered upon the devotees a whole heap of roses. The devotees revelled in Swamishri's grace.
Seeing this, I thought to myself how wonderful it would be if Swamishri gave me a rose too. 'But I'm still new, and young. Why would he give one to me?' I concluded, and let the thought drop.
As per Swamishri's normal routine, he got up from his puja to go for darshan of the murtis in the main mandir. He walked towards the pujari's basement entrance through a path flanked by yuvaks. There I stood, among the crowd. Swamishri didn't even know me in particular. But as he passed me, he pushed the two roses he had been holding into my hand. He walked away; I was left motionless. Somehow he knew. Somehow he fulfilled my wish.
Sadhu Yagnavallabhdas
April 1977. Chaitra sud 9. Bhagwan Swaminarayan's birthday according to the Hindu calendar had been celebrated by Swamishri in Amdavad. The next day, we all came to sit in Swamishri's morning puja. It was only early morning, yet the sweltering heat was already getting to me. Besides, I hadn't really recovered from the previous day's fast - even though I had broken it late the night before. Swamishri, on the other hand, had yet to drink anything. Nevertheless, he shone with a distinct rosiness and freshness.
After his puja had finished, Swamishri, in a spontaneous burst of joy, showered upon the devotees a whole heap of roses. The devotees revelled in Swamishri's grace.
Seeing this, I thought to myself how wonderful it would be if Swamishri gave me a rose too. 'But I'm still new, and young. Why would he give one to me?' I concluded, and let the thought drop.
As per Swamishri's normal routine, he got up from his puja to go for darshan of the murtis in the main mandir. He walked towards the pujari's basement entrance through a path flanked by yuvaks. There I stood, among the crowd. Swamishri didn't even know me in particular. But as he passed me, he pushed the two roses he had been holding into my hand. He walked away; I was left motionless. Somehow he knew. Somehow he fulfilled my wish.
Sadhu Yagnavallabhdas