Pushpadolotsav 2012 - Celebrations
Pushpadolotsav Celebration with Pramukh Swami Maharaj at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sarangpur
Sharp Memory
Mr. A.K. Saxena, the general manager of Amdavad Telecom came for Swamishri's darshan. Introducing him, a sadhu said, "Bapa, he's coming for your darshan for the first time."
Swamishri immediately said, "We've met before... where...?"
"That was S.K. Gupta," suggested the sadhu.
"No, not Mr. Gupta. It was Mr. Saxena," Swamishri replied. Resolving the issue, Mr. Saxena said, "Yes, three years ago I had come for Swamishri's darshan."
Swamishri blessed him. As Mr. Saxena left, he commented, "Three years ago, I had met Swamishri for a few moments only. Since then, Swamishri has met thousands of people, yet he still remembers me by name!"
Such is Swamishri's memory power, that even at the age of 78, his recall is as sharp as ever.
6-3-1999, Sarangpur
SPIRITUAL DISCOURSES (Prasang 3)
The Atma Becomes Weak!
In 1982, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was recuperating from an illness in Sarangpur. Once, after lunch, Swamishri took hold of a parshad’s hand for support and started walking. Swamishri unexpectedly turned in the direction of the assembly hall where a scripture was being read during the afternoon assembly.
The parshad requested, “Swamishri, do not go to the discourse. It will be better if your rest. Where is the need for you to listen to the discourses?”
But Swamishri replied with conviction, “One has to attend the discourse, otherwise the atma will become weak.”
For Swamishri, spiritual discourses are a source of rest and recovery. Spiritual discourses are the food for the atma. Through them, Satsang flourishes. And to strengthen one’s inner self, spiritual discourses are essential and indispensable.
God and His holy Sadhu are very nice
The highlights of the Satsang Experience-India Trip-2006 (by U.K.Bal-balikas) was a 5-day shibir in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Atladra. On the final day, the fourth special session with Swamishri, the balaks made presentation.
The presentation by the balaks included one balak dressed casually in worn out jeans, a T-shirt, dark sunglasses and a cap – which he had worn backwards. Swamishri singled out his rough appearance and based his blessings on it.
Swamishri said, “The first thing we have to do is to remove the black glasses and cap because by wearing them bad thoughts arise and our life becomes bad. By wearing such glasses and caps, everything is seen as black. That which is good is not seen, only the bad is seen.
“In school you have to obey the teacher. At home, you should obey your parents when they tell you to go to the mandir, to perform puja and to practice satsang. But some say that they will only do what their friends say.
“Even after student life there are many obstacles. Bad company leads to one’s ruin. When money is gained gambling, partying and other immoral habits enter. Our path is that of satsang, of God. What does it teach us? It teaches us to be constantly alert. One’s mind is attracted to TV, internet and other immoral things. Then all that you have done goes to waste. But one requires resolve not to go that way.
“Dharma and adharma, satsang and kusang – all these things are learnt about from sadhus. Daily read our shastras. Always be constantly alert so that our kalyan is not jeopardized.
“India is not dirty. India is very nice. God and His holy Sadhu are very nice. Otherwise, the whole world is spoilt. The entire universe is bad, since there is immorality everywhere. Peace and happiness is attained only from God and His Sadhu.”
ACCEPTING GOOD QUALITIES (Prasang 2)
Ninety-nine Faults, but one Virtue!
In 1984, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was in Antwerp, Belgium. In a small congregation someone asked Swamishri, “We experience friction or personality clashes while engaged in Satsang activities. Consequently, we see faults in the persons concerned. You are aware of everyone’s faults, yet how do you see us?”
Swamishri spontaneously replied, “God and the holy Sadhu do not look at the faults of others. On seeing them one should turn blind; on hearing them one should turn deaf; and on knowing them one should remain silent. Even if a person has ninety-nine faults, he must have one virtue! So always see that one virtue!”
The holy great always focus in perceiving the virtues of people. They appreciate a small virtue a thousand-fold more than what it is worth.
SERVICE (Prasang 3)
USED DATAN STICKS
In 1971, the 51st birthday celebration of Pramukh Swami Maharaj was organized in Dharmaj. The sadhus and devotees were eager and excited about the celebration. On the morning of the birthday celebration, Swamishri was brushing his teeth with a datan. He noticed used datans lying outside a nearby dustbin. Many devotees had brushed their teeth earlier and, out of negligence, thrown them outside the bin. After brushing his teeth, Swamishri picked up all the dirty datans with his own hands and put them in the bin.
Swamishri could have told someone to pick up the datans and throw them in the bin, but he humbly performed the service himself. Though it was his birthday, he did not hesitate in doing the seva himself.
Swamishri’s spirit of seva and humility is an inspiring message for all to dedicate themselves in doing seva.
