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A Spiritual Travelogue of Pramukh Swami Maharaj
   
 
     
  18 to 31 August 2009  
  
 
   
 

Ahmedabad (18 to 31 August 2009)
 
 
   
     
 
  • 23 August 2009 (VS 2065, Sam Shravani,Kevada Trij ) Sunday, Amdavad
    The evening Sunday satsang assembly commenced in the mandir assembly hall. Fourteen thousand devotees had congregrated for the assembly. Viveksagar Swami discoursed on the Harililakalpataru. Thereafter Swamishri was welcomed and honoured with garlands. Children performed a welcome dance and thereafter sadhus sang a bhajan, “Sahajãnand sindhu re…” Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly, “Till we do not realize the glory of God we remain spiritually poor. After attaining God and Satsang our poverty vanishes. We may go through thick and thin in life because this world is full of misery. But on realizing the glory and greatness of Shriji Maharaj we will remain mentally stable. So do not worry about the ups and downs in life. Remember God.”
  • 31 August 2009 (VS 2065) Monday, Amdavad, Jal Jhilani Celebration
    Prior to his morning puja Swamishri came for darshan of Thakorji in the mandir. Devotees or ochhaviyas were singing traditional bhajans beneath the mandir dome. To celebrate Jal Jhilani Thakorji was placed in a boat in a small pond of water. Swamishri steered Thakorji’s boat with a remote control console. Then Swamishri did darshan of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, seated in a boat revolving in another pond of water. Thereafter Swamishri responded to the ochhaviya devotees singing bhajans. Then Swamishri performed his daily puja in the assembly hall, and celebrated the Jal Jhilani festival. In all, five artis were performed of Thakorji by children, teenagers, volunteers, and devotees and senior sadhus. After each arti Thakorji was placed in a remote controlled boat and steered in the makeshift pond. The fifth and final arti was performed by Swamishri. Then Swamishri steered Shri Harikrishna Maharaj in a small boat while sadhus sang festive bhajans. In conclusion, Swamishri blessed the assembly, “Due to your love and devotion God has made everything conducive for celebrating the Jal Jhilani festival. Shriji Maharaj has said that ‘without my wish a dry leaf cannot move’. Whatever inspiration we get, and whatever we are able to do is because of God’s wish. He is the all-doer. We must have a strong conviction with regards to this. As a result of having such faith we experience happiness and inner peace. Sometimes we think that if God is the all-doer then why does he give us misery. The answer reason is to remove our ego. God does good of all. We must accept both happiness and pain in our stride.”Finally, Swamishri was honoured with garlands by senior sadhus.
 
   
 

     The roadmap of life

  • 20 August 2009, Amdavad
    An industrialist and his two sons came for Swamishri’s darshan and blessings. Swamishri was acquainted with the industrialist’s association with Satsang. He told him to strengthen his satsang from within. Then, on learning that one of his boys was going to America for higher studies, Swamishri asked where he would be staying.
    “In Los Angeles.”
    “Study hard. We have a strong satsang following there. Attend the weekly Saturday or Sunday assembly.” Swamishri inspired him further, “Maintain our values in life. Do not fall into the habit of addictions or immoral ways. And never forget to remember God daily.”Swamishri blessed him and revealed to him the roadmap of life.

        Lessons in ethics

  • 20 August 2009, Amdavad
    A youth who, due to satsang, had changed drastically from his former violent behaviour came to meet Swamishri. The youth was undergoing satsang training at the Youth Training Centre in Sarangpur. Swamishri blessed him for mending his life and advised, “When you return home after your training don’t revert to your old ways. You should never bat a wrong thought. It would better to sustain one’s self on a dry rotlo. But to trouble others and take away whatever is theirs is not the right way. When you return home make sure you do not get influenced by bad company. Resolve never ever to tread that path again.”Swamishri showered his blessings upon the youth for having reformed his wayward ways.

        Formula for academic success

  • 20 August 2009, Amdavad
    A youth came to seek Swamishri’s blessings to successfully pass his IAS (Indian Administrative Service) exam. Swamishri blessed him, “To do so you’ll have to study very hard. Be alert that you do not fall into bad company. Refrain from seeing movies, give up watching television and do not wallow in laziness. By attending satsang and adhering to moral disciplines you will pass.”

        Praying for others

  • 20 August 2009, Amdavad
    A youth prayed to Swamishri, “Swami, my relatives are steeped in addictions. They do not heed my words. Please bless them for a change in life.” Swamishri told the youth, “On behalf of them do mala and pray to God. Do not lapse in your effort, Maharaj will help and there will be a change and peace shall prevail.”

         Redeeming a youth from an addiction

  • 21 August 2009, Amdavad
    A father brought his son before Swamishri. A senior sadhu introduced the youth, “Swami, he was formerly in Dubai, but because of his drinking habit he had to leave. Then he went to Quatar. There too, because of his habit, he had to leave.”
    “But drinking is prohibited there, “Swamishri argued.
    “Yes, but he used to acquire it illegally. That is why he had to leave the country. His health too has deteriorated.”
    Swamishri asked the youth, “Do you want to give up your addiction. What have you gained from it? You have lost your livelihood and now you are unemployed. Your children’s future is disturbed. Don’t you realize what has happened? Because of your habit your body has withered. Look at your children, how nice they are.”
    The youth replied, “Swami, I ask for your blessings.”
    “You have had my blessings since long, but if you observe moral disciplines only then will they materialize. Without following the niyams how will my blessings fructify? Do you have a kanthi?”
    “Yes.”
    “If that is so then you should refrain from drinking liquor. Only then will you be happy.” Swamishri blessed the youth. The youth pledged to give up his addiction.

            Dissolving delusion

  • 27 August 2009, Amdavad
    Swamishri was introduced to a youth, “Swamiji, he has a lucrative job. But twenty days ago he had a little problem in one of his kidneys. The doctor performed a minor operation and it became normal. But after the operation the youth became scared. He has not slept for the past twenty days.”
    Swamishri encouraged the youth, “What is the need to be scared? Right now you are standing before me, and there is nothing wrong with you. Don’t be scared. Chant Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan. Engage yourself in doing bhajan. God has protected you and is still there to look after you.”
    The youth responded, “I think I’ll go mad soon!”
    “Because you think so, your thoughts are revolving around it. Whenever you get such thoughts, chant Swaminarayan. Believe that nothing is wrong with you, do your work and chant God’s name.”
    The youth replied, “But I simply cannot understand my thoughts.”Swamishri advised, “You are in delusion. Believe that nothing has possessed you. Chant Swaminarayan and start doing your work. Everything will turn out fine.”