|
|
- 24 May 2005
(V.S. 2061, Vaishakh vad 1) Tuesday, Bhavnagar
For the evening parayan
(discourse) a pothi-yatra (procession of scripture) was carried
out with festivity. The parayan was to be held in memory of
the late Dineshbhai (Gadhadi).
In the evening assembly, Viveksagar Swami conducted the parayan
of Shri Harililakalpataru. Thereafter a welcome dance was performed
by the local youths. Finally, in his blessings Swamishri talked
about the Harililakalpataru scripture which describes the supreme
glory of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. “The amrut (immortalising
nectar) is found in the world of gods. But that amrut cannot
help you transcend maya. The material pleasures of swarg are
not everlasting. When one’s merits are exhausted one has
to come back to mrutyulok (earth). The divine nectar of God
dissolves our base nature and properties of maya within and
blesses us with God’s eternal abode…”
|
|
- 26 May 2005
(V.S. 2061, Vaishakh vad 3) Thursday, Bhavnagar
Swamishri performed the
murti-pratishtha rituals of pujan and arti of Shri Akshar Purushottam
Maharaj and Guru Parampara for a newly built mandir shed in
Mahuva.
|
|
- 2 June 2005
(V.S. 2061, Vaishakh vad 12), Thursday, Bhavnagar
In the evening assembly
Viveksagar Swami concluded his 11-day exposition on the Harililakalpataru.
Finally Swamishri blessed the assembly, “The father believes
that his son has grown up, but in fact his life has been shortened.
Whatever that is to be done is possible during the years of
youthhood. In old age the eyes lose their sight and one cannot
do darshan, the hand cannot tell the mala, the body becomes
weak and one cannot do what one desires to do so. If you wait
to do things later in old age then your life becomes worthless85”
In his book on the Bhagvad Gita, former General of the Indian
Army, Lt. Gen. Dr S.B.S. Kochar, writes his experience of Pramukh
Swami Maharaj and of his visits to Akshardham in Gandhinagar:
My Inspiration
My initiation to spirituality was characterized by meeting
and interacting with Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj at Akshardham
in Gandhinagar sometime in 1992. His darshan filled me with
such calm, assurance and ease that a quiet aroma of spirituality
did not abandon me for weeks. It was much later that I came
to know that Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual
successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the leader of a world-acclaimed
socio-spiritual organisation, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. To
me, however, it was his simplicity and gentle humility that
penetrated the core of my soul. He lives an ordinary life
with an extraordinary goal – to spread the message of
love and compassion.
Whenever I went to Akshardham I felt at peace, totally at
peace. The golden murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan had so much
spiritual aura and I experienced unbroken joy and harmony.
I found Akshardham a fountain of spirituality, ‘universal’
in outlook, composition, expression and teachings. I felt
rejuvenated, re-energised, refurbished – a different
person.
That was my first step to spiritual living. I was happy to
renounce ‘food of violence’ and alcohol. Swamiji
opens the locked door and takes us beyond our mundane existence
to a life of joy and bliss. He provides pragmatic solutions
to everyday living.
Lt. Gen. (Dr.) S.B.S.
Kochar
PVSM, AVSM
|
|
- 3 June 2005
(V.S. 2061, Vaishakh vad 12) Friday, Bhavnagar; Yogi Jayanti
The evening celebration
of Yogiji Jayanti was based on the theme of the kirtan, Ek kathE3
tame sau sE3mbhaljo. The assembly was interspersed with dance,
drama and speeches. After the opening traditional dance by children
Brahmadarshan Swami talked about the spiritual bonds between
Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. Ghanshyamcharan Swami
discoursed about the vicharan of Yogiji Maharaj. This was followed
by a drama performed by children and youths depicting the harmful
effects of addiction. Another drama by youths from ‘Yogi
Smaran Yatra’ showed the impression Yogiji Maharaj had
on Colonel Bhatia. Viveksagar Swami talked about Pramukh Swami
Maharaj as the successor of Yogiji Maharaj.
Finally Swamishri blessed the assembly, “God is the doer
of whatever that happens in the world, because He pervades in
all things. Because he resides everywhere we are able to experience
joy. If one believes that there is no God then one will cease
to exist because God resides in one’s heart. Yogiji Maharaj
was a simple sadhu. He saw the good in all and never saw their
faults. He had the vision to see God in all. He respected everyone85”
More than 12,000 devotees performed arti in conclusion to the
parayan.
|
|
|