On Saturday 24 June 2006, over
2,100 yuvaks and 1,700 yuvatis attended a special assembly at
the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Amdavad, in the presence of Pramukh
Swami Maharaj.
In addition to 3,200 youths from
Amdavad, youths from Gandhinagar, Mahesana, Dholka, Himmatnagar,
and villages surrounding Amdavad also attended this special
morning assembly.
Based on the theme 'Tamara hraday
akashma pankhi bani udya karu...' the youths were inspired to
strengthen their personal practice of satsang and their devotion
to God and guru.
The assembly began at 9.45 am with
bhajans, a speech and video show. this was followed by an inspiring
question-answer session with Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya
Viveksagar Swami. Through their answers they related personal
memories of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj and how
both these great gurus had inspired them on the path of spirituality.
At 11.05 am Swamishri arrived in
the assembly to a rapturous ovation. The youths performed a
welcome dance based on the day's theme song, 'Tamara hraday
akshama...'. Thereafter, Swamishri blessed a number of youths
who for many years had been sincerely practising vows of not
watching TV, not eating outside food, not attending garba, observing
waterless fasts on ekadashi and nom, regular satsang
reading, daily singing chesta and others. Then eight youths
interacted in an entertaining and enlightening discussion with
Swamishri. During the discussion the youths presented the tendency
of youths to be drawn away from observance of satsang vows.
In particular they discussed the issues of tilak-chandlo, appropriate
dress sense, eating outside food and marriage. Swamishri gave
excellent guidance on each of the issues, stressing the need
for all youths to apply tilak-chandlo, wear appropriate dress
as directed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, not eat outside foods,
and to enter into marriage as per the traditions of Hindu dharma
and with the consent of their parents.
Following this absorbing and elevating
discussion, the entire assembly sang the bhajan, 'Re sagapan
Harivarnu sachu...' in chorus as a pledge to live by the ideals
of Satsang taught by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The atmosphere was
charged with emotion and divinity.
The assembly concluded at 12.25
pm. Before they departed the youths were presented with mementoes
and they pledged to sincerely live by the words of Swamishri
and earn his inner blessings.