- 6
August 2002 (V.S. 2058, Ashad vad 11) Monday, Amdavad
In the evening Swamishri initiated (vratman) 300 children into the
Satsang-fold.
- 9
August 2002 (V.S. 2058, Shravan sud 1) Friday, Amdavad
Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha rituals of Shri Akshar
Purushottam Maharaj and the Guru Parampara for the Akshar Purushottam
Chhatralay on Mt. Abu.
- 10
August 2002 (V.S. 2058, Shravan sud 2) Saturday, Amdavad
In the evening assembly, a drama, 'Naiya Par', showed how Bhagatji
Maharaj through his powers defused a life-threatening storm at sea
and thus saved Ganpatbhai of Bharuch and Jethabhai Patel of Pij.
Swamishri, in his blessings, appreciated the drama and said, "If
one has refuge in God and His Sadhu then whatever difficulty arises,
God protects in some way. But one must have faith and trust…
Life in this world is like a camel ride. It is also compared with
the vast ocean wherein one experiences both happiness and misery…"
- 11
August 2002 (V.S.2058, Shravan sud 2) Sunday, Amdavad. Bal Karyakar
Day
In the evening assembly, volunteers of the Children's Wing presented
a program 'Thaiye Yogi Jeva'. The program presentation symbolically
showed how the moon and sun narrated the efforts of Pramukh Swami
Maharaj in inspiring and pleasing the devotees regardless of physical
discomforts, his devotion to God and his saintliness. The one-hour
presentation included a traditional dance and prayers by the volunteers.
- 12
August 2002 (V.S.2058 Shravan sud 3) Monday, Amdavad
Swamishri performed the murti pratishtha rituals of 32 murtis of
Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj, Shri Radha Krishna Dev, Shri Hanumanji,
Shri Ganpatiji and Lalji Maharaj to be installed in mandirs in Boston,
Columbus, Cherry Hill and Atlantic City, USA. Thereafter, Swamishri
blessed the assembly, "Through the wish of Shriji Maharaj,
Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji
Maharaj mandirs are being established in India and abroad. By the
grace of the murtis of Maharaj, Swami and the deities installed
there, there has been an increase in Satsang... These murtis will
be transported to America... Let us pray to God to bless everyone
there with righteousness and good feelings and understanding of
the glory of Maharaj and Swami... These murtis will redeem everyone
and inspire peace, happiness and morality in all..."
- 13
August 2002 (V.S. 2058, Shravan sud 5) Tuesday, Amdavad
H.E. President of India, Dr Abdul Kalam, arrived at the Swaminarayan
Mandir in Shahibaug at 9.15 a.m. He was welcomed with a garland
at the mandir gate by Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Viveksagar
Swami. Then, children welcomed him with flowers as he walked on
a red carpet.
As Dr Kalam arrived before Swamishri
the sadhus sang Vedic peace mantras. Swamishri welcomed him with
a garland. Accompanying the president were secretary Shri Y.S.
Rajan, Chief Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi and other officials.
The dialogue that followed between
Swamishri and President Kalam is as follows:
Swamishri: It is
a matter of great joy that you have come here in this sacred mandir
in the holy month of Shravan.
Dr Kalam: I came,
because after I became the President, I thought I must come and
seek your guidance. Well, the important thing in our country is
how do we bring the unity of minds. The unity of minds shall shape,
shall be the foundation for growth of our Nation. Swamishri, spiritual
institutions like Swaminarayan can have a tremendous influence
in bringing together the people. I have one thought in my mind.
The land of Gujarat has given the best of minds. Mahatma Gandhi
who lived here gave us peace. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who lived
here united the country. Vikram Sarabhai who gave us technology
and made the space programme... And we have a great spiritual
institution like the Swaminarayan and many such institutions…
whose integrated efforts will give permanent peace to the state
and our country.
Swamishri: There
is an abundant need for harmony and unity. The feelings of Gandhi,
Sardar and religious organizations lie at the root of our Indian
culture. The sentiments of Indian culture say that we are all
God's children, therefore, we should stay together and strive
for the progress of our country. The change we see today is due
to decreasing of spiritualism in people's lives. There is a lessening
of faith. And these cause differences in mind and the subsequent
rise in problems. But our feelings are that if everyone works
with unity, then our country will progress properly.
If there are feelings of hatred and vengeance among people then
of what use will it be? If you think spiritually that God resides
in everyone and if you see God in everyone then whom will you
hate! With whom will you fight! Whose things will you take away!
We are all one. Together we can help our country progress.
My guru, Yogiji Maharaj, used to give an example about unity.
A king once called his official and told him to break the quiver
full of arrows. But he couldn't and neither could anyone. Then
on taking a single arrow he told a weak soldier to break it and
he did. Likewise, if we are united then no one can break us. There
is an abundant need for such unity in our country."
Dr Kalam: We all
should work together. We will work together.
Swamishri: God
has blessed you with the highest position in India. You are appropriate
for this and thus God will work through you. You have faith in
God. You have studied the Gita and Bhagwat. You have noble feelings
for the progress of India, for inspiring unity in all and that
there be no conflict among people. God will inspire others through
you. I too shall pray to God that through you may all derive inspiration
to give up hatred. By hating one cannot stop hatred. Only by giving
up hatred can hatred be dissolved. This will be accomplished because
there are other officials like you who are thinking in the same
manner. I will pray to God to inspire such feelings in all people.
Dr Kalam: I want
all your blessings. I will try to see how I can be useful to our
country.
After the dialogue, Swamishri introduced
the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj, saying, "This murti is
200 years old. Bhagwan Swaminarayan and my Guru used to keep Him
with them. He worshipped Him every day. Only after offering water
to Him would he drink water. If anyone brought a garland it would
be offered to Him first and then he would accept it. He believed
that everything belonged to God so whatever we take should be
first offered to Him."
Dr Kalam folded his hands before
Harikrishna Maharaj and bowed his head in respect before the murti.
Swamishri then gave prasad to the
President and other officials.
As he took leave through the mandir
precinct, the joy of the devotees who said the 'Jai' of Swamiji
in a loud chorus touched him. He said, "A true spiritual
leader can inspire spontaneous joy. Pramukh Swami has the purity
and energy to reach every heart. I feel satisfied that I came."
President Abdul Kalam spent twenty-two
minutes during his visit and felt happy and blessed.
- 15 August 2002
(V.S.2058, Shravan sud 8) Thursday, Amdavad. India's Independence
Day
- The deities were attired
for the Independence Day celebration. After arti Swamishri came
to the mandir ground for the flag hoisting ceremony. When Swamishri
arrived with Thakorji on the ceremonial stage, children sang
"Vande Mataram". Then Swamishri unfolded the Indian
flag. More than 3,000 children and devotees saluted and offered
respects to the flag. Then everyone sang the national anthem
and concluded with 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and the Jais of Sahajanand
Swami and Guru parampara. Swamishri then addressed the gathering,
"Today it is 15th August, India's Independence Day. We
have celebrated this day in the mandir in the presence of God.
Let us pray to God this day that there be peace in India. May
there be an increase in moral feelings in people. We, as the
citizens of India, are one. May all be inspired with feelings
of harmony, friendliness and unity preached by Yogiji Maharaj.
May all the small and big problems and difficulties of India
be resolved. May all leaders of our country be blessed with
good thoughts and intellect. We pray to Maharaj that there be
peace in all parts of India.
"May the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the principles
of India, our culture and spirituality spread day by day and
people become awakened to it all.
"We pray to Maharaj to do away
with addictions, vices and ill-feelings and inspire feelings
of faith and morality. May there be peace in our country and
in Gujarat. May the fear in the minds of people dissolve."
- In the evening assembly,
an impressive drama, 'Paksh', showed Shri Krishna's effort in
explaining the Kauravas to avoid the Mahabharat war.
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