A Spiritual Travelogue of Pramukh Swami Maharaj

A Spiritual Travelogue of Pramukh Swami Maharaj


	13 to 31 January 2004


Mumbai (13 to 25 January 2004)
Atladra (25 to 31 January 2004)

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(Atladra: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4)

26 January 2004, Atladra (Mp3 2,215 KB)

	17 January 2004 (V.S. 2060, Posh vad 10) Saturday, Mumbai The murtis sanctified by Swamishri for the hari mandirs in the suburbs of Mira Road and Vasai were installed by Kothari Swami.
	19 January 2004 (V.S. 2060, Posh vad 12) Monday, Mumbai The sanctified murtis by Swamishri for the hari mandirs in the suburbs of Mira Road and Vasai were installed by Pujya Kothari Swami.
	26 January 2004 (V.S. 2060, Maha sud 5) Monday, Atladra; Vasant Panchmi Celebration The Indian flag was hoisted in the presence of senior sadhus and devotees to commemorate the Republic Day celebration. At 8.30 a.m., the Vasant Panchmi Celebration assembly commenced. Pujya Viveksagar Swami talked about the glory and significance of Vasant Panchmi. Then children dressed as sages sang the Upanishadic mantras on atma gnan. This was followed by a talk from Pujya Krishnapriya Swami about the virtue of atmanistha in the life of Shastriji Maharaj. Then to reveal the glory of bhakti, a youth dressed as Naradji sang some bhakti shloks. Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami talked profoundly about Shastriji Maharaj’s devotion to Shriji Maharaj. This was followed by another performance by youths dressed as Shri Krishna and Arjun, where the former imparts the attributes of one who is a sthitpragna. The youths of Atladra Satsang Mandal enacted a drama about the fearlessness of Shastriji Maharaj. Thereafter Pujya Ghanshyamcharan Swami talked about the fearlessness of Shastriji Maharaj. The youths then sang some verses from the Ramayan related to the virtue of philanthropy. Pujya Mahant Swami talked about the spirit of philanthropy in Shastriji Maharaj’s life. Finally, Swamishri blessed the festival assembly.
	29 January 2004 (V.S. 2060, Maha sud 8) Thursday, Atladra After his morning puja, Swamishri performed the pratishtha rituals of pujan and arti of the murtis of Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj and other deities for the BAPS hari mandirs of Dora and Ankhi villages in Bharuch district.
	31 January 2004 (V.S. 2060, Maha sud 10) Saturday, Atladra At 9.30 a.m. Swamishri arrived on an 18-acre land, donated by Shri P.D. Patel of Seagill India Company and his sons, Shri Manubhai and Rohitbhai Patel, for the foundation-stone laying ceremony of a BAPS Swaminarayan School. The proposed school will cater to students from nursery to standard twelve. Swamishri performed the rituals for the foundation-stone laying ceremony with Shri P.D. Patel and Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami. After the rituals, Swamishri offered prayers for the school and blessed Shri P.D. Patel and his sons. At 10.10 a.m., Swamishri returned to the BAPS mandir and performed the rituals for the mandir-complex expansion project. Thereafter, Swamishri blessed the assembly of 19,000 devotees and wellwishers.
	2 February 2004 (V.S. 2060, Maha sud 11) Atladra Swamishri inaugurated a newly built BAPS gaushala near the mandir that can accommodate 100 cows. After the pujan rituals, Swamishri sanctified the gaushala with Thakorji.


	No to Meat-Eating 16 January 2004 (V.S. 2060, Posh vad 9) Friday, Mumbai A youth of about 32 years old came to meet Swamishri. After an introductory conversation, Swamishri enquired, “Do you take any drinks?” “Only sometimes,” the youth replied hesitatingly. “Does sometimes mean taking it once or twice every month or two? This means that if you can go without it for a month, then you can do without it at all. And, do you eat meat?” “Not at home. But when I am out, yes.” Swamishri explained, “One should never eat it, because animals should not be killed. Let others live. It is our right to help others live, but not to kill. If someone were to kill our kids, how painful it would be for us. There are millions who are vegetarians. They are strong and healthy. “In the west, people start eating meat by seeing others doing it. But one should have the humanitarian virtue of compassion. When someone is dying, God has given us the virtue to save him. In killing something to exist is like living by taking another’s money and land. If you do not eat meat, then you’ll be able to live peacefully. Make an effort to give it up. “If someone gave you poison, would you take it! Even if someone offered you a million rupees, would you take it! You will throw him out. Similarly, if you believe it to be poison then you will not eat it.” Finally, Swamishri told the youth to pray daily.

To please Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj children, youths and senior devotees perform austerities, pilgrimages or other devotional means. The spiritual endeavors performed by the devotees during Swamishri's visit to the local centers are congratulatory and worthy of recognition. It also reflects Swamishri's divinity for inspiring such spiritual efforts in children, teenagers and devotees.

17 January 2004, Mumbai

108 devotees from Ghatkopar pilgrimaged 15 kms by foot, 12 devotees from Kurla walked 12 kms and 12 devotees walked 13 kms from Chembur to the mandir in Dadar.

28 January 2004, Atladra

111 students of the BAPS hostel observed a waterless fast to please Swamishri.