PRAVESH-PAPER 2: SECTION 1: KISHORE SATSANG PRAVESH - 5th Edition, December 2009

Q.1. In the sentences below, state who is speaking to whom and when. [9]

1. “I wanted to perform pujan of all the muktas there.” A) Shitaldas to Maharaj B) Shitaldas wanted to meet Ramanand Swami, but when he arrived in Faneni Shitaldas found out that he had passed away. Maharaj consoled him by promising him Ramanand Swami’s darshan if he stayed in Faneni. In anticipation of Ramanand Swami’s darshan, Shitaldas agreed to stay. Then, Maharaj asked Shitaldas to chant the ‘Swaminarayan’ mantra. As soon as Shitaldas began chanting ‘Swaminarayan’ a miracle occurred. By Shriji Maharaj’s grace, he went into samadhi and experienced the divine bliss of God. When Shitaldas came out of samadhi, he narrated his divine experience. (p. 17)

2. “This marriage will have to be stopped.” A) Prabhashankar to his relatives B) When the altar was set for the wedding and a courier arrived with a letter for the elegantly dressed groom. Prabhashankar, the groom, read the letter and immediately took a decision. (p. 71)

3. “Return when they have increased to a thousand.” A) The guru to Satyakam Jabali B) Satyakam Jabali went to his guru’s ashram to study brahmavidya. The guru gave him four hundred cows and told him to return when they had increased to a thousand (p. 33)

Q.2. Give reasons for the following (two to three lines each). [6]

1. Shriji Maharaj excommunicated Sachchidanand Swami from Satsang. A) In the state of samadhi, Sachchidanand Swami gave a kick to Indra, woke him up and asked him to shower rain. Soon there was plentiful rainfall. When Shriji Maharaj came to know that Sachchidanand Swami had brought the rains, he immediately excommunicated him from Satsang. (p. 74)

2. Devotees should imprint tilak-chandlo on their foreheads everyday. A) All male devotees, young and old, whether they are students, employees, or businessmen, should imprint a tilak-chandlo on their foreheads. There are many benefits of wearing a tilak-chandlo. By applying a tilak-chandlo on our forehead, Shriji Maharaj and the satpurush will protect us from influences that lead us to act immorally. Applying a tilak- chandlo gives awareness that we should not act immorally. In addition, if students form a habit of applying the tilak-chandlo from early childhood, then they will get exceptional

moral and spiritual strength. If one does not apply a tilak-chandlo, however, the mind becomes weak and one is tempted to act inappropriately. As the tilak-chandlo influences our inclination to act morally, it represents dharma. (p. 4)

3. Relatives of Kashidas also joined the Satsang. A) Kashidas constantly rejoiced in having attained manifest God. He wished that his relatives would also develop faith in Shriji Maharaj so that they too would attain ultimate redemption. Once, on Kashidas’s invitation, Shriji Maharaj came to Bochasan. A special mafo was prepared and Kashidas took Shriji Maharaj from village to village, to the homes of all his relatives. As a result his relatives also joined the Satsang. (p. 39)

Q. 3. Write short notes on ‘Rana Rajgar’ (In 15 lines). [5] A) Golida is a village in the Kathiawad region of Gujarat. Four Brahmin brothers, named Bhima, Vashram, Raghav and Rana lived there. Shriji Maharaj went from Sardhar to Golida. At the very first darshan of Maharaj, the four brothers overflowed with love for Shriji Maharaj, as if they had always known him. They invited Maharaj to their house and lovingly served him a meal. They “accepted initiation into satsang and became staunch disciples. Greatly pleased with them, Shriji Maharaj offered, “Ask for a boon” (p. 67). “Yama should never enter our village or its outskirts to fetch any soul” the brothers politely asked (p. 67). Raghav and Vashram wanted to become sadhus, but their mother refused. Rana then explained to his mother, “Please permit my brothers to become sadhus. Do not worry, I will serve you” (p. 68). His mother finally consented and both of the brothers were initiated as sadhus. They were renamed as Raghavanand and Vishvatmanand. Both were known as Jam-tagda sadhus as they had driven away the servants of Yama. Some time later, Rana fell ill and was on his deathbed. His mother asked, “Who will look after me now?” “I will come to take you to Dham twelve days from now” Rana promised his mother (p. 68). Shriji Maharaj came with a viman to take Rana to his abode. Rana asked everybody, “Those who want to come to Dham with me get ready” (p. 68). On the twelfth day, Rana came with Maharaj to take his mother to Akshardham. Many saw this divine vision and were amazed. Such was Rana Rajgar’s faith and courage. Shriji Maharaj has even praised Rana Rajgar in Vachanamrut Loya-3. (p. 66)

Q.4. Answer ALL of the following, using one sentence (not just one word) for each answer. [5]

1. What did Muktanand Swami say in his kirtan on unity? A) Muktanand Swami has said in his kirtan, ‘Thai ekmanâ prabhune bhajiye’, meaning, ‘let us become united and worship God’. (p. 28)

2. Who was born on the day of Manekthari Punam? A) Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami was born in Bhadra on this day in Samvat 1841 (17 October 1785). (p. 61)

3. In whose murti did Ladhibai see Shriji Maharaj? A) She saw Shriji Maharaj in the murti of Raghunathji. (p. 42)

4. To whom and where did Shriji Maharaj send sadhus to collect the murtis of Lakshmi- Narayan for murti-pratishtha in Vartal? A) He sent a few sadhus to Vadodara to collect the murtis of Lakshmi-Narayan from Amichand Seth. (p. 40)

5. Where did Bhai Atmanand Swami stay after Maharaj returned to Akshardham? A) As instructed by Maharaj, Bhai Atmanand Swami stayed in Dholera. (p. 36)

Q.5. Narrate: Vachanamrut Gadhada I-6. [5] A) On Magshar sudi 9, Samvat 1876 [26 November 1819], Shriji Maharaj was sitting in Dada Khachar’s darbar in Gadhada. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. At that time, an assembly of munis as well as devotees from various places had gathered before him. Thereupon Shriji Mahãrãj said, “In this Satsang fellowship, a person who is wise increasingly finds flaws within himself and perceives virtues in God and his devotees. Moreover, when God and his Sant utter harsh words of advice for his own benefit, he accepts them as beneficial and is not hurt by them. Such a person steadily attains greatness in Satsang. “Conversely, as a person who lacks wisdom practises satsang and listens to discourses in Satsang, he continually perceives virtues within himself. Moreover, when God and his Sant highlight his flaws and advise him, he misinterprets such advice due to his arrogance. On the contrary, he perceives flaws in God and his Sant. Such a person steadily declines and loses his reputation in Satsang. Therefore, if a person renounces the vanity of his own virtues, becomes brave, and keeps faith in God and his Sant, then his ignorance is eradicated and he attains greatness in Satsang.” B) Explanation: Generally, people feel that a man who knows how to talk, eat and walk humanely, is a man who has a sense of civility and understanding; and the man who does not possess such ability is a man who has no sense of discernment. But spiritually, the faculty of discernment is different and is explained by Shriji Maharaj in this Vachanamrut. He explains that man has many faults but he does not look at them and instead will highlight even trifle faults in others. Supporting this, Surdas said, “Mo sam kaun kutil khal kãmi.” Meaning, “There is no one as bad, deceitful and lustful as me.” In this way, he always used to see his own faults. To eradicate our faults, God or his holy Sadhu may reprimand or scold us. In those instances, do not take their avgun and understand their words to be for our benefit. Thus if one rids oneself of all ego and keeps full faith in the words of the Sadhu, one eradicates one’s own ignorance and progresses in satsang. (p. 69)

Q.6. Complete the following. [8]

1. Bal charitra ....dharavta ho. A) Bãl charitra kari ãpe van vicharyã, Tirthomãhi fari jivo pãvan karyã, Nilkanth nãm dharãvtã ho. (p. 89)

2. Ame sau Swamina ...... chhie marva. A) Ame sau Swãminã bãlak, marishu Swãmine mãte; Ame sau Shrijitanã yuvak, ladishu Shrijine mãte... Nathi dartã nathi kartã, amãrã jãnni parvã; Amãre dar nathi koino, ame janmyã chhie marvã. (p. v)

3. Prasangamajaram ...... apavrutam. A) Prasangamajaram pãsham ãtmanaha kavayo viduhu; Sa ev sãdhushu kruto mokshadwãram apãvrutam. (p. 76)

4. Translate the shlok: Vishveshabhaktim ...... namami. A) Vishveshabhaktim sukarãm vidhãtum bruhanti ramyãni mahitalesmin Devãlayãnyãshu vinirmimãnam Shri Swãminãrãyanamãnamãmi. (p. 23)

SECTION 2: SHASTRIJI MAHARAJ - 5th Edition, March 2012

Q.7. In the sentences below, state who is speaking to whom and when. [9]

1. “Do not come back here to become a sadhu!” A) Acharya Maharaj to Dungar B) Dungar slipped out of the house and headed for Vartal. From there, he reached Surat. Here, he stayed for some time with Vignananand Swami, and when Dhoribhai found out where Dungar was, he went to Surat and brought him back to Vartal. Dhoribhai took Dungar before Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj. To stop Dungar from returning to Surat, Dhoribhai complained, “Your sadhu is spoiling my child.” (p. 16)

2. “Didn’t you feel scared coming here all by yourself?” A) Dhoribhai to Dungar B) When his father left him asleep at home and went to the farm. Soon, Dungar awoke. He looked around. It was midnight. He did not see his father. He assumed that his father would be at the farm. Deciding to go there, Dungar grabbed a stick and set off alone in the darkness, chanting the Swaminarayan mantra as he walked. It was said that a ghost haunted the road to the farm at night. (p. 6)

3. “So this is the Swamiji whose fame has spread today throughout Gujarat!” A) Maharaja to Swamishri

B) When Swamishri invited him to Bochasan and the Maharaja stated he would only stay for fifteen minutes. But because of Swamishri’s greatness, he stayed for forty-five minutes. (p. 84)

Q.8. Give reasons for the following (two to three lines each). [6]

1. Rangacharya eagerly wished for Bhagatji’s darshan. A) Yagnapurushdasji’s sharp intellect, powerful memory, and intense desire to study earned him Rangacharya’s respect. He often spoke to Rangacharya about Bhagatji’s greatness. He explained that Bhagatji possessed all of the characteristics of Brahman. Thus, Rangacharya eagerly wished for Bhagatji’s darshan. (p. 34)

2. Gordhanbhai relieved Swamishri of his duties in Sarangpur. A) Gordhanbhai called Swamishri in Vartal. He warned, “The sadhus here are preparing to do away with you. They cannot tolerate your prominence. Wherever you go, there are great celebrations. Thousands are drawn to you. The sadhus cannot bear to see this. Therefore, it is better that you limit your activities.” However, he reasoned that if he appeased the sadhus, they would harass Swamishri less. Thus, he relieved Swamishri of his duties in Sarangpur and called him back to Vartal. (p. 51)

3. Shastriji Maharaj himself begged for alms. A) Kuberbhai, a senior devotee, requested that Swamishri come to Bhavnagar. Swamishri arrived and announced one morning, that he wanted to ask for alms. Kuberbhai replied that if he did that then they would all feel embarrassed. Swamishri replied, “You all do tremendous seva. But, Shriji Maharaj himself begged for alms, so that countless spiritual aspirants would have his darshan and be liberated. We also want to follow his command and do the same” (p. 89).

Q.9. Write short notes on any ONE of the following. (In 15 lines.) [5]

1. A whirlwind of opposition. A) Shastriji Maharaj held the next set of Vachanamrut discourses in Vartal where many devotees, including Gordhanbhai would come and listen. Kothari Khushal Bhagat was angered by seeing Gordhanbhai support Shastriji Maharaj. “You too are a Bandia? Why have you joined Yagnapurushdasji?” he asked Gordhanbhai. Gordhanbhai replied, “Of the two thousand sadhus of Vartal, I have yet to see one who has completely renounced women and wealth like Shastri Yagnapurushdasji. I find his words to be as sweet as sugar crystals. Therefore, I come here to listen to him” (p. 56). Over time, the sadhus found ways to disturb Swamishri’s discourses. Several sadhus would burn chili powder near Swamishri’s assemblies. The unbearable fumes would choke devotees and make them get up from Swamishri’s discourses. Once, Nandkishoredas, a sadhu who disliked Swamishri, told his disciple to go fill up his large clay pot with drinking water. Then he

instructed him to fall over with the pot on his way back. The disciple did as he was told. The pot broke into pieces. The devotees were drenched with water. Again, Swamishri’s assembly dispersed. Even then, Swamishri and the devotees remained undaunted. (p. 56)

2. A fourth shikharbaddh mandir. A) The auspicious date for the murti-pratishtha of Atladra mandir had been chosen, the auspicious day of 12 July 1945 (Ashadh sud 3, Samvat 2001), but two days before heavy rains began. Everyone became worried and began to pray. Swamishri said, “This is Maharaj’s work. So, when the time comes, the rain will stop. Do not worry” (p. 100). The following day, it stopped raining, and the work was completed on time. The next day, a magnificent yagna took place, and the murtis of Shriji Maharaj, Gunatitanand Swami, and Gopalanand Swami were consecrated. Swamishri exclaimed, “This Atladra mandir will become the greatest of mandirs. At present, it is far from Vadodara. But, one day it will be near Vadodara. Atladra will become a suburb of Vadodara” In Anand, Shri Bhailalbhai invited Swamishri to Vidyanagar and had Swamishri bless his extensive plans to transform Vidyanagar into a magnificent educational centre. Swamishri said, “Your wish shall be fulfilled. Here, a great centre for learning will develop. Thousands of students will benefit from education”. In Karachi, a parayan on the Satsangijivan took place. Swamishri regularly visited the old Maninagar Swaminarayan mandir for darshan. On the final day, he told the devotees, “A time of disaster soon approaches this land. All of you, must leave your possessions, and return to your native place in our country”. A few months later, Karachi was overwhelmed by political turmoil. Swamishri’s words proved true. (p. 99)

Q.10. Answer ALL of the following, using one sentence (not just one word) for each answer. [5]

1. What did Jaga Bhakta promise Swamishri about establishing upasana? A) Jaga Bhakta promised, “I promised that I would call you for my final seva. Now I wish to go to Akshardham, so I have called you. My work here is done. Now you should start your mission. Further the AksharPurushottam upasana. Shriji Maharaj and Gunatitanand Swami will assist you in your efforts.” (p. 45)

2. With whom did Dungar Bhakta arrive at the railway station in Boriavi? A) Dungar accompanied by Vitthaldas Sheth, arrived at the railway station in Boriavi, near Anand. (p. 18)

3. Which niyam did Swamishri give to Harkha Patel of Samadhiyala? A) Swamishri gave him the niyam of bathing before eating. (p. 97)

4. During Vignananand Swami’s last moments what did Yagnapurushdasji say to him?

A) He said, “Shriji Maharaj has been here since four o’clock in the morning. He wishes to take you to Akshardham.”(p. 28)

5. What did Gordhanbhai firmly advise the devotees? A) He advised, “You all should pressure Acharya Maharaj and request him. But whatever you do, I advise that you do not leave Shastri alone here.” (p. 59)

Q.11. From the given options, place a tick (✔) in the box next to the correct ones. [6] Note: One or more of the options may be correct. Full marks will be awarded only if all the correct options are chosen, otherwise no marks will be awarded.

1. Jethabhai of Pij

(1) (✔) Sat in the pradakshina of Vartal mandir to talk.

(2) Talked continuously for eight hours.

(3) (✔) Jethabhai developed a firm conviction in the Akshar-Purushottam upasana.

(4) (✔) Became known as Nirgundas Swami.

2. Murti-pratishtha of Sarangpur mandir.

(1) (✔) Vaishakh sud 6, Samvat 1972.

(2) (✔) Swamishri instructed to make eight thousand kilograms of shiro from soji.

(3) (✔) Swamishri performed murti-pratishtha and the mirror held in front of the murtis cracked.

(4) The shiro was served to over ten lakh devotees.

3. Effect of Vadhwan murti-pratishtha in Vartal

(1) (✔) “In the future who knows what Yagnapurushdas will do?”

(2) Swamishri was excommunicated.

(3) “Whatever Swami does, is meant to be.”

(4) (✔) “This work has been done by none other than Shriji.”

Q.12. Rewrite the incorrect sentences below in relation to the sentence heading. [6] Note: Marks will be awarded only if a completely correct sentence is written. Otherwise no marks will be awarded. Example: A Broom for Inner Cleansing: Kothari advised him to discourse in Rajkot for two reasons: Firstly he would be able to study Purans. Secondly, Adashri, who had received tremendous blessings from Gopalanand Swami, would be nearby in Gondal.

Ans. A Broom for Inner Cleansing: Bhagatji advised him to study in Rajkot for two reasons: Firstly, he would be able to study Sanskrit. Secondly, Jaga Bhakta, who had received tremendous blessings from Gunatitanand Swami, would be nearby in Junagadh.

1. A Great Speaker: “The right to become a sadhu has not been granted just to those who wear Brahman. Both Soma Bhakta and Devji Bhakta received immense blessings from Gopalanand Swami. You should not look towards their Deh Bhav. Gunatitanand Swami will not tolerate such behaviour.” A) A Great Speaker: “The right to become a guru has not been granted just to those who wear Saffron. Both Pragji Bhakta and Jaga Bhakta received immense blessings from Gunatitanand Swami. You should not look towards their caste. Shriji Maharaj will not tolerate such behaviour.” (p. 41)

2. A nail on the head of Sheshnag: Yogiji Maharaj now needed some land to build in wall for the mandir. However, because the city road passed through that strip of land, the people of the city refused to cooperate. Still, Yogiji Maharaj wanted the land. A) A nail on the head of Sheshnag: Swamishri now needed some land to build an entrance gate for the mandir. However, because the village road passed through that strip of land, the people of the village refused to cooperate. Still, Swamishri wanted the land. (p. 72)

3. Bhagatji: The Param Ekantik Satpurush: The divinity in Mahapurushdasji’s voice and his ability to cite exact references from the Bhaktachintamani convinced all of Jaga Bhakta’s holiness. They understood the principle that Jaga Bhakta did not at all remain away from such a person. A) Bhagatji: The Param Ekantik Satpurush: The divinity in Yagnapurushdasji ‘s voice and his ability to cite exact references from the vachanamrut convinced all of Bhagatji’s Saintliness. They understood the principle that Shriji Maharaj did not at all remain away from such a person. (p. 32)

4. Birth and blessings: It was almost night on Monday, 30 January 1865. On this auspicious day of Gokul Ashtami, in the village of Malataj, in the Sorath region of Gujarat, Shastriji Maharaj was born. A) Birth and blessings: It was almost noon on Monday, 31 January 1865. On this auspicious day of Vasant Panchmi, in the village of Mahelav, in the Charotar region of Gujarat, Shastriji Maharaj was born. (p. 2)

5. Meeting Bhagatji Maharaj: During the day, Yagnapurushdasji would be busy serving in the kitchen. In the evening, however, he would sit before Jaga Bhakta, listening to his preachings at early morning. A) Meeting Bhagatji Maharaj: During the day, Yagnapurushdasji would be busy serving in the festival. In the evening, however, he would sit before Bhagatji, listening to his teaching late into the night. (p. 26)

6. A Command to Liberate Jivas: Sevak reached Mahauva and met Pragji Bhakta. Pragji Bhakta’s inspiring spiritual discourses relieved Swamishri of his sorrow. A) A Command to Liberate Jivas: He reached Junagadh and met Jaga Bhakta. Jaga Bhakta’s inspiring spiritual discourses relieved Swamishri of his sorrow. (p. 44)