1 March 1999 : Monday (Falgun sud 14) , Sarangpur - Birthday Celebration of Bhagatji Maharaj
Before his morning worship, Swamishri went for Thakorji�s darshan and the Smruti-Mandir of Shastriji Maharaj. While circumambulating the mandir, a group of 16 devotees and 5 sadhus
from Surat were effervescently chanting the Swaminarayan dhun. They had accomplished on
foot their pilgrimage of 375 kms from Surat. Swamishri welcomed them by showering rose
petals and said, "Sahajanand Swami Maharaj ni jay. The group of devotees from Surat have accomplished their pilgrimage on foot. Maharaj, Swami, Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj are extremely pleased by your effort and devotion. For every step you have attained the fruit of countless Ashwamedh yagnas because you had remembered God and His holy sadhu. You
have pilgrimaged by foot to Akshardham!..."
Using paper, styrofoam and cloth, a beautiful stage was created by the sadhus, parshads and sadhaks of Sarangpur.
The birthday celebration of Bhagatji Maharaj commenced in the morning with the singing of dhun and prayer. In his blessings Swamishri said, "Bhagatji Maharaj was born in Mahuva on this very day. Since his birth, he was born to continue the mission of Maharaj. He was wedded to service and attached to Satsang from the beginning... He had developed a strong bond with
Gunatitanand Swami
- believing him to be the form of Maharaj and that Shriji Maharaj was working through him. Bhagatji Maharaj talked openly about the glory of Shriji Maharaj and Gunatitanand Swami in Junagadh..."
After lunch, at 1.05 p.m., Swamishri blessed a group of 30 devotees who had walked their way from Radhu.
2 March 1999 : Tuesday (Falgun sud 15) , Sarangpur
Fuldol
5 March 1999 : Friday (Falgun vad 3) , Sarangpur
This morning Swamishri blessed the assembly, saying, "One has to apply sankhya vichar (the temporary nature of all things) in life. Because life is full of problems and difficulties. When Idi Amin expelled the Indians many left with nothing in hand, leaving all their life�s savings behind. If one has sankhya vichar then one would not feel unhappy and grieved... One faces difficulties in one�s health. The human body is a house to diseases. Even in business one goes through ups and downs. So life is bumpy like a camel�s trot. One who has sankhya vichar sees the worldly pleasures as painful and full of misery. If one understands this then one will fare well in life."
5 March 1999 : Friday (Falgun vad 3) , Sarangpur
This morning Swamishri blessed the assembly, saying, "One has to apply sankhya vichar (the temporary nature of all things) in life. Because life is full of problems and difficulties. When Idi Amin expelled the Indians many left with nothing in hand, leaving all their life�s savings behind. If one has sankhya vichar then one would not feel unhappy and grieved... One faces difficulties in one�s health. The human body is a house to diseases. Even in business one goes through ups and downs. So life is bumpy like a camel�s trot. One who has sankhya vichar sees the worldly pleasures as painful and full of misery. If one understands this then one will fare well in life."
6 March 1999 : Saturday (Falgun vad 4) , Sarangpur
After lunch Swamishri blessed some devotees and officials. The General Manager of Telecom, Ahmedabad district, Shri A. K. Saxena, had come for Swamishri�s darshan. Swamishri said that he had met the Saheb before. But a sadhu added that he has come for the first time. However Swamishri was sure that he had met him before and so tried to recall where he had met the General Manager. A sadhu replied that Swamishri had met another Telecom Manager. But Swamishri confidently said, "No, it was not him, it was Saxena Saheb we had met...."
Mr. Saxena was amazed with Swamishri�s memory and added, "I had come for Swamishri�s darshan three years ago..." Swamishri blessed Mr. Saxena with success and happiness in life. Everyone else were left simply amazed by Swamishri�s sharp memory.
7 March 1999 : Sunday (Falgun vad 5) , Sarangpur
A parents� meet was organised for this evening assembly. After a program of mono-acting, story telling, folk-dance and speeches Swamishri emphasized in his talk about the necessity of inspiring character and values in children. Swamishri said, "Today there is a great need to inculcate good qualities in children. Even in education the authorities are planning very seriously on this matter... It is important for parents to understand their children and their problems. During his/her schooling years one should know and understand their needs. One does not have interest in one�s children�s talks as one has in reading the daily paper.
"Talk politely with him and he will realise his own faults and mistakes. But to insult him or beat him is not proper. The child will not develop from within. To do this the parent has to become like a child and listen to his/her problems and talks. Spend some time and talk to them every evening. And together with this instil good character in their life by doing arti and puja. With the regular contact of Satsang they will be able to imbibe morality. One should read the holy shastras like the Shrimad Bhagvat, Gita, Vachanamrut and Swamini Vato and think upon what you have read. From this, one will attain inner strength..."
8 March 1999 : Monday (Falgun vad 6) , Sarangpur
Before his morning puja Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha ceremony of the
murtis of Akshar and Purushottam and Guru Parampara for the newly built mandir in
Sabarmati, Amdavad.
11 March 1999 : Thursday (Falgun vad 9) , Sarangpur-Tajpur-Sarangpur
At 10-05 a.m. Swamishri arrived at Tajpur village to perform the ground-breaking
ceremony for a new mandir. While going to the site Swamishri offered his respect to
Yagneshwar Mahadev.
In the assembly Swamishri talked about the glory of Tajpur, "The association with this village started when the mandir in Sarangpur was being built. Shastriji Maharaj used to come here
a lot. And the devotees of this village had offered their tremendous services in the construction
of the mandir in Sarangpur. And Shastri Maharaj had a special bond with this village. The devotees, though of ordinary means, participated in festivals held at the mandir in Sarangpur.
"Shastriji Maharaj used to travel to these small villages. The homes were small with little arrangements. But before the love and affection of the devotees there was no need for facilities.
It was because of the love of Shabri that Lord Ram accepted berries from her...
"This village was also blessed by Yogiji Maharaj. Swami also used to come here often... The village has developed a lot since then. There was a small mandir here and now a bigger mandir will be built. Since the devotees are enthusiastic the new mandir will take shape within no time."
Swamishri performed the ground-breaking ceremony at the auspicious time of 12.05 p.m. 1000 devotees and well-wishers had attended the occasion.
After lunch Swamishri returned to Sarangpur at 1.40 p.m.
After his evening dinner Swamishri met a devotee called Bhayabhai. Bhayabhai humbly expressed his wish to Swamishri, "Bapa, I want to please you." Swamishri replied, "Do bhajan and inspire Satsang in others."
12 March 1999 : Friday (Falgun vad 10) , Sarangpur - Limbdi
Swamishri left Sarangpur at 10.35 a.m. and reached Dhandhuka at 11.15 a.m. Swamishri visited the mandir and blessed the devotees and stopped at Dhanduka at 11.45 am. After departing from there he stopped at Rangpur village and saw the new mandir that was coming up and blessed the devotees.
Swamishri reached Limbdi at 12.38 p.m.
At 5.40 p.m. Swamishri arrived at the new mandir site to perform the ground-breaking ceremony. The Vedic ceremony had already commenced and it concluded in the presence of Swamishri. Thereafter an assembly was held. In his blessings Swamishri said, "The city of Limbdi has an old acquaintance with our Sanstha. It was Zaverbhai, Thakor Saheb of Limbdi, who had given the land for the Sarangpur mandir to Shastriji Maharaj. He had a deep respect for Shastriji Maharaj. And Chhaganbhai Gagabhai was the first to donate Rs. 35 for the construction of Sarangpur Mandir...
"Man has progressed incredibly. He reached the moon but together with progress there has also been an increase in evils in the family, society and country. Shriji Maharaj has gifted the Shikshapatri to mankind and if one were to live accordingly then the troubles regarding health, society and family would be solved. Shikshapatri is for the good of all souls. And the essence of Bhagvat and Gita has been given in the Vachanamrut which even a villager can understand.
"Today the evils of T.V., killing, conflicts and indulgence in worldly pleasures have created a number of problems. Peace can only be got through dharma. A man without dharma is labelled as an animal. �Dharmo rakshati rakshitaha� - if one protects dharma then dharma will protect you. If one looks after one�s clothes, home etc. then they will protect you. Similarly by following dharma one gets protected. For this one needs faith in dharma, shastras and mandirs..." About 2,800 people had gathered for the occasion.
13 March 1999 : Saturday (Falgun vad 11) , Limbdi - Gondal
At 5.30 p.m. Swamishri left Limbdi and reached Gondal at 8.20 p.m.
14 March 1999 : Sunday (Falgun vad 11) , Gondal
Swamishri arrived at Vachhara village to perform the murti-pratishtha ceremony of a new mandir. The canvas murtis of Akshar and Purushottam, Hanuman and Ganpati and Guru Parampara were instituted with Vedic rites by Swamishri and Balmukund Swami. In the assembly that followed Swamishri said, "One cannot be redeemed by performing fasts or donations or any other meritorious deeds. That is achieved only by doing Satsang. There is an opportunity of Satsang in this village, so may everyone come to it. One should live an addiction-free life. The body needs air, water and food but not addictions ! It is the opinion of Bhagwan Swaminarayan that one should lead an addiction-free life and a moral life.
Many feel what is the need for mandir ? If we have mandirs then we will get good thoughts. So one should respect it, love it and derive benefit from it. You will get something good from it..." 4,000 people had attended the inauguration ceremony..
Swamishri returned back to Gondal at 12.20 p.m.
In the evening, an annual function of Kishore-Yuvak Mandal was held. Pujya Viveksagar Swami talked about Swamishri�s virtuous youths. Several other speeches, bhajans and a drama on Hiramukhi was performed.
Before Swamishri�s blessings, the compere announced that, "May all the honors and awards of the 21st century be awarded to Swamishri." Swamishri began his blessings, "The biggest honor or prize for us is that we have realised God and His holy sadhu. Understanding and spreading his glory is the greatest of honors. We should please him, increase our devotion for him and spread his message from village to village. During his prayer in Mahelav Yogiji Maharaj asked, ' O Shastriji Maharaj, may we realise your divine form.' "Because there is no self-control one gets enticed by worldly attractions. One does not achieve success because of indulging in kusang and drinking and eating outside. At present you should resolve that you want to study well and elevate the society and country. If you have a higher ideal than you will be able to do good things."