As instructed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the Shikshapatri and by the wish of guruhari Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj, devotees should undertake extra spiritual observances during the four holy months of Chaturmas. This year, Chaturmas is from 4 July 2017 (Ashadh sud 11) to 31 October 2017 (Kartak sud 11). To please Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Brahmaswarup Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Pragat Brahmaswarup Mahant Swami Maharaj, the following extra observances should be undertaken:
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One month dharna-parna, chandrayan, etc. or ek-tana during the month of Shravan (24 July to 21 August 2017).
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Extra malas, dandvats, pradakshinas as per one’s convenience and faith.
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Daily read one extra Vachanamrut and five Swamini Vato.
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Those who, under the auspices of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Centenary Celebrations, have undertaken to daily read ‘Jena Gune Rijhya Girdhari’/’Eternal Virtues’ should finish reading it first. Then, daily read Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s biography, Part 4 and ‘Suno Aksharni Motai Re...’. Youths should read ‘Suno Aksharni Motai Re...’ and ‘Shri Akshar Tirth’.
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In accordance with the wish of senior sadhus, those who have not undertaken the ‘Guru Shravan’ observance under the auspices of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Centenary Celebrations should listen to ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Amrutvani’, Samput 7 or 8 and ‘Sant Samagam’ Samput 1 or 2.
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Inspire five people to give up addictions, attend satsang sabha and conduct a daily ghar sabha.
Note: During Chaturmas, devotees should not eat brinjals, white and red radish, sugarcane and mogri.