May–June 2018 Annual Subscription ` 80/- 1 1 2 2 3 MAHANT SWAMI MAHARAJ’S VICHARAN IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND February–March 2018 1. Devotees rejoice as Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj sprays them with sanctified saffron-scented water during the Pushpadolotsav Celebration, Sydney (2 March). 2. Swamishri performs the arti during the evening assembly at the North Shore Event Centre, Auckland (17 February). 3. Swamishri performs the evening arti during the public assembly at the Sleeman Sports Complex, Brisbane (24 February). Cover page: Mahant Swami Maharaj during the karyakar shibir, Gold Coast, Australia (20 March 2018). 2 CONTENTS 4 Pleased by Resolute Faith May–June 2018, Vol. 41, No. 3 7 Mahant Swami Maharaj’s Vicharan: Asia-Pacific 25 Yogiji Maharaj: An Icon of Motherly Love 29 Impressions of Yogiji Maharaj 31 Burnout: Causes, Consequences and Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj Coping 37 Mahant Swami Maharaj’s Vicharan: SWAMINARAYAN AKSHARPITH India In April 1978, Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired and inaugurated the first issue of Swaminarayan Bliss in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The 42 Living with Swamishri bi-monthly magazine serves to enlighten BAPS youths, seniors and well-wishers about the glory of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the Akshar- 45 Vicharan in Gulf Countries: Pujya Purushottam philosophy and the Gunatit guru parampara. It also seeks to inspire the universal values and traditions of Hinduism to Doctor Swami and Sant Mandal pursue a happy and peaceful life by serving God and humankind. Founder: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj 47 Murti-Pratishtha Mahotsav, Tokyo, Editor: Sadhu Swayamprakashdas Japan Contributors: Sadhu Vivekjivandas, Sadhu Amrutvijaydas Designer: Sadhu Shrijiswarupdas 49 BAPS News Published & Printed by: Swaminarayan Aksharpith, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad - 380004. India 52 Somnath Sanskrit University Honours SUBSCRIPTION RATES Outside India (By Air Mail) India Pujya Viveksagar Swami Rupees Pounds US Dollars Rupees 1 Year 630 9 14 80 2 Years 1300 18 28 150 53 Tribute: Mahendrabhai Mithabhai Patel 3 Years 1900 27 42 220 54 E-Publications 3 SWAMINARAYAN HISTORY: Translation by Sadhu Vivekjivandas PLEASED BY RESOLUTE FAITH Shri Hari attends the post-death rites of Himraj Shah and showers his rajipo upon the bereaved sons for their robust faith and steadfast spiritual allegiance… I ONLY INVITED FIFTY SADHUS paramhansas as you wish.” Five-hundred paramhansas entered Shri Hari smiled at Amba Sheth into Gadhadi village while chanting the and added, “Sheth, you have truly ap- Swaminarayan dhun. The village bazaar plied your brain intelligently. I shall and lanes were replete with the saf- serve you food for ten persons.” Then fron colour. It was a soothing sight, Shri Hari placed some motaiya lad- but Amba Sheth was perplexed by dus and ganthiya on the cloth, and the presence of a multitude of sad- Amba Sheth placed them safely in hus. He thought had he erred in his house. inviting so many paramhansas Maharaj then covered the stock or had Maharaj misunderstood of laddus and baskets of ganthiya his words? In this baffled state, with a cloth. Then, he placed a Amba Sheth darted in and out of murti of Thakorji and ignited his house not knowing what to a divo. Thereafter, Maharaj de- do. The paramhansas had started clared to the paramhansas, “Come and take the streaming into his street and in front of his food and find a place to sit down and eat.” After house. Soon thereafter, Maharaj arrived at Amba Maharaj finished serving all the sadhus, he got Sheth’s house. up to have lunch. Shri Hari smiled at Amba Sheth’s tensed All the while, Amba Sheth was watching countenance. The latter stated, “Maharaj, I Maharaj’s lila with amazement. Once Maharaj believe I had asked you to come with only fif- finished eating he told Amba Sheth, “Now, you ty paramhansas!” can take care of your stock of laddus and baskets “And, I added another zero to it,” Maharaj of ganthiya.” spoke cheerfully. Amba Sheth went into the room where the “But Maharaj, what about my prestige? How stock was kept. On removing the cloth over the will I manage to feed so many?” laddus and ganthiya he was surprised to find that Shri Hari smiled and reassured, “Amba Sheth, nothing had diminished. a true devotee will never lose face or suffer humil- So, Amba Sheth concluded that to equally iation. In fact, God always augments the prestige perceive divinity in Shri Hari’s human and di- and glory of his devotees.” vine acts is true bhakti. He recalled that he had In spite of hearing Maharaj’s words Amba perceived manushyabhav when Shri Hari placed Sheth was not convinced. So, he spread a large his hand on Adiba in Gadhada, and now he had cloth on the ground and told Shri Hari, “I have witnessed the divine miracle Maharaj performed ten members in my family. You place the amount by feeding 500 paramhansas from food made for of laddus and ganthiya that will suffice for us to only 50 persons. And thus, his reverence for Shri eat on this cloth. Thereafter, you can serve your Hari was revived. 4 Swaminarayan Bliss u May–June 2018 HIMRAJ SHAH GOES TO DHAM and instructed him, “You go with these two broth- In Gadhpur, Dada Khachar had started mak- ers to Sundariyana and make preparations for ing preparations to celebrate the Vasant festival the Vasant festival.” Dada Khachar immediately to be held in the presence of Shri Hari. A few accepted Shri Hari’s command. days later, news of Himraj Shah’s demise arrived. Hirabhai and Bhagabhai left with Anand Shri Hari was saddened by Himraj Shah’s depar- Swami and some sadhus to Sundariyana. ture. He declared, “I’d like to go to Sundariyana Preparations for the Vasant celebration in once his crematory rites are over.” A couple of Sundariyana began in earnest. Punjasha and days later Bhagabhai and Hirabhai, the sons of Vanasha (sons of Himraj Shah) made arrange- Vanasha, arrived in Gadhada. After Maharaj con- ments for musicians to play during Maharaj’s soled them Hirabhai expressed, “Maharaj, you grand welcoming ceremony. Shri Hari’s resi- had come to liberate our grandfather while he dence was arranged at Jethabhai’s house. Laduba was talking to us. We are all happy and satisfied and Jivuba’s stay was arranged at Bhanji Mehta’s that by your grace our grandfather lived a wor- house and Dada Khachar would be accommo- thy spiritual life.” Shri Hari was pleased with the dated at Bhaga Sheth’s home. Various other ar- understanding of both the brothers. rangements were also completed. On 1 February 1824 CE (Maha sud 1, A.S. WE WILL ADHERE TO SATSANG 1880), Shri Hari proceeded with a group of para- Then Hirabhai described, “Maharaj, we had mhansas and devotees towards Sundariyana. As invited our relatives and community members Maharaj approached the village, the devotees of for lunch as part of the post-death rites. But the Sundariyana were waiting excitedly on the out- relatives in Dhandhuka declared, ‘Only when you skirts to welcome him. When Shri Hari arrived break the Swaminarayan kanthi and put on the he was offered flower garlands, and the music Vaishnav kanthi will the whole community come band played auspicious tunes with the accompani- to attend your lunch function.’ We boldly refused ment of the drum beats. Soon, Shri Hari arrived to comply. Then they gave us another option, ‘At at his residence and went inside to freshen up. the time when the community members come and Thereafter, on observing the kitchen arrange- sit down for lunch, you remain secluded inside a ments he felt the food rations would not suffice. room and not come out to meet them. Then we Maharaj informed, “I have invited many devotees will declare that Himraj Shah’s sons have given from near and far off places for the festival. So, up satsang. If you agree with this proposal we order an additional 800 lbs of ghee and sugar shall come for lunch.’ In response, my father, each, and more food rations.” Instantly, Vanasha Vanasha, clearly replied, ‘We will not give up our sent one of his men to Dhandhuka to purchase kanthis and satsang. If the community members the extra rations. wish to attend, they can do so, otherwise satsan- gis, who are our true relatives, shall attend the THE FEAST WAS CANCELLED FOR ritual lunch.’” BRAHMINS IN DHANDHUKA Shri Hari was pleased with Hirabhai’s unremit- Vanasha informed Maharaj, “The committee ting faith. He immediately called Dada Khachar of baniya businessmen in Dhandhuka have can- and said, “I wish to celebrate the Vasant festival celled their annual feast for Brahmins because the in Sundariyana because Himraj Sheth’s sons have Brahmins have become Swaminarayan satsangis. invited us to celebrate it there. So, stop the prepa- The amount they were going to spend for the rations here.” Then, Maharaj called Anand Swami feast will now be used for other charity work. May–June 2018 u Swaminarayan Bliss 5 Thus, we should also invite the Brahmins for the has been arranged.” Thereafter, Maharaj briskly feast in Sundariyana.” walked to the outskirts. Shri Hari, after listening to Vanasha, felt Shri Hari took his seat on the platform and certain people were still biased and averse to- asked for the baskets of gulal to be brought wards the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. They near to him. Maharaj commenced the festival erroneously believed that the Swaminarayan by sprinkling gulal on the sadhus and devotees. Sampradaya was a new organization which was The sadhus and devotees divided themselves into not from the Vaishnav tradition, and so they groups and started throwing gulal upon each should oppose it. other. The festival of colours carried on till af- Maharaj pondered for a while and replied, ternoon.