July 2009 Annual Subscription Rs. 60 DOORS OPEN TORONTO 23-24 May 2009, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto his year’s Doors Open Toronto theme was based on Literature and 175 buildings were selected to par- Tticipate in the event. Visitors to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir marvelled at the traditions, heritage, values and architecture of Hinduism experienced through the Mandir and Heritage Museum. They also learned that the Mandir has been built through the vision and inspiration of Pramukh Swami Ma- haraj and the global voluntary efforts of the BAPS. Visitors were amazed to learn of the many activities that are carried out by BAPS: educational, medical, community, environmental, disaster relief and others. Almost all guests offered abhishek to the murti of Nilkanth Varni, praying for themselves, their family and peace in the world. A special display of Sacred Hindu Literature (the Vedas, Mahabharat, Gita, Vachanamrut, Shikshapatri, etc.) in the foyer gave guests an opportunity to see authentic scriptural works in Sanskrit which are the roots of Hinduism. After visiting the Doors Open event at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir for the first time, Karen Black, the founder of Doors Open, commented, “This is how I envision ‘Doors Open’. Your (BAPS) message about ‘Unity in Diversity’ is what the message of Doors Open is.” Specially trained BAPS children and youths were at hand to answer or guide the visitors at every stage. All volunteers worked extremely well together and provided an unforgettable experience for the visitors. VISITOR OPINIONS: Quite easily, the most beautiful structure in the western world. Amazing! - Loren S, Toronto It was an experience like no other. Different from how it is portrayed in schools. I believe the event to be a success and there should be more events like this to show in the future, one where people can experience the culture hands on. - Kevin Rodriguez, Brampton Breathtaking. Magnificent. Volunteers were the soul of kindness and helpfulness. Learned such a lot about Hinduism. Thank you ! - D. Caimpeel, Toronto I am not only amazed or awe-inspired by your beautiful mandir, but also appreciated the courtesy and knowledge of your many volunteers, including young children. - Norma Inch, Toronto Title: Pramukh Swami Maharaj turning the mala July 2009, Vol. 32 No. 7 CONTENTS FIRST WORD 4 Swaminarayan Mahamantra Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami Yogiji Maharaj’s Unfailing Asset says, “We will also have to liberate one who, 6 Swaminarayan Mahamantra knowingly or unknowingly, says ‘Swaminarayan, Inspiring Incidents from Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Life Swaminarayan’ five to ten times.” 10 Swaminarayan Mahamantra So just think how great would be the liberation Source of Patience and Courage if one chanted the Swaminarayan mantra with Amid Fiery Challenges great faith? 15 Swaminarayan Mahamantra Pointing out its significance, Gunatitanand Strength to Scale Life’s Swami says, “Worshipping God will bring us such Mountainous Challenges spiritual enrichment that it is not equalled by 20 Philosophy – Swaminarayan Vedanta acquiring one, or even a hundred universes.” The Mundaka Upanishad: Proclaiming the Akshar-Purushottam Principle, Why then indulge in insignificant pursuits Part 1 that can only defile you. Emphasizing the mantra 24 BAPS News further, Swami says, “With it, one becomes Summer Vacation Activities for brahmarup and is freed from the bondage of Time Children, India (kal), karma and maya. That is how powerful this Voluntary Service at Swaminarayan mantra is. Therefore, always chant it.” Akshardham, New Delhi What has Swami left out for us to accomplish? Student Shibirs, SVAS, India UK Bal-Balika Mandal Receives He says that the Swaminarayan mantra is the Prestigious Queen’s Award, UK source of accomplishing all that one has to do Kishore-Kishori Shibir, Sarangpur for moksha (liberation). The mantra can rid one of the desire for sensual pleasures, jealousy and Website: www.swaminarayan.org E-mail: [email protected] ego and eventually lead one to a higher spiritual plane, making one brahmanized. It frees one from The Swaminarayan Mahamantra articles in this all worldly bonds. The strongest bond is that of special issue are translations by Kaushik Joshi, maya. If one untangles oneself from it, one attains from the Swaminarayan Prakash May 2009 issue. liberation. The Swaminarayan mantra can help one achieve that. Founder: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, This July 2009 issue of Swaminarayan Bliss Editor: Sadhu Swayamprakashdas, Contributors: Sadhu Vivekjivandas, Sadhu Amrutvijaydas, features the experiences of some devotees on the Designer: Sadhu Shrijiswarupdas Published & Printed by: Swaminarayan Aksharpith, Shahibaug, role the Swaminarayan mantra has played in their Ahmedabad–380 004. India. lives. They have reposed great faith in it. They SUBSCRIPTION RATES Outside India (By Air Mail) India feel equipped to face any situation or experience. Rupees Pounds US Dollars Rupees 1 Year 400 6 10 60 Whoever reads and thinks over these experiences 2 Years 800 12 20 110 will have their faith doubled because they have 3 Years 1200 18 30 160 Website: www.swaminarayan.org, E-mail: [email protected] told everything honestly. July 2009 Swaminarayan Bliss 3 ogiji Maharaj’s divine murti is as fresh as ever in my mind even after so many Yyears: his body, mind, even his whole being, absorbed and immersed in Shri Hari and face slightly angled downward with reverence, as he busied himself with soft clapping. Totally engrossed in chanting the dhun in this manner, the Swaminarayan mantra flowed effortlessly from his mouth with every breath, pervading the atmosphere. small or big, simple or complex and employ the In the divine company of Yogiji Maharaj, dhun means of dhun and prayer untiringly until it was had become a part of our life. accomplished. Whether it was a problem of an I first had the experience of the divine mantra individual or a family, the society or the Sanstha, in 1949-50 in Mumbai. Shastriji Maharaj had the nation or the world, an auspicious resolution stayed at Gulzarilal Nanda’s bungalow for two or somebody’s suffering, dhun was Yogiji Maharaj’s months and had celebrated Bhim Ekadashi there. unique method. He would naturally say “Karo There was a small puja room in the bungalow dhun”. facing the sea where Yogiji Maharaj used to offer Some memories are fresh in mind. He had the the evening arti. He would gather us children dhun sung many times to pray for the acquirement before Harikrishna Maharaj and join us in the of an assembly hall in Mumbai. Every year, during dhun for an hour. I faintly remember that we his stay in Mumbai at Kapolvadi, he used to have were forced to do that, but his motherly and the dhun sung in the evening. Since the wish loving nature made us accept it. We children for a hall was not being realized and the dhun used to call the dhun a ‘giant dhun’ because who continued endlessly, some satsangis even jokingly would offer such worship for so long. said to Yogiji Maharaj, “Swami, do you intend However, that first impression of Yogiji to have a hall made of dhun?” Yogiji Maharaj, Maharaj’s dhun has remained etched in mind. though, had endless faith in dhun. Eventually, While accompanying Yogiji Maharaj during the dhun and prayers bore fruits, and today we his travels in the decade from 1950 to 1960, we have a grand mandir and a satsang hall in Dadar, realized the significance of dhun even more. It was Mumbai, and sanskardhams (satsang centres) in a routine every evening for Yogiji Maharaj to gather various suburbs of Mumbai. everyone and collectively sing the Swaminarayan Likewise, he sang the dhun for many years so mahamantra dhun after the arti, whether he was that 51 educated youths would become sadhus. in the mandir or on tour. It was his characteristic A list of the various reasons for which Yogiji to lay before Thakorji the burden of any work, Maharaj would invoke the power of dhun in the 4 Swaminarayan Bliss July 2009 Akshar Deri and at other places is itself very Whenever Yogiji Maharaj visited places memorable. Inspired by him, the sadhus and the sanctified by Shriji Maharaj he would invariably satsangis also used to sing dhun. For example, they sing dhun and pray together with the devotees would sing dhun if there was a shortage of rains and sadhus. One such place was Harikrishna and also for the abatement of torrential rains. Maharaj’s murti in Vartal. Also, in the old The Sanstha’s secretary, Maganbhai of Surat, Swaminarayan mandir at Bhoiwada in Mumbai informed Swami in Gondal one night about the he would ask us to sing dhun after darshan and weather forecast on radio which informed that circumambulation. On his visit to the Kalupur ‘there is a storm in the sea and there would be Swaminarayan mandir in Ahmedabad, he would strong winds and heavy rains’. Hearing this, first have darshan of Ghanshyam Maharaj in the Swami first chanted dhun for for the stormy winds Rang Mahol, then go upstairs to the Sukhshaiya, and rains to subside and then for flood waters in say a few words on its importance and then have Bharuch and Surat to recede. These dhuns were us join the dhun. sung in the afternoon, yet he asked the satsangis Mahelav, the birthplace of Shastriji Maharaj, to join the dhun again at night. The Swaminarayan was another place where dhun was part of every dhun was his primary weapon. visit. And he would vigorously sing the dhun before Once, the news of the alignment of eight planets Harikrishna Maharaj in Sarangpur, in Gondal and its ill-effects on the country had become before Ghanshyam Maharaj and in the Akshar widespread all over India. So, one satsangi asked Deri.