Pushpadolotsav 2012 - Morning Darshan
Swamishri’s morning darshan at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sarangpur 8 March 2012
OBSERVANCE OF NIYAMS - Prasang 1
Shining Character
Sagram Vaghri of Limli village was a genuine devotee of Shriji Maharaj. Though he was low-born, by character he was noble and towering. The severe famine of VC 1869 (1813 CE) had spread its tentacles of suffering and death on the land of Kathiawad. Many migrated to souther Gujarat to survive and eke out a livelihood.
Sagram Vaghri and his wife, too, were heading optimistically towards the town of Surat. On the way Sagram’s eyes fell on a shiny ornament. It was an expensive silver anklet that someone had lost. Despite his poverty, Sagram had no desire to take it. But he thought of his wife who was a few furlongs behind him. Being a woman she would be enticed to take it, and it would amount to a transgression of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s words. So thinking, Sagram covered the anklet with mud.
After a while when his wife caught up with him, she asked, “What were you doing sitting down a little while back?” Sagram revealed to her about the silver anklet and added, “To prevent you from seeing it, I covered it with mud.”
“why did you cover mud upon mud? I see another’s possession as mud!” Sagram’s wife nobly responded. Sagram was surprised and fascinated by his wife’s resolve.
Even in spite of hard times, Sagram remained steadfast to Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s instruction of not talking a thing lying on the wayside. And his wife perceived another’s belonging as mud!
The strength of one’s character is reflected in hard times.
50th Year Celebrations of
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad
50th Patotsav Celebration on 28 April 2012, Ahmedabad
HUMILITY – Prasang 3
Scrubbed the Utensils
On 21st May 1950, Shastriji Maharaj was residing at Amblivali Pol in Amdavad. On that day, he had invited the leading devotee and senior Sadhus for an historic occasion. In their presence, Shahstriji Maharaj appointed Shastri Narayanswarupdas as the President of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. This milestone event was welcomed by one and all. Shastri Narayanswarupdas prayed before Shastriji Maharaj and the devotees that he be able to humbly serve the Sanstha till his last breath.
After the occasion, the devotees had their meals and left. Their unwashed pile of dishes lay by the water tap. Without a moment’s hesitation, the newly appointed President, Shastri Narayanswarupdas, sat down to scrub and wash the dishes.
He had truly understood the presidential appointment not as a position for bossing over others, but as an opportunity to serve humbly. Ever since, Pramukh Swami Maharaj has been serving humbly without any distinction of high or low. He is an embodiment of humility.
HUMILITY – Prasang 2
One Who Serves is Mahant
Gunatitanand Swami was once sweeping the courtyard of Junagadh mandir. On hearing the glory of the mandir and Gunatitanand Swami, the Mahant of Tarnetar mandir came with his disciples for Swami’s darshan.
He had not met Gunatitanand Swami before, so he asked him, “Where can I meet the Mahant of this mandir?”
Gunatitanand Swami answered while sweeping, “You can go and sit in the assembly hall. He will come there shortly.”
The mahant and his disciples went to the assembly hall. A little while later Gunatitanand Swami, having washed his hands and feet, came and occupied the main seat and asked, “Can I help you!” the Mahant was surprised to see Gunatitanand Swami and asked, “You are the Mahant of this mandir? But you were just sweeping the courtyard!”
Gunatitanand Swami smilingly replied, “Here, one who serves humbly is the Mahant.”
The noble spiritual masters reflect the ideals of greatness through their actions. Humble service is the hallmark of true greatness. One who dissolves his ego and serves Satsang is blessed by God.
HUMILITY – Prasang 1
A Satsangi of the Cot
Once, Shriji Maharaj was seated on a cot beneath a neem tree in the courtyard of Dada Khachar’s darbar. Maharaj questioned the assembly of devotees, “Are you satsangis (followers) of this cot or the satsangis of satsangis?”
Seeing Maharaj seated on the cot, the devotees replied, “Maharaj! We are the satsangis of the cot.”
“Then come nearer my cot,” Maharaj called everyone. Within moments the whole assembly gathered around His cot.
At that moment Parvatbhai arrived and Maharaj asked him, “Are you a satsangi of this cot or a satsangi of satsangis?”
“Maharaj I am a satsangi of satsangis,” Parvatbhai replied.
Shriji Maharaj then told him to sit afar and then went upto him and sat beside him.
The satsangis who were by the cot enquired, “Maharaj, why did you do this?”
“You can sit by the cot and associate with it. I am a satsangi of satsangis,” Shriji Maharaj replied.
The satsangis understood the purpose of Maharaj’s words. They realized that if we remain humble in Satsang, by becoming a devotee of devotees, then Maharaj will reside with us. Through humility, respect and service to His devotees, God and His holy Sadhu are pleased.
HUMILITY - Gems
Discarding one’s ego and behaving with servitude and respect towards God, the Satpurush and devotees is known as nirmanipanu (Humility).
HUMILITY – Gem 1
“The enjoyment which one experiences from vanity cannot be obtained from any other object. Thus, amongst all devotees, a person who forsakes vanity and worships God should be known to be an extremely great devotee.” (Vachanamrut: Gadhada II – 41)
HUMILITY – Gem 2
“… It is not appropriate to be conceited before God or His Sant. Before them, putting conceit aside, behaving as a servant of servants and becoming humble is the only appropriate behavior.” (Vachanamrut: Panchala – 5)
HUMILITY – Gem 3
“… A person who remains arrogant due to the vanity of his gnan, vairagya and bhakti may be called great, but his greatness will be very limited; he does not imbibe the great virtues imbibed by a humble devotee.” (Vachanamrut: Gadhada I – 56)
HUMILITY – Gem 4
Dasna das thaine, vali je rahe Satsangma;
Bhakti teni bhali manish, rachish tena sangma.
[“To one who stays in Satsang out of utter servitude, his bhakti I (Shriji Maharaj) shall behold as genuine and I shall enjoy his company.”] (Bhaktachintamani: 68.10)
HUMILITY – Gem 5
“What is Humility? To tolerate insults, attain absolute servitude, clean refuse heaps and pick up used leaf-plates.” - Yogiji Maharaj
HUMILITY – Gem 6
Nanese ho nane rahiye, jaise nani doob,
Ghas fis sab ood gaya, doob khoob ki khoob.
[“Be smaller than the small like a blade of grass, where as the stiff blade of grass (like an arrogant person) is rooted.”]
