April-May 2011 Annual Subscription ` 60/- Darshan of Murtis: Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bodeli

SPECIAL ISSUE

Bhagwan Swaminarayan (L) and Gunatitanand Swami Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj

Brahmaswarup Pragji Bhakta Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj

Shri Harikrishna Maharaj (L) and Shri Radha-Krishna Dev Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj Pragat Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj This Special Issue was prepared from Swamishri’s Vicharan report in Gujarati by Sadhu Priyadarshandas and translated by Sadhu Vivekjivandas and Sadhu Amrutvijaydas. Photos by BAPS Multimedia team. April-May 2011, Vol. 34 Nos. 4-5

SPECIAL ISSUE

Intricate carvings of mandir, Bodeli Night scene of mandir, Godhra CONTENTS Bhagavad Gita BAPS Festivals 4 Adhyay 2: Brãhmi Stithi Yoga 46 Pushpadolatsav – Festival of Colours, Distinction between body and atma... Sarangpur, 20 March 2011 BAPS Mandir: Bodeli BAPS News 8 BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Bodeli 50 Parshad & Bhagvati Diksha Ceremo- 10 Murti-Pratishtha Celebration, Bodeli nies, Sarangpur BAPS History 52 Tenth Anniversary Celebrations at 16 Bodeli and Godhra Tribal Regions, BAPS Sanskardhams, Ahmedabad Satsang Timeline 53 BAPS Helps Victims of Disaster in 18 Satsang History of Bodeli and the Tanzania Tribal Region 54 Murti-Pratishtha Celebrations 55 Dental Health Checks for Children BAPS Mandir: Godhra 56 Celebrating Women: Managing Chal- 22 Murti-Pratishtha Celebration, Godhra lenges, Inspiring Change, Interna- 28 BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Godhra tional Women’s Day 2011 BAPS History 56 Education Seminar 29 Satsang in the Panchmahal Region 57 BAPS Youth Becomes Youth Chancellor 34 Transformation of Tribals of UK 2011, London 41 Dedication of BAPS Volunteers, Bodeli and Panchmahal Regions Website: www.baps.org 44 BAPS Tribal Activities in Gujarat, E-mail: [email protected] An Overview

Founder: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, SUBSCRIPTION RATES Editor: Sadhu Swayamprakashdas, Outside India (By Air Mail) India Contributors: Sadhu Vivekjivandas, Sadhu Amrutvijaydas, Rupees Pounds US Dollars Rupees Designer: Sadhu Shrijiswarupdas 1 Year 630 9 14 60 Published & Printed by: Swaminarayan Aksharpith, Shahibaug, 2 Years 1300 18 28 110 Ahmedabad–380 004. India. 3 Years 1900 27 42 160

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 3 BHAGAVAD GITA: Gujarati: Sadhu Bhadreshdas (Shad Darshan Acharya, Ph.D., D.Litt.); Translation: Sadhu Paramvivekdas ADHYÃY 2 BRÃHMI STHITI YOGA Part 4

hy is there no end to our miseries? patience to attain complete knowledge. Why can we not experience Furthermore, sometimes false knowledge is Weverlasting happiness? The answer believed to be true knowledge. For example, we is simple – a lack of some basic understanding. believe that which is not the atma to be the atma. We still remain ignorant of the very things That which causes misery has started to seem that truly need to be known. For example, we pleasurable. The sources of true happiness have do not understand the difference between the become unknown to us. We have taken a likening perishable and the eternal. We are unable to to uncertainty and want to settle in it. We believe discriminate between that which has a beginning the perishable to be eternal, and we do not accept and that which has been since eternity. We are that which is truly eternal to be so. Only physical unable to differentiate between that which has an enjoyment is accepted by the mind. We cannot end and that which does not. rise above logic; we ﬁ rmly believe that it is Moreover, whatever we do know is in fact impossible to do so. As a result of this, we remain only partial knowledge. We do not understand engrossed in our bodies and everything related it properly and fully as it is. On obtaining basic to them. We have become comfortable in them. information, we feel that we have gained complete Now we do not want to leave them. We do not knowledge of the matter. We even think about leaving them. Talks of the body do not even have the being perishable seem useless. In this way, our ignorance, incomplete knowledge and false beliefs are the roots of our misery, but we do not realize this. Instead we cry for sympathy saying that there is no end to our miseries and that a cloud of problems constantly looms above our heads. This is our current situation. But this situation is not permanent, it can be changed, there is no doubt about it. We can experience this on contemplating on the precepts of the Bhagavad Gita

SANKHYA JNAN With the words, ‘Klaibyam mã sma gamaha pãrtha’ – ‘O Parth, do not be a coward’ (Gita 2.3). Krishna, Parth’s charioteer, gave him a dose of courage. But without a little understanding, talks of courage alone cannot win the ﬁ ght. Only in an

4 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 intellect which has mature understanding does reason is our belief that we are the body. courage gain the stamina to spread its infl uence. This belief is the king of all ignorances. To Therefore, Shri Krishna then decides to give believe one’s body to be the atma is known as an understanding of some basic, philosophical dehatmabhav. This is a type of madness that can principles. be compared with someone living in a house This explanation is known as sankhya jnan. believing himself to be the house. This is the ‘Sankhya’ means true and complete. Here, sankhya pitiful situation of a bird who believes itself jnan has been presented to Arjuna by clarifi cation to be the cage. Since time eternal, such a false on what is atma and what is not. understanding has taken fi rm control over us, and we have become accustomed to being its THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BODY slave. AND THE ATMA Therefore, today’s most urgent need is a “Who are you?” Bhagwan Swaminarayan change of control. We must be courageous. The asked a young boy. only choice is to discard this belief of being the “A Harijan,” the boy replied, referring to his body and realize the true knowledge of one’s caste. atma. There is no room for feelings of inferiority “No, you are not a Harijan, you are atma. Now or cowardice in this matter. The Gita teaches say ‘I am atma’ ” said Bhagwan Swaminarayan, us how to develop this control of atmajnan in a explaining the boy’s true identity to him. simple manner. “I am atma,” repeated the boy obediently. Although Arjuna is in fact brave, he has Bhagwan Swaminarayan was pleased, yet to been attacked by cowardice born from dehbhav verify, he once again asked, “Who are you?” (believing one’s true self to be the body). He has “A Harijan.” therefore suffered a decline and is confused. Shri “No, not a Harijan, you are atma. Therefore Krishna now teaches him the method of getting say ‘I am the atma’ ” Bhagwan Swaminarayan the atma into power. First of all, with simple again instructed him. analogies, he explains how the body and atma are The boy did so. separate in form and entity. “Now, who are you?” asked Bhagwan Shri Krishna Bhagwan says, ÒÎðçãUÙôùçS×Ù÷ ØÍæ Swaminarayan ÎðãðU ·¤õ×æÚ¢U ØõßÙ¢ ÁÚUæÐ ÌÍæ ÎðãUæ‹ÌÚUÂýæçŒÌÏèüÚUSÌ˜æ Ù ×ésïçÌHÓ – “A Harijan,” came the reply. ‘Dehino’smin yathã dehe kaumãram yauvanam jarã, Then Bhagwan Swaminarayan made the tathã dehãntaraprãptirdheerastatra na muhyati.’ – boy said ‘I am atma’ a hundred times. The boy ‘Just like the atma, which is the controller of the had the sentence memorized. Finally Bhagwan body, passes through the stages of childhood, Swaminarayan asked, “Who are you?” The boy young age and old age in this body, it similarly said, “Because you say so, I am atma, but, in attains other bodies as well, the wise are not reality, I am a Harijan.’ distraught by this’ (Gita 2.13). This is the result of believing oneself to be the Here, the words ‘Dehino’smin yathã dehe’ clearly body. show that the deha – body, and the dehi that which It is obvious that a person living in a house resides in the body, the atma, are distinct from is separate from the house. No one says that the each other. Our bodies change, but our atma does owner of a chariot and the chariot itself are one. not. This difference has been shown here with Everyone knows that a bird is separate from its the principle of punarjanma. The analogy given cage. The same applies to the atma and the body, is of the changes that take place in our bodies. yet we fi nd it hard to understand. Why? The The body is born and the rise and fall of various

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 5 stages commences. Childhood begins and slowly Shriji Maharaj replied, “The jiva has a diminishes as adolescence sets in. Before we misconception in that it does not believe itself even know it, old age eclipses the radiance of our to be the jivatma, i.e., distinct from the body; youth, and ﬁ nally death swallows old age. This instead, it believes itself to be the body. To cycle of change is continuous, but in this cycle illustrate how the body clings to the jivatma, of change, the atma remains the same. When we consider a person who wears a dagli after are reborn, a new atma is not born, but the same having it sewn by a tailor. That person then atma that was in the previous body attains a new begins to believe, ‘The tailor is my father and body. the tailor’s wife is my mother.’ Such a person Krishna implies, ‘O Arjuna! It is just as natural would be considered a fool. In the same manner, to obtain a new birth as it is to pass through the the jivatma is given a dagli in the form of this phases of childhood, youth and old age. You are body, which is born sometimes to a Brahmin courageous, but now become wise too. Do not couple; sometimes to a low-caste couple; or in grieve on seeing the bodies of your relatives die any of the 8.4 million life forms. Therefore, a opposite you in war.’ person who believes the body to be his true self Krishna then gives another analogy. Òßæâæ¢çâ and believes the parents of that body to be his Áè‡ææüçÙ ØÍæ çßãUæØ ÙßæçÙ »ëã÷U‡ææçÌ ÙÚUôùÂÚUæç‡æÐ ÌÍæ àæÚUèÚUæç‡æ çßãUæØ own parents is called a fool,… Therefore, as Áè‡ææü‹Ø‹ØæçÙ â¢ØæçÌ ÙßæçÙ ÎðãUèHÓ ‘Vãsãnsi jeernãni yathã long as a person believes the body to be his true vihãya navãni gruhnãti naro’parãni, tathã shareerãni self, his entire understanding is totally useless” vihãya jeernãnyanyãni samyãti navãni dehee.’ – ‘Just (Vachanamrut, Gadhada I 44). like a person throws away old clothes and adorns Shri Krishna Bhagwan explains the difference new ones, similarly, the dehi, i.e., the atma, that between the body and the atma to Arjuna saying, resides in this body, leaves an old body and Ò¥‹Ìß‹Ì §×ð ÎðãUæ çÙˆØSØô€ÌæÑ àæÚUèçÚU‡æÑÐ ¥ÙæçàæÙôùÂý×ðØSØ ÌS×æÎ÷ attains a new one’ (Gita 2.22). ØéhKSß ÖæÚUÌHÓ – ‘Antavanta ime dehã nityasyoktãhã Krishna has given an analogy of something as shareerinaha, anãshino’prameyasya tasmãd natural as changing our clothes, a daily process. yuddhyasva Bhãrata.’ – ‘O Arjuna, the bodies of No one believes themselves to be their clothes, this indestructible imperishable eternal atma are and if they do, they are considered mad. The destructible, therefore ﬁ ght’ (Gita 2.18). body is just a cloth, and the atma, distinct from One is destructible, the other indestructible. the cloth, is one who wears it. We should also He shows their diversity by highlighting their take a look at these words from a grammatical inherent qualities. point of view. ‘Naraha’(person) and ‘dehee’ (body) He also gives a detailed explanation of the are both singular, whereas ‘vasansi’ (clothes) and form of the atma. ‘shareerani’ (bodies) are both plural. Therefore just as a single person adorns many clothes one THE FORM OF THE ATMA after another, similarly a single atma attains many Shri Krishna Bhagwan says, ÒÙ ÁæØÌð ç×ýØÌð ßæ bodies one after the other. ·¤Îæç¿‹ÙæØ¢ Öêˆßæ ÖçßÌæ ßæ Ù ÖêØÑÐ ¥Áô çÙˆØÑ àææEÌôùØ¢ ÂéÚUæ‡æô Ù ãU‹ØÌð Parabrahman Purushottam Bhagwan ãU‹Ø×æÙð àæÚUèÚðUHÓ – ‘Na jãyate mriyate vã kadãchinnãyam Swaminarayan has mentioned the same point bhootvã bhavitã vã na bhooyaha, ajo nityaha with a different perspective. A Brahmin named shãshvato’yam purãno na hanyate hanyamãne Vala Dhruv of the village Vaso asked Bhagwan shareere.’ – ‘The atma is never born nor does it Swaminarayan, “Maharaj, how can the feelings die. Similarly, it is not re-created to come into of I-ness and my-ness towards one’s body and existence. Since, the atma is not born, eternal, its relations be eradicated?” imperishable, it has existed since time eternal

6 SwaminarayanSwamminararayann BlissBliss  April-MayAprili -May 20112011 and does not die even though the body dies’ disappear. The atma’s effect is similar. (Gita 2.20). In this way, the Gita makes us conscious of our It is as though the knowledge of the atma true form by showing us the difference between proclaimed in the Kathopanishad is echoed here. the body and the atma by referring to the eternal The words of the Kathopanishad are, ÒÙ ÁæØÌð ç×ýØÌð and the perishable. ßæ çßÂçp‹ÙæØ¢ ·é¤Ìçp‹Ù ÕÖêß ·¤çpÌ÷Ð ¥Áô çÙˆØÑ àææEÌôùØ¢ ÂéÚUæ‡æô Ù ãU‹ØÌð This principle has been imbibed in society ãU‹Ø×æÙð àæÚUèÚðU HÓ – ‘Na jãyate mriyate vã vipashchinnãyam through a nice story. kutashchinna babhoova kashchit, ajo nityaha Once, there was a lion cub. Somehow it went shãshvato’yam purãno na hanyate hanyamãne astray from its parents and came across a herd shareere ’ (Kathopanishad 2.18). of sheep. The shepherd let it join the herd and Moreover, O Arjuna, the nature of that atma named it Lindiyo. Lindiyo grew up amongst the is, ÒÙñÙ¢ çÀU‹Îç‹Ì àæS˜ææç‡æ ÙñÙ¢ ÎãUçÌ Âæß·¤ÑÐ Ù ¿ñÙ¢ €ÜðÎØ‹ˆØæÂô Ù àæôáØçÌ sheep. Wherever he looked, there were sheep. ×æL¤ÌÑHÓ – ‘Nainam chhindanti shastrãni nainam dahati He became comfortable amongst them, and the pãvakaha, na chainam kledayantyãpo na shoshayati sheep also accepted the cub. They began to play mãrutaha.’ – ‘It cannot be cut with weapons, it together and eat together. The sheep taught cannot be burnt with fi re, it cannot be wetted Lindiyo to sing and dance as they did. Lindiyo with water, and it cannot be dried by the wind’ began to enjoy himself. Slowly his complete (Gita 2.23). behaviour became like that of a sheep. He The reason, Ò¥‘ÀðUlôùØ×÷ ¥ÎæsïôùØ×÷ ¥€ÜðlôùàæôcØ °ß completely forgot he was a lion. The language ¿Ð çÙˆØÑ âßü»ÌÑ SÍæ‡æéÚU¿ÜôùØ¢ âÙæÌÙÑHÓ – ‘Achchhedyo’yam of the sheep became his language. Rather than adãhyo’yam akledyo’shoshya eva cha, nityaha being able to give a roar that would shake the sarvagataha sthãnurachalo’yam sanãtanaha.’ – ‘The whole area, Lindiyo would now himself shudder atma cannot be cut, burnt or wetted. The atma like the sheep on hearing the roar of a lion. He is ever-existing, it pervades the body it resides completely believed himself to be a sheep. in through its jnanshakti. It is unchangeable, As time passed by, one day, a lion, travelling immovable and eternal (Gita 2.25). fearlessly through the jungle came there. He Ò¥ÃØ€ÌôùØ×÷ ¥ç¿‹ˆØôùØ×÷ ¥çß·¤æØôüùØ×÷ ©U‘ØÌðÐ ÌS×æÎðß¢ saw the fl ock of sheep, and on seeing the baby çßçÎˆßñÙ¢ ÙæÙéàæôç¿Ìé×ãüUçâHÓ – ‘Avyakto’yam achintyo’yam lion amongst them, he was amazed. The lion he avikãryo’yam uchyate, tasmãdevam viditvainam saw did not have a charisma like that of a king nãnushochitumarhasi.’ – ‘This atma is said to be of the jungle, nor did he have pride in his walk, inexpressible, unthinkable and unchanging. but was overcome with fear instead. Seeing this, Therefore, realizing the atma to be as such, it is the lion immediately realized that this young not appropriate for you to grieve (Gita 2.24). lion had forgotten his true identity. He decided Moreover, Ò¥çßÙæçàæ Ìé ÌÎ÷ çßçh ØðÙ âßüç×Î¢ ÌÌ×÷Ð to jog his memory. He ran towards the fl ock çßÙæàæ×ÃØØSØæSØ Ù ·¤çpÌ÷ ·¤Ìéü×ãüUçÌHÓ – ‘Avinãshi tu tad viddhi of sheep. The fl ock began to fl ee. Lindiyo, too, yena sarvamidam tatam, vinãshamavyayasyãsya na began to fl ee, but before he could get far, he was kashchit kartumarhati.’ – ‘Know that atma which caught by the lion. All the sheep thought that pervades the entire body through its jnanshakti, Lindiyo’s end had come. Lindiyo, too, was sure to be indestructible’ (Gita 2.17). that the lion would tear him up and eat him. But It is due to this pervasiveness that the body instead, the lion began to explain to him, “Son, feels alive And so we are able to experience you are a lion like me. We are the kings of the the red glow and heat of a heated iron ball. We jungle.” Saying this much, the lion took him to a know that the red colour and heat is not its own; nearby lake and showed Lindiyo his refl ection. if the heat is removed then these attributes will (contd. on p. 58)

April-MayApril-MMay 201120011  SwaminarayanSwS amminaraayyan BlissBliss 7 BAPS MANDIR: BODELI BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Bodeli

Bodeli (Sub-district:Sankhed), is regarded as the eastern gateway to the Vadodara district of Gujarat. Situated on the banks of River Orsang, the mandir is actually located on the outskirts of Chachak village, which is a part of the Pavi-Jetpur sub-district. However, to the native residents, the villages of Chachak, Alipura, Dhokalia and Bodeli are so intertwined that the region is known as Bodeli.

Lunavada

Ahmedabad PANCHMAHAL Godhra Dahod Piplod Kalol Ghoghamba Vadodara Chhota- Bodeli Udepur

Bharuch

Ukai Surat

Tithal

Silvassa

8 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 MANDIR FACTS  On outer side of kakshasan (the back support The new BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in of the seats aligning the parikrama wall) Bodeli is located amid 12 acres of lush green are 50 episodes from the life of Bhagwan surroundings and has the following features: Swaminarayan carved out of stone, together  Jaisalmer Stone used: 42,000 cu.ft. with a description of each incident.  Height: 67.5 feet, width: 90 feet, length: 168  Central Shrine: Bhagwan Swaminrayan, feet. Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami;  5 shikhars, crowned with kalashes and fl ags. Left: Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, Shri Radha-  Ghummat (main dome) and 20 ghummatis Krishna Dev; Right: Shri Ghanshyam (secondary domes) topped with kalashes Maharaj. and fl ags.  Parikrama: Shrines of Bhagatji Maharaj,  Ceilings: 30, designs include: Akshar Deri, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj, Pramukh fl owers, ocean waters, lotuses. Swami Maharaj, Sita-Rama-Hanumanji;  Pillars: 122, decorated with 108 statuettes of Parvati-Shankar-Ganapatiji, Nilkanth Varni India’s rishis, sages and devotees. Abhishek Murti.   Torans: 133.

Main Dome

Jharukho (Balcony) Mandir Parikrama (Circumambulatory path)

April-May 2011  SwaminarayanSwaminarayan Bliss 9 Murti-Pratishtha Celebration BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Bodeli, Gujarat 6-7 & 12 March 2011

Pre-prati shtha ceremony

10 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 The murti-pratishtha celebrations and opening of thee newly built shikharbaddh BAPS Swaminarayan Mandirndir in Bodeli, marked a historic occasion for the tribal regiongion of central Gujarat. The two-day celebrations, including a yagna, nagaryatra and murti-pratishtha, were the climax of many years of effort by Pramukhh Swami Maharaj, sadhus and devotees. The following is a brief report of these celebrations.

Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 11 SWAMINARAYAN MAHAYAGNA FOR WORLD PEACE: 6 March 2011 The Swaminarayan Mahayagna for World Peace, marked the beginning of the celebrations. At the designated auspicious time of 8.15 a.m. on Fagun sud 2, V.S. 2067 (6 March 2011), the Swaminarayan Mahayagna for World Peace began with the chanting of Vedic mantras by the Brahmin priests. Senior sadhus, Mahant Swami, Doctor Swami, Kothari Swami, Ishwarcharan Swami, Viveksagar Swami and others presided over the preliminary rituals. The meticulous arrangements for the yagna had been made by youths of Pavi-Jetpur, Ratanpur, Yagna for World Peace in which 3,210 couples parti cipated around 328 yagna kunds Navsadi, Vadodara, Bharuch, Simaliya, Rajpardi, Rajpipla, Ankleshwar and Vaghra. GRAND NAGARYATRA: The devout feelings of the tribal residents 6 March 2011 of this area, who had laboured intensely for After the conclusion of the Swaminarayan the making of the mandir and participated in Mahayagna for World Peace, the grand nagaryatra the yagna, were demonstrated by the fact that through the streets of Bodeli began at 4.00 p.m. this was the largest yagna ever organized by Mahant Swami and Kothari Bhaktipriya BAPS. Swami performed the fl agging off rituals, as A giant 380 x 300 ft canopied area was erected sadhus recited Vedic mantras. on the grounds adjacent to the BAPS Mandir. A The procession stretched for over 1.25 km and total of fi ve main and 328 regular yagna kunds featured many aspects: were set up for the 3,210 couples participating in  Youths carrying murti-pratishtha banner. the yagna rituals. To guide them, 175 experienced  Shriji Band playing bhajan tunes, with Brahmins were engaged throughout the yagna adivasi (tribal) youths dancing. arena.  Traditionally dressed adivasi devotees from On this occasion, tribal participants who ate various villages performing traditional meat and hunted animals took pledges to become dances. Their energetic dancing refl ected vevegetariangeg ta and stop hunting. their devotion to Parabrahman Bhagwan TThey accepted kanthis and Swaminarayan and guru Pramukh Swami ttook the refuge of Bhagwan Maharaj. SSwaminarayan.  50 youths on motorcycles, waving BAPS On the main stage at the front fl ags. ooff ththe yagna arena, the murtis to be  25 adivasi devotees bearing fi re torches. coconsecratednse in the mandir were in-  5 mounted horse riders, performing stallestalled,d resplendent in beautiful gar- exercises. mments,ents, garlands and ornaments. The  30 adivasis in traditional peacock-feather murtis fforor the new BAPS hari mandirs in costumes, performing special dances. VardVardhihi and Naj were also arranged on  Sadhus seated in decorated horse carriages. stastage.ge. OOver 14,000 devotees had dar-  Devotees of Badalpur on a decorated tractor, shashann oof the mahayagna. singing bhajans in their special style.  Murtis of Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj and Shri Nilkanth Varni on the Hans Rath

12 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 Thousands of children, teenagers and elders joyously parti cipated in the grand, colourful procession of the murti s through the streets of Bodeli. Below: Akshar-Purushott am ﬂ oat

(Swan Float). decorated fl oat .  Children of Vadodara Bal Mandal  Women devotees seated on decorated performing traditional dances. tractors.  Sadhus on decorated tractors singing  In the middle of the procession, adivasi bhajans. youths formed 20-ft high pyramids, with  12 adivasi youths clad in traditional red, the topmost person showering fl ower green, yellow costumes with tumbdis petals in all directions. attached at the waist and headgear of horns, playing regional instruments. Thousands of onlookers lined the 4-km route,  Murtis of Shastriji Maharaj and Pramukh reveling in the colour, joy, music, dancing and Swami Maharaj on the Guru Parampara devotion of the occasion. Rath, on which Mahant Swami and Kothari In the evening assembly, everyone who had Swami were seated. supported and contributed to the building of the  Murtis of Bhagatji Maharaj and Yogiji mandir was felicitated by Mahant Swami and Maharaj on a separate decorated fl oat. Kothari Swami. Finally, Divyaswarup Swami  Adivasis dancing to the tune of regional gave the vote of thanks. instruments called khareks.  Murtis of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj on PRE-PRATISHTHA RITUALS: the Mayur Rath (Peacock Float). 7 March 2011  Youths, on tractor, dressed in costumes of With the blessings of Pramukh Swami deities such as Shri Krishna, Shri Rama, Maharaj and according to his instructionsinstructions,, Shri Hanumanji, Shri Vishnu, Shri Shivji, thehe senior sadsadhushus pperformederformed tthehe and others. VedVedicic riritualstuals to ininstallstall the murtis.  Group of Uda Bhagat on tractor singing.  Koli Band group.  Women devotees carrying pothis (shastras wrapped in red cloth) and the auspicious kalash and shrifal on their heads.  Women singing bhajans and performing dances.  Murtis of Ram, Sita, Hanumanji on

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 13 From early morning, the divine atmosphere of lively traditional adivasi dance, enthralling the the occasion was palpable to all. At 7.30 a.m., the entire assembly. senior sadhus performed abhishek of the murtis in Following this were speeches by Doctor all the shrines. Swami and Mahant Swami in which they At 8.30 a.m. the auspicious Vedic mahapuja explained the spiritual signiﬁ cance of mandirs. rituals to install the murtis began. Senior sadhus Finally, Divyaswarup Swami, who for over performed the rituals as experienced Brahmins, 30 years has toured in this region under harsh Shri Ghanshyambhai Shastri, Shri Mukeshbhai and demanding conditions, narrated inspiring Shastri and others, recited the Vedic verses. incidents from Swamishri’s extensive vicharan Leading devotees, seated under the main mandir in this area over the years. Then, he appreciated dome also participated in the mahapuja rituals. everyone who had supported the mandir Thereafter, the Vedic invocation rituals were building project. performed by senior sadhus: Central Shrine – Since 2005, the women devotees of this region Mahant Swami, Ghanshyam Maharaj – Kothari had devoutly observed a wide range of special Swami, Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and Shri niyams for the successful completion of the Radha-Krishna Dev – Ishwarcharan Swami, mandir project. Nilkanth Varni – Doctor Swami; Bhagatji Following these preliminary rituals, Pramukh Maharaj – Viveksagar Swami, Shastriji Maharaj Swami Maharaj arrived in Bodeli on 12 March – Ghanshyamcharan Swami; Yogiji Maharaj – 2011. At 4.15 p.m. he performed the Vedic murti- Devcharan Swami and Akshaymuni Swami, pratishtha rituals and invoked the divine presence Pramukh Swami Maharaj – Divyaswarup Swami; of God and other deities in the murtis. Thereafter, Ram, Sita, Hanumanji – Narayanbhushan Swami; Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha arti in Shiv, Parvati, Ganapatiji – Nirgundas Swami. all three main shrines. Swamishri then offered All the arrangements for these Vedic mantra-pushpanjali to the murtis including the rituals were made under the supervision of guru-parampara and other deities. Swamishri Shrutiprakash Swami and Anirdesh Swami. also performed the murti-pratishtha arti of While the Vedic rituals were being performed, Nilkanth Varni abhishek murti. over 25,000 devotees had assembled in the near- Although an assembly had been organized for by canopied assembly hall. the following day, Swamishri instructed that an Following the dhun, prathana and bhajans, assembly be convened immediately. So, with the there were speeches by Narendraprasad podium outside Swamishri’s residence serving Swami (Acharya Swami), Krishnapriya Swami, as an impromptu stage, the devotees sat in the Viveksagar Swami and Ishwarcharan Swami. premises. In Swamishri’s presence, Viveksagar The stage guests included: MP for Chhota- Swami described in vivid detail the enormous Udepur, Shri Ramsinh Rathwa; former State efforts of Swamishri in nurturing satsang in this Railways Minister, Shri Narayansinh Rathwa; tribal region. Also present on this occasion was Vice President of Vadodara District Panchayat, the crown prince of Chhota-Udepur. Shri Kanubhai Rathwa; former President of Thus, Swamishri, despite frail health, Vadodara District Panchayat, Shri Ranjitbhai wholeheartedly fulﬁ lled the wishes of and Rathwa, and President of BJP in Vadodara, Shri blessed the tribal devotees of the Panchmahal Balkrishnabhai Patel. region.  Addressing the assembly, Shri Narayansinh Rathwa and Shri Ramsinh Rathwa, lauded the invaluable transformation Pramukh Swami Maharaj had brought to the lives of the adivasis. Then, the youths of Raichha performed a

14 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 Pujya Mahant Swami performs the pre-prati shtha rituals of Shri Swamishri performs the prati shtha rituals, 12 March 2011 Akshar-Purushott am Maharaj, 7 March 2011

Senior sadhus address the mammoth pre-prati shtha assembly , 7 March 2011

Thousands of devotees in the pre-prati shtha assembly , 7 March 2011

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 15 BAPS HISTORY

he phenomenal growth of Satsang Tamong the tribal people of Bodeli and Godhra regions since its inception in 1975 is a saga of herculean endeavour and divine grace. Today, 35 years later, more than 35,000 tribals have abstained from meat-eating, alcohol, addictions and other vices, and practice the principles of satsang. How did this moral and spiritual revolution begin? Swamishri performs murti -prati shtha It all began in 1966. Raisinh Rathwa, a tribal from the remained unfulfi lled. Years nondescript village of Kundal lapsed by. Raisinh, however, in the Chhota-Udepur region, regularly visited the mandir travelled to Atladra in search and he came in touch with of daily subsistence. He got Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami. employed by a company not far Thereafter he became engaged from the BAPS Swaminarayan in doing seva in the mandir. Mandir in Atladra. Out of his In 1974 Raisinh was inclination for spirituality he initiated into Satsang and was once visited the mandir. At given a kanthi from the hands that time Yogiji Maharaj was of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. on his way for darshan of the He started attending Satsang Swamishri sancti fi es the home of a deities. For Raisinh it was his shibirs (camps). In 1975 Raisinh devotee, Chuli fi rst darshan of Yogiji Maharaj. invited Yogendra Bhagat (now He was attracted to Yogiji Divyaswarup Swami) and beginning of satsang in the Maharaj’s divine personality. Sahadev Bhagat (Anandkand tribal villages of that region. There and then he wished that Swami) to Kundal, his village. The exponential growth of if Yogiji Maharaj could come Both the parshads also visited Satsang is briefl y described in to his village it would be nice other neighbouring villages the following milestone events: and elevating. But his wish for satsang. This marked the 1977: Pujya Tyagvallabh Bodeli and Godhra Tribal Regions Satsang Timeline

16 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 mandir in Kosindra (1 Feb.). 25-28 February 2003: (Ninth visit) Swamishri visited Bodeli to celebrate the Silver Jubilee celebration of satsang in the region. Shri Harikrishna Maha- raj was honoured by the tribal devotees. On 26 Feb. Swamishri performed the ground break- ing ceremony for a shikharbaddh mandir in Bodeli. 11 February 2005: (Tenth visit) Swamishri performed the

Devotees during a tribal assembly, Bodeli foundation-stone laying ceremony of the shikharbaddh man- February 1983: (Second dir in Bodeli. visit) Swamishri visited Bodeli 7 February 2011: Senior sad- again to fulfi l a devotee’s wish hus performed the preliminary and please him. pratishtha rituals of the shikhar- August 1984: (Third visit) baddh Swaminarayan Mandir in Swamishri visited Moti-Bej, Pa- Bodeli. vi-Jetpur, Jambu-Ghoda, Chho- 12 February 2011: (Eleventh ta-Udepur and Bodeli. visit) Swamishri and senior February 1986: (Fourth visit) sadhus performed the murti- Swamishri visited the tribal pratishtha rituals of shikharbad- region for two to three days. dh Swaminarayan Mandir in 1-3 February 1988: (Fifth Godhra. visit) Swamishri visited the 12 February 2011: (Eleventh village of Kosindra, Ghelpur, visit) Swamishri performed Swami travelled to Moti-Bej Jabugam, Pavi-Jetpur, Khandi- the pratishtha rituals of arti and Kundal and inaugurated ya-Amadar and others to cel- of Swaminarayan Mandir in the weekly satsang assemblies ebrate the 10th anniversary of Bodeli. for the tribal aspirants. satsang in the region. The patient and continuous 19 February 1979: (First vis- February 1992: (Sixth visit) efforts of Swamishri, sadhus it) Pramukh Swami Maharaj Swamishri visited Pavi-Jetpur. and volunteers in elevating visited the village of Sima near April 1998: (Seventh visit) the tribal regions of Bodeli and Bodeli for the fi rst time and Swamishri travelled for ten Godhra have produced unpre- sanctifi ed homes of tribals. days in the tribal villages, dur- cendented moral and spiritual In the following years BAPS ing which he consecrated two transformations of tribals who sadhus travelled in the region hari mandirs in Bodeli and were once steeped in supersti- inspiring values in the lives of Chuli. tions, addictions, looting and tribals in spite of adverse con- February 2001: (Eighth visit) killing.  ditions and severe diffi culties. Swamishri consecrated a hari

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 17 BAPS HISTORY Satsang History of Bodeli and Its Tribal Region

Tribals welcome Swamishri in Kamboi village, near Dahod Swamishri on a round of home visits in Chuli

Swamishri performs the Vedic foundati on-stone laying ceremony Swamishri blesses a tribal youth during a tribal assembly, Bodeli for Bodeli shikharbaddh mandir

State: Gujarat, District: Vadodara, Taluka: Bodeli, Town: Bodeli

odeli is the gateway to the eastern belt of the tribal region in the district of Vadodara, Gujarat. The town lies on the banks of River Orsang and on the threshold of four Bvillages and two talukas. The villages of Chachak, Alipura, Dhokaliya and Sima are so integrated with Bodeli that the area encompassing the four villages is popularly known as Bodeli. The town of Bodeli is one-and-half hours ride by car from Vadodara. In 1974 the seeds of Satsang blossomed by the blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and his sadhus. The inception of satsang in Bodeli took place through the efforts of Arvindbhai Brahmbhatt (Prof. of Physical Education in a commerce college) and Pravinbhai V. Patel (a high school teacher in Shirolavala). Arvindbhai Brahmbhatt inspired satsang in Manubhai M. Patel (Prof. in a commerce college) and Pravinbhai Patel inspired Satsang in Kanubhai Patel (of

18 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 Parikha village) and Amrutbhai Kamaliya. Akshaymuni Swami and Sanjay Parikh of the Satsang fl ourished in the region through the Sanstha’s Planning Cell and the mandir was efforts of these fi ve devotees. designed by sompura Devdattbhai Trivedi.  In 1979, Swamishri was engaged in vicharan Swamishri himself willed that the magnitude in the district of Vadodara. After blessing a and shape of the shikharbaddh mandir should be satsang assembly at Chhota-Udepur, the fi ve like the mandir in Mahelav. He also observed devotees from Bodeli requested Swamishri that the devotees in the region were anchored to sanctify their town. Swamishri visited to satsang with a spirit of sacrifi ce, devotion the home of Arvindbhai Brahmbhatt on 19 and service. On another occasion Divyaswarup February 1979. In a small satsang assembly Swami requested Swamishri to install Swamishri instructed them to start satsang impressive murtis of Thakorji in the mandir. every Sunday. Swamishri replied that he would consecrate  Swamishri visited Bodeli for the third time the abhishek murti of Nilkanth Varni which will in 1984. From then onwards the weekly at- attract thousands to the mandir. tendance in their satsang assembly increased We shall see in brief the Satsang history of to 25 members. Thereafter, for want of space, some of the many villages in the Bodeli region. the assembly was shifted from a house to the premises of a primary school. CHHOTA-UDEPUR  Day by day the momentum of satsang In 1979 Swamishri’s vicharan brought increased. Babubhai Patel of Sanand donated him to Chhota-Udepur in Vadodara district. his two acres of land to the Sanstha, and a Bachubhai Rao, a depot manager, had arranged further two acres and two factory sheds in Swamishri’s blessings for a special assembly of Bodeli were acquired. The factory sheds were his staff members. renovated into a hari mandir with a seating Thereafter the efforts of sadhus inspired capacity of 800 devotees. On 12 April 1998 satsang in the lives of many. Swamishri had Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha of once stayed at Chaganbhai Brahmbhatt’s house the hari mandir in Bodeli. The mandir further in Chhota-Udepur. Swamishri once travelled in augmented the strength of the congregation. Chaganbhai’s jeep and took interest in Rasul,  On 1 February 2001 Swamishri came to Bodeli the Muslim driver. Rasul was pleased and felt and Harikrishna Maharaj was honoured by happy at Swamishri’s care and interest. In 1984, the devotees. With the rapid growth of Sat- fi ve years later, Swamishri came to Chhota- sang Swamshri declared his wish to construct Udepur again and remembered Rasul and a shikharbaddh mandir in Bodeli. Subsequent- blessed him. ly, more land was acquired around the hari mandir to add up to 12 acres. MOTI-BEJ  On 26 February 2003 Swamishri performed The village of Moti-Bej lies in the lap of lush the bhumi-pujan (groundbreaking ceremony) hills known as Hidamb forest, where Bhim and for the proposed shikharbaddh Swaminarayan Hidimba met and got married. Mandir in Bodeli. In 1974 Raisinh Rathwa was blessed with  On 11 February 2005 Swamishri performed satsang in Atladra and he inspired satsang in the shilanyas ritual (foundation-stone laying his friend, Madhavsinh Rathwa of Moti-Bej. ceremony) of the mandir in the presence Through the visits of BAPS sadhus satsang of 20,000 tribal devotees. Thereafter the slowly fl ourished in the village. In 1979 Pujya planning and construction began under Tyagvallabh Swami inaugurated a satsang

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 19 mandal in Moti-Bej. In 1979 Swamishri visited the village and gave fi llip to satsang. Then he visited again in 1984 and held an assembly outside Madhavsinh’s house. In 1992, the 100th birthday celebration of Yogiji Maharaj was held in Dhari. To commemorate the festival 25 youths of Moti- Bej embarked upon a pilgrimage on bicycles to Dhari. Before heading for Dhari the youths went to Bochasan to receive Swamishri’s blessings. Swamishri warmly welcomed and blessed them. Then Swamishri made arrangements for lunch and told them to meet him on their way back from Dhari. On returning, they met Swamishri at Vidyanagar and invited him to come to Moti- Bej. Swamishri replied that he had been there several times. “But we were not satsangis at that time,” the youths added. Swamishri told them, “Prepare a centre [mandir] there.” The youths decided to fulfi l Swamishri’s words, Swamishri is joyously welcomed by the devotees of Chuli and they acquired six acres of land in the village. Then the devotees prepared, through people and the sadhus discoursed to them about collective efforts 100,000 bricks. The young the glory of Gunatitanand Swami and Pramukh and old pitched in, completing the hari mandir Swami Maharaj. They also invited the villagers construction in 1994. Swamishri was scheduled to visit the Bicentennial Celebrations of Gunatita- to arrive for the pratishtha but he became ill and nand Swami’s birth in Ahmedabad. The villagers sent Mahant Swami and Viveksagar Swami came and were deeply impressed by the festival, instead. Swamishri also sent a letter of regret to Swamishri, sadhus and devotees. Some even the devotees, “I desired to come there but I am served as volunteers during the festival. Thereaf- unable to do so. My mind is there. In future I ter satsang fl ourished in Chuli as the village folk will repay you by coming.” Swamishri visited became familiar with the saintliness of the sadhus Moti-Bej in 1998 and performed arti of Thakorji and their discourses. They invited Divyaswarup in the hari mandir and pleased the devotees. Swami for a satsang assembly. After the assembly the local folk started singing bhajans at about CHULI 12.30 a.m. Nimabhai (Nilkanthbhai) informed The history of how satsang began in Chuli is Divyaswarup Swami that they would go on sing- quite unique. In 1985 Divyaswarup Swami was ing till early morning, so they should take rest travelling from Devgadh Bariya to Pavi-Jetpur. and sleep for the night. Nimabhai spread a thin At dusk their car broke down at Chuli village. Hi- mattress in his 10 ft. by 10 ft. hut. The two sadhus rubhai, a tribal living on one of the nearby hills, just about managed to lie down to sleep. Between saw the sadhus in saffron clothes. He came down 3.30 to 4.00 a.m. Divyaswarup Swami awoke and requested the sadhus to stay the night there. and came out. It was freezing cold. On seeing He gave them rations of rice grains and lentils to Nimabhai and his children sleeping outside on prepare khichdi. Hirubhai assembled some local gunny bags, curled up to keep themselves warm,

20 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 Divyaswarup Swami was stunned. He brought miseries. The happiness that lies in doing his his mattress and covered Nimabhai and others. bhajan is to be found nowhere else.” In the morning when Nimabhai saw the mat- The dedicated efforts of Divyaswarup tress over them he was touched by the sadhus’ Swami, Vinamraswarup Swami, Varninath care and love for them. Gradually the sheer en- Swami, Prashantmurti Swami, Paramnayan thusiasm of the villagers inspired the sadhus to Swami and Uddhavpriya Swami are profoundly plan for a mandir there. They saw several places, refl ected in the growth of Satsang in the Bodeli but Nimabhai’s land seemed to be an ideal loca- region. tion. Nimabhai donated his 1 vigha of land for The development of Satsang in each of the the mandir. The local devotees made 100,000 hundreds of villages in the Bodeli tribal region bricks by themselves. The sadhus acquired iron, includes sanyukta mandals, mahila mandals, bal cement and other building materials in donation mandals and balika mandals. Satsang in the tribal from neighbouring businessmen. The devotees region is divided into kshetras or smaller regions of Chuli dug the foundation pit and through with each including many villages under it, the collaborative efforts of other devotees from where devotees ranging from fi ve to eighty neighbouring villages they built a hari mandir. assemble for weekly satsang. On 16 April 1998 Swamishri arrived in Chuli In all, there are 11 kshetras under Bodeli and performed the pratishtha rituals. In his region, namely, Moti-Bej (includes satsang in blessings Swamishri said, “Today [the murti 15 villages), Tejgadh (15 villages), Pavi-Jetpur of] Bhagwan has been consecrated here. This (21 villages), Chuli (14 villages), Ratanpur (19 place has become the biggest tirth in the region. villages), Chhota-Udepur (22 villages), Nasvadi You must all come here for darshan. Whatever (15 villages), Bodeli (16 villages), Kundal (15 diffi culties you encounter pray and make a wish villages), Dabhoi (19 villages) and Unchapan here and you will be relieved. Even if you offer (14 villages). a fl ower or a fruit before the murti of God you Through the blessings and efforts of have done everything. To fulfi l your wishes Swamishri, senior sadhus and others, the BAPS there is no need to sacrifi ce animals anymore. Satsang has transformed and elevated the lives Just make your wishes here. Pray to God. Even of thousands of tribals in 185 villages of the if you fold your hands before him with faith, Bodeli region.  he will be pleased. God is the liberator of all

Swamishri performs the murti -prati shtha rituals of the BAPS Swaminarayan hari mandir, Chuli hari mandir in Chuli

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 21 BAPS MANDIR: GODHRA

Murti-Pratishtha Celebration BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Godhra, Gujarat 11-12 March 2011

Swamishri and senior sadhus perform the murti -prati shtha rituals

22 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 SWAMINARAYAN MAHAYAGNA FOR WORLD PEACE: 11 MARCH 2011 A total of 1,506 devotees participated in the Swaminarayan Mahayagna for World Peace. Senior sadhus performed the initial rituals as the Vedic verses were recited by Ghanshyambhai and Mukeshbhai Shastri. There were ﬁ ve main yagna kunds, around which 42 devotees sat to perform the yagna rituals. Also, during the yagna, four children were ceremoniously invested with the janoi.

GRAND NAGARYATRA: 11 MARCH 2011 Stretching for about 1.5 km, the grand nagaryatra covered a 4-km route through the local aea in Godhra city. The procession featured many colourful, traditional and devotional presentations:  Youths carrying BAPS ﬂ ag and banners.  Musical band playing dhun and other tunes.  50 youths on motorcycles, 5 on horseback, hailing the jai nad.  Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj murtis on Mayur Rath (Peacock ﬂ oat).

Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 23 The main yagna kund for the Yagna for World Peace, Godhra The yagna mandap in which over 1,500 devotees parti cipated in the Yagna for World Peace, Godhra

 Devotees singing bhajans and dancing.  Kishoris pulling the BAPS fl oat.  Float with murti of Shri Nilkanth Varni  Adivasi women devotees singing bhajans. Mahant Swami and Kothari Swami seated  Float with murtis of Shri Ram, Sita and on this fl oat. Hanumanji.  Youths dancing.  Women devotees carrying kalashes and  Elderly sadhus on horse carriages. pothis.  Adivasi devotees performing traditional dances. From 4.00 to 6.30 p.m. the colourful and  Musical band with devotees dancing devotionally charged procession traversed joyously. through the streets of Godhra with thousands  Balaks in various attractive traditional of admiring onlookers welcoming, cheering and costumes. enjoying the spectacular view.  Sadhus on decorated tractors, singing bhajans. MURTI-PRATISHTHA CEREMONY:  Murti of Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj on rath. 12 March 2011  Bhajan and dance group of Bariya. At the auspicious time of 8.18 a.m., the murti-  Sadhus, devotees, children walking with pratishtha rituals in the Swaminarayan Mandir festive banners. in Godhra began. Swamishri arrived at 8.38  Dance group from Hathiyavas. a.m. and took his seat before the central shrine.  Decorated fl oat with murtis of Shiv, Parvati, Swamishri performed the rituals as Vedic verses Ganapatji. were being recited. At the appropriate time, the  Elderly devotees seated on decorated doors of all the mandir shrines were opened and tractors. the invocation ceremony began in Swamishri’s  Women devotees carrying celebration ban- presence. As Swamishri attentively looked on ners and young girls carrying auspicious with folded hands, the senior sadhus performed kalashes. the rituals on his behalf inside the shrines:  Float with murtis of Shri Harikrishna Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj (central shrine) – Maharaj and Shri Radha-Krishna Dev. Mahant Swami; Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj – Ko-

24 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 thari Swami; Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and Shri adivasis living in this region have developed Radha-Krishna Dev – Ishwarcharan Swami; Shri strong satsang in their lives. They have given Nilkanth Varni – Doctor Swami; Shri Shiv-Par- up their addictions, base natures and attained vati-Ganapatiji – Ghanshyamcharan Swami and knowledge of how to please God. So, such a Shri Ram-Sita-Hanumanji – Acharya Swami. mandir has been built here. And due to such After the invocation rituals, the shrine doors sanskars, there is peace and happiness. were closed to adorn the murtis in garments and “Yogiji Maharaj used to say, ‘May God grant ornaments and thereafter annakut was offered. spiritual liberation to all’. He had this feeling Meanwhile, prayers were offered for the towards everyone – young or old, devotee or welfare and peace of all. non-devotee. Even for addicts he prayed that At 9.40 a.m. the shrine doors opened, reveal- God help them. ing the beautifully adorned murtis. Swamishri “A sadhu does not have money, so how will performed the murti-pratishtha arti in all the he give any to us? But he gives us the biggest shrines and offered ﬂ owers at the feet of the mur- wealth of all – God. Sadhus teach all to give up tis. addictions, bad habits and follow a righteous Swamishri then went to the abhishek mandapam path so that everyone becomes happy, there is where he performed the arti and abhishek of Shri peace in society and good sentiments arise in Nilkanth Varni. all. After the conclusion of the murti-pratishtha “Bhagwan Swaminarayan manifest on this ceremony, Swamishri arrived in the assembly held earth and his 500 sadhus toured the villages on the nearby S.T. grounds. Viveksagar Swami tolerating many hardships for the good of others. had completed his speech and Narayanmuni They convinced them to give up addictions and Swami was describing Swamishri’s vicharan in accept the virtuous path of satsang. the adivasi regions. “Whatever you do for God is not wasted. It ThThenen SSwamishriwamishri blblessedessed tthehe assemassembly,bly, “Th“Thee gigivesves yoyouu utmost ppeaceeace anandd ﬁ nancnancialial secur securityity

The grand procession of the murti s through the streets of Godhra

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 25 In Swamishri’s presence Pujya Mahant Swami performs the In Swamishri’s presence Pujya Kothari Swami performs the prati shtha rituals of Shri Akshar-Purushott am Maharaj prati shtha rituals of Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj

Swamishri performs the prati shtha arti

The prati shtha assembly Swamishri blesses the prati shtha assembly

26 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 In Swamishri’s presence Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami performs the Swamishri off ers roses at the holy feet of the newly consecrated prati shtha rituals of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and Shri Radha- abhishek murti of Shri Nilkanth Varni Krishna Dev since addictions and bad habits are shunned. dry leaf. It [our action] is all due to the grace of “If we accept the teachings of God and the God. sadhus, we will benefi t. If your wealth is spent “Because we are body-centred there is misery, improperly, you become miserable and bring but when one’s atma is realized there is no pain. misery to others also. But if it is used for good This knowledge is given in the shastras. It is things, then it is useful for others and leads to true knowledge. If this knowledge is realized happiness. This is what Bhagwan Swaminarayan then all are seen as divine and with good has done – for the good of all. feelings. Bhagwan Swaminarayan has given “If our behaviour is pure, speech is respectful such a principle. The Vachanamrut is a shastra and work is good then everyone benefi ts. of wisdom which he has given us. It is in simple “You know the story of Valio Bhil from the Gujarati; all, young and old, can read it, and Ramayan. He met Naradji, a true sadhu, and had understand it. faith in his words, and thus gave up stealing and “Prayers to Bhagwan Swaminarayan that all robbing to become Valmiki Rishi. He used to be a prosper and become happy.” dacoit, but became a devotee. The chief guests included: Shri Prabhatsinh “You earn money, but a true sadhu teaches Chauhan, MP; Shri C.K. Raul, MLA; City you how to use it wisely and become happy. President Shri Rajeshbhai Chamber, Mamlatdar Shabari was also an adivasi, but she had faith Shri Narayanbhai Munchhal, and Shri that Bhagwan Ram will come. She daily chanted Rameshbhai and Daksheshbhai of R.B. Motors ‘Ram-Ram’ on the banks of River Pampa and who donated the land for the mandir. seeing her devotion, Bhagwan Ram came to Swamishri was then honoured by senior her. sadhus with garlands devoutly prepared by “We have to understand that we are atma. devotees of various centres. This is Vedic knowledge. To overcome all After Swamishri’s departure for Bodeli, the miseries and become happy we must understand assembly concluded following speeches by that we are atma and Paramatma Parabrahman Doctor Swami and Mahant Swami. Purushottam Narayan is God.  “We encounter misery because of our attachment to the body. Believing ‘This body is mine’ and ‘I have done this’ is ignorance. We are not capable of even raising our hand or a

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 27 BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Godhra

MANDIR FACTS Godhra is a town located in a hilly and verdant region of Gujarat. The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir is the result of many years of effort by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, sadhus and devotees. The mandir is built of GRC, using special moulds to produce the intricate and pleasing designs for the jharukhas, gavakshas and other elements of the mandir. The important features of the mandir include:  Height: 78 ft.  Ghummat: (main dome), decorated with sculptures of Bhagwan Swaminarayan playing ras.  Shikars: 5.  Pillars: 74.  Murtis: Central shrine: Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami.  Left Shrine: Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and Shri Radha-Krishna Dev.  Right Shrine: Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj.  In Parikrama: Shri Ganapatiji, Shri Hanumanji.  Lower Floor: Shri Nilkanth Varni abhishek murti, Guru Parampara murtis. 

2828 SwaminarayanSSwwamamininararaayyaann BlissBlliissss  April-MayAprpriill-M-Maayy 2011201011 BAPS HISTORY Satsang in the Panchmahal Region

INTRODUCTION The region of Panchmahal lies in the eastern part of Gujarat and shares its borders with the states of Madhya Pradesh to its east and Rajasthan to its north. Panchmahal region comprises of ﬁ ve main towns: Godhra, Kalol, Halol, Dahod and Jhalod. The region is lush with forests and populated mainly by tribals. Historically, it is believed that Bhagwan Ram passed by Halol. The Hidamb forest mentioned in the epic Mahabharat is said to be a part of this region. The Pandavs remained incognito for a year in this region and Bhim got married to Hidimba in Kaleshwari near Lunavada. Pavagadh, a famous pilgrim place, is where Sage Vishvamitra performed austerities and consecrated the Kalika Mata Mandir, which still exists today.

Swamishri blesses a satsang assembly in Kanbipalli, Panchmahal

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 29 About 200 years ago a In 1964 Pramukh Swami devotee from Pavagadh Maharaj came to Piplod to and a worshipper of Kalika acquire timber for mandir mata sang a bhajan in praise construction and stayed of his Devi before Bhagwan at Girjashankar Trivedi’s Swaminarayan in Gadhada. house. The Lord was pleased and  In 1971 Ishwarbhai M. Pa- honoured him with gifts. tel (Dharmaj), a devotee, Brahmanand Swami came often visited the Panchma- to the village of Lunavada hal region for business. He and stayed the night at the inspired satsang among his Luneshwar Mahadev Mandir. business friends – Gord- He discoursed about the glory hanbhai and Manibhai of Bhagwan Swaminarayan to Mundas Patel of Devgadh the local people. From there Bariya. Swamishri performs murti -prati shtha rituals he travelled to the village of  In 1972 Himatsinh, a hostel of Shri Akshar-Purushott am Maharaj in the hari mandir at Chandrapura Santrampura and stayed at a student of APC, Vidyana- Suthar devotee’s house. To- gar, graduated in engineer- day, there is a Swaminarayan ing, and got a government Mandir at that place. job at Godhra. He too inspired satsang among his BEGINNING OF BAPS friends and associates. SATSANG  In 1972 Mahendrabhai  In the time of Shastriji Brahmbhatt got employ- Maharaj Dr Bhavanishankar ment in the Kadana Dam Jaishankar Raval, a BAPS project. He also inspired devotee, started his medical satsang in the regions of practice in the Ghoghamba Lunavada and Khanpur. BAPS Swaminarayan hari mandir, region. He inspired satsang  In 1973, with the efforts of Chandrapura in Motisinh, Harjivan Ishwarbhai (Dharmaj), sat- Darji, Kesarsinh Parmar, sang vicharan of Pujya Na- lash Mahotsav of Ahmed- Kesarisinh Parmar and rayan Bhagat (Viveksagar abad mandir in 1973. At Ratansinh. Swami) was arranged. that time Swamishri had Someshwar Pithva, a devo- Ishwarbhai (Dharmaj), consecrated the all-in-one tee and government for- Chimanbhai M. Patel of murti (15”x7”) of Akshar- est ofﬁ cer, was posted in Godhra (son-in-law of Lal- Purushottam Maharaj and Ghoghamba. He too, in- lubhai – the son of Ishwarb- Guru Parampara in the spired satsang in many as- hai Daji of Purushottampu- house of Mahendrabhai pirants. ra), and Dayabhai M. Patel Brahmbhatt’s (Jalsan) ma-  Yogiji Maharaj once came arranged Swamishri’s ternal uncle in Lunavada. to this region and stayed vicharan programme in It was the ﬁ rst hari mandir in the village of Piplod. Panchmahal after the Ka- pratishtha in the region.  Swamishri’s vicharan in

30 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 Devotees of Ghoghamba enthusiasti cally welcome Swamishri

BAPS Swaminarayan hari mandir, Dahod Swamishri performs murti -prati shtha of hari mandir in Dahod

1973 in the Panchmahal re- Swami stayed at Godhra, Kalol and Godhra. In the gion gave immense thrust making it his hub, and Dahod and Godhra regions to Satsang. Thereafter from travelled to the neighbour- satsang has spread to near- 1975, on Swamishri’s being villages. In 18 years – ly 450 villages. hest, Divyaswarup Swami from 1972 to 1990 – there We shall see in brief the and Mahapurush Swami was satsang only in 17 vil- Satsang history of the other began travelling in this lages: Rabod, Alva, Arol, main towns and villages in region. In 1977 Pujya Ty- Ghoghamba, Devgadh Ba- the Panchmahal region. agvallabh Swami travelled riya, Dahod, Lunavada, in the region and nour- Godhra and others. At KALOL ished satsang in the lives present satsang has spread Kalol village was the ﬁ rst of many. to ﬁ ve regions, namely, Lu- satsang centre in the Pan-  From 1990 Mahapurush navada, Khanpur, Halol, chmahal region. Manikaka

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 31 and his sons of Devagadh Bariya introduced CHANDRAPURA satsang through the vicharan of BAPS sadhus. Around 1974-1975 Bhagubhai Patel (of Nar) Since 1975 Divyaswarup Swami has been visit- and Nanubhai Patel brought Pujya Tyagval- ing Kalol and the neighbouring villages. Pujya labh Swami to the village of Chandrapura and Tyagvallabh Swami and Pujya Mahant Swami’s sowed the seeds of satsang. In 1982 Swamishri vicharans added further momentum to satsang. visited the village and sanctiﬁ ed the home of Kanubhai T. Barot of APC, Vidyanagar, intro- Ambalal S. Patel and blessed an assembly. duced satsang in his own village, Jharadka, Thereafter Divyaswarup Swami visited the near Kalol. With the growth of Satsang a hari village often and inspired satsang among the mandir was constructed and consecrated by aspirants. The immense efforts of Harishbhai Swamishri. S. Patel in spreading satsang in the region is noteworthy. He became an active volunteer PIPLOD after recovering from an accident through Pramukh Swami Maharaj came to Piplod in Swamishri’s blessings. 1964, in the time of Yogiji Maharaj for purchas- From 1992 Mahapurush Swami started visiting logs. He stayed in the house of Girjashankar ing the village and became instrumental in the Trivedi, near the railway station. On 18 March growth of satsang here. A hari mandir was con- 1998 Swamishri consecrated a hari mandir in structed and Swamishri performed the murti- Dahod and was on his way by road to Godhra. pratishtha on 22 April 1998. On the way at night he visited the house of Girjashankarbhai in Piplod. The village was LUNAVADA nourished with satsang through the visits of In 1971-72 Mahendrabhai Brahmbhatt, an Swamishri and sadhus. engineer working for the Kadana Dam project, introduced satsang in Lunavada. On 18 De- cember 1973 Swamishri visited Lunavada and Tribal devotees perform a traditi onal tribal consecratedconsecrated a murti ooff AkAkshar-Purushottam dance in Atladra mandir MaharajMaharaj in a small room, tthus establishing a hari mandir in thisthis region.region. In 1981 Markandbhai DaveDave was appointedappointed as principalprinc of the Primary TrainingTraining CollegeCollege (PTC). He inspiredi satsang in GanpatsinhGanpatsinh PagiPagi (Muvada),(Muvada), Rupabhai Damor (Lambhu)(L( ambhu) and several aspirants.aspira In 1981 Pujya MahantMahant Swami’sSwami’s vicharan further nourished satsangsatsang in thethe region.region. TheThe two youths trav- elledelled to manymany villagesvillages and conducted satsang assemblies.assemblies. InIn 1981 DivyaswarupDivyaswarup SwamiSw visited Luna- vada,vada, Muvada of ChhapriChhapri and other villages. From 1990-91 Ma- hapurush Swami andan Anandkand SwamiSwa sarted travel-

32 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 ling to the interior villages, reforming the lives DAHOD of the locals by liberating them from addictions Dahod lies on the banksnks ooff RivRiverer and superstitions. Thereafter senior sadhus: Pu- Dudhmati. Satsang dawned jya Mahant Swami (1994), Pujya Tyagvallabh during the visit of PuPujyajya Swami (2002), Pujya Dr Swami (2005) and Pujya Viveksagar Swami and sadhusdhus Ishwarcharan Swami (2010), gave momentum to in 1973. The sadhus stayedyed satsang in the region. at Ratubhai Patel’s house.se. Ratubhai was a friend ooff GHOGHAMBA Bhanubhai Patel (of Mumbai).mbai). Satsang started from the time of Shastriji Swamishri’s visit herere oonn Maharaj through Dr Bhavanishankar J. Raval several occasions nourisheded aandnd and Someshwar Pithva (a forest offi cer), and consolidated satsang in mmanyany later developed through the efforts of Ish- devotees and well-wishers.shers. warbhai Patel (Dharmaj) and the vicharan of Kanubhai Vadvala dedicatedicated Pujya Narayan Bhagat (Viveksagar Swami) himself for the spread of satsang.atsang. and Swamishri’s fi rst visit in 1973. Thereafter On 18 April 1998 Swamishrimishri Swamishri visited the region seven to eight consecrated a hari mandirdir in times. The efforts of sadhus were noteworthy. Dahod. With the growth of satsang in Ghoghamba Swamishri performed the foundation-stone GODHRA laying ceremony of a hari mandir and conse- Two devotees were pivotal in launching crated it on 20 February 1990. Swamishri also satsang in Godhra: Chimanbhai M. Patel and made many home visits. Himatsinh. On their requests Swamishri fi rst Today, thousands of devotees pilgrimage for visited Godhra in 1973. A procession was darshan at the hari mandir on every full moon carried out on the main streets. Thereafter day (Punam). Swamishri addressed a satsang assembly. In 1989 Swamishri was honoured by the town KANBIPALLI municipality. Thereafter Swamishri’s visits Kanbipalli is a small village by the banks intensifi ed satsang in the region. of River Karad. It was the native village of The vicharan and efforts of Mahapurush Chandu Bhagat, a dedicated volunteer who Swami, Abhaydarshan Swami, Naishtikjivan offered his services at the APC in Vidyanagar. Swami, Amrutmuni Swami and Shrijidarshan Swamishri visited the village amidst some Swami in the districts of Panchmahal and opposition from a few antagonists who were Dahod have nourished satsang in more than not inclined towards satsang. But Mohanbhai, 247 villages: Devgadh Bariya (33), Toyani a devotee, and the darbars courageously made (26), Dahod (31), Limkheda (19), Rabod (22), all the arrangements. Then on Chandu Bhagat’s Ghoghamba (19), Kharod (18), Kalol (16), request Swamishri visited his house and Godhra town (17), Halol (19), Lunavada (16), sanctifi ed many others. Thereafter Swamishri Khanpur (11).  blessed a satsang assembly arranged beneath a tamarind tree.

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 33 Transformation of Tribals

LIFESTYLE OF TRIBALS The tribals’ daily schedules begin prior to or at sunrise. The womenfolk of the house daily grind grains into ﬂ our before dawn. Mostly, every hut has a hand-driven grinder or a large pestle and mortar. The signal singing while grinding resonates in every hut. They also ﬁ nish off cleaning the hut, replenish the water pots and complete their daily rituals of brushing and bathing by sunrise. The menfolk wake up at sunrise and lead their domestic animals out of their pen while brushing their teeth. After their meal they go to their farms to work or labour at someone else’s. The women also join the men at work. They dig, cut or thresh in the farms. The tribal children mainly take cattle to pasture. They have packed lunch at noon and return in the evening. The tribals enjoy attending fairs to relax and entertain themselves.

SUPERSTITION AND BLIND FAITH The tribals believe in an array of devas and devis. The deities are installed either on the village outskirts beneath a huge banyan, peepal or tamarind tree, or in a cave or shrine on top of a hill. They generally perform their major rituals there two to three times a year. The tribals’ faith is steeped in superstitions. The slightest illness in the family or in their domestic animals is believed to be a sign of wrath from their gods. They consult a bhuvo (an exorcist or witch-doctor) and perform certain rituals at his bidding. If they are cured or relieved of their problems they sacriﬁ ce animals and offer the meat to the bhuvo. The tribals practice three main types of rituals to overcome their ailments or problems: 1. Bandru, 2. Jatar, 3. Endarni radu. The three practices are performed to ward of illness or life-threatening diseases. The tribals also perform rituals to offer and appreciate the new harvest to the devas. During these practices a bhuvo is called and he shakes his head and arms, dances and sings prayers to the devas. The ﬁ nal offerings to appease the devi or deva mainly Padhramanis to the huts of devotees in Chuli

34 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 Tribal youths demonstrate their traditi onal archery skills

Swamishri advises and blesses a tribal devotee Swamishri initi ates a tribal into Satsang

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 35 involves sacrifi cing goats or male buffaloes. their garland and bless them. The tribals also pray and make wishes to the That morning after Swamishri’s puja senior Pithora deva to resolve their worldly miseries or sadhus garlanded Swamishri. The two youths’ diffi culties. Again after their wish is fulfi lled they garland was offered to Swamishri by Pujya offer a sacrifi ce of goats or hens. Mahant Swami. The youths were happy but Another malpractice among the tribals their wish remained unfulfi lled. The assembly of Dahod region is the public proclamation of devotees dispersed once the puja was over, of a woman as a witch by her own in-laws. however, a sadhu came searching for the two This is done because of the woman’s bad or youths. Swamishri had told him that he would eccentric behaviour. Consequently she is then like to meet the youths who had prepared the excommunicated and sometimes done to death. garland of cloves. On enquiring, he found that Another heinous practice is to rid a new born they had left to see their relatives in Vadodara. A child because of his or her strange physical message was passed on to them to be present in appearance or body parts. Swamishri’s puja the next day. The stories of transformation of thousands The next day Swamishri called the two of tribals wallowing in addictions, meat-eating, youths on stage after his puja and blessed them superstitions and vices is amazing and laudatory. profusely and told them to do satsang and inspire The epic efforts and divine grace of Pramukh satsang in others. The youths were amazed Swami Maharaj, sadhus and volunteers have and wondered at Swamishri’s love and care for worked wonders in the tribal regions of Bodeli ordinary devotees like them. and Panchmahal. For more than three decades Swamishri’s personal care and effort in Pramukh Swami Maharaj has endeavoured in pleasing tribals and inspiring values in their lives edifying them with a selfl ess spirit and belief have effected drastic changes. that God resides in them. We shall see a selected  few among the thousands of transformations Sanmukhbhai Manabhai Nayak lived in Kadila recorded. village, about four kilometres from Bodeli. The  village has 250 homes, and its entire population 6 February 2005 (Vasant Panchmi) was a was steeped in various vices and addictions. special day for the devotees of Vadodara and the Sanmukhbhai was one such statistic. In 2002, entire region. The murtis of Ghanshyam Maharaj with the death of his father, the burden of running and Guru Parampara were to be consecrated at the house came upon him. He started work at a the Swaminarayan Mandir in Atladra. It was shop in Bodeli and got ` 1200 every month. But the climax to months of preparations, devotion, he spent ` 20–30 in drinking each evening. On austerities and sacrifi ces of thousands of devotees. festive days he would spend ` 100-150 in drinks. Swamishri performed the consecration rituals In 2004 he changed his job and joined a shop and thereafter held the celebration assembly. belonging to Bhupendrabhai Shastri, a devotee On that morning two tribals, Isoon Ravji who lived in Bodeli. Bhupendrabhai started Rathwa and Pravinbhai of Raichha village, explaining to him about the benefi ts of moral Chhota-Udepur region, arrived in Atladra to and addiction-free living. He also invited him celebrate the murti-pratishtha celebration. They to attend a satsang assembly one Sunday. When had pilgrimaged 130 km by foot from Raichha, Sanmukhbhai attended it, he was overwhelmed preparing a garland of cloves for Swamishri on with inner peace on seeing the murtis of Bhagwan the way. They wished how wonderful it would Swaminarayan and Swamishri. Initially he be if Swamishri called them on stage to accept could not give up his addictions, but the words

36 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 Evening satsang assembly in the tribal village of Kamboi, near Dahod

Swamishri initi ates a tribal into Satsang, Chhota-Udepur Tribal devotees greet Swamishri, Ghoghambha of sadhus strengthened him. He attended the Vitthalbhai Rathwa of village Vijol, came into Guru Purnima festival in Bochasan and saw contact of Satsang in 1995. His wish of touching Swamishri for the fi rst time. His heart was fi lled Swamishri’s feet at the Amrut Mahotsav in 1995 with remorse and a desire to change his ways. in Mumbai was fulfi lled. He started doing daily He became a satsangi there and then, vowing puja from the following day. On returning home to give up his vices and start doing daily puja. from the celebration in Mumbai he thought how In 2007 Sanmukhbhai constructed a two-room could he stay at home when his father was the house from the money he had saved due to his high priest and bhuva of the village. Because of addiction-free life. Today, his house resonates his father, goats were slaughtered and meat was with arti, thal and daily home assemblies (ghar cooked every day in their house. He decided sabha). The single transformative element of to staunchly abide by the moral disciplines of satsang had a great infl uence on his life and satsang. In one room he cooked a vegetarian family. meal and offered thal to Thakorji, while in the  next room his parents cooked meat. He abided

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 37 by the satsang rules under these conditions for  two-and-a-half years. The tribals of Bokadiya village in the Chhota- One night, he prayed to Swamishri that his Udepur region were habituated to drinking father becomes a satsangi. Instantly his room toddy, alcohol, meat-eating and stealing. Once, became fi lled with divine light, and he heard a Jhendal Rathwa, a local, went to do business voice, “Make a little more effort, and it will be of toddy at Halol. Here, he came in touch with done.” Thereafter he felt comfort and became a satsangi and his life took a new turn. After charged with hope. A few months later he attending satsang festivals and having the took his father to the Dev Diwali celebration in darshan of Swamishri and sadhus he became Bochasan. His father saw Swamishri for the fi rst inclined towards satsang. He spread satsang in time and he experienced peace within. He put on his village. He invited Mahapurush Swami and the kanthi and resolved to give up killing goats, arranged a public assembly. Thereafter the visits eating meat, addictions and the position of high of Divyaswarup Swami consolidated satsang priest and live by the norms of satsang. among the village folk. At present the villagers The father-son duo’s satsang practices grad- have given up their vices and addictions and do ually infl uenced the remaining family mem- daily puja, apply tilak-chandlo and perform arti. bers. On 2 April 1998 BAPS sadhus sanctifi ed  their home during which the remaining family Seventy-fi ve percent of the tribals in Kasara members adopted satsang. Vitthalbhai made a village of Chhota-Udepur region were addicted 40 ft by 20 ft hall in his house and on 14 April to drinking. The majority of the houses had 2003 Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami consecrated a domestic kilns to prepare liquor. In 2004-5 two sanskardham in his house. More than 30 satsangi youths, Makanbhai Rathwa and Surpanbhai M. families of the village come for darshan and sat- Rathwa became satsangis. They started doing sang at the sanskardham. daily puja with tilak and chandlo. The senior A sea-change took place in Vitthalbhai’s members of their house did not approve of it. house and village because of Swamishri’s bless- They pressured them to remove the murtis of ings and grace. Akshar-Purushottam from their home mandir  and stop doing arti. Then the village folk With the blessings of Swamishri sadhus and pressured them to give up satsang. But the volunteers have transformed the lives of thou- two youths remained implacable. After seeing sands of tribals. Through the satsang activities their unshakeable allegiance, the village people of bal mandals, yuvak mandals, mahila mandals and relented. They felt there was some truth in satsang mandals the tribals have been reformed satsang. They invited two BAPS sadhus to their from addictions and vices. village and told them to sanctify their homes. With the establishment of a satsang mandal The villagers then demolished their kilns and in the village of Bhanpura, near Bodeli, many gave up their addictions. Every Sunday a regular have given up drinking and other addictions satsang assembly is held in the village. altogether.  Eighty percent of homes in Charola had Madhubhai Rathwa of Ratanpura was a addictions. There was no scope of satsang in chronic addict of liquor. Furthermore, he was a the village. For two years the patient efforts of troublemaker. Whenever he saw any sadhus he Maljibhhai, a devotee, bore fruit and many gave always troubled them or made fun of them. He up addictions. Presently, the construction of a created a ruckus on marriage occasions or during sanskardham is under way. bhajan-kirtan programmes. The consequences of

38 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 his agitations did not deter him nor concern him. breakfast at Madhavsinh’s house Swamishri Sometimes he would ride a male buffalo in the came out to leave for Kundal. At that time village and shoot arrows at people. Soon his bad Swamishri pointed to a house and asked “Whose habits reduced him to poverty. house is this?” “It belongs to Jashubhai, a Once he was in an inebriated state. On seeing teacher.” Swamishri wished to visit the home. sadhus outside the house of Khumanbhai, a On seeing Swamishri standing outside his door devotee, he came to them intending to create a Jashubhai was simply amazed. Swamishri asked scene. To his surprise the sadhus welcomed him him, “What is your profession?” and even embraced him. They also applied a “I am a teacher, and I also run a shop,” chandlo and gently told him to give up drinking Jashubhai replied. because it would cause grave problems. Several Swamishri told him, “As a teacher be of ser- days later, Madhubhai got entangled in a row vice to Satsang, and Bhagwan Swaminarayan with his neighbours. The latter complained to will do your work.” Then Swamishri sancti- the police and he was locked up in the local ﬁ ed his house and shop by showering rose pet- jail. Madhubhai recalled Divyaswarup Swami’s als. Swamishri’s unsheduled visit and words words and he gave up his habit of drinking and touched Jashubhai and subsequently his life eating meat. A few days after his release from changed instantly. He became a satsangi. There- jail he adopted satsang and became a devotee. after he laboured intensely for the construction Gradually, his ﬁ nancial state improved and he of a sanskardham in Moti-Bej. He gave donations now lives a happy life. for the project and thereafter he joined in offer-  ing his services for the Bodeli mandir project Jashubhai M. Patel was a native of Khandana with body, mind and donations. On 27 Novem- village near Dharmaj in Kheda district. He got a ber 2010 Jashbhai passed away before he could job as a teacher in Moti-Bej. He was habituated see the completion of the mandir in Bodeli. But to drinking toddy and eating meat. By nature he because of satsang he was blessed with an amaz- was uncouth and blatant. He hated religion and ing transformation and a blissful life. thus derided those who practiced it.  In 1984 Swamishri came to Moti-Bej at Kanchanbhai Raising Bariya of Dungarvat Madhavsinh Mangalsinh’s house. After having village was a friend of Narsingbhai, a devotee of

Tribal youth devotees perform a traditi onal dance and play music at BAPS Mandir, Atladra

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 39 BAPS. The former was wedded to all vices and labour at my 2-3 acre farm. I am happy because of addictions. By nature he was temperamental and satsang and bhakti in life. I started saving some hot-headed. Whenever Narsingbhai visited his money after I gave up my addictions. house he talked to him about satsang. But every “On 3 December 2007 I withdrew some time Kanchanbhai would bluntly tell him to stop. money from my bank in Pavi-Jetpur. I left Sometimes he would even slap Narsingbhai and without counting the money I had received. The show him the way out. next day, I went to repay someone at Devgadh Once, Narsingbhai arranged a satsang Bariya. I counted the money and realized that assembly at the house of Kanchanbhai. The latter the cashier had given me ` 10,000 extra. I couldn’t was furious but he sat quietly in a corner away return the money to the bank that day because I from the rest. Then, while the assembly was on was away. On the other hand the bank offi cials he exploded with anger. He pulled Narsingbhai, realized on the same day that they were ` 10,000 who was discoursing, and bellowed, “Get out of short. They tried to search for it by asking the here! I don’t want to hear such talks in my house. customers who had withdrawn money on that I don’t believe in all this rubbish.” day. They also rang me and asked whether I had In spite of his terrible attitude and tantrums got extra money by mistake. I said yes and that towards satsang Kanchanbhai’s life took a I would return it to them the next day. When I sudden twist on the consecration day of the returned the extra cash, the bank manager asked, sanskardham in his village of Devgadh Bariya. ‘What job do you have?’ He became inclined towards satsang. He started “‘I’m a government labourer, and a volunteer attending the weekly satsang assembly, and of BAPS and disciple of Pramukh Swami slowly his nature changed. He invited sadhus to Maharaj. He says that one should not take or sanctify his house and at present he is a BAPS keep another’s money and that’s why I’ve come volunteer offering his services as a nirdeshak of to give it back.’ The manager was so pleased that the Chuli region. he ordered pendas (a sweet) and gave it to me.  I told the manager, ‘Sir, I am happy in life not Desing Bhikhabhai Rathwa is a tribal labourer because of money but due to satsang.’ living at Kundal village in the Pavi-Jetpur region, “Since 1986 I have been offering my services Vadodara district. Let us see in his own words as a BAPS volunteer. Every day I travel eight to about how satsang drastically changed his life. ten kilometres by foot to inspire satsang in other “In 1979 Pramukh Swami Maharaj came to villages. In 1992 I got a bicycle and I became a our tribal region. It was the fi rst time that I had nirikshak. So I started cycling 10-12 km daily to do darshan of a Swaminarayan sadhu. In 1981 satsang. Sometimes a lion or bear would cross or we went to see the Bicentenary Celebrations of block my path. I simply chanted ‘Swaminarayan’ Bhagwan Swaminarayan in Ahmedabad. At that and passed by safely. Presently, I have acquired time I became a satsangi by wearing a kanthi at a motor bike and I travel 16-17 km to do satsang. the hands of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. I was “I can vouch that the happiness I get in doing sixteen then. We were told about the disciplines satsang, I cannot fi nd it elsewhere. Swamishri of satsang and I came in touch with Pujya has said, ‘If you work sincerely and honestly Tyagvallabh Swami and Divyaswarup Swami. you’ll be happy. If you give up addictions and With the growing association of Swami Bapa and do satsang and bhakti you will be happy.’ It is sadhus I became staunch in my niyams. because of this knowledge that Swamishri has “I work for the government’s mid-day meal imparted that I am happy today.”  project in primary schools. The rest of the time I

40 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 he selﬂ ess efforts of BAPS sadhus and volunteers in edifying the lives Tof thousands of tribals in the interior regions of Bodeli and Panchmahal is a moving story of epic grit, perseverance and faith. A few of their heroic efforts and faith are brieﬂ y described in this article.

Kanu Viru Rathwa, Kanalva B.F. Patel and Ramanbhai, two BAPS volunteers, started a weekly satsang assembly at the house of the village head of Kanalva. But Kanu Rathwa, a dreaded bully and miscreant, opposed it emphatically. Once, Ramanbhai was returning home after concluding an assembly when Kanu and his gang of sixteen men ringed him. Kanu threatened him, “If you come for satsang again we will thrash you and break your hands and feet.” Ramanbhai left petriﬁ ed. He talked to B.F. Patel, but the latter decided not to back off. Remembering Swamishri he and Rajesh Solanki knocked on Kanu Viru’s house. He asked him to call his sixteen friends. Kanu was impressed by B.F. Patel’s courage and so invited his friends. From 11.00 p.m. to 2.00 a.m. B.F. Patel discoursed to them about the aim of human life and Swamishri’s glory. His penetrating talks  brought tears to seven of them. A few months Balubhai Rathwa is a resident of Donja later Divyaswarup Swami came to Kanalva village. He visits the Chhota-Udepur region as and Kanubhai and his friends became satsangis. a satsang volunteer. On Dev Diwali he went Kanubhai is now a BAPS volunteer. His house, to the neighbouring village of Bhumasvada to once a den of drugs and drinks and meat-eating distribute prasad. On the village outskirts he saw orgies, has morphed into a venue for the weekly a billy goat being ritually prepared for sacriﬁ ce satsang assembly and daily offerings of arti and by some tribals. Balubhai watched from one thal. side. The tribals told him to leave, but hardly Dedication of BAPS Volunteers Bodeli and Panchmahal Regions

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 41 had he advanced a asked him how he few yards a tribal had come there, the came brandishing tribal replied, “There a lethal weapon was no special reason and spewing out why I came here. I expletives towards was simply ambling him. In no time he my way. On seeing gripped Balubhai’s you I remembered collar, half choking that I had brought him, and accused my boy to the him, “Two days back hospital because he it was you who ran had drunk poison. It your bike over my A typical tribal mud hut covered with clay ti les was you who stayed child!” up all day and saved him. B.F. Patel, who Balubhai explained that it was his fi rst visit worked at the local hospital, could not recall the to the village. But the tribal was in no mood to incident. Both strongly felt that on remembering understand. By then 20-25 tribals had gathered Swamishri the tribal was inspired to come and to punish Balubhai. They were armed with save them. sickles, axes and sticks. Balubhai was terrifi ed. It is amazing how BAPS volunteers strive With their strange chatter and violent shouts to inspire satsang in adverse and sometimes Balubhai felt they were all going to beat him dangerous situations. They voluntarily help the and possibly kill him. He started remembering tribals to give up their criminal and unsocial Swamishri in his mind. He was confounded as behaviours and adopt values in their lives. to what he could do to get away from there.  B.F. Patel, a volunteer, was also with him. He, Arvindbhai M. Rathwa is a mandal sanchalak too, started praying to Swamishri. The crowd (volunteer) of Godli village. He travels in the eve- swelled further. Neither of the volunteers ning to neighbouring villages to inspire satsang. could succeed in calming the rising agitation. With the hilly terrain and forest environs there is Both were fi ercely chanting “Swaminarayan” no public or private transport service in the re- in their minds. Suddenly, to their surprise, a gion. Arvindbhai either cycles or walks to the vil- senior tribal emerged from the rear of the group lages. The fear of wild animals stalks his mind. and shouted, “He is Once, late at night he the main offi cial of a was returning home hospital.” And with after concluding a Sat- this the entire tribal sang assembly. A lion group broke up and came and stopped on left. The volunteers his path. Arvindbhai were unacquainted stood bravely and with the senior started remembering tribal person. They Swamishri. Moments felt Swamishri had later the lion quietly defi nitely inspired went his way. In spite the tribal to save of such encounters them. When they Swamishri blesses tribal devotees in Chuli with wild animals

42 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 volunteers remain sanyojak (coordinator) resolute in conducting in the Bodeli region. satsang assemblies. In spite of the lack in  basic facilities in the Ramanbhai D. remote tribal villages Rathwa has been he offers his satsang serving as a nirikshak services sincerely. He since 2000. He visits gives priority to sat- the village of Chakla- sang activities despite vav which lies at the his social responsibili- foot of Pavagadh. The ties at home. thick jungles on the Jashwantbhai Swamishri blesses a tribal devotees on stage, Bodeli way pose many dan- is 68 years old and gers. Transport buses ply travellers to Pavagadh has poor vision in one eye, yet his zest for seva but to reach the interior villages people often remains strong. Since the last two months he had have to walk two kilometres or more. been fully engaged in preparations for the Bodeli On 7 May 2005 Ramanbhai was on his way to pratishtha festival. Chaklavav. It was summer time. While he was  walking he suddenly spotted a leopard waiting Navinbhai Soni of Dabhoi went to USA in the bushes for a prey. There was no one else three years ago. Because of the severe winters at the time. Ramanbhai was scared and thought there his vocal cords became non-functional. of Swamishri. He closed his eyes and mentally The doctors advised him for an operation and tried to prepare himself for the consequences. he had it done in India. Presently, with his He chanted the name of “Swaminarayan” in his vocal cords removed, he uses a small machine mind. Then to his surprise he heard the sound of to speak. He travels from village to village in a tractor. It was coming his way. On seeing it, he the tribal region, discoursing with the aid of his saw there were fi ve people sitting in the trolley. machine. Despite his disability Navinbhai offers They too perceived the leopard and started his seva with gusto and joy. shouting at it. The leopard became scared and  disappeared into the jungle. Hundreds of BAPS tribal volunteers regular- A couple of weeks later Ramanbhai was again ly go to villages to conduct satsang assemblies. In on his way to conduct satsang at Chaklavav. On spite of hardships and dangers of the jungles they reaching the village outskirts he saw a lion not fearlessly pursue in inspiring satsang to please far away from him. Again Ramanbhai frantically Swamishri. On returning late at night they have chanted the Swaminarayan mahamantra and the often been caught by forest rangers and police of- lion retreated into the jungle. fi cials who take them to be criminals and poach- Volunteers like Ramanbhai persevere in their ers. Some have even been locked up overnight in efforts to inspire satsang by discounting the jails. Yet their grit and zeal to please Swamishri dangers and diffi culties they face. is unfading. Kudos to their brave efforts and self-  less spirit of devotion and sacrifi ce.  Jashwantbhai N. Mehta of Mumbai had a comfortable lifestyle. He gave it up on Swamishri’s word, and for the last eight years he has been voluntarily offering his services as a

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 43 BAPS ACTIVITIES hagwan Swamina-

rayan endeavoured Khedbrahma

to serve all strata SABARKANTHA B Lunavada of society – the rich and poor, PANCHMAHAL Ahmedabad Dahod Godhra educated and illiterate. As a re- Piplod Kalol Ghoghamba Vadodara sult, his devotees also set aside Chhota- Bodeli GUJARAT Udepur community differences to enable the personal, social and Bharuch Ukai spiritual progress of all. This Surat unifying grass roots work has Tithal been continued by BAPS under Silvassa the guidance and inspiration of BAPS Satsang in tribal villages and towns of Gujarat BAPS Chhatralay for tribal boys, Ukai Pramukh Swami Maharaj. In addition to the adivasi areas of Panchmahal, BAPS is also active in the adivasi areas of Poshina and Selvas. Over the past four decades, Swamishri has himself fre- quently visited these tribal areas with the result that countless tribals have shunned addictions and immoral habits and now lead pious, addiction-free lives. BAPS sadhus and volun- BAPS Mobile Dispensary Van, Silvassa teers have also reinforced these values by their constant touring 22, Ghoghamba – 19, Kharod Rankuva – 17, Silvassa – 21, in the tribal villages. Through – 18, Kalol – 16, Godhra Town Surangi -18, Karamkhal – 16, these combined efforts, BAPS – 17, Halol – 19, Lunavada – 16, Vapi -16, Nana Pondha – 20. has established Satsang centres Khanpur – 11; Bodeli Region: Total centres: Sabarkantha in the following tribal areas: Bodeli – 16, Nasvadi – 15, Pavi- -33, Silvassa – 88, Godhra – 247, Sabarkantha Region: Kh- Jetpur – 21, Chhota-Udepur Bodeli – 185. edbrahma – 17, Poshina – 16; – 22, Dabhoi – 19, Kundal -15, There are hundreds of BAPS Godhra Region: Devgadh Ba- Moti-Bej – 15, Uchapan – 14, centres in the tribal regions riya – 33, Toyani – 26, Dahod Chuli – 14, Ratanpur – 19, of Silvassa, Sankari, Tithal, – 31, Limkheda – 19, Rabod – Tejgadh – 15; Selvas Region: Bharuch and Ukai. BAPS Tribal Activities in Gujarat An Overview

44 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 kai Pati ent being treated by mobile dispensary team, Jamkhadi

Sadhus conduct a satsang assembly in a tribal village De-addicti on Drive by hostel students in a village near Ukai

In addition to the regular In times of drought, fl oods tain graduate degrees in en- satsang activities, BAPS regu- and other natural calami- gineering, medicine, sciences, larly conducts a variety of edu- ties, BAPS has provided food, law, commerce and arts. Some cational, health, environmental clothes, water and other emer- have also become teachers and and social welfare activities in gency essentials to the affl icted. college lecturers. these tribal areas. Since 1985, in Ukai, BAPS In addition to academic Since 1999, BAPS has oper- operates a student hostel to ca- encouragement, the students ated mobile dispensaries which ter for adivasi students, provid- are taught moral and spiritual regularly visit the tribal villages ing free boarding, lodging and values. They also participate to provide continual free medi- tuition classes. The hostel pro- in community activities such cal care. At present there are 11 vides a suitable atmosphere for as de-addiction drives, tree- such mobile dispensaries which, these underprivileged students planting and visiting hospitals up to February 2011, have treat- to enhance their academic ca- to pray for patients.  ed a total of over 2,930,000 pa- reers. Over 1,050 students have tients. Eye care camps provid- benefi tted from this learning ing free cataract operations and environment. Of these, over spectacles are also held. 160 students have gone to at-

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 45 BAPS FESTIVALS

PUSHPADOLATSAV Festival of Colours 20 March 2011, Sarangpur

n the vast roadside ground adjacent to the BAPS Swaminarayan Vidya Mandir in Sarangpur, well Oplanned arrangements had been made to seat the nearly 100,000 devotees expected for the celebration. With great care, the sadhus had prepared a beautifully decorated stage. The backdrop comprised of intricately sculpted designs in the form of jharukhas, balconies, roof tops and walls. Life-size sculpted peacocks in various poses also adorned the stage. To the right of the stage were the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and to the left, on a swing decorated with colourful fl owers, was the murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayn. To enable everyone seated anywhere in the assembly to see the stage programmes, six giant LED screens were placed at suitable locations. The celebration assembly began at 5.00 p.m. with singing of dhun and prarthana. There were speeches by Viveksagar Swami, Ishwarcharan Swami, Doctor Swami and Mahant Swami describing the spiritual signifi cance of the Pushpadolotsav-Rangotsav celebration and how to benefi t from the association of the Gunatit Satpurush and be coloured by his spirituality. At 6.10 p.m., as Swamishri arrived on stage, the entire assembly resounded with the hail of the guru parampara jai nad. On this occasion, Swaminarayan Aksharpith released the following new audio, video and print publications: 1. Brahmaswarup Shri Pragji Bhakta: Life and Work (Gujarati: H.T. Dave; English Translation: Amar Parekh, London) 2. Bhagwan Shri Swaminarayan Nari Bhakta Ratno, Parts 1, 2 & 3 (Sadhu Aksharjivandas)

46 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 Swamishri and senior sadhus on the festi ve stage

Swamishri sprays saﬀ ron water on Shri Harikrishna Maharaj

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 47 3. Swapnavat Sansar (Sadhu pared by various mandals. devotees have requested, ‘May Viveksagardas) Adding to the devotional at- this maya not trouble us, may we 4. Swaminarayan Asmita mosphere, Krishnapriya Swami be able to overcome this maya, (Sadhu Viveksagardas) sang the bhajan, ‘Vartãl gãm ful- may it not trouble us and may 5. Ghanshyam Charitra (Kan- vãdie re hindolo ãmbãni dãl….’ we see your actions as divine’. nad translation) Then Swamishri blessed “Even God’s human-like 6. Yogi Gita (Kannad) the assembly, “This place is actions are divine. He has come 7. Yugvibhuti Pramukh Swa- very sacred. After building the to grant kalyan to the jivas and so mi Maharaj (Telugu trans- mandir here, Shastriji Maharaj he works in a way that people lation) used to celebrate the Fuldol gain memories. 8. Chalo Gharne Mangal Ban- festival. Shriji Maharaj had avie (Telugu) also celebrated Fuldol here 9. Jay Gurudev Hare (Audio and gave fagva as prasad. The CD of bhajans in praise women devotees of North of Pramukh Swami Ma- Gujarat prayed, ‘Mahãbalvant haraj) mãyã tamãri, jene ãvariyã nar- 10. Sant Param Hitkari (Audio nãri…’ They requested Shriji CD of drama on the life Maharaj to give such fagva and work of Pramukh that our atma attains kalyan, Swami Maharaj) peace prevails in our jiva and 11. Swaminarayan Satsang we remain happy in this world Darshan, Part 110 (Diwali and beyond. and Annakut). “Ego and attachments are maya: ‘This is me, this is mine The names of the devotees and I am doing this’. But we are who had generously supported not capable of doing anything. this auspicious occasion were Without the wish of God, we announced and appreciated, are not able to even move a and then Swamishri was hon- dry leaf. Even great rishis have oured by the senior sadhus succumbed to maya and have with garlandsgarlands devoutlydevoutly pre-pre- eencounteredncountered obstacles. So ththee Swamishri sprays saﬀ ron water on the throngs of joyful devotees The mammoth assembly of devotees on Pushpadolatsav

4848 SwaminarayanSwSwamamiinnaarrayayann BlissBlil sss  April-MayApprriill-M-Maayy 2011200111 “God is the all-doer. God maya.” dividually packed prasad of hot created the world. Yet people After his blessings, Swa- Swaminarayan khichdi, pouch think, ‘This is all mine, I have mishri performed pujan and of buttermilk (chhas), water done this, this has happened murti of Shri Harikrishna Ma- pouch, fagva, bottle of sancti- because of me’ – such ego haraj. Then Swamishri began fi ed saffron water. The women arises and as a result there the rangotsav, by fi rst spray- devotees had been given this are disputes and quarrels. ing Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, same prasad on their entry into Shriji Maharaj happily gave who was seated on a golden the assembly area. blessings to the devotees that elephant. From a small spray Devotees from throughout they are not troubled by such placed in Shri Harikrishna Ma- India, UK, USA, Canada, haraj’s hand, he also sprayed Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Swamishri. East Africa, South Africa Thereafter, the central and other places had come section of the stage where specially for this auspicious Swamishri was seated came festival. forward 40 ft to take him Swamishri spent over nearer to the devotees. Using 70 minutes enthusiastically the remote controls on both spraying the devotees and sides, Swamishri operated the sadhus. The divine joy of the fi ve large sprays which show- occasion was visible on the ered sanctifi ed saffron-scented faces of all, young and old. water on the devotees as they As everyone left after being joyously passed by. With the sprayed they all echoed with sound of festive bhajans in one voice, “Fantastic!” the background, devotees  systematically walked past Swamishri’s seat, and delighted at having been coloured by Swamishri they exited the assembly area. At the exit the male devotees were given in-

April-MayApApririll--MaMay 201122001111  SwaminarayanSSwwaammininaarrayayaann BlissBlilissss 4949 BAPS NEWS Parshad & Bhagvati Diksha Ceremonies Sarangpur, 25 March & 4 April 2011

Group photo of newly initi ated parshads with Swamishri Group photo of newly initi ated sadhus with Swamishri

25 March 2011 Swami introduced each sadhak and declared his PARSHAD DIKSHA CELEBRATION new parshad name. Swamishri blessed each new Hundreds of parents, relatives, friends and parshad and the relatives accompanying him. well-wishers from throughout India and abroad After completion of the initiation ceremony, were present for the parshad diksha ceremony Swamishri blessed the assembly, “Yogiji Maharaj in which Swamishri initiated 23 sadhaks into had great enthusiasm to initiate sadhus and the parshad order. Over 60 devotees had come envisioned that there will be sadhus from India from Birmingham, England, especially for this and abroad. At the time when he talked it seemed occasion since two of the sadhaks were residents his vision would never be fulfi lled. [But now we of Birmingham. see it has been achieved.] The atmosphere was full of joy and antici- “It is very diffi cult to renounce home and pation. The preliminary diksha mahapuja rituals for parents to give permission. For parents to were completed in the presence of Mahant Swa- give their only son is a very great thing. It was mi before Swamishri’s arrival on stage at 8.10 Yogi Bapa’s wish that sadhus increase, satsangis for his morning puja. Then the remaining rituals increase and mandirs increase, so all this is due were completed while Swamishri performed his to his wish. Parents happily give permission puja. to their educated sons and come all the way After Swamishri’s puja, each of the sadhaks here to give them. This is the magic of Yogiji came in turn to receive diksha. Kothari Swami re- Maharaj. placed their old kanthi with a new one. Dr Swami “It is very diffi cult to become a sadhu, but draped a gatariyu over their shoulders and Ma- since there is satsang in the jiva, profound faith hant Swami placed a pagh on their heads. Then for Maharaj and Swami, and glory for Shastriji each sadhak approached Swamishri who gave the Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj all this is possible. guru mantra. At the same time Narayanmuni “To renounce the home is as diffi cult as

50 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 climbing Mt Everest. Happiness in life is As Swamishri prepared to depart from the experienced to the extent one engages in katha assembly, the devotional atmosphere intensifi ed (discourses), discussions kirtans, bhajan and as the parshads joyously danced to the bhajan, bhakti. ‘Hãlo juvãnadã, Harivar Varvã…’. The parshads “Gunatitanand Swami said that today 20-year- circled Swamishri, dancing and bowing to him, olds leave home and come here [to worship God]. providing a sight that etched sublime memories The parents also come to give them. To inspire in the minds of all. one jiva onto the path of God earns merits equal to saving a brahmand. This is a very important 4 April 2011 thing. May Maharaj bless all parents and grant BHAGVATI DIKSHA CELEBRATION them happiness in all ways. Hundreds of devotees were present to witness “Today, many wish intensely to go to America this auspicious occasion on which Swamishri and England. But to renounce all that and come gave 23 parshads the bhagavti diksha and initiated here [to become a sadhu] is a great thing. We one sadhak into the parshad order. have just initiated these youths and more already Mahant Swami presided over the preliminary waiting. So, this college of Yogiji Maharaj is diksha mahapuja rituals; then, during Swamishri’s continuously running. puja the remaining rituals were completed. “The youths who have come here will achieve Thereafter, Swamishri gave each parshad the ekantik dharma. They will worship God and guru mantra to initiate him into the sadhu order. inspire others to worship God and earn great Blessing the assembly, Swamishri said, merits. “Today, parents have happily come to give their “God has graced us in this birth with Satsang, educated sons for diksha. Without glory [of God], which is diffi cult even for deities like Brahma to this is not possible. They have degrees of the attain. By becoming aksharrup and worshipping world, but this degree is to worship and serve Purushottam, that is, becoming like Gunatita- God. This has been understood by the parents nand Swami and worshipping Bhagwan Shriji and the youths. That is why they have left this Maharaj, no faults remain. However, body-cen- worldly attachment. They experience bliss and tredness remains until one becomes aksharrup. spread it to countless others. This will benefi t Because of body-centredness, one is disturbed one’s atma. when someone tells us something. But, when a “This is a yagna of Yogiji Maharaj, Shriji youth goes to get married, how much insult do Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj and you have all the in-laws hurl? Yet, since the youth is intent on joined in it. God will bless you all with peace and taking the bride, he disregards the insults. If this happiness. much is possible for attaining material pleasures, “We have joined in the wish of Shastriji then to enjoy the bliss of one’s atma [and God], Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj, so whatever anyone one should even endure the insults others hurl. says, this is the highest degree. Never feel you One should believe oneself as atma. have done wrong. Practice satsang and dharma. “Yogiji Maharaj opened this brahmavidya Bhagwan will make you happy in all ways. ” college. On attaining this degree one never has The senior sadhus and newly initiated sadhus problems anywhere. Much pain and insults then honoured Swamishri with garlands. Finally, are tolerated to attain worldly pleasures. If it is group photographs of the new initiates with possible for this, then is it not possible for God?” Swamishri were taken.  Thereafter, the senior sadhus and the newly initiated parshads garlanded Swamishri.

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 51 Tenth Anniversary Celebrations at BAPS Sanskardhams Ahmedabad, February 2011

Nagaryatra through the streets of Bapunagar Murti s of BAPS Sanskardham, Bapunagar

Over 600 devotees parti cipate in the yagna, Satellite BAPS Sanskardham, Paldi

n February 2001, Pramukh Swami Maharaj the Vedic Yagna for World Peace in which the Iconsecrated the BAPS Swaminarayan San- new marble murti of Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj, skardhams in the Satellite-Vastrapur, Bapuna- previously consecrated by Pramukh Swami gar, Paldi and Hirawadi suburbs of Ahmedabad. Maharaj while he was in Atladra, was offered Special year-long activities were held to com- worship. In the afternoon a grand, colourful memorate the tenth inauguration anniversary of nagaryatra of the murti of Shri Ghanshyam these mandirs and the mandir in the nearby vil- Maharaj took place through the streets of lage of Ashlali. Devotees celebrated throughout Bapunagar. the year by performing austerities, and holding On 20 February, the murti of Shri Ghanshy- special assemblies and seva sessions. The celebra- am Maharaj was installed by Ishwarchan Swami tions culminated with special programmes at amid a traditional Vedic ceremony. each mandir. SATELLITE, 23-27 February 2011 BAPUNAGAR, 19-20 February 2011 23: 600 devotees participated in the Yagna for On 19 February, 125 devotees participated in World Peace.

52 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 24: ‘Towards Better Living’ lecture by Anand- PALDI, 22-26 February 2011 swarup Swami. 22: ‘Yogirajna Yuvano’ cultural programme 25: Special evening assembly for women. by youths. 26: Youth Day in which youths presented a 23: Special assembly for women. drama entitled ‘Yauvanno Jadu’ – ‘The Magic 24: Kirtan aradhana performed by sadhus from of Youth’. Also, 12 youths were felicitated for Ahmedabad mandir. their outstanding achievements in various ﬁ elds. 25: Evening assembly featured speeches and Among the dignitaries present to inspire the a drama entitled ‘Mandirma Prabhu Biraje Chhe’ youths were Shri Devang Nanavati (Education- performed by youths of Bhavnagar. ist and High Court Advocate) and Shri Pranav 26: Tenth patotsav mahapuja ceremony in the Adani (Adani Group). presence of Ishwarcharan Swami. 27: Over 7,500 attended the tenth patosav Celebrations were held to commemorate the mahapuja ceremony in the presence of tenth anniversary in Hirawadi on 11 February Ishwarcharan Swami and Satsangijivan Swami and in Ashlali on 25-26 February. (Kothari of Ahmedabad mandir). Through these celebrations, the devotion and satsang of all devotees were strengthened. 

BAPS Helps Victims of Disaster in Tanzania 16 February 2011, Dar es Salaam

n 16 February prayers. O2011, a military The volunteers also ammunition depot in Dar helped at the Uhuru Na- es Salaam, Tanzania, blew tional Stadium by sup- up overnight in a series of porting the Red Cross explosions that levelled Tanzania and the Tanza- homes, killed over 25 peo- nia Police Force, and pro- ple and wounded about viding victims with food more than 5,000 helpless packages, drinking water civilians. Thousands ran and milk. They also as- for their lives, and more sisted in rejoining parents than 200 children were unable to ﬁ nd their par- and children who had been separated during this ents. incident. Under such harsh circumstances, the volun- BAPS volunteers also helped at the Amana teers of BAPS in Dar es Salaam assisted the Red Government Hospital and Tameke Government Cross Department and the Tanzania Police Force Hospital, where the injured victims were being to help these civilians. treated. The Vice President of Tanzania, Dr. Essential household items were distributed to Mohammed Ghalib Bilal, as well as doctors, residents affected by the explosions. In addition, nurses and staff of both hospitals were delighted the BAPS volunteers helped to reduce the psy- with the timely services performed by BAPS and chological and emotional stress of the affected expressed their appreciation.  residents by offering appropriate support and

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 53 Murti-Pratishtha Celebrations Gujarat, February 2011

BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Visnagar Mahant Swami performs the Vedic installati on rituals, Visnagar

Swamishri performs pujan of the murti s for Tuver mandir BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Badarniya

uring February 2011, murtis consecrated from 21 to 23 February: Dby Pramukh Swami Maharaj were 21: Special Women’s assembly in which installed at various new BAPS Swaminarayan balikas, kishoris and senior women presented hari mandirs in Gujarat. cultural programmes, speeches and bhajans. 22: In the morning 320 devotees participated VISNAGAR (DISTRICT: MEHSANA) in the Yagna for World Peace. In the afternoon a 23 February grand procession of the murtis was held through Swamishri had visited here in 1985 and 1992, the main streets of Visnagar. and a Satsang centre had been formally estab- 23: Murtis were installed following the Vedic lished here in 1990. Sadhus from Mehsana man- mahapuja ceremony by Mahant Swami. Over dir visited regularly to strengthen the satsang. 12,000 devotees attended the celebration. The groundbreaking ceremony for the purpose- built hari mandir was performed on 7 November VASO (SUB-DISTRICT: NADIAD) 2008. 21 February The murti-pratishtha celebrations were held 20: Over 250 devotees participated in the

54 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 Yagna for World Peace. In the afternoon, a excel in devotion and seva. On 25 February, 500 colourful procession of the murtis took place, devotees participated in the Vedic Yagna for with devotees singing bhajans and performing World Peace, following which the murtis were traditional dances through the streets of Vaso. In installed by Ghanshyamcharan Swami, mahant the evening assembly, the BAPS youths of Vaso of Swaminarayan Mandir, Surat. Over 5,000 presented a concert of bhajans and a musical- devotees attended this auspicious occasion. drama entitled ‘Sanskrutik Virasat’. 21: Mahant Swami installed the murtis in the BADARNIYA (DISTICT: KHEDA) new hari mandir following the Vedic mahapuja 25 February ceremony. 17-20: Series of discourses on Mandir, Shastra Under the auspices of the murti-pratishtha and Sant by Brahmadarshan Swami. celebrations a special camp was held on 15 21: Kirtan aradhana by Jaydeep Swadia. February in which over 400 sick animals were 22: Children and youths of Adas village treated. On 17 February an Ayurvedic camp was performed the musical-drama on the life and held in which 450 adults and 175 children were work of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, ‘Sant Param treated. Hitkari’. 23: Special women’s assembly. TUVER (DISTICT: SABARKANTHA) 24: In the morning devotees participated in 25 February the Yagna for World Peace. From 4 to 7 p.m. a Satsang was established in the village in 1999 grand nagaryatra of the murtis took place. following the adivasi convention in Khedbrahma 25: Following the traditional Vedic mahapuja in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. ceremony, Mahant Swami installed the murtis Following the adivasi convention in 2001, the and performed the arti.  devotees of Tuver were further encouraged to Dental Health Checks for Children 12-13 March 2011, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London pproximately 300 children aged between on further treatment required from their local A6 months to 18 years beneﬁ ted from free dentist. They also advised them on the effective dental health check camp organized by BAPS cleaning of teeth and the importance of a healthy, Charities, UK, with the help of BAPS Children’s low sugar diet. Forum, on 12 and 13 March 2011 at BAPS Shri Appreciating the camp, one parent shared, Swaminarayan Mandir, London. “We’re very grateful to BAPS Charities for The dentists checked for general hygiene, organizing an event like this. Visiting the dentist identifying decayed or crooked teeth and is one of those dreaded things for children, but underlying oral diseases and advised children they have made it fun and educational.” 

Overseas (By Air Mail) India Year(s) ` £ $ ` New Subscription Rates for 1 630 9 14 60 Swaminarayan Bliss 2 1300 18 28 110 Subscribe at your local BAPS Centre or 3 1900 27 42 160 bookstall.

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 55 Celebrating Women: Managing Challenges, Inspiring Change INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2011 Sunday 20 March 2011, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London APS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) determination of various BAPS members was Bobserved the centennial celebrations shown followed by a colourful traditional dance of International Women’s Day 2011 with an by the young women of BAPS. inspirational conference entitled “Celebrating The delegates departed with a meaningful Women: Managing Challenges, Inspiring insight into managing challenges and inspiring Change” at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, change, both within themselves and those around London. them. The key objective of the conference was to Anuradha Bannerjee of Barclays Wealth inspire women to fulfi l their potential in all shared, “I saw a huge amount of empowerment aspects of life, highlighting in particular the in the room. I have been very impressed how importance of personal fi nancial management, professional the volunteers are in their own work and the value of a healthy lifestyle. and the time they are spending. I think BAPS are Prayers were offered for those affected by doing a fantastic job in having a women’s wing the recent natural disasters amid chanting that is actually concentrating on women’s issues of traditional Vedic verses. Then, a video and giving women managerial and leadership presentation entitled ‘The Strength of Women’, roles in furthering themselves and developing recognizing their resilience in adversity, became other people. Having a place where you can the focus thereafter. A series of moving and grow spiritually as well as grow as a person is inspiring testimonials were narrated of women crucial.” seated in the audience who had overcome Ms Versani, a guest at the event, added, “This personal challenges to achieve their goals. conference has proved to be an eye-opener for Following this, the audience was enthralled me. The inspiration of women will provide me by an opening dance performed by a pair of with the confi dence and belief to achieve my wheelchair-bound mahilas, a glowing example of objectives, and the workshops on health and the strength within. fi nancial matters were directly relevant to my A touching video account of the courage and life.”  Education Seminar 17 February 2011, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Surat n 17 February 2011, around 2,300 The seminar, focused on the topic of ‘Effort’ Ostudents and more than 100 professors through a speech and specially prepared from 35 colleges throughout Surat attended multimedia presentations. an inspiring seminar held at the BAPS The guidance imparted in the seminar was Swaminarayan Mandir in Surat. appreciated by all the students and professors, The main purpose of the seminar was to bring and they departed with renewed resolve and out the inner qualities of the youngsters and enthusiasm to endeavour for a brighter future for motivate them to achieve their academic and all.  personal goals.

56 Swaminarayan Bliss  April-May 2011 BAPS Youth Becomes Youth Chancellor of UK 2011 31 March 2011, London focusing on eight key areas of spending, such as, health, education and defence. Of these, 249 went on to submit speeches, websites and short fi lms which were assessed by a panel of experts to fi nd the Youth Chancellor of 2011 and nine runners-up. Impressed by the high standard of the entries, the judges selected Priyesh’s version as the best, making him the youngest ever Youth Chancellor. On 31 March 2011 he was invited to Her Majesty’s Treasury in London to receive the Sir Nicholas Macpherson, Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury, award, and to present a speech and the fi rst ever presents Youth Chancellor of UK award to Priyesh Patel Youth Budget (compiled on the basis of all the riyesh Patel, a 15-year-old kishore competition entries) to Sir Nicholas Macpherson, Pwho regularly attends the BAPS Shri Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury, and a Swaminarayan Mandir in London, was recently group of MPs and experts. Priyesh was also selected as the Youth Chancellor of UK for 2011. interviewed live on BBC Breakfast Radio, LBC In the fourth annual ‘Chance to Be Chancellor’ Radio, Channel 4, The Times and other media competition organized by the education outlets to explain why and how public spending charity, Citizenship Foundation, over 2,820 should be prioritized. We congratulate Priyesh British youngsters aged between 14 and 18 on his outstanding achievement and pray to years proposed their version of the UK Budget, Maharaj and Swami for his continued success. 

Brahmaswarup Shri Pragji Bhakta: Life and Work is a New detailed print publication by Swaminarayan Aksharpith, Publication Ahmedabad, about the biography of Brahmaswarup Pragji Bhakta, also known as Bhagatji Maharaj, the second successor in the illustrious spiritual tradition of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Pragji Bhakta’s exemplary life of profound service, faith, obedience, devotion towards God and guru, and other sublime virtues reveals the ideal spiritual sadhana for all genuine aspirants determined to attain the highest state of spiritual realization. His life was full of trials, yet he remained steadfast in his faith, devotion and duties. He boldly proclaimed the glory Print Publicati on of Bhagwan Swaminarayan as the supreme Gujarati Text: Harshadrai Tribhuvandas Dave God and Gunatitanand Swami as the manifest English Translati on: Amar Parekh form of Aksharbrahman. Since decades, his Pages: 768, ISBN: 978-81-7526-425-0 life, work and message have been a source of Publisher: Swaminarayan Aksharpith, Ahmedabad immense inspiration. Available at all BAPS bookstalls from May.

April-May 2011  Swaminarayan Bliss 57 contd. from p. 7) the drashta – which is chaitanya – unto chaitanya. He too, stood next to Lindiyo and when Also, childhood, youth, old age, stoutness, Lindiyo saw the similarity, he understood thinness, birth and death are all aspects of the at once. His misconception dissolved. His body; so they should never be thought of as behaviour began to change immediately. The belonging to the atma. On the other hand, being lion roared and then ushered Lindiyo to do the uncuttable, being unpierceable, not aging, being same. As he did so, he saw that the whole jungle immortal, being the embodiment of jnan, being trembled in just one roar. That was enough, he the embodiment of bliss, and being characterized was no longer Lindiyo, he had realized himself by eternal existence are all aspects of the atma; that he was the king of the jungle. From then on they should in no way be considered to belong he travelled fearlessly wherever he wished. to the body. Instead, those attributes should be We have become deluded like Lindiyo. When understood to belong to the atma” (Vachanamrut, our atma entered the body, it joined the fl ock Sarangpur 12). of sheep in the form of our body, indriyas and Moreover, he has reproached those who antahkaran and believed itself to be one of them. do not contemplate on the atma. In the It forgot its true form. Vachnamrut he says, ‘The jiva, which resides Moreover, it sees others as their bodies too. within the body, observes both the attractive The same happened to Arjuna. He began to and the unattractive. It witnesses childhood, look at the level of the body and hence saw his youth and old age, as well as a countless relatives, and became distressed. number of other things. However, the observer The main purpose for telling Arjuna all of fails to observe its own self. The jiva looks at this was to affi rm that ‘Nanushochitumarhasi’ – ‘it objects externally; but it does not look at its own is not appropriate for you to grieve.’ One who self. Therefore, it is the most ignorant of the has truly understood atmajnan is never overcome ignorant…. the most senseless of the senseless, with grief born from believing oneself to be the the most foolish of fools and the vilest of the body. Shri Krishna knew that if Arjuna attained vile” (Vachanamrut, Gadhada I 20). this atmajnan, he would experience great relief. Thus, by distinguishing between the atma Therefore, he taught him the precepts of Sankhya and that which is not the atma, our shastras give jnan using various analogies in order to shine mankind a sure way of overcoming the ocean of light on his true form. miseries and entering the land of happiness. This In his teachings, Parabrahman Purushottam proclamation resonates in the Bhagavad Gita. Bhagwan Swaminarayan has also emphasized Also, the principle of previous births and births understanding the distinction between the to come vastly increases the horizons of life. body and the atma. In the Vachanamrut, We should be truly proud that Sanatan Hindu Swayamprakashanand Swami inquires as to Dharma has given the world such a clear science how we should contemplate on the atma. In of the difference between the body and the atma. reply, Bhagwan Swaminarayan gives the essence Sanatan Hindu dharma was the fi rst to reveal the of the Sankhya jnan that has been given in the concept of previous and future births. The Gita is Gita, Bhagwan Swaminarayan said, “Using a living testimony to this. the thought which rests between the drashta  and drashya, one should realize, ‘The drashta and drashya are absolutely distinct.’ With this understanding, one should ascribe the attributes of the body unto the body and the attributes of

585 SwaminarayanSwSwamminaarayan BlissBliiss  April-MayApril-MMay 201120111 Darshan of Murtis: Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Godhra

Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj

Shri Harikrishna Maharaj (L) and Shri Radha-Krishna Dev Abhishek Murti of Shri Nilkanth Varni