Official News-letter from Shri Narnarayandevdesh Diocese Vol : 6 • No : 71 MARCH-2013 Founded By H.H. Acharya Maharaj 1008 Shri Tejendraprasadji Maharajshri, Shri Narnarayandev Diocese. Shri Swaminarayan Museum Narayanpura, Ahmedabad-13. Phone : 27489597 • Fax : 27419597 C O N T E N T S H.H. Mota Maharajshri 01. EDITORIAL 03 Phone : 27499597 www.swaminarayanmuseum.com 02. APPOINTMENT DIARY OF 04 With the directions of Shri Narnarayandev H.H. ACHARYA MAHARAJSHRI Pithadhipati H.H. 1008 Shri Koshalendraprasadji 03. SHIKSHAPATRI 05 Maharajshri Controlling Editors & Publishers 04. BHAGWAN EMBRACED THE PILLAR 08 Shastri Swami Harikrishnadasji MAHANT 05. AS HE IS 09 SHRI SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE Kalupur, Ahmedabad-1. 08. SHREE SWAMINARAYAN MUSEUM 10 Phone : 22132170, 22136818 Karbhari office : 22121515. 09. WAVE OF PLEASURE 12 Fax : 22176992. www.swaminarayan.info 10. SATSANG BALVATIKA 13 Editorial & Subscription Address Shri Swaminarayan 11. BHAKTI-SUDHA 19 Shri Swaminarayan Temple Kalupur, AHMEDABAD-1 (INDIA) 12. NEWS 22 For a Change in Address : E-mail : [email protected] Life time Subscription : One Year : Rs. 50/- • Inland life time : Rs. 501/- • Overseas life time : Rs. 10,000/-India : • @ Rs. 5/- MARCH-2013 • 03 “We time and again reiterate the importance of Shree Narnaryandev. It is the essence. Shree Krishna Purushottam Shree Narnarayandev of Akshardham always remains present in this Sabha. And therefore, we are getting this temple with dome constructed in Ahmedabad by spending lacs of rupees and have invoked the idol images of Shree Narnarayandev. Shree Narnarayan is the King of this Universe and therefore, anybody who worships any other deity by leaving Shree Narnarayandev is like a woman who stays with other man by leaving her husband. Shree Narnarayan is King of Bharatkhand as it is stated in Shrimad Bhagwat. We have incarnated to ensure emancipation of the saints and the devotees. So if you believe in our words, we would take you to Akshardham where we reside and then you may rest assured with your emancipation. And if you cherish firm faith in us and follow our words and directions scrupulously, we will protect you from all the miseries of life. If you perform Satsang and follow all the directions contained therein very scrupulously then you will get emancipation in life but if you do not perform Satsang then you will get great Misery in life.” (Vachanamrit Jetalpur-5) Therefore, all Haribhaktas should imbibe these words of Shreeji Maharaj in their lives and should scrupulously follow these directions as our emancipation lies in it only. Nothing more is required to be stated. Editor Mahant Swami Shastri Swami Harikrishnadas MARCH-2013 • 04 Appointment Diary of H.H. Acharya Maharaj 1008 ShriKoshalendraprasadji Maharajshri (February- 2013) 1. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Halwad (Ghanshyamnagar) on the occasion of invocation of idol images. 2. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Kuha on the occasion of Shakotsav. 3. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Dahegam on the occasion of Shakotsav. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Naranpura on the occasion of Shakotsav Umia Campus, Sola. 7. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Ramol Jamfalwadi on the occasion of invocation of idol images. Graced Nairobi in the evening. 8 to 12 Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Nairobi on the occasion of Bhoomi Poojan. 13. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Umarada (Muli Desh) on the occasion of invocation of idol images. 15. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Muli on the occasion of Vasant Panchmi Patotsav and Samaiya. 16. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Uvarsad on the occasion of Patotsav. 17. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Gavada on the occasion of Katha. 18. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Torda on the occasion of patotsav and 225th Janm-jayanti of Sadguru Gopalanand Swami. 19. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Borna (Muli Desh) on the occasion of Patotsav. 20. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Naranpura, on the occasion of Patotsav. 21. Graced village Singali on the occasion of Katha. 22. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Madhavgadh (Prantij) on the occasion of Patotsav. 23. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Patdi on the occasion of Patotsav. 24. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Bhimpura on the occasion of Shakotsav. 26. Graced village Halwad for inauguration of Mineral Water Factory. 27. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Mahesana on the occasion of Patotsav. 28. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Limbdi on the occasion of Patotsav. APPOINTMENT DIARY OF OUR FUTURE ACHARYA 108 SHRI VRAJENDRAPRASADJI(February- 2013) MAHARAJ 3. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Jivarajpark, on the occasion of Patotsav. 9. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Varsoda. 15. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Muli on the occasion of Samaiya of Vasant Panchmi. 16. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Gavada. 24. Graced Shree Swaminarayan temple, Bhimpura on the occasion of Shakotsav. MARCH-2013 • 05 should worship the panchayatan (five deities). Vaishnavas should place Vishnu Shikshapatri in the centre (of the Altar) and thus The Epistle of Precepts consider him as the greater. If Vishnu is in the centre, then Shankar, Ganpati, Surya (based on Shatanand’s Shikshapatri and Parvati should be placed around Arthadipika) Vishnu in that order starting from the the By Pravin S. Varsani Northeast and working your way round clockwise. If Shiva is in the centre, then Text-84 Vishnu should be placed in the Northeast (Ushaan), Surya in the Southeast (Agni), My disciples shall reverently worship Ganpati in the Southwest (Nairutya) and the five deities Vishnu, Shiva, Devi in the Northwest (Vayavya). Similarly Ganapati, Parvati and Surya. if Surys is placed in the centre, then Shiva, Vishnuha Shivo Ganapatiha Parvati Ganapati, Vishnu and Devi are placed in Cha Divakaraha | similar order. If Devi is placed in the centre, Etaha Pujyatya Manya Devtaha Pancha then Vishnu,Shiva, Ganapati and Surya Mamakauha ||84|| are placed accordingly. If Ganapati is in the Worship of the five deities is here centre, then Vishnu, Shiva, Surya and Devi g l o r i f i e d . G a n a p a t i K h a n d a o f are placed accordingly. Placing the deities Brahmanvaivartak explains, ‘Ganapati is in this way will derive great happiness and considered as an Avatar of Shree Krishna bliss. However, if the deities are placed and is the first of all Devas to be incorrectly then great tyranny can befall.’ worshipped.’, therefore is worthy of high It is said that the Gopis, Vasudev and honour and worship. Ruksmini looked upon Shree Krishna in Parvati is considered as the ‘half-body’ different ways (as a lover, son and or Ardhanga of Shankar and is worshipped husband)- however, in the end, all attained as the ‘Eternal Power’- Adi Shakti and is Shree Krishna the embodiment of Vishnu,. therefore honoured hee. Shree Shankar is Therefore it is not incorrect or unworthy for worshipped as he is considered as one with people to worship a deity other than Vishnu Shree Vishnu and is also famed as for all will be doing so attain Mahavishnu- Vaishnavaraja (king amongst Vaishnavas) the Supreme Being. and as the promoter of Vaishnav Dharma. Ishtadev worship is the greatness of For such reason he has been honoured Hinduism, which allows a person to with great respect. Surya-Narayana is the dedicate himself or herself to any one deity, saviour of all twice-born beings (Dwijas - but in the end all attain the same ultimate upper three castes). He is the principal of goal,. In this way, only one Ishtadeva the Gayatri Mantra and is Bhagwatswarupa should be ultimately worshipped but all (form of God), Veda Swarupa (form of the other Devas are worthy of respect, praise Vedas) and is the main cause of Dharma. and worship. Under no circumstances For such reasons, he is worshipped with should any deity be slandered, as to do so high honour. In this way, all five deities are would inadvertently be to slander your own respected equally. Out of these five, one Istadeva. deity should be considered as one’s Lord Swaminarayan has therefore Ishtadv or personal God. commanded that the Vratas of other deities Narad Pancharathra explains, ‘All such as Shiva, should be observed. All Grihastas (householders) with devotion, should sing the glories of other deities as appropriate; this is the greatness of our MARCH-2013 • 06 Lord who instilled equality and respect for armour of psychic potency relating to all gods in our Sampradai. Narayan). Protected by it, Indra was able to easily overcome the armies of Asuras. The Text-85 narayan Kavacha in Sk 6, Ad 8, 12-34, In the event of afflictions caused by invokes all the 24 incarnations of God and any evil spirits, they shall chant the asks each to protect them from varous Stotram of ‘Narayan Kavacham’ or undesirable influences and facts. It invokes ‘Hanumaan Stotram’, but shall never Lord Hari, using his many names to protect chant the Mantras of any other deity. them throughout the day. It invokes the Bhutadhupadrave Kvapi Varma various weapons of God to protect you by Narayanatmakam | destroying evil. Japyam Cha Hanumamantro Japyo Na Similarly Hanumaan’s greatness is Kshudradaivataha ||85|| equally renowned in the Ramayan. His Sometimes for reasons of impurity, sin devotion to Rama was clearly glorified. etc. one can become subject to afflictions Hanumaan is a Deva of astonishing caused by Ghosts (Bhuta) and other attributes. His strength, knowledge, skills paranormal phenomena such as evil spirits and total mastery of all arts makes him (Preta, Pisacha, Shaakini, Brahman worthy of being invoked. Rakshasa