Annual Subscription Rs. 60 January 2011 12 3 4 5 6 SWAMISHRI’S VICHARAN October-November 2010 1. Swamishri blesses a satsang assembly in Junagadh. 2. Devotees enjoy Swamishri’s darshan and blessings, Junagadh. 3. Swamishri showers flower petals to sanctify the accounts books of the devotees during Chopda Pujan, Gondal (5 November). 4. Annakut offered to Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj, Gondal (6 November). 5. Swamishri blesses the Prabhodini Ekadashi assembly, Rajkot (21 November). 6. Swamishri performs arti of the Hathadi (Vegetables) Annakut, Rajkot (21 November). January 2011, Vol. 34 No. 1 CONTENTS Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj Annakut, Gondal Swaminarayan History 28 BAPS Raisan Tops Gita Chanting 4 Jiva Khachar Schemes Against Dada Competition, Ahmedabad Khachar 29 Inaugural Lecture at BAPS Shri Hari protects Dada Khachar... Swaminarayan Research Institute, Bhagavad Gita New Delhi 4 Brãhmi Sthiti Yoga: Part 1 29 Lt. Governor General of Delhi Visits Arjuna in the Eyes of Krishna Akshardham and BAPS Swaminarayan Shri Krishna analyzes Arjuna’s state of mind... Vidyamandir, Raisan Divine Discourses 30 World Diabetes Day Celebrated At 11 Snapshot of Society Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Swamishri advises on correcting the Delhi ills of society... 30 Annual Regional Kishore-Kishori Shibirs, Sarangpur On Life 31 Worldwide Diwali, Annakut and New 13 Principles of Satsang: Year Celebrations Samp, Suhradbhav and Ekta Yogiji Maharaj leads by example... Website: www.baps.org Spirituality E-mail: [email protected] 17 Two Chambers Within Us... Choosing between God and evil... Founder: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Editor: Sadhu Swayamprakashdas, Vicharan Contributors: Sadhu Vivekjivandas, Sadhu Amrutvijaydas, 22 Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Vicharan Designer: Sadhu Shrijiswarupdas Published & Printed by: Swaminarayan Aksharpith, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad–380 004. India. BAPS News SUBSCRIPTION RATES Outside India (By Air Mail) India 28 Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 90th Rupees Pounds US Dollars Rupees Birthday Celebrations, Anand and 1 Year 500 6 10 60 Chansad 2 Years 1000 12 20 110 3 Years 1500 18 30 160 January 2011 u Swaminarayan Bliss 3 Swaminarayan History: Translation: Sadhu Vivekjivandas Jiva Khachar Schemes Against Dada Khachar During Shri Hari’s stay in Gadhada Dada Khachar faced an ominous challenge... fter the Fuldol ed recovering. In the next few days celebration in Gadhada his fatal illness had totally disap- ABrahmanand Swami peared. fell in. Slowly his illness became Every day, Shri Hari listened to grave. Shri Hari made special the Shrimad Bhagvat read by Pragji arrangements for his treatment and Dave. Maharaj had also initiated care. Harji Thakkar, who was Dada the rebuilding of two rooms in the Khachar’s financial manager, felt east-facing part of Dada Khachar’s that Brahmanand Swami’s illness darbar. For the construction work had turned chronic and terminal. Maharaj had called Gangaram He became worried. He shared Suthar from Mansa and Harkha his anxieties with Dada Khachar Suthar of Unava. Devraj, the mason and his sisters. They all prayed and requested from Gondal, was already serving in Gadhada. Maharaj to make him well. Shri Hari declared, The birthday celebration of Maharaj in 1820 “Dada, Brahmanand Swami’s lifespan is nearly was celebrated in Gadhpur. Thereafter Maharaj over; he will shortly pass away and go to dham.” instructed Nityanand Swami and Chaitanyanand Maharaj’s reply shocked all and subsequently Swami to leave for Surat and inspire all with an air of gloom descended upon them. Dada satsang. Khachar beseeched, “Maharaj, it is in your Once Maharaj told a parshad to call Dada hands to make Brahmanand Swami well. So Khachar to come to him immediately. At that time many have been inspired into Satsang through a barber was shaving Dada Khachar’s beard. It him. Do not take him away to your abode so was half done when the parshad called. Dada got soon.” up instantly and tied a cloth over his face. When Maharaj explained, “Dada, with regards to Shri Hari saw him, he asked, “Dada, what were Swami’s lifespan, time will do its duty. However, you doing?” if you all wish to extend it, contribute a part of “Maharaj, I was getting a shave. On your your lifespan to him.” call I came here immediately. What are your The women devotees readily agreed. Some instructions?” offered two years, five years, and others a Maharaj smiled at his obedience. Then his eyes month or few weeks. In all it added up to twelve moistened with tears of joy, “Dada, you should years. Shri Hari was pleased with their concern have come after your shave was over. There was for Brahmanand Swami and assured, “To no urgency.” honour your feelings, I will allow Swami to live “Maharaj, that would have delayed my coming further.” and you would have had to wait unnecessarily,” By Maharaj’s wish Brahmanand Swami start- Dada Khachar replied humbly. 4 Swaminarayan Bliss u January 2011 Shri Hari looked at Muktanand Swami, heart he cherishes only your divine form. So how Brahmanand Swami, Shukmuni Swami and can he have worries about other things! Where others and praised, “Did you see Dada’s alacrity there is God there are no desires, and where there in conforming to my words?” are desires, God does not reside. Maharaj, since “Maharaj, there is nothing in his heart other he cares for you, you worry about and care for than your divine form,” Muktanand Swami him.” commended. Shri Hari listened patiently to Muktanand “And that is why I have to take care of him, Swami’s eulogy. Maharaj throbbed with joy his family, his land and his assets.” at Dada’s sacrifice and devotion. Muktanand Dada was still standing with folded hands. Swami continued, “In the Mahabharat war when He was awaiting Maharaj’s instruction. Bhishma announced his pledge to kill Arjun the next day, there was turmoil and fear in the Pandav MAHARAJ imparts THE ROYAL DUTIES camp. Even Shri Krishna was worried. He went TO DADA KHACHAR to Arjun’s tent to reassure and embolden him. Maharaj spoke to him, “Dada, do you know However on seeing Arjun in deep sleep, he was that Jiva Khachar is on the verge of playing a dirty amazed. He woke Arjun up. On seeing Krishna, trick on you. He wants to confiscate your home Arjun sat up surprised, “My Lord, what brings and land and take charge. Furthermore, he wishes you here at this hour?” Shri Krishna asked him, to throw you out and reduce you to a tramp.” “Have you heard Bhishma’s terrible pledge? The “Maharaj, I am simply unaware of it. I cannot entire Pandav camp is paralysed with fear for believe that Jiva Bapu would do this,” Dada your life, so how can you sleep?” Arjun simply replied innocently. smiled and uttered, “My Lord, because you are “Look Dada, you are a king,” Maharaj began awake!” with a strict tone. “It is your duty as a king to Shri Hari replied, “I understand. So it means protect your people. For that you have to learn that worrying for Dada is on my head?” the lessons of kingship. Become proficient in “Yes Maharaj. You have been caring and solving problems and situations through the worrying for him on all occasions!” Muktanand four means of sama (peace), dama (suppression), Swami reaffirmed. bheda (division) and danda (punishment). You “Swami, now hear me seriously. Jiva Khachar have to deploy observers and secret agents who has gathered 2,000 men for war. He has also can inform you about what’s happening in your fortified his army with Arab soldiers from kingdom. On the contrary, you are aloof and Bhavnagar. Tomorrow they will arrive here absorbed in bhajan, believing nothing untoward and attack. They may conquer Dada’s share of is happening in your kingdom. But you must Gadhada village.” As Maharaj spoke, his voice understand and shrewdly execute the duties of trembled with anxiety. a king.” Dada Khachar was still standing with folded DADA’S SUGARCANE FARM IS SET AFIRE hands and eyes cast downwards. Seeing him Meghji and Hasan, who looked after Dada thus Shri Hari reproached him further, “If you Khachar’s farm, came running frantically to the lose your kingdom you’ll be ruined. Then where darbar. “Maharaj, something unexpected has will you go, and what will you eat? Have you happened. The sugarcane farm in Lakshmivadi ever thought about that?” has been torched by someone. We have just Dada Khachar still stood mutedly. Gently come from there. There’s a raging fire rapidly Muktanand Swami interrupted, “Maharaj, in his consuming Dada’s farm.” January 2011 u Swaminarayan Bliss 5 Shri Hari turned red with anger. He stood courage. Go and show them your might. Jai up instantly, thumping his left palm with Swaminarayan!” the fist of his right hand. Maharaj spoke in Everyone chorused the jai aloud. Satchidan- exasperation, “I’ll have to teach Jiva Khachar and Swami armed himself with a plough and a lesson by showing him the awesome form of joined the Kathis for the fight. Other sadhus took Narsinh avatar. All these years my recognition up batons and staffs. Maharaj told his sadhus, of Jiva Bapu’s services to me had restrained me “You have the lustre and power of celibacy, faith from giving him fitting replies to all his schemes and devotion. The opponents are characterless against Dada Khachar. But today what has and lifeless because of their addictions to liquor, occured is the last straw! All the merits of his ganja and marijuana.” Shri Hari cheered them services have been destroyed due to his aversion for the big battle. The brave Kathis opened the for a great devotee like Dada Khachar.” In the giant door of Dada’s premise. The Arab soldiers meantime, Sombai, Jiva Khachar of Sarangpur, were ready to fire their rifles, but on pulling the Somla Khachar and other parshads arrived and trigger nothing happened.