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A Spiritual Travelogue of Pramukh Swami Maharaj
   
 
     
  1 to 20 April 2009  
  
 
   
 

Sarangpur (1 to 20 April 2009)
 
 
   
     
 
 
  • 1 April 2009 (VS 2065, Chaitra Sud Chhath) Wednesday, Sarangpur
    Swamishri performed the pratishtha rituals of murtis for BAPS hari mandirs in Sonvada (Tithal region), Koth (Dholka region) and Sabarmati (Ahmedabad, re-pratishtha).
  • 3 April 2009 229th Shri Hari Jayanti Celebration (V.S. 2065 ) Wednesday, Sarangpur
    After having darshan of Thakorji, where annakut was offered to Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, Swamishri arrived on the festival stage. A beautiful giant replica of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s house in Ayodhya formed the backdrop of the stage. The celebration assembly programme included speeches by Ghanshyamcharan Swami, Dr. K.C. Patel, Mahendrabhai Barrister, Siddheshwar Swami (Shriji Maharaj – an establisher of principles) and Viveksagar Swami (Shriji Maharaj gave the Gunatit Sant as his successor). A drama on Joban Pagi’s transformation was enacted by BAPS youths from Botad. Swamishri inaugurated the sub-domains of the Sanstha’s website, baps.org, for BAPS mandirs in Houston and Atlanta. Then Swamishri was honoured with garlands. The kishores and yuvaks of Bhavnagar performed a traditional festive dance. Finally, blessing the august gathering Swamishri said, “We are all blessed here today for celebrating the birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in Sarangpur, which is like Akshardham. On comparing ourselves before God we realize how insignificant we are. How great are God’s powers and how ordinary we the jivas are. But because God showers his mercy and grace the jivas become liberated. It is due to his compassion that we have got such an opportunity. Till the jiva does not become brahmarup it cannot become liberated from the elements of maya and is thus unable to experience peace. Maharaj has said that you understand and realize my divine form, understand the form of Akshar and the muktas and make it known to others. Shastriji Maharaj obeyed his instruction by revealing their glory to others. He had resolved it to be true through the Vachanamrut, Vato, senior sadhus and other shastras. And that is why he established mandirs and consecrated the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam and made it known to others.”

  • 7 April 2009, (V.S. 2065, Anang Tryodashi Mahavirjayanti) Tuesday, Sarangpur
    A one-day shibir was held for devotees of the Sarangpur region. Swamishri blessed the shibir participants after his morning puja. He explained about how to attain peace of mind, “Because of I-ness and Mine-ness we get embroiled in conflicts and experience misery. To overcome them one should engage in listening to spiritual discourses and doing bhajan and kirtan.”
  • 9 April 2009, (V.S. 2065, Akshar Purnima Hanumanjayanti) Thusday, Sarangpur
    Swamishri performed arti and mantra pushpanjali rituals to commemorate the patotsav of Yagnapurush Smruti Mandir. During his puja the diksha ceremony for 31 parshads and 16 sadhaks was conducted. Finally the senior sadhus gave each a new kanthi, upper cloth, pagh, smeared chandan on their forehead, and gave a certificate of Swamishri’s blessings and prasad to each parent. Swamishri gave the guru mantra to each of the newly initiated youth. In his blessings Swamishri praised the parents for their sacrifice and devotion and inspired the newly initiated sadhus and parshads that they had married God and henceforth their duty was to engage in service, devotion and listening to discourses.
 
  • 15 April 2009, (V.S. 2065, Vad Chhath) Wednesday, Sarangpur
    Swamishri performed the pratishtha rituals of arti and mantra pushpanjali for BAPS hari mandirs in Kheda Brahma (re-pratishtha of new murtis), Lodhva, Manjipura Road (Nadiad).
 
  • 17 April 2009, (V.S. 2065, Vad Atham) Friday, Sarangpur
    Swamishri performed the pratishtha rituals of murtis for the BAPS hari mandir in Kotiya village, which had been sanctified by Gunatitanand Swami. Furthermore, Swamishri also performed the foundation-stone laying rituals for the guru shikhar shrinesof Gondal mandir.
 
   
 

     True goal of life

  • 1 March 2009, Delhi, Bhavnagar
    Shri Manavsingh runs a business of renting chartered planes. Swamishri flew from Delhi to Bhavnagar in one of his planes. On the way Manavsingh asked Swamishri, “As a householder I do my duty of taking care of my family, but what is the true goal of life?”
    Swamishri replied, “God has endowed one with a human body, so one has to maintain one’s relationship with others in accordance with one’s karma. Our shastras prescribe that one should have the goal of attaining God while fulfilling one’s worldly duties. The final goal is to become atmarup and offer bhakti to Paramatma. If we so wish and desire for it then God will help us. One becomes blessed with the association of a Satpurush, and through satsang with him one attains mukti. So, to unshackle one’s soul from the bondage of maya and engage it in the service of God is the true goal of life.”
    Manavsingh: “To merely liberate one’s own soul, does it not amount to being selfish?”
    Swamishri: “No. The more we purify our inner self and realize the knowledge of atma, the more service we are able to offer selflessly and with perfection. One who is not selfish can help another better. So, by attaining knowledge of self (atma-jnan) one can serve others properly.”

       Remember god and make efforts

  • 4 March 2009, Bhavnagar
    A student came to seek Swamishri’s blessings. Because of his academic burdens and pressures he had become depressed. As a result he slept all day. Whenever he sat down to read he felt sleepy and because of his depression his thoughts revolved around committing suicide. Swamishri reassured him, “There is no need to worry too much. Remember God and make efforts. If you fail you can study and re-take the exams. Don’t think of committing suicide!”