1 February 1999 : Monday (Maha vad 1) , Badalpur

• Today was the inauguration anniversary of the Akshar Purushottam Mandir and the Suvarna Tula (gold-weighing ceremony) of Harikrishna Maharaj.
• Swamishri was still visibly ill and weak from fever. Yet he looked a little better than the previous day. While doing his morning puja, Swamishri informed that he wished to perform the arti at the end of rituals going on for the mandir inauguration anniversary.
• After breakfast Swamishri went to the mandir and performed the arti of the anniversary occasion and then retired for rest.
• At 11.15 am Swamishri inaugurated the ‘Pramukh Swami Computer Center’ set up in the mandir premise for school and college students. The center, the first in that area, will provide an opportunity for students to learn and operate computers.
• At 11.25 am Swamishri was welcomed in the Satsang assembly in the mandir premises where the devotees had gathered to honour the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj with gold. The ordinary devotees of Badalpur had requested Swamishri to permit them to celebrate and offer their devotion to Harikrishna Maharaj by weighing the murti in gold. Eventually their love prevailed and Swamishri agreed. The stories of their sacrifice is amazing. Though the majority are subsistence farmers, many government servants, yet they rose to the occasion and donated. There are stories of farmers who sold their piece of their land, bought gold and donated for the occasion. Some even mortgaged their land to raise money for contribution. For those who eked out a living from their monthly wages, borrowed from relatives or sacrificed their personal jewelry and donated for the occasion.
  
  The atmosphere, though of simple, ordinary devotees, was charged with the lustre of devotion and joy. Nearly 3,500-4,000 people were present in the assembly. After the preliminary discourses Swamishri worshipped Harikrishna Maharaj by applying a chandlo of Kumkum and rice grains amidst a chanting of Vedic mantras. Swamishri also applied chandlo to the weighing balance and then sat on his seat. One by one the devotees began offering their donation on one pan, then offered flowers before the murti of the Lord, bowed before Swamishri and took their seat. In twenty minutes the pan with Harikrishna Maharaj rose amidst a chorus of victory calls and joy.
  
  In spite of the fever, Swamishri blessed the assembly: Today, we have seen your extraordinary devotion. The reason is because of the progress of Satsang in this very difficult region of Badalpur and its neighbouring villages. This progress is entirely due to the efforts and blessings of Shastriji Maharaj. Haribhai said that whenever Shastriji Maharaj came to Badalpur he would take him to sanctify his house and offer a half or one rupee in donation. He would also ask Shastriji Maharaj to place his hands and sanctify his bed, giant urns for storing grains, buffaloes, cows to change his fate. And so after all these years, by the grace of Shastriji Maharaj, Satsang has flourished and people have become a lot more happier. They have given up their addictions and vices. The standard and magnitude of education has also increased in this area.
  
  There was a time when people could only offer a half rupee and today we see the celebration of a gold weighing ceremony of Harikrishna Maharaj. Any such offering to God never goes in vain. God is weighed by the loving devotion of his devotees. You have all given and sacrificed today with profound love for God. And your feelings of glory and greatness for God have enabled you to offer such abundant devotion.
  
  
• At 6.00 pm Swamishri left for Vidyanagar.

2 February 1999 : Tuesday (Maha vad 2) , Vidyanagar

• Swamishri’s fever and cough had persisted all night long. In the morning, after completing his puja, Swamishri wished to go for Thakorji’s darshan. The doctor and Swamishri’s attendant sadhus explained that it was cold outside and with the fever and cold it would be better if he did not go. But Swamishri insisted and went for darshan.
• After breakfast Swamishri retired for rest.
• In the evening, while having dinner Swamishri was extremely pleased on hearing the report of the recent Kishore Shibir in London.

3 February 1999 : Wednesday (Maha vad 3) , Vidyanagar

• A dialogue on the topic of divine and human sports of God and His Sadhu followed after Swamishri’s breakfast. Dr. Kiran referring to Swamishri questioned, "Why is it that the holy Sadhu talks about redeeming the disease of life and birth and he cannot even cure himself of his fever?"
  Swamishri, "That is why it is said that both his human and divine actions are divine. God shows both traits in his actions."
  Bhagvatcharan Swami, Has He said this to explain and fit it into the minds of people?
  Swamishri, "No. It is a fact. God behaves and acts the way it satisfies and benefits people..."
  A sadhu, "I have seen that there is an exact similarity between Shriji Maharaj’s and your way of working and living."
  Swamishri, "How can His and my way be the same! What a difference there is between His ways and mine. Maharaj is Maharaj!" The conversation then changed from one topic to another. Someone suggested, "There are too many mosquitoes here and they are very irritating. The doctors should invent a bomb that would kill all the mosquitoes."
  Swamishri, "The truth is that in God’s creation everything has its own place and importance. You cannot say they are useless."

4 February 1999 : Thursday (Maha vad 4) , Vidyanagar

• Swamishri was recuperating from his illness. He was advised to take maximum rest, yet he spent time reading and answering letters from devotees. Sometimes, a conversation would follow and Swamishri would talk on the subject.
  
  Someone praised the patient nature of a sadhu who looks after the administration of a mandir. Swamishri added,"One who administrates has to be calm and very patient. He also has to be tolerant and friendly with everyone. Even when meeting or talking to someone, he has to be polite and proper."

5 February 1999 : Friday (Maha vad 5) , Vidyanagar

• Because of illness, Swamishri was feeling physically weak. All day long he spent resting, reading letters and in important meetings

6 February 1999 : Saturday (Maha vad 6) , Vidyanagar

• It was the annual festival day for the students of our hostel. They sang bhajans with the accompaniment of music instruments in Swamishri’s puja.
• In the evening, Swamishri attended the ‘Annual day’ program presented by the students. They performed an impressive peacock dance, and a drama illustrating today’s deteriorating family picture.
• In his blessings, Swamishri elaborated upon the subject of family conflicts. "We saw that because of family conflict so many problems and downfalls were created. The reason for this in life today is the ignorance of ‘I’ness and ‘Mine’ness. We see that everyone wants things done the way he wants it to be done. Children have extravagant desires and ambitions and so a conflict arises. If this ignorance is removed then only will one’s work be accomplished. And that is why the need for values and character along with education has been arranged here.
  
  "From the beginning our traditional educational system of Gurukuls have taught both worldly knowledge and spiritual knowledge. We require both types of knowledge in life: Even for the progress and development of our society and country, we need both types of knowledge. If the spiritual knowledge is taught in our educational system then the arrogance and egotism within would dissolve and one would develop love and friendship for all. There would be love and respect for all. Yogiji Maharaj had such noble feelings.
  
  "Within everyone there is good and evil and there is a continual inner conflict between the two. To suppress evil one needs to associate with good elements. One gets such good inspiration from the lives of great people. But if we keep bad company then the evil within surfaces and creates conflict. When you see T.V. you cannot exercise discrimination. Instead of seeing the good, one tends to see more of that which is bad. Because of the inner desires for worldly pleasures and evil, one reacts and misbehaves when one comes into the contact of bad influences (kusang).
  
  "The youths have performed a very good drama. We should learn to see how much more Satsang we can do, how much more good thoughts we can have the and good work we can do. Let us speak the good and live in good company so that we can benefit and be happy..."

7 February 1999 : sunday (Maha vad 7) , Vidyanagar

• This morning Swamishri attended an assembly of past student residents of the Chhatralaya (hostel). In his blessings Swamishri emphasised the importance of retaining Satsang values.
  
  "It is a great pleasure to meet the past student residents of the Chhatralaya. Old is gold. People preserve that which is old; old houses, and antic things.
  
  "It was the wish of Yogiji Maharaj that students should always get first class in their academic pursuits. And your character, whether you go to any part of India or abroad, should remain unblemished. Gold is gold. Does it ever rust? Similarly, since you have all stayed in this Chhatralaya and imbibed character and values in your life you should always primarily remember Satsang wherever you go. You should always have your personal puja and Satsang literature. Our ex-student residents of the Chhatralaya who are abroad are active in the Satsang activities. What we have attained and absorbed here we should always treasure and cherish. It’s fine if we cannot increase the wealth our parents have left for us but we should at least look after it and see that we don’t lose it. Our spiritual values, Satsang and moral codes are our personal wealth. We should not only be steadfast in Satsang but also inspire Satsang in others. Yogiji Maharaj used to say ,‘Go and ring the bell of success!’ What does this mean? It means that wherever you go you should maintain Satsang and inspire it in others.
  
  "Today, everyone wants good people. Even at work and in business everyone wants good people. Yogiji Maharaj has graced us with such a good place here. This is a factory that produces good people - good doctors and engineers go into society from here. This is a great service to society."
  
  Swamishri then personally blessed all the students.
• This evening Swamishri attended a medico-spiritual conference organized by the Sansthas Medical Wing. More than 500 doctors were present for the conference. In his address Swamishri said, "Just as one has to abide by the dharma (duties) of the body, similarly there is a dharma for atma. And by fulfilling them one achieves a balance.
  
  "... You learn of how the body functions through study. You also operate to make things proper inside so that a person can function properly. Likewise one should also learn to understand the importance of Atma through which one can experience inner happiness and peace..."

8 February 1999 : Monday (Maha vad 8) , Vidyanagar

• This evening Swamishri went to Anand for the Suvarna Tula (gold-weighing ceremony) of Harikrishna Maharaj. The devotees of Anand, as a token of their devotion and dedication, had enthusiastically arranged this celebration. The occasion inspired a spirit of devotion and sacrifice in ordinary devotees.
  
  As Swamishri entered a number of youths carried Harikrishna Maharaj in a palanquin decorated with flowers. Swamishri followed with humility and reverence for the Lord. The assembly commenced and climaxed with the weighing of Harikrishna Maharaj with gold. Finally Swamishri blessed the enthusiastic devotees, "Congratulations to all the devotes of Anand, Vidyanagar and other neighbouring towns.
  
  Lord Swaminarayan stayed at Dada Khachar’s house for thirty years because of his profound love and devotion. He did not stay anywhere during his 7-year sojourn in spite of wealth and kingdoms offered to Him. God is bound only by the chords of love and devotion. Today your feelings are one of deep devotion. You have lovingly weighed Harikrishna Maharaj with gold.
  
  "God is all-powerful and the all-doer. It is He who has given us gold, diamonds and other precious metals. We get them through His grace and wish and we should offer it to please Him. Harikrishna Maharaj is pleased upon you all today. And may His blessings remain forever with you, your family and society. And may God give you many, many returns.."
  Today, 8,000 devotees and well wishers had attended and offered their devotion to Harikrishna Maharaj.

9 February 1999 : Tuesday (Maha vad 9) , Vidyanagar

• Swamishri and Shri Ashok Bhatt, Health Minister of Gujarat, inaugurated with Vedic rites the bronze images of Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj in the vestibule of ‘Pramukh Swami Medical College’ in Karamsad.

10 February 1999 : Wednesday (Maha vad 9) , Vidyanagar

• Swamishri left Vidyanagar at 5.30 pm and arrived for darshan in Vadtal at 6.00 pm. Swamishri prostrated before the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj and did darshan of the holy relics of Shriji Maharaj.
• Swamishri then went to Dabhan and offered his respects at the shrine that commemorates the diksha place of Gunatitanand Swami. After doing darshan at the old mandir Swamishri came to the Akshar Purushottam Mandir and addressed the assembly.
• Swamishri reached Nadiad at 9.40 pm.

11 February 1999 : Thursday (Maha vad 10) , Nadiad

• Swamishri, senior sadhus and 200 devotees participated in the first inauguration anniversary of the shikharbaddh mandir in Nadiad. In his blessings Swamishri said, "... The murti pratishtha was performed today last year, and we need to be reminded of it because we tend to forget due to the daily grind of work and social duties. We need to be afresh in matters of devotion, spiritual discourses and service to God... Shriji Maharaj tells us to be ever fresh in this matter because it blesses us with moksha."
  In the evening Swamishri attended the Chhatralay’s annual day programs. The student residents of the hostel performed a drama with respect to the influence of bad company.
  In his blessings Swamishri said, "... Fifty years ago , Yogiji Maharaj established with great foresight, youth forums and children’s forums to nourish academic consciousness and Satsang values in them.
  "In the drama, we saw the effect of bad company and good company on a child. Today we find there are so many powerful attractions like T.V. and addictions. Even in college we see so many attractions and students get entrapped in them. But we have to understand that they are not good. We have to preserve our character and study. And that is why we should keep good company..."

12 February 1999 : Friday (Maha vad 11) , Nadiad-Atladra

• 197 years ago, Lord Swaminarayan announced the Swaminarayan mantra for His devotees. To celebrate its Bicentenary, the Sanstha has arranged a three-year program. The announcement of the programs was to be made in Swamishri’s morning puja. The backdrop had a banner and the name ‘Swaminarayan’ written in different colours. During Swamishri’s puja, the sadhus sang bhajans glorifying the Swaminarayan mantra. Pujya Viveksagar Swami spoke on the glory and history of the Swaminarayan Mahamantra. Today, a 24-hour programme of chanting the Swaminaryan maha-mantra was to be launched by Swamishri. The occasion was inaugurated with the lighting of a lamp by Swamishri and then he addressed the gathering,
  
  "Bhagwan Swaminarayan came on earth with His divine abode, muktas and divine powers. And when Ramanand Swami passed away he declared the ‘Swaminarayan’ mantra for all. The glory of this mantra is unique. By saying it one becomes free of physical and mental illness and ultimately one becomes blessed with God’s divine abode. Whenever any national or social problems arise, Yogiji Maharaj used to chant the Swaminarayan mantra.
  
  "This mantra has been given to us by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, therefore we should chant it to please God. We should engage ourselves according to our suitability and degree of faith. Now let us chant the Swaminarayan mantra..."
  
  And Swamishri, with eyes closed and absorbed in God, began chanting Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan. The devotees chorused the mantra and the atmosphere was charged with divinity. For seven minutes Swamishri chanted the mantra.
• Swamishri left Nadiad at 5.40 pm, stopped at Chhani for a while and then reached Atladra at 8.05 pm.

13 February 1999 : Saturday (Maha vad 12) , Atladra

• Swamishri gave a message to a local TV channel about the glory and history of the Swaminarayan maha-mantra.
• This evening Swamishri graced the Annual Day programme of the Chhatralaya. After a few mono-acting presentations, a multi-media presentation on the story of the Chhatralaya's progress and activities, since the last eleven years, a drama, 'God Save Me', depicted today's academic atmosphere with sarcasm.
• Swamishri then blessed the assembly, saying,
  "Students do not want to study today. And when the exam paper is difficult they copy and create an agitation but this does not help them in gaining anything. Study means study! If students make efforts, take care and sincerely study in silence and concentration then no matter how hard the exam paper may be they would have nothing to worry about. In fact he wastes his time in addictions, creating strikes, commotion and indulges in worldly attraction.
  "A student should nourish noble feelings and ambitions that he wants to study well, pass with good marks, serve his parents and his country, please God and attain moksha."

14 February 1999 : Sunday (Maha vad 13) , Atladra

• The birth of Lord Shiva, Maha Shivaratri, is celebrated with reverence and festivity in India. Swamishri went for the morning darshan of Thakorji in the mandir. Harikrishna Maharaj was adorned in the garbs of Nilkanth Varni and the murtis of Laxminarayan were dressed as Shiva and Parvati.
  In the evening the members of the Women's Wing had prepared an Annkut of 356 food items for the Lord.
• The agenda for the evening Sunday assembly was Tilak-chandlo. A speech describing its history and significance was followed by a presentation of experiences by devotees with regard to the benefits of doing the tilak-chandlo. Swamishri, in his blessings, explained, "Shriji Maharaj has instructed in the Shikshapatri to do the tilak-chandlo daily. Now no further instructions need be given. We have taken the refuge of God, therefore it behoves upon us to do what pleases Him.
  
  "We should not feel ashamed in doing the tilak-chandlo. If someone doesn't like the clothes you wear then do you give them up? When someone tells you your house is no good, then we don't give it up! And we don't feel ashamed of it either because we have a house according to our own means. Similarly, when someone says that your business is not proper and to his liking, do we give it up? People do various types of business. Many people living abroad run hair cutting saloons and a laundry, yet they do not feel inferior or ashamed of it. Similarly, we should understand that we are doing the tilak-chandlo to please God and for our own moksha. By doing it, we are not causing any damage to anyone. Every religion prescribes a symbol for their disciples."
• Before dinner, a devotee brought his son, "Swami, give him blessings because he is getting married."
  
  Swamishri asked him, "After your marriage where will you be going?" The youth replied, "The Maldives islands. It is near Sri Lanka." Swamishri, "But what is the need to do so? You will be just wasting Rs.25,000 for nothing!"
  
  The youth's father interrupted, "Bapa not Rs.25,000 but he will spend Rs.100,000." Swamishri then explained to the youth, "When you go there and if you two have a row or a hot argument then you will return home with a big problem. Instead, it would be better to visit our mandirs for darshan. You will be blessed with the merits of doing a pilgrimage. Today, we find such things (going on a honeymoon) have increased. This is not our custom."
  
  To please Swamishri, the youth changed his plans and decided to go on a pilgrimage of our mandirs.
• Just before Swamishri retired to bed he came by his room door to wish everyone Jay Swaminarayan. Two children, Bhagvat and Tilak, hailed enthusiastically, the jay of "Swaminarayan Maha-mantra Bicentenary Festival."
  Swamishri enquired of them, "Have you started chanting the mantra? Do you do the mala (rosary)?"
  Both the boys were silent because they had not started chanting the mantra. "Then you should not call out the jay of the festival,"
  Swamishri said. Swamishri emphasized to add the note of practice in their enthusiasm while calling out the jay.
• This morning a Medical Camp was arranged for young girls. 428 girls took part in the health camp.
• This afternoon, a Parent's Day pertaining to girls and teenage daughters had been organised in the mandir. The members of the Balika and Kishori mandal presented cultural programs . They were counselled for their problems and given guidance on the subject of personality development.

15 February 1999 : Monday (Maha vad 14) , Atladra

• The murtis of Harikrishna Maharaj in the mandir were beautifully adorned with fragrant flowers this morning.
  After darshan Swamishri enthusiastically blessed the 10th and 12th grade students for their coming exams by showering petals on them.
  He said, "Read well. You will all pass. Jay Maharaj."
• After completing his puja, Swamishri was walking towards his car. When he saw R.C. Patel, an old devotee sitting in a chair, waiting for his blessings, R.C. Patel asked Swamishri, "How is your health Bapa.?" Swamishri asked him, "How are you?"
  "I am fine by your grace," he replied.
  "I am fine too by your grace," Swamishri answered.
• The evening assembly was announced as 'Sacrifice Day'. The principal theme was to inspire the devotees to donate at least 1/10 or 1/5 of their earnings in the service of God every month.
  
  A telling drama depicted this message very effectively. In his blessings, Swamishri inspired everyone to offer according to their means at least 1/10th or 1/5th of their monthly income and reserve some regular time for spiritual association and discourses.

• When God is pleased, what does He give? Pounds? Dollars? Bungalows? No. He gives spiritual intelligence. This covers everything. With spiritual intelligence one instinctively knows how to please God and His sadhu. And when they are pleased, one gets everything.
• Happiness lies in the atma. And the source of all happiness, Paramatma, resides in the atma. It is His power that is felt. Because we don’t understand this and have attachment to the body we experience misery.
• By doing only what the Satpurush tells you, you’ve done everything. On his word, if you leave your worldly desires and attachments, then you will experience peace.
• Many problems arise in our daily lives. Amidst them, by reciting the name of God, surrendering to Him and believing Him to be the all-doer, one will experience happiness.
• People attribute fame to those who have money, power and talent. But the greatest glory of all is to surrender totally to God.
• Where there is no spiritual progress, there is no peace. The more one does for God, the more peace one experiences