Official News-letter from Shri Narnarayandevdesh Diocese Vol : 9 • No : 99 JULY-2015

Founded By H.H. Acharya Maharaj 1008 Shri Tejendraprasadji Maharajshri, Shri Narnarayandev Diocese. Shri Swaminarayan Museum Narayanpura, -13. Phone : 27489597 • Fax : 27419597 C O N T E N T S H.H. Mota Maharajshri Phone : 27499597 01. EDITORIAL 04 www.swaminarayanmuseum.com With the directions of 02. APPOINTMENT DIARY OF 05 Shri Narnarayandev H.H. ACHARYA MAHARAJSHRI Pithadhipati H.H. 1008 Shri Koshalendraprasadji 03. SHIKSHAPATRI 06 Maharajshri Controlling Editors & Publishers 04. GATHA OF GANGAMA OF JETALPUR 07 Shastri Swami Harikrishnadasji MAHANT 05. AMRUTVANI BY OTHER FORM OF SHREE HARI 09 SHRI SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE Kalupur, Ahmedabad-1. 06. WE ESTABLISH YOU AS KAVI OF SATSANG 12 Phone : 22132170, 22136818 Karbhari office : 22121515. 08. SHREE SWAMINARAYAN MUSEUM 14 Fax : 22176992. www.swaminarayan.info 09. SATSANG BALVATIKA 16 Editorial & Subscription Address Shri Swaminarayan 10. BHAKTI-SUDHA 18 Shri Swaminarayan Temple Kalupur, AHMEDABAD-1 () 11. NEWS 20 For a Change in Address : E-mail : [email protected]

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JULY-2015 • 03 Our Istadev Sarvopari Purna Purushottam Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan is very benevolent. Upon commencement of the monsoon, He sent rains. There has been great devastation in Amreli district due to heavy rains causing floods. Many people and the animals like lions residing in forests and cattle have lost their lives and many properties and farms have been damaged beyond any repairs during this natural calamity. However, in some areas there has been decent rains suitable for sowing in the fields. Thus there is mixed feeling of sorrow and happiness. Pious Purushottam Maas is going on. One should perform more and more Bhajan, Bhakti of Bhagwan during this pious Adhik Maas. While performing Bhakti we need to get rid of all types of affections. y™u fkuEf™u yuðkuu ‚tþÞ ÚkkÞ su ‘yíÞtŒ r™ðko‚r™f ™rn ÚkEyu ™u fk[k ™u fk[k {he sEþwt Œku þk nk÷ Úkþu ?’ Œku yuðku rð[kh ¼„ðk™™k ¼õŒ™u fhðku ™rn y™u yu{ ‚{sðwt su, ‘{hþu Œku Ëun {hþu …ý nwt Œku ykí{k Awt y™u ysh y{h Awt {kxu nwt {Át ™rn.’ yuðwt ‚{S™u niÞk{kt ®n{Œ hk¾ðe y™u …h{uïh rð™k ‚ðuo ðk‚™k íÞk„ fhe™u y[¤ {rŒ fhðe. y™u yu{ ðk‚™k xk¤Œkt xk¤Œkt òu fktEf Úkkuze ½ýe ðk‚™k hne „E Œku suðk {kuûkÄ{o{kt ™hf fÌkk Au Œuðk ™hf™e «kÂó Úkþu. Œu ™hf™e rð„rŒ su ¼„ðk™™ku ¼õŒ nkuÞ Œu™u fktE s„Œ™e ðk‚™k hnu Œu™u ELÿkrËf ËuðŒk™k su ÷kuf Œu™e «kÂó ÚkkÞ ™u Œu ÷kuf™u rð»ku sE™u yÂhkyku ŒÚkk rð{k™ ŒÚkk {rý{Þ {nkuu÷ yu ykrËf su ði¼ð Œu ‚ðuo …h{uïh™k Äk{™e yk„¤ ™hf suðk Au Œu™u ¼ku„ðu Au …ý rð{w¾ Sð™e …uXu Þ{…whe{kt òÞ ™rn y™u [kuhkþe{kt …ý òÞ ™rn. {kxu òu ‚ðk‚r™f ¼„ðk™™k ¼õŒ nþku Œku…ý ½ýwt Úkþku Œku ËuðŒk Úkðwt …zþu ™u ËuðŒk{ktÚke …zþku Œku {™w»Þ Úkþku ™u {™w»Þ ÚkE™u ð¤e …kAe ¼„ðk™™e ¼ÂõŒ fhe™u ™u r™ðko‚r™f ÚkE™u ytíÞu ¼„ðk™™k Äk{™u …k{þku, …ý rð{w¾ Sð™e …uXu ™hf [kuhkþe™u ™rn ¼ku„ðku, yuðwt òýe™u ¼„ðk™™ku ¼õŒ nkuÞ Œu™u ðk‚™k™wt ƒ¤ Ëu¾e™u ®n{Œ nkhðe ™rn ™u yk™tË{kt ¼„ðk™™wt ¼s™ fÞko fhðwt y™u ðk‚™k xkéÞk™k W…kÞ{kt hnuðwt y™u ¼„ðk™ ™u ¼„ðk™™k ‚tŒ™k ð[™{kt áZ rðïk‚ hk¾ðku.” (Vachanamrit- Sarangpur-4)

Editor Mahant Swami Shastri Swami Harikrishnadas

JULY-2015 • 04 Appointment Diary of H.H. Acharya Maharaj 1008 Shri Koshalendraprasadji Maharajshri

(June-2015)

1. Graced village Soja. 3 to 24. Pilgrimage to Perth (Australia) for nourishment of Satsang and gracesd Shree Swaminarayan temple, Hyustan (America) on the occasion of Patotsav and Satsang Sabha. 26. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple Biliya on the occasion of Katha. 28. Graced Group Mahapooja o r g a n i z e d i n S h r e e Swaminarayan temple, Kalupur organized during the pious Adhik Purushottam Maas. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Anjali on the occasion of Mahapooja.

JULY-2015 • 05 Shikshapatri The Epistle of Precepts (based on Shatanand’s Shikshapatri Arthadipika) By Pravin S. Varsani SPECIAL DHARMS OF GRIHASTAS Text – 143 (HOUSEHOLDERS) They shall not undertake any sort of Text – 142 dealings pertaining to land or money even with their sons or friends without a written They shall keep cows and other cattle document duly witnessed. only if they are capable of taking care of All transfer of farming land, land, house them with fodder, water etc. otherwise and wealth such gold should always be done in they shall not keep them. a proper manner with proper solicited Any animal, be it cattle (cows, bulls, documentation witnessed y other people. In all buffalos, horse), parrot, dog etc. should not be such business matters, an appropriate kept should you not have the means to look document should be written and signed before after them with fodder, water, or any other food the property etc. is transferred to others. stuff required by such animals. In similar Yagnavalkya explains a suitable witness to be used for such actions, ‘One who performs fashion one should have adequate facilities for penance, is charitable, from a reputed family, keeping such animals – i.e. stables etc. facilities honest, obeys Dharma, unbiased, who has should be such that the animals are children and is reasonably wealthy- such a comfortable and at peace. person should be used as a witness. Those who If at any state one is unable to maintain the obey the Shruti-Smruti, and live in accordance level of standards for keeping the animals then with their Jata and Varna (caste laws) should be they should be given away to those with accepted as a witness.’ adequate facilities. Parashar explains, Yagnavalkya further explains the structure ‘Prosperity is destroyed where animals sigh of such a document to be used, ‘First and through hunger, thirst, punishment, and foremost the name of the donor should be through staying in a place which is unfit for living written. Then the date and details about the beneficiary (name, class, caste, family details, (mosquito infested etc.). Punya of a household etc.) should be provided. At the end of the is destroyed where animals are tied up and document, the recipient should sign the thirsty, a woman during her menses resides document along with the witnesses to the and where God is left unworshipped at evening agreement (beneficiary and witness names time.’ One should refer to Parashar Smruti for should be signed inclusive of father’s name).’ further information upon this. ‘Those who do not possess the necessary Shatanand has clarified that any animal- skills to write out such a document should have be it cattle or a pet of some kind must be looked one written out by somebody else.’ The body of after properly. If one is unable to do this then the document should contain the terms and they should not keep such animals. This really conditions of the transactions. Lagucharankya explains who should write such a document; brings about the issue of animal cruelty to light. ‘He who is of good intellect, a good Questions of keeping a parrot locked up in a spokesperson, patient, light handed, writes with small cage for personal amusement when clarify and who is conversant with legal affairs clearly it must be discomforting for the bird are should be used to write the document.’ addressed. Some animals are often tortured. A Thus those who obey these rules will recent study showed that an overwhelming never face complication in their business majority of pets were not given adequate care affairs. Lord Swaminarayan specifies that even and a good proportion of which were given ‘bad’ in affairs with one’s own son or friend, the care. The report concluded that the reasons for proper legal process should be carried out. This this were overwhelmingly the fact that pet is because such business affairs can often lead owners did not accurately know how to care for to arguments. This is evident today when a child may act unscrupulously for self gain against his such animals. own father in order to swindle money or wealth out of his father.

JULY-2015 • 06 GATHAGATHA OFOF GANGAMAGANGAMA OFOF JETALPURJETALPUR - Sadhu Purushottamprakashdas (Jetalpurdham)

Kunvarbai daughter of Nagar Narsinh Nardipur and he had one son named Mehta of Junagadh was got married at Una. Bhudar Mehta. Gangama- Satsang Her daughter Sharmistha was married in Shiromani and inspirator of Uddhav Vadnagar and Bhaktaraj Narsinh Mehta Sampradaya of who brightened the came to the house of granddaughter and history of Jetalpur and Sampradaya was passed the later years of his life. born in the house of this Bhudar Meht and Sharmistha had two daughters namely mother Premkunvarba on the pious day of Tana and Riri whom Narsinh Mehta taught Jeth Sud-7 Ganga Saptami Vikram Samvat Music. The great singer Tansen sung in 1807. Malhar Raag and cooled down the heat of Bhudar Mehta had three daughters and Deepak. And had also one san namely two sons namely Gangakunvar (Gangama), Bhim Mehta who settled in Unava, Unjha, Raliyatkunvar, Kashlimkunvar, Nanalal and Nardipur, Mansa Kotha, Pethapur, Joitaram. Gangakunvar (Gangama) was Mahetapur, Paliyad and Veda villages of married to Vishvanathan Ravalthe son of North Gujarat. Vallabhdas in village Nardipur. And Shyamji Mehta came and settled in Raliyatkunvarba was married in Unava

JULY-2015 • 07 (Balva). Kashalkunvar was married in Dave and accordingly Gangaba came to stay in caste in Mahesana and due to difference of Jetalpur. opinion among the leading people of her Vallabhdas Raval was a renowned caste, she was placed outside her caste. Gormaharaj and he used to perform The son Nanalal went to Karjisan and Yagna-Karma quite often as he was well there he functioned as Gormaharaj of off. He used to perform poojan-archan of Kadva Patel 42 Samaj. The other son the idol images of Radhakrishna and offer Joitaram stayed in Nardipur. Naivaidya and the idol images of Baldevji Since Darbar Pipalaj Thakor Raja Revtiji and Laxmanji were kept in pooja in Saheb himself had gone to Vaniya Veda the house of Bhudarji Mehta- the father of village at the time of marriage of the parents Gangaba. of Gangama, for him Gangama was like a Once Sadguru Ramanand Swami niece for him. While accompanying graced the house of Vishvanath Raval and Ramanand Swami for Vicharan Bhudarji his wife Gangakunvar became devotee of had laid down foundation of sampradaya in Uddhav Sampradaya and started Nav Gam Gol of Nagar community Annakshetra under the directions of including Visnagar. Swami. Gangaba kept very strict Niyam not Once Shyamji Mehta- the grandfather to accept the meals without offering it to of Gangama- had a dream wherein he saw Atithi. that the idol images of Bhagwan are there Once in Chaitra Maas of Samvat 1837, beneath the hill of Rabarivas of Nardipur Vishvanath Raval stayed in Vadnagar to from the time of Mugal Empire. So perform Shivpoojan of Hatkeshwar excavation work was started with the Mahadev- Adishthata Dev of Nagar support of Pipalaj Thakor and idol images community on the pious day of Hatkeshwar of Baliyadev, Shree Krishna, Radhaji, Jayanti. In the crowd of Luneshwar Baldevji, Revtiji, Panch Pandav, Kuntaji, Mahadev temple, the young Vishwanath Astapatrani were dug out. From these, idol Mehta passed away at the young age of 32 image of Baliyadev was installed at the years. bank of lake of Lambha village and today The young widow Gangaba thought this temple is popularly known as Lambha about becoming on the bank of Dev Baliyakaka Dev temple. Idol images of Sarovar. Bhagwan Shree Krishna granted Panch Pandavas and Kuntaji have been her divine Darshan and blessed her that He installed in a temple of village Aasjol near would reside as her son and blessed her Bahucharaji. that like Him all the devotees would call her Later on Vallabhdas Raval came to as ‘Maa’. From that day Gangama was stay in Lambha. He was very learned and brought in the house of Nilkanthvarni at therefore he was established as Dev Sarovar. There have been many Gormaharaj of the villagers of Lambha- ardent ladies devotees in our Sampradaya Aslali-Jetalpur villages. Vallabhdas Raval but ‘Maa’ word is used only for Gangama. had one son namely Vishvanath and he She was staying in her old house which is was married to Gangakunvar (Gangama) now Chhatri of the temple premises of the daughter of Bhudarji Mehta of Nardipur Jetalpur. Upon construction of the temple, Con. from page 11......

JULY-2015 • 08 AMRUTVANI BY OTHER FORM OF SHREE HARI - Compilation by Gordhanbhai V. Sitapara (Hirawadi-Bapunagar) noble Sankalp!!! If we do not go to the temple for two three days and if any saint or devotee asks H.H. Shri Acharya Maharaj on us the reason for the same, we should look 10/05/2015 on the occasion of Pancham at it positively. We have to see Gunas in Patotsav of Harshad Colony temple (new others and not their Avagunas. While temple of ladies devotees) : Before many entering the temple, we see many people years we used to come to this place and at looking at other devotees instead of that time, a few Haribhaktas used to Maharaj. They are also concerned about perform Bhajan and Bhakti. It is due to their other devotees performing less number of Bhajan and Bhakti that our Satsang has Malas or not performing Dandwat Pranam. developed this much today. It is not out of But even here we should look at such place to say that, this temple is in the base devotees positively. May be that devotee of other temples which have been has done all such things in his previous developed in this area. Generally, we birth so does not require them in this life. always say ‘Yes’ to the requests of But we need them. This attitude will give us constructing new temples in any area. We happiness and peace of mind and this will see in the society that new malls and hotels help us in our progress in Satsang. are being constructed at so many places so We do not know the importance of what is wrong if we construct new temples Bhagwan because we have received Him and develop them. In mall, they have to very easily in our life. Earlier Rishi-Munis search for their customers and if they do not have performed Tapa-Sadhana for get their customers they have to demolish thousands of years to have divine Darshan the malls. In our case, situation is quite of Bhagwan and even thereafter there has different. We do not have to search for the been Tapo-Bhang in stead of divine devotees. And we have no any selfish Darshan of Bhagwan. People do not motive behind constructing the temples. understand the value of those things which Moreover, due to advance technology of are received by them very easily. If a farmer the modern times, it is not much difficult to gets some money after hard work, he construct new temples, what is required is knows its value. But if he gets lots of money

JULY-2015 • 09 without any work, he would not understand today all of you have been rendering its value. beautiful services and one can render Nowadays we find people running services only when he has ardent love and after money, position and all types of affection with Bhagwan. worldly things and pleasures. One may get At the time of Murti Pratistha money but one would not get real Mahotsav at Kundanpur (Kahchh) : happiness and peace of mind as they are at While gracing the house of the host the lotus like feet of Bhagwan. If money was devotee, we saw an invitation card of capable of giving everything then why a rich Shobhayatra of 22 years ago. After 22 person cannot get sleep despite two A.C. years, Shobhayatra is organized again. But running in his bedroom? On the contrary nowadays shobhayatra is organized 22 look at the life of your forefathers. They times in a year. Earlier we used to come used to sleep in the noon under a shady once or twice in a year in Kachchh. Now our tree having his hand as cushion and land as Satsang has developed so much that, we bed and yet they used to have very have to come three four times in one peaceful nap in the noon. And this is true month. In villages like this it may not create even today in the villages. We are not any traffic issue, but in cities and in urban against money because vehicles are run by areas we have to think about the traffic petrol and not by water. But Samskara is also. There are many Satsangi young very important. If there is money devotees in Surat who have vowed not to accompanied by Samskara, our car would organize procession during the marriage come to the temple and our money would functions. Their initiative is praiseworthy. be used for noble purposes. All of us know Maharaj has taught us to have Vivek- that, at which place is the money being Budhhi in everything. The time which is used by the people without Samskaras. saved in Shobhayatra, should be used for Our temples are in the centre and Katha. Moreover, Katha-Varta would also therefore there should be optimum use of help nourish our Sadgunas and our temples, saints and scriptures. Samskaras. Movement of life of any person is from his It is necessary that we cherish same house to the last destination. Now how enthusiasm and joy while performing Nitya many roles are being played by a man Darshan of Maharaj in our temples as we during this short period of life which exists do during Pratistha-Mahotsav. While between birth and death. So each of us addressing the spokesperson of the Katha, should think as to why have we come? Maharaj asked him to take with the help of What are we supposed to do? What are we leading devotees attendance of the doing? Only Bhagwan is Shaswat and devotees who come regularly in Katha. doing good for all. I have not come to (this sentence is worthy to be considered preach you anything. Because all of you for obtaining pleasure of Shree Hari). have rendered beautiful services and even Though it is the desire of H.H. Shri

JULY-2015 • 10 Mota Maharaj that after retirement, none of performing Satsang-Bhakti in this short His Ashirvachan (blessings) may be span of life. published yet His Vachans are so Some people may have treasure of inspirational that, we would like to quote wealth and if a robber comes and robs him one paragraph from one such Ashirvachan: of everything then also he need not be H.H. Shri Mota Maharaj : “How short unhappy. But if he is robed of his is our life span can very well be Chintamani, it is a matter of concern and understood through this popular saying unhappiness. Our Bhagwan is our that we are born on Monday, we adopt Chintamani. We have got Chintamani in Vartaman on Tuesday, we study on the form of Shree Narnarayandev and we Wednesday, we get job on Thursday, we have to be alert that nobody can keep us become old on Friday, we become sick away from our Chintamani. If we preserve on Saturday and we die on Sunday!!!” our Chintamani with utmost care and So only those people are very clever who caution, we shall get everything in our life. make their human life meaningful by

For Nitya-Darshan in following temples log on to: Jetalpur : www.jetalpurdarshan.com Mahesana : www.mahesanadarshan.com Chhapaiya : www.chhapaiya.com Torda : www.gopallalji.com Narayanghat : www.narayanghat.com Vadnagar : www.vadmagar.com Prayag : www.prayagmilan.org : www.gopinathjiidar.com Ayodhya : www.ayodhyaswaminarayanmandir.com

Con. on page 8 she stayed in the house situated in front of place where the funeral ritual of her the Eastern gate of the temple premises. husband was performed on the bank of Dev On Posh Sud-15 Vikram Samvat 1898, Sarovar. The name of the mother-in-law of Gangama passed away to Akshardham at Gangama was Bhavanikunvarb and her the age 97 years. The funeral ritual of maternal house is situated at village Mota Gangama was performed at the same Sonela near Lunawada.

For 24 hour live Darshan of Shree Narnarayandev www.swaminarayan.info www.swaminarayan.in Aarti Darshan (Indian Standard time) _ Mangala Aarti : 5.30 hours Shangaar Aarti : 8.05 hours Rajbhog Aarti : 10.10 hours Sandhya Aarti : 19.30 hours Sayan Aarti : 20.30 hours

JULY-2015 • 11 Father was very wise and Vedic From Samvat 1890 Agnihotri Karmkandi Brahmin. to 1897 Dalpatram Acceptance of Swminarayan learned Kavyashastra Sampradaya by his son had irked from Devanand Swami wrath of the father. In anger, the father WE not continuously but in “ fragments and became a Dahyabhai dug out the Yagna kunda of the house, left the house ESTABLISH young devotee. At that permanently and went to Vijayanand time Vrajbhasha was Swami on the bank of Saptasangam Rajbhasha and it was Ghat at Vautha and obtained YOU AS also the language of Sanyasta Diksha andbecame temple and language of Madhavanand Swami. On Shukla KAVI OF places of pilgrimage. By Chaturdas of Dhanur Maas of Samvat taking inspiration from 1900 Madhavanand Swami passed his Guru Devanand away to Kaivalya Pada. SATSANG Swami, Kavi Dalpatram Here Dalpatram obtained Panch started creating small V a r t m a n a n d l e a r n t g r e a t kirtans in Gujarati Mahamantra of his life that Dharma is language. With the directions of H.H. Shri superior than Poetry. Life of this (Dalpat Shrinkhala-4) world is bigger and greater than A c h a r y a ” A y o d h y a p r a s a d j i literature. It is true that poetry and literature move in the field of - Atul Bhanuprasad Pothiwala Maharaj, he created imagination but Bhakti and Dharma (Ahmedabad) S h r i p u r o t s a v ( o f are supreme even in this field of Ahmedabad temple) and imagination. The driving force of Shakotsav named two poetry is Sadachar (noble conduct). kavyas. The poems called ‘Hiradnati’ and Dalpatram was very ‘Kamallochni’ were burnt into ashes sharp in his memory and by him as he thought it improper to ‘Shiksha Patri’ was his w r i t e s u c h p o e m s b e i n g pious Grantha to which Panchvartmandhari. he cherished ardent love Thereafter Dalpatram obtained and affection. And so he D i k s h a a n d h i s G u r u o f remembered all 212 D h a r m a d i k s h a w a s N i r m a n i Shlokas and he could Bhumanand Swami and his Guru of recite these Shlokas in Kavya Diksha was Nirmani saint reverse order from 212 to Devnand Swami. At that time 211 to 210 and so on Sadguru Devanand Swami was without any mistake. Mahant of Muli temple and was On the pious day of completing the task of Muli temple Janmastmi of Samvat entrusted to him by his Guru 1897, Vaishnavanand Brahmanand Swami. Swaroopanand Swai returned to Muli Swami and Lalo Kothari were two from Bhuj on completion Kotharis. And Ghanshyamanandji o f h i s s t u d i e s . A y o d h y a p r a s a d j i was Brahmchari. Dalpatram started living in the Maharaj from Ahmedabad had also arrived on temple. Everyday Dalpatram used to come and this occasion. On this occasion, Kavi sit in the sabha Mandap and used to listen to Dalpatram created kirtans and sung them in Kirtan of Devnanand Swami. Curious front of Acharya Maharaj. Listening these Dalpatram became more interested in these Kirtans, Acharya Maharaj became very much Kirtans. After some time, Dalpatram learnt pleased and told Dalpatram that, ‘We establish Pingal Shastra from Devanand Swami. you as Kavi of Satsang’.

JULY-2015 • 12 Renovation of Places of Prasadi of Chhapaiya

Parbrahma Purna Purushottam Sarvavatari Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan chose Chhapaiay for incarnation and performed Bal-Leela. The places where these Bal-Leela were performed were rendered in dilapidated condition. Accordingly with the directions and blessings of H.H. Shri Acharya 1008 Shri Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj and with the inspiration of H.H. Shri Mota Maharaj, the devotee Shri Nandubhai Khemchandbhai Patel of Surat took initiative for this work of renovation of these Places of Prasadi and in a very short period of just two-three years, most of the places of Prasadi have been developed. Following are the details of the services rendered by different devotees for this noble task under the guidance of Mahant Brahmchari Swami Vasudevanandji: (1) Gau-Ghat : (1) Devotee Shri Patel Nandubhai Khemchandbhai (Motap) Surat. (2) Devotee Shri Parmar Bhagwanjibhai Bhurabhai Jodhani (Dhasa- Ambaradi) Surat. (2) House of Chandan Masi : Devotee Shri Janakbhai Gokalbhai Patel (Ahmedabad) (3) Bhutiyo Kuvo Devotee Ganga Swaroop Shri Gauriben Amrutbhai patel, Jatinbhai A. Patel and Riteshbhai A. Patel (Ahmedabad) (4) Kalidait No Moksh Kaushalendra Garden Zula (Hinchkawala), devotee Shri Patel Amrutbhai Shivabhai, devotee Shri Patel Jayanitbhai Shivabhai (Viharvala) Ahmedabad (5) Kalyan Sagar Shree Hanumanji temple (new construction) : Devotee Shri Kaushikbhai C. Joshi, Ghanshyam Engineering Industries, Ahmedabad. Besides this, renovation work of other places of Prasadi is going on which will be completed very shortly.

JULY-2015 • 13 Shree Swaminarayan Museum

RASOI (MEALS) OF GANGAMA OF JETALPUR Gangama of Jetalpur was the disciple of Ramanand Swami. She used to call Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan with great affection and used to offer Him the meals like her son. During Vicharan of Bhagwan in Gujarat, Gangama would always be ready to render her services of preparing meals for Him. During Vicharan of villages by Bhagwan, Gangama used to follow Him taking the hot bowls upon her head and used to offer fresh and hot meals to Bhagwan. How devout was her affection towards Bhagwan!!! The utensils being used by Ganga have still been preserved and are kept in Hall No.4 of our Shree Swaminarayan Museum for divine Darshan.

JULY-2015 • 14 List of devotees who rendered their services under Shree Swaminarayan Museum Maintenance Bhet Yojna June-2015 Rs.25,000/- For Moksha of Akshar Nivasi Rs.5,001/- Devotee Shri Rameshbhai Chhotabhai Ranchhodbhai Patel Bhaktidas Patel, Rajpurwala- through Vipulbhai-Ambapur. New Ranip onthe occasion of Rs.25,000/- One Haribhakta-Santrampur on obtaining Visa by Bhavikbhai. completion of his Sankalp. Rs.5,001/- Akshar Nivasi Ratna Jesa and Rs.18,460/- Devotee Shri Kiritbhai Amrutbhai Akshar Nivasi Matushri Kanbai Vadnagarwala- –Fotdi (Kachchh) through Rs.11,500/- Devotee Shri Varshaben Keshrabhai Ratna-Lalbhai. Ashwinbhai Soni- New Ranip. Rs.5,000/- Devotee Shri Kantibhai Patel- Rs.11,000/- Devotee Shri Dhirajbhai K. Patel- New Zealand. Ahmedabad. Rs.5,000/- Shree Swaminarayan temple, Rs.7,500/- Devotee Shri AShokbhai Ratanpar (Surendranagar) and Chhaganbhai Patel, Limbadiya on the occasion of Akshar Nivasi on the occasion of Abhishek Narnarayandasji Swami Smruti during the pious Adhik Maas. Mahotsav through Parshad Kalu Rs.5,101/- For Moksha of Devotee Shri Bhagat. Shankarbhai Haribhai Patel through Ketanbhai Manubhai, Rs.5,000/- Devotee Shri Minaben K. Joshi- B h a v e s h b h a i M a n u b h a i - Bopal. Uvarsad. Rs.5,000/- One Haribhakta-Santrampur. List of Host devotees who availed the benefit of Abhishek of Shree Narnarayandev in Shree Swaminarayan Museum July-2015 05/06/2015 Chirag Amrutbhai Kachhadia-Navsari (at present Australia) 06/06/2015 Chaudhary Bheroram Samarpaji-Vali (). 14/06/2015 Jignasaben Virendrakumar Desai-Navrangpura. 17/06/2015 Shree Swaminarayan Mahila Mandal-Harshad Colony. 18/06/2015 (Morning) Devarsh Prahladbhai Patel – Ranip. (Noon) Sankhya Yogi Mota Rambai Fai and Nanbai and Rambai onhte occasion of gracing of the whole Dharmkul-Mankuva (Kachchh) 19/06/2015 Shree Swaminarayan temple Mahila Mandal-Naranpura. 21/06/2015 (Morning) Shree Narnarayandev Yuvak Mandal, Shree Swaminarayan temple, Ghatlodiya. (Noon) Shree Narnarayandev Mahila Mandal through Sumanbhai-Sabarmati. 27/06/2015 Mahila Mandal Shree Swaminaryan temple (ladies)-Darbargad Morbi and Halvad through Sankhya Yogi Rajkunvarba and Ushaban, Nitaba. 28/06/2015 (Morning) Shree Narnarayandev Yuvak Mandal- Lunawada (Noon) Satsang Samaj, Swaminarayan temple through Udayanbhai Maharaja- Visnagar

Instruction:- On every pious day of Punam, H.H. Shri Mota Maharaj shall perform aarti in the morning at 11.30 hours in Shree Swaminarayan Museum. Museum Mobile : 98795 49597 Devotee Shri Parshottambhai (Dasbhai, Bapunagar) : Mobile No. 99250 42686 www.swaminarayanmuseum.org/com • email:[email protected]

JULY-2015 • 15 “{kunLkðhLku {kLk MktøkkÚku ðuhòu” - Shastri Haripriyadasji (Gandhinagar) “hMkçkMk nkuE hne hrMkÞk Mktøk, ßÞwt {eMkhe ÃkÞ{ktne ¼¤e” Once a Jeeva melts Itself in the ardent love and affection towards Bhagwan, then nobody can keep him SATSANG BALVATIKA away from Thakorji. But it is very Compiler Shastri Harikesavdasji (Gandhinagar) difficult to melt down in the love and Sabha. The proud Siddha Purush affection of Bhagwan. It is equally very rushed in the sabha and challenged difficult to remove pride. One can Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan. But reduce his body weight at the instance the divine powers and serene climate of of doctor by following diet control and the Sabha had impact upon the mind of other medical advice but when any this proud Siddha Purush. He saint or scripture asks us to reduce our immediately left the place and went to pride as it is crossing the danger line his temporary residence and prayed for how shall we do it? This is possible the goddess whose blessings and with the blessings of Bhagwan and powers he was having. When he satsang of saints and good people in narrated everything to the goddess our life and if we live our life as per his about what happened in the Sabha, guidance. goddess rebuked him calling him a fool One person who belonged to and told him that Bhagwan Shree Andhra Pradesh of the Southern India Swaminarayan is Parmatma and is was very proud of his divine powers. having thousands of such divine Though he was learned but was proud. powers. So instead of trying to defeat Once he came to the king of Porbandar Him, he should go and seek his shelter. situated at the Western Coast of This proud Siddha Purush was Gujarat. He threatened the king and very learned. He understood demanded ten thousands rupees everything. The next day he went to the otherwise he would create storm in the Sabha and fell at the lotus like feet of Arabian sea with the help of his divine Shree Hari and begged his pardon. powers and cause the whole city of Maharaj took his test and asked him to Porbandar sink in the sea. The king shave off his head and allow others to was very clever. So he requested not step on his fallen hair. This Siddha to do this. He also hinted at the divine Purush did as per the directions. p o w e r s o f B h a g w a n S h r e e Maharaj took his another test and Swaminarayan and asked this Sidhha asked him to carry footwears of all the Purush to go and defeat Bhagwan devotees and saints upon his head in a Shree Swaminarayan with his powers. cotton cloth and perform three This proud Siddha Purush pradakshina of the Sabha. Siddha immediately started his journey Purusha followed the directions towards Mangrol wherein Bhagwan scrupulously. Now Maharaj accepted Shree Swaminarayan was sitting in a

JULY-2015 • 16 him and granted him Diksha and he This was a talk about Sevakram. was known as Advaitanandji but still But do you know anything about he was popularly known as Deviwala real brother of Sevakram? Bhagwan Magniram. has given us everything. Hands and This little Leela-Charitra of legs to do things and to walk, eyes to Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan gives see everything in the world, nose to us a good message that a proud smell – it is a unique laboratory which person cannot connect himself with distinguishes foul smell and sweet Parmatma and cannot reach upto odour, and tongue to relish all types of Parmatma. So dear devotees! When tastes. Besides this, eyes , lungs, ears, we have got such a nice Bhajan, kidney are given in pairs. B h a k t i , S a t s a n g a n d d i v i n e Bhagwan has also granted us atmosphere, let us remain devout and sweet drinkable water of river and well under the directions of the scriptures and natural lakes. He has given us rendering our services to our Thakorji beautiful rains, nature, vegetation, then only these words of Brahmanand forests, flowers and trees and a Swami would be meaningful in our life: beautiful climate to live a happy life. “hMkçkMk nkuE hne hrMkÞk Mktøk, There is also arrangement of natural ßÞwt {eMkhe ÃkÞ{ktne ¼¤e....” light by Sun and at night light of the Noon. There is breezing wind to relax • us. All these things are available free of REAL BROTHER OF SEVAKRAM cost. We do not receive any bill for it. - Narayan B. Jani (Gandhinagar) If we start thinking like this, the Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan whole book would not be able to has narrated the katha of Sevakram in describe everything that we have got in 10th Vachanamrit of First Chapter. our life from our Parmatma. Many When Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan facilities and sources of joy and was performing Vicharan and was pleasure have been granted by Shree going from Tirupati Balaji towards Hari. Setuband Rameshwar, he saw a Therefore we should always Vairagi suffering from some unknown render our devout services to our d i s e a s e . B h a g w a n S h r e e Parmatma and should ever remain His Swaminarayan was very benevolent ardent devotees. and so started serving him. After services of one month by Shree Hari, Publication of Vachanamrit this Vairagi was cured of his disease. Gutko (273) in English by Kalupur Gradually he became stronger and temple was able to digest Ghee and other With the directions and blessings of heavy meals. This Vairagi thought that H.H. Shri Acharya Maharaj and with the he has got a disciple in the form of inspiration of Mahant Sadguru Shatri Shree Hari and so he started asking Swami Harikrishnadasji, our one him to do whatever he wanted. He also devotee has rendered beautiful services asked to carry his heavy luggage. He for publication of Vachanamrit Gutko did not realize that Shreeji Maharaj (273) in English and it was released on had brought him back from the Mouth the pious day by Adhik Ashadh Sud-11 of Death. Whatever was being Ekadashi by H.H. Shri Acharya Maharj brought from Bhiksha, everything was and H.H. Shri Lalji Maharaj. A copy of this being devoured by this Vairagi and Gutko will be sent at gift to each of our nothing was left for Shreeji Maharaj. temples situated in abroad. JULY-2015 • 17 BHAKTI-SUDHA

EKADASHI SATSANG SABHA accordingly we get the fruit of that tree (KALUPUR TEMPLE-HAVELI) FROM only. While sitting upon one tree we THE BLESSINGS OF H.H. SHRI cannot get the fruit of another tree. GADIWALA ‘EVERYTHING IS We are engulfed by the layers of the POSSIBLE THROUGH EFFORTS’ past, present and future which hide from us the real knowledge about Swaroop of - Compiled by Kotak Varsha Natvarlal- Bhagwan. Whatever we feel through Ghodasar Maya, we think that it is permanent. But in After receiving this human body, reality it is temporal and not permanent. Maharaj has granted us the greatest thing And it is this Maya which destroys a man. that we can make our life as per our own We become unhappy because we are not choice. But we do not make efforts. If we ready and willing to leave anything. If we make our sincere efforts, we can get what give away one hundred rupee note ( we want. Our this human body which we Rs.100) to a needy as per our desire, we have received, can be compared with do not feel like losing anything. Because Chariot, horse, reins, Sarathi and traveller. we have decided to abandon that money Our human body is like a Chariot. Our ten and we are detached mentally from it. So Indriyas are our ten horses. Our Maan is if we cherish the same attitude towards all our rein and our Buddhi is passenger i.e. worldly temporal things of this life, we shall Atma. be able to leave and abandon them very The destination is determined by Atma easily and in real sense become and direction is decided by our Buddhi and Anasakta. We should perform Bhakti of while controlling our senses the chariot of our Bhagwan while remaining Anasakta. our body is run in the direction towards the Maharaj always reminds us that, this ultimate destination. So we have to render outer world is not worthy to be cherished our devout services to our Parmatma with longer. We are happy because of our our Indriyas. We have to keep our intellect Satsang. Maharaj and our Nand Saints (Buddhi) very pious and devout and always have suffered a lot. But for us our temples, cherishing noble thoughts. We have to saints, scriptures everything is ready. attach our mind and intellect with Bhagwan What we have to do is to remain under the and this is possible through the means of directions of Maharaj. Shreeji Maharaj has our human body- chariot. So we need to given us invitation of Akshardham through keep our mind and Buddhi alert not the medium of Satsang. Maharaj has sent allowing them to be swayed away by us invitation card in the form of Satsang worldly things and affections. Because we and the whole path is described in it as to keep on running after worldly affairs at which place and how shall we can reach throughout our life. We would get the fruit of there. So choice is ours. Path is ready, the the tree we have chosen to sit upon. ultimate destination is also ready. Only Selection of the tree is our own and thing required and expected from us is a

JULY-2015 • 18 decision to take on the journey of this path. In our Indian scriptures there are many While performing ardent Bhakti we means of Moksha such as Vrata, Tapa, have to watch ourselves very carefully and Daan, Yagna, Seva, Bhakti etc. And the we have to remove all infirmities and inner best means among all these is Seva. One weaknesses from us. obtains very rare thing through Seva. • • IMPORTANCE OF SEWA JALA OF PRASADI - Sankhya Yogi Kokilaba - Patel Labhuben Manubhai (Kundal (Surendranagar) Tal. Kadi) Swaminarayan Sampradaya is a Kathlal village is situated in Kheda Sampradaya of Seva. Dear devotees! In District of Gujarat. One Brahmin lady the pious ‘Shiksha Patri’ our upasya devotee was residing in the village. She Istadev Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan was the only devotee in the whole village. has showed us the path of Sarva Jiva She was an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Hitavah in Shloka-121 : “I believe Mukti Shree Swaminarayan. One day she was (salvation) as being able to serve Lord taking out water from the well situated at Krishna as Brahmanrupa, in Goloka the outskirts of the village, Shreeji Maharaj Dhaama.” was passing by the village with saint- Shreeji Maharaj has also praised mandal. The ardent lady devotee ran at ‘Seva’ in 28th Chapter of Gadhda Middle Maharaj and performed divine Darshan Chapter. To render ardent and selfless with tears of pleasure in her eyes. She services to the devotees and Bhagwan is ardently requested Maharaj to grace her the best way to obtain pleasure of village. But as Shreeji Maharaj was in hurry Bhagwan. And to betray a devotee is to to go to Vadtal, Maharaj promised her to make Bhagwan unhappy. (28 t h grace the village next time. Vachanamrit Gadhda Middle Chapter) At this the lady devotee asked Maharaj Seva has great importance in spiritual to bless the pot of water by putting the life and therefore Bhagwan Shree finger into it. Maharaj took out the footwear Swaminarayan has narrated the and dipped the toe into the water. The lady importance of Seva at number of places. A devotee poured this water of Prasadi into true Sevak is one who is tolerant and who is the well and by drinking this Jala of Prasadi away from any name or fame. Seva is a all the villagers of the village would become bridge which connects a Bhakta with his devotee. As a result of the sincere efforts of Bhagwan. Seva comes from willingness to this ardent devotee, all the villagers of this give something selflessly. Seva is a area of the village who drank the water from yardstick of progress and success in the well have become ardent devotees and spiritual life. Right and Duty are two sides of their successors are also devotees even a coin. Samagam and Seva are two today. In this way, Shreeji Maharaj used to inseparable things. bless all the devotees and to fulfil their desires.

JULY-2015 • 19 Akhand Sabha on every Poonam in (Mahant of Kalupur temple). in memory of Vajiba On 20/05/2015 H.H. Shri Mota Maharaj With the directions and blessings of H.H. graced the concluding ritual and had Shri Acharya Maharaj and with the performed Annakut Aarti of Thakorji and aarti inspiration of the saints, Akhand Sabha is of reinvocatio of Shree Hanumanji and Shree being organized on every Poonam in Vijapur Ganpatiji Maharaj and had blessed the sabha in the memory of Vajiba. organized on the occasion. During the whole Accordingly on 04/05/2015, beautiful Mahotsav, Shree Narnarayandev Yuvak Satsang Sabha was organized in new grand Mandal and Mahila Mandal had rendered temple whose Padyatra is being performed beautiful services and the whole Mahotsav by the devotees from the villages like was conducted by Sadguru Shastri Swami V a j a p u r , S a n k a p u r a , B h i m p u r a , C h a i t a n y a s w a r o o p d a s j i . ( K o t h a r i , Ranchhodpura, Bhanpu, dhanpura, Mahadevnagar) Ganeshpura, Hirapura, Jepur, Hathipura, 54th Varshik Patotsav of Shree Khanusa, Pilvai, Veda, Manekpura, Badpura Ghanshyam Maharaj, Vadnagar nad Ishwarpura. In the Satsang Sabha, our With the direction and blessings of H.H. saints narrate Katha-Varta. In the Sabha Shri Acharya Maharaj, 54th Varshik Patotsav organized on this time, Shastri Kunjvihari of Shree Ghansyam Maharaj ofour Shree Swami had narrated beautiful Katha. At last Swaminarayan temple, Vadnagar was all devotees availed the benefit of Prasad. celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm (Shastri Swami Chaitanyaswaroopdasji) on 31/05/2015 in the pious company of H.H. Dwishatabdi Mahotsav in Shree Shri Mota Maharaj. Devotee Shri Kiritbhai Swaminarayan temple, Mahadevnagar Amrutlal Bhavsar family (Vadnagar, at With the directions and with blessings of present Mumbai) had rendered the services H.H. Shri Acharya Maharaj and with the as the host of Patotsav. Onthis occasion inspiration of Shri Dev Swami (Mahant of Shodasopchar Mahabhishek of Shree Dev Swami) and Shastri P.P. Swami Ghanshyam Maharaj, Maha Aarti and (Mahant of Gandhinagar) Dwishatabdi Annkutotsav were organized. On this Mahotsv of our Shree Swaminaryaan occasion Mahant Sadguru Shastri Swami temple, Mahadevnagar was celebrated with Harikrishnadasji of Ahmedabda temple, great fervor and enthusiasm from M a h a n t S a d g u r u S h a s t r i S w a m i 15/05/2015 to 20/05/2015. All satsangi Narayanvallabhdasji of Vadnagar and devotees had rendered their beautiful Kothari Shastri Swami Vishaprakashdasji, services during this Mahotsav. Mahant Shastri Chandraprakashdasji of O n t h i s o c c a s i o n , S h r i m a d Siddhpur, Mahant Shastri Swami Satsangibhusan Panchanh Ratri Parayan Siddheswhardasji (Mansa), Kothari Shastri was organized with Sadguru Shastri Swami Swami Narayanmunidasji (Ahmedabad) and R a m k r i s h n a d a s j i ( K o t e s h w a r ) a s Shastri Swami Ajayprasaddasji etc. saits and spokesperson. Simultaneously, ritual of Mahants had delivered their inspirational reinvocation of Shree Hanumanji Maharaj speeches. Poojari Swami Dharmkishordasji and Shree Ganpatiji Maharaj, Maruti Yagna, Guru Shastri Swami Narayanvallabhdasji 12 hour Mahamantra Dhoon etc. was offered garland by H.H. Shri Mota programmes were also organized. The Maharaj. concluding ritual of Katha was performed by Atlast H.H. Shri Mota Maharaj had Mahant Shastri Swami Harikrishnadasji blessed the host family and all the saints and

JULY-2015 • 20 devotees in the Sabha organized on the Shree Swaminarayan temple, Mansa occasion. The sabha was conducted by With the directions and blessings of H.H. S a d g u r u M a h a n t S h a s t r i S w a m i Shri Acharya Maharaj, Shastri Swami Narayanvallabhdasji. (Navinchandra M. Madhavpriyadasji had narrated Katha-Varta Modi, Vadnagar) under the guidance of Mahant Shastri Ekadashi Satsang Sabha at village Siddheshwardasji on the occasion of Jeth Bhabhar (Banaskantha) Sud-10 Shree Hari Antardhan Tithi in our With the directions and blessings of H.H. Shree Swaminarayan temple, Mansa, whose Shri Acharya 1008 Shri Koshalendraprasadji benefit was availed by large number of Maharaj and with the inspiration of Mahant devotees and Haribhaktas. (Shree Shastri Swami Harikrishnadasji of Narnarayandev Yuvak Mandal, Mansa) Ahmedabad temple, grand Satsang Sabha of Satsang Sabha in village Bore Ekadashi was organized on the pious day of With the directions and blessings of H.H. Jeth Vad-11 12/05/2015 in Jalaram temple. S h r i A c h a r y a M a h a r a j , S h a s t r i On this occasion, Kothari Shastri Swami Madhavpriyadas had narrated Katha-Varta in Narayanmunidasji of Ahmedabad Kalupur front of Haribhaktas at village Bore on Swaminarayan temple, Shastri Swami 16/06/2015. Yuvak Mandal had performed Kunjviharidasji, Sadguru Shastri Swami Dhoon-Bhajan-Kirtan on this occasion. Chaitanyaswaroopdasji (Gandhinagar) had (Yuvak Mandal-Bore) narrated importance of Dharmkul, deities Harshad Colony temple established by Dharmkul. Large number of With the directions and blessings of H.H. devotees availed the benefit of this divine Shri Laxmiswaroop Gadiwala, Akhand occasion. Akshar Nivasi devotee Mahamantra Dhoon was performed by the Narbherambhai Motirambhai Kanabar was ladies devotees from 7.00 hours in the remembered and Mahamantra Dhoonwas morning till 7.00 hours in the evening in Shree also performed. Swaminarayan temple, Harshad Colony on Shree Narnarayan Swaminarayan the occasion of Jeth Sud-10 Shree Hari Satsang, Bhabhar Mandal organizes Antardhan Tithi. Dhoon-Bhajan-Kirtan were Satsang Sabha on every Ekadashi whose also performed for 2 hours in Approach benefit is being availed by many devotees temple. (Gordhanbhai Sitapara) and Haribhaktas. (Rameshbhai N. Kanabar) Re-invocation of idol images in Shre Pratistha of Annapurneshwar Swaminarayan temple, Jarvala Mahadev, Kaliyana With the directions and blessings of H.H. Sarvopari Shreeji Maharaj has graced Shri Acharya Maharaj and H.H. Shri Mota the village Kaliyana during His Vicharan from Maharaj and with the inspiration and Kundal, Kadi, Rampura, Bhankoda etc. guidance of Sadguru Mahant Shastri Swami villages and has made it a place of Atmaprakashdasji and Shastri P.P. Swami pilgrimage. As the oldest temple of (Jetalpurdham) Murti Pratistha was Annapurneshwar Mahadev of the time of performed by H.H. Shri Acharya Maharaj in Shree Hari was in dilapidated condition, with Vedic tradition on 15/05/2015. On this the support of the villagers and devotees and occasion Shastri Swami Devswaroopdasji Haribhaktas residing in the village, the temple (Mahant of Jaipur) had narrated Katha of was completely renovated and on Jeth Sud- Shrimad Satsangijivan. All the devotees of 07 H.H. Shri Mota Maharaj had performed the village had rendered their services of ritual of Pran-Pratistha of the temple. In the mind, body and money on this divine Sabha organized on the occasion devotees occasion. Shri Dahyabhai Butiya and devotee Shri On this occasion, Mahant K.P. Swami of Bhikhabhai Kothari had obtained the Jetalpur temple, Mahant V.P. Swami of blessings by accepting garlands from H.H. Vasna Anjali temple, Shyam Swami, Shri Mota Maharaj. All the devotees of the Sadguru Shastri Bhakti Swami had made all village were blessed by H.H. Shri Mota other necessary arrangements. (Butiya Maharaj. (Arjanbhai G. Mori) Dahyabhai, Kaliyana)

JULY-2015 • 21 Satsang Sabha in Shree Swami Jagdishprasaddasji and Sadguru Swaminarayan temple, Himatnagar Shastri Swami Ghanshyamjivandasji With the directions and blessings of H.H. (Laloda), Patotsav of Shree Gopinathji Shri Acharya Maharaj, beautiful Satsang Harikrishna Maharaj of the temple was Sabha was organized on 14/06/2015 in our celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm Shree Swaminarayan temple, Himatnagar. on 30/05/2015. Saints had performed Mahant Swami Premprakashdasji and Shodasopchar Abhishek of Thakorji and H.H. Swami Krishnaprakashdasji had narrated Shri Acharya Maharaj had performed the importance of Bhagwan. Devotee Shri Annakut Aarti. Ramabhai Dahyabhai Patel (Prempura) had In the Sabha organized on the occasion, made arrangements of meals and Prasad. saints from Ahmedabad, Idar, Laloda, Torda, (R.B.Patel, Himatnagar) Vadnagar, Sapawada, Himatnagar, Satsang Sabha in Patan Pethapur, Mansa and Sokli and Sadguru With the directions and blessings of H.H. Shastri Swami Raghuvircharandasji, Shastri Shri Acharya Maharaj, beautiful Satsang Swami Harijivandasji, Shastri Swami Sabha was organized on 12/06/2015 on the Dharmapravartakdasji, Sadguru Shastri pious occasion of Yogini Ekadashi in our Swami Narayanvallabhdasji had delivered Shree Swaminarayan temple, Patan. their inspirational speeches. At last H.H. Shri On this occasion Mahant Shastri Acharya Maharaj blessed the whole Sabha. Premprakashdasji of Himatnagar temple and Kothari S.S. Swami had made beautiful Saint Mandal had narrated the importance of arrangements. The devotee Shri Revabhai Ekadashi, Shreeji Maharaj and Dharmkul. Jethabhai and devotee Shri Nareshbhai (Prakashbhai Soni, Patan) Revabhai and devotee Shri Kamleshbhai Acquisition of land at village Solaiya Revabhai Patel family had rendered the (Tal. Mansa Dist. Gandhinagar) for services as the host of this Patotsav and they construction of temple had performed poojan-arhan-aarti and With the directions and blessings of H.H. obtained the blessings of H.H. Shri Acharya Shri Acharya 1008 Shri Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj. The Sabha was conducted by Maharaj, H.H. Shri Laxmiswaroop Gadiwala, Shastri Kunjviharidasji. Services of Saint- Satsang Sabha is being performd by Parshad Mandal was very inspirational. Sankhya Yogi ladies devotees in the village (Poojari Ajayprakashdasji, Poojari Solaiya for the last three years. As a result of Kapilmunidas) such systematic sustained efforts and with MULI DESH the demand of the devotees of the village Akhand Dhoon in villages of Muli Solaiya, the land was acquired for the Desh as a part of future Dasabdi purpose of construction of temple under the Mahotsav of Shree Swaminarayan guidance of Sadguru Shatri Swami temple, Surendranagar Purushottamprakashdasji (Jetalpur) and with With the directions and blessings of H.H. the support of the devotees Chaudhary Shri Acharya Maharaj and the whole Popatbhai, Pithubhai, Govindbhai, Dharmkul and with the noble concept of Nagjibhai, Maabhai, Prahladbhai. Services of Mahant Swami of Surendranagar temple, Kothari of Balva temple and Shree various programs are being organized as a Narnarayandev Yuvak Mandal was very part of future Dasabdi Mahotsav of Shree inspirational on this occasion. (Satsang Swaminarayan temple, Surendranagar. Samaj, Solaiya) Accordingly as a part of 12 hour Shree Patotsav of Shree Swaminarayan Swaminarayan Mahamantra Akhand Dhoon temple, Idar was to be organized in 125 villages of Muli With the directions and blessings of H.H. Desh, Dhoon was organized in the following Shri Acharya Maharaj and the whole villages. Dharmkul and with the inspiration of Mahant Chuda, Halvad, Ghatila, Khakrechi,

JULY-2015 • 22 Barada and in Khakhariya Desh Dharampur, OVERSEAS SATSANG Meda, Kalyanpura villages 12 hour Akhand Shree Swaminaryaan Mahamantra Dhoon NEWS and Satsang Sabha were organized wherein Shrimad Bhagwat Panchanh Kothari Swami Krishnavallabhdasji, Shastri Parayan in Shree Swaminarayan temple, Swami Premvallabhdasji, Poojari Swami Perth (Australia) Nityaprakashdasji, Parshad Ravi Bhagat etc, With the directions and blessings of H.H. saint mandal narrated Katha of importance of Shri Acharya 1008 Shri Koshalendraprasadji Dev-Gadi-Sthan and Bhagwan whose Maharaj, H.H. Shri Mota Maharaj, Shrimad benefit was availed by large number of Bhagwat Panchanh Parayan Utsav was devotees and Haribhaktas. celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm Akhand Dhoon in Sarvopari from 03/06/2015 to 07/06/2015 in our Shree Chhapaiya Dham and Ayodhya temple Swaminarayan temple, Perth (Australia). With the directions and blessings of H.H. Devotee Shri Ravjibhai Gangji Halai family, Shri Acharya Maharaj and the whole (village Kundanpur), devotee Shri Dhanjibhai Dharmkul and as a part of future Dasabdi Nanji Halai family (village Madhapar) and Mahotsav of Shree Swaminarayan temple, devotee Shri Jagdishbhai Ravji Jesani family Surendranagar, 12 hour Akhand Shree (village Baladiya) had rendered the services Swaminarayan Mahamantra Dhoon was as the hosts of Parayan in the memory of organized in Prakatyabhumi Chhapaiya of Moksha of their Pitru and thereby using the Sarvopari Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj and in money for noble purpose, they had obtained our Shree Swaminarayan temple, Ayodhya. the pleasure of H.H. Shri Acharya Mahraj. H.H. Shri Acharya Maharaj had H . H . S h r i A c h a r y a 1 0 0 8 S h r i especially graced this occasion. Mahant Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj had graced Brahmchari Swami Vasudevanandji, P.P. this occasion and granted the benefit of Swami of Jetalpur and Mahant Dev Swami of blessings and divine Darshan for four A y o d h y a t e m p l e , K o t h a r i continuous days. On this occasion Shastri Krishnavallabhdasji, Bhaktihari Swami and Swami P.P. Swami and Shastri Swami Jishnu Swami etc. saints Haribhaktas had R a m k r i s h n a d a s j i , S h a s t r i S w a m i performed Akhand Mahamantra Dhoon in Balswaroopdasji and Shastri Swami the pious presence of Other Form of Shree Gopaljivandasji from Shree Swaminarayan Hari. (Shailendrasinh Zala) Kalupur temple Ahmedabad had arrived. Mahamantra Dhoon in Shree Shastri Swami Ramkrishnadasji was the Swaminarayan temple, Charadava in spokesperson of the Parayan. On Tuesday memory of Akshar Nivasi H.H. Shri Mota 02/06/2015, saints and devotees had Ben organized Pothiyatra with musical band in the With the inspiration of Mahant Swami temple premises and Swagat-Samaiyu of and the saints, Shree Swaminaryana H.H. Shri Acharya Maharaj was performed on Mahamantra Akhand Dhoon was organized Saturday 06/06/2015. During Parayan Shree on Jeth Vad Ekadashi to offer Shraddhanjali Krishna Janma, Bal Leela Charitra, Bharatji to Akhar Nivasi H.H. Shri Mota Ben (sister of Akhyan, Shivparvati Katha-Daksha Yagna H.H. Shri Mota Maharaj) etc. were narrated very beautifully. Beautiful On Jeth Sud-10 Akhand Dhoon was arrangements for Shangar, Prasad, Bhojan, organized on the occasion of Antardhan Titi rd decoration etc. were made during the of Shree Hari. As a part of 43 Prakatyotsav Parayan in the temple premises with the of H.H. Shri Acharya 1008 Shri support and co-operation of the devotees and Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj, Shastri Haribhaktas. (Mantri Shri Jayendrabhai Soni) Swami Nirgundasji and Mahant Swami and Assistance of our I.S.S.O. SEWA saint mandal had narrated Katha-Varta in the organization to Nepal Earthquake villages Ghanshyamnagar and Bhaktinagar. affected people (Shree Narnarayandev Yuvak Mandal, Charadava) ISSO & ISSO SEVA commit $25,000 in

JULY-2015 • 23 emergency relief to Nepal’s Earthquake locations. ISSO operates centres located in disaster. Chairman of the Board, H.H. Shri New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida, Ohio, Acharya 1008 Shri Koshalendraprasadji Michigan, Illinois, Georgia, California, Maharaj and the Executive Board of Directors Virginia, and Texas in addition to many local called on all satsangies to immediately assist chapters throughout the country. and mobilize with humanitarian aid. For further information please contact ISSO Seva will unite with Direct Relief in Vivek Brahmbhatt at allocating emergency relief to the earthquake [email protected] or Dr. region. Direct Relief has quickly mobilized Jignesh Shah at [email protected] critical supplies in coordination with Ministry WWW.ISSOSEVA.ORG & of Health (M0H) in Nepal. All ISSO centers WWW.ISSOUSA.ORG will accept designated humanitarian Shree Swaminarayan temple, donations and 100% of the funds will be Colonia solely utilized for Nepal’s disaster relief. With the directions and blessings of H.H. Additionally, FedEx has commitment to Shri Acharya Maharaj, Mahant Shastri provide a MD11 cargo plane to airlift, free-of- Swami Dharmkishordasji and Haribhaktas charge, approximately up to 100 tons of had performed Dhoon-Bhajan and Kirtan on medical materials. Direct Relief will supply the occasion of Yogini Ekadashi. Swamiji had 60 pallets of Baxter IV fluids and almost 80 narrated the importance of Ekadashi and the pallets of medicines and assorted supplies to hosts devotees were honoured with aid the response effort. garlands. Dhoon was also performed for “In response to the enormous human offering Shradhanjali to Akshar Nivasi H.H. tragedy in Nepal, Direct Relief is providing Shri Mota Ben (sister of H.H. Shri Mota emergency medical aid to the country’s Maharaj) -Pravin Shah Ministry of Health and local partners to 28th Patotsav of Shree Swaminarayan ensure that more lives are not put at risk or temple, Weehawken lost,” said Thomas Tighe, president and CEO With the directions and blessings of H.H. of Direct Relief. “ISSO Seva’s generous Shri Acharya Maharaj, 28th Patotsav of Shree support will greatly assist the humanitarian Swaminarayan temple, Weehawken was efforts now underway.” celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm ISSO-Seva is an international non-profit, on 16th May Saturday from 9.00 hours in the humanitarian organization. Our principle aim morning till 3.00 hours in the noon in the is to help individuals that are less fortunate presence of Mahant Sadguru Shastri Swami with regards to healthcare and illness, due to Atmaprakashdasji (Jetalpur), Sadguru either a lack of available medical expertise or Shastri Swami Bhaktinandandasji (Jetalpur), a result of ill-fated events such as natural Shastri Swami Yagnaprakashdasji disasters or distressed circumstances. ISSO- (Kankaria), Shastri Swami Narnarayandasji, Seva is expanding its humanitarian services S h r e e j i S w a m i , M a h a n t S h a s t r i in conjunction with our local communities. In Satsangbhushandasji, Brahm Swami, doing so, we will create an environment Shastri Dharmkishor Swami etc. saints. In the where the sick, needy, and underprivileged morning at 9.00 hours Shodasopchar can receive resources in times of crisis. Abhishek of Thakorji was performed by International Swaminarayan Satsang Shastri Swami Atmaprakashdasji and other Organisation is an international non-profit saints. In the Sabha organized on the organization of the Swaminarayan occasion Dhoon-Kirtan were performed and Sampraday. ISSO was established in 1978 all Haribhaktas had performed poojan of the and ISSO has over 50 centers outside of saints. Other dignitaries were welcomed by India. ISSO has local presence on each President Bhaktibhai, devotee Pankajbhai continent and over 25 chapters are within the and other members of the Committee. The United States of America. ISSO is registered hosts devotees were also honoured with as a NON-PROFIT organization in all garlands. Many devotees had availed the

JULY-2015 • 24 benefit of divine Group Mahapooja. Grand America, H.H. Shri Mota Maharaj had Annakut Darshan was performed at 2.00 established International Swaminarayan hours in the noon. Satsang Organization (I.S.S.O.). And M a h a n t S h a s t r i S w a m i temples have started being constructed in Atmaprakashdasji (Jetalpur) and Saint- America, New Zealand, Australia, Europe Mandal had blessed all the devotees in the and Canada and gradually our Satsang has Sabha organized on the occasion. (Pravin also developed and progressed in all these Shah) countries. For the same purpose our H.H. Chhapaiyadham Murti Pran-pratistha Shri Acharya 1008 Shri Koshalendraprasadji in Parsipenny, America Maharaj has been performing vicharan With a noble view of nourishment of our constantly in these countries and new Satsang and new temples be constructed in temples are being constructed. At present

‘Hall of Fame’ Award to our devotee Dr. Kantibhai Patel 2 June 2015. Manukau GP, businessman and community stalwart Dr Kantilal Patel is the latest inductee into the Indian Hall of Fame. Prime Minister John Key inducted Dr Patel into the hall of fame at last week’s award ceremony held in Auckland at the Langham Hotel. The event also attracted several other high profile politicians: Sam Lotu-Iiga, Jami-Lee Ross, Winston Peters, Phil Goff and David Shearer. Dr Patel is founding director of Nirvana Health Group, which began as a solo GP practice in Otara in 1977 and is now the largest private, clinician-owned network of general practices in New Zealand. A Distinguished Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners,a founding member of the WONCA (World Organisation of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of Family Physicians), a Queen’s Service Medal recipient for services to medicine and the Indian Community, Dr Patel is also a founding trustee of New Zealand’s first mainstream Primary Health Organisation: Total Healthcare Charitable Trust. To his credit, Nirvana and its medical providers like East Tamaki Healthcare have a string of business, innovation and strategy awards as well as recognition from the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust as an organisation which embraces diversity. A founding trustee of the BharitiyaMandir temple in Balmoral, chair of the International Swaminarayan SatsangOrganisation, Dr Patel also built the Hindu Temple in Papatoetoe. Despite the long list of accolades, awards and achievements, Dr Patel is humbled by his induction into the Indian Hall of Fame. “For me, having recognition for this award is extremely gratifying. Our profession is extremely tough, and I would not be here without my patients, my partners and my clinical leaders.These people, for whom I am so deeply grateful for their trust, hard work and more so their commitment to service, are the true heroes,” Dr Patel says. “But actually I thought this award is most deserved for my wife Ranjna. We had completely different upbringing. We spoke different, sounded different, but not once in the 42 years of marriage has she made me feel different as she worked with my strengths and weaknesses. What Ranjna has achieved as an individual is impressive. She is a true rock to me, my family and Nirvana. “I am very proud to be associated with many Indian New Zealanders who are working in thecommunity. I am grateful to this beautiful country for having provided me and my family a safe, rewarding and enriching life. I will continue to do whatever I can to serve those of need, and bring whatever skills I can to the development of a better community.” The Indian Hall of fame is designed to honour members of the Indian community who have made significant achievements in New Zealand, and as such have contributed positively towards the progress of this nation.The event is run by the Indian Weekender.

JULY-2015 • 25 every year 2-3 new temples are being the saints. In Tridinatmak Mahavishnu Yaag, constructed in America. the host devotees had availed the benefit of A c c o r d i n g l y o n c o m p l e t i o n o f aarti in the pious presence of H.H. Shri construction of grand temple in Parsipenny of Acharya Maharaj. New Jersey in America grant Murti Pratistha On Sunday 24th May 2015 H.H. Shri Mahotsav was organized from 17th to 24th May Acharya Maharaj performed Shodasopchar 2015. On this occasion Shrimad Bhagwat Abishek of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan Katha was organized. On the first day on and other deities and had also performed Sunday grand Pothiyatra was organized in Pran-Pratistha aarti whose divine Darshan the pious presence of H.H. Shri Acharya was performed by thousands of Haribhaktas. Maharaj, H.H. Shri Binduraja, Shri Saumya On this occasion beautiful Raas-Garba Kumar, Shri Suvrut Kumar, and Dharmkul were organized. In the Sabha organized on and among the sains Shastri Swami the occasion, the Mayor, Councillor and other Atmaprakashdasji (Jetalpur) and saints and dignitaries as well as host devotees were Mahant of our I.S.S.O. Chapters and honoured. New book and CD were also spokesperson Shri Yogendrabhai Bhatt and launched by H.H. Shri Acharya Maharaj on the host family. A grand gold and silver this divine occasion. At last all the devotees studded throne was offered in front of and Haribhaktas obtained the blessings of Vyaspith. Aarti was performed by the host H.H. Shri Acharya Maharaj, performed divine families. Thousands of devotees used to Darshan of Annakut Darshan and availed the avail the benefit of Katha in the pious benefit of Mahaprasad. (Pravin Shah) presence of H.H. Shri Acharya Maharaj and

For whole Satsang Samaj With great pleasure it is informed to the whole Satsang Samaj that Sadhu Sadgundasji Guru Sadguru Dhyani Swami Hariswaroopdaji, Sadhu Dharmsutpriyadasji Gru Sadguru Dhyani Swami Hariswaoopdasji and Sadhu Paropkardasji Guru Sadguru Dhyani Swami Hariswaroopdasji- all the three saints who were residing in Vadtal Shree Laxminarayandev Desh have now become the citizen of Shree Narnarayandev Desh as now they have settled in Ahmedabad Shree Narnarayandev Desh.

AKSHARVAAS Aksharvaas of H.H. Shri Mota Bahen– Rajendrakumari Ratnakar Mishra (H.H. Shri Mota Bahen, and Sister of H.H. Shri Mota Maharaj and faiba (aunty) of H.H. Shri Acharya 1008 Shri Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj) has passed away to Akshardham on Jeth Vad-09 (11/06/2015) while chanting the name of Shree Hari. Gozaria (Meuvala)– Devotee Shri Ghanshyambhai RAsilal Bhavsar (Administrator of Shree Narnarayandev Yuvak Mandal, Gozaria) passed away to Akshardham on 04/06/2015 while chanting the name of Shree Hari. Bhabhar (Banaskantha) - Devotee Shri Narbherambhai Motirambhai (Dev Kapdivala) (father of the devotee Shri Rameshbhai Kanabar) passed away to Divine Abode of God on 09/02/2015 while chanting the name of Shreeji Maharaj. Kalol (native Mokhasan)– Devotee Shri Pravinbhai Shankarbhai Patel (active member of Kalol (Panchvati) temple and 42 Gol Samaj) has passed away to Akshardham on 09/04/2015 while chanting the name of Shri Hari during Padyatra to Shree Prabha Hanumanji Maharaj of Jamiyatpura.

Editor, Printer and Publisher : Mahant Shastri Swami Harikrishnadasji for Shree Swaminarayan Temple Kalupur, Ahmedabad. Printed at Shree Swaminarayan Printing press, Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Kalupur, Ahmedabad (GUJARAT) Pin-380 001 and Published at and for Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Kalupur, Ahmedabad (GUJARAT) Pin-380 001.

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