Shri Hari Jayanti Celebration
24 March 2010 (VS 2066, Ramnavmi) Wednesday, Sarangpur, 230th Shri Hari Jayanti Celebration
At 7.30 p.m. the celebration of Shri Hari Jayanti commenced on the mandir grounds. The festival assembly included speeches and kirtans by sadhus and dramas and dances by youths. The celebration assembly theme was ‘Bhagwan Swaminarayan – the Propagator of Ekantik Dharma.’ Brahmadarshan Swami gave an introductory speech on the theme, Ghanshyamcharan Swami spoke about the spreading of dharma, jnan and vairagya. A drama on Abhaysinh Bapu’s (Lodhika) steadfastness in satsang niyams was enacted by youths. Siddheshwar Swami spoke about ‘Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the Propagator of Bhakti.’ Thereafter another drama on Khimo Suthar was performed. Then Swamishri inaugurated new publications by Swaminarayan Aksharpith: Andhkar se Prakash ki Aur and Adhyatma Vibhuti Yogiji Maharaj by Vivekpriya Swami and Sanskruti Ke Adharsthambh – Shastra, Mandir, Sant in Hindi. ThereafterViveksagar Swami spoke about ‘Satpurush – The Upholder of Ekantik Dharma.’ Then Swamishri was honoured with garlands by the senior sadhus. A kirtan was sung and a traditional dance was performed. Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly, “Shriji Maharaj came to earth and accomplished an extraordinary task of establishing ekantik dharma. He also initiated sadhus who abided by a code of moral conduct and upasana and inspired the development of staunch devotees. Shriji Maharaj has declared in the Vachanamrut that he had not come alone to earth but had brought with him his abode, Mul Akshar Gunatitanand Swami, his divine powers and many muktas. His mission was to grace countless souls with liberation. During his short life of 49 years he travelled in the harsh forests, met yogis and liberated them and came to Loj and met Muktanand Swami…. If we wish to become brahmarup we need to be wedded firmly to agna and upasana. And the Satpurush who is wedded to both is the means to moksha.”
At 10.10 p.m. Swamishri performed the birthday celebration arti. Then he rocked the hindolo of Harikrishna Maharaj while the sadhus sang Dharma gher ãnand bhayo, jai bolo Ghanshyam ki and Ãj Dharma Bhakti ne dwãr… ãj Yagnapurush ne dwãr. Everyone rejoiced with devotional fervour. More than 1,223 male and 1,019 female devotees had observed a waterless fast today.