As part of the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Akshar Deri in Gondal, a grand mahapuja ritual was held on the festival ground. In the concluding part of the mahapuja, Swamishri stood up to perform the arti. Swamishri’s routine of standing up to do the arti has been observed on many occasions. In spite of Swamishri being requested on all the occasions to remain seated and perform the arti, he has always stood up.

Today, Brahmavatsal Swami asked Swamishri, “Swami, why is it that you stand up to perform the arti? Is it out of respect for Thakorji?’

Swamishri replied in the affirmative and then added, “Swami Bapa [Pramukh Swami Maharaj] always stood up to perform arti. Later, because of old age, he did it while sitting in a chair. That’s why I stand up to perform the arti.”

Swamishri follows the devotional tradition practised by his guru.

Swamishri arrived at the Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi yesterday, after celebrating the 150th Anniversary Celebrations of Akshar Deri in Gondal. In contrast to the thousands of devotees and 800 sadhus in Gondal, there were only a few sadhus seated here before him. Due to this stark difference, Harinivas Swami asked Swamishri, “After celebrating a big festival in Gondal, you must be feeling at ease and peace here with only a few sadhus before you.”

Swamishri replied, “[I] experience supreme peace no matter how many are present or not. I’m connected with two – Maharaj and Swami – and so I’m always at peace – 24 hours.”

Everyone was left speechless and realized that Swamishri’s inner peace and joy were not dependant on mundane standards and circumstances.

Swamishri departed from Sarangpur at about 5 p.m. to head towards Bochasan and Anand by road. Along the way, Swamishri guided and blessed devotees by phone about their problems and requests. Swamishri also insisted upon slowing the car where devotees had gathered on the village outskirts for darshan. In this way, after slowing down at the outskirts of 20 villages, Swamishri reached Anand late at 8.15 p.m. After doing Thakorji’s darshan, Swamishri attended the welcome assembly and gave darshan to all. By the time Swamishri sat down for dinner it was 9 p.m., one hour later than his daily routine. While having dinner, Swamishri said, “Whatever honours and welcomes I get, I offer them at the feet of Maharaj and Swami. Thus, I’m free [and unburdened of all honours].”

Swamishri’s striking bhakti and humility touched all.

After dinner, an attendant sadhu spoke about today’s late arrival in Anand, “Swami, it took us over three hours to get here!” Instantly, Swamishri remembered Pramukh Swami Maharaj, “Once, Pramukh Swami Maharaj travelled from Badalpur to Anand. The route was only one hour long, but he left in the morning and reached Anand at night. So, in comparison [to that] it was nothing for us!”

Swamishri dismissed the delay and fatigue of his journey by praising his guru’s endeavours.

Swamishri arrived for the evening satsang assembly. The stage comprised of a traditional tribal straw hut. In the middle was a beautiful sofa for Mahant Swami Maharaj, flanked by raised seats for the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. As soon as Swamishri saw his seat he frowned and uttered, “Maharaj’s seat is ordinary, Swami Bapa’s seat is also ordinary and mine is royal!” Swamishri expressed his displeasure for the inappropriate arrangement. Hurriedly, the attendants brought an ordinary sofa for Swamishri. Thereafter, Swamishri felt pleased and comfortable.

Swamishri’s bhakti and humility towards Shriji Maharaj and guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj are exemplary.

Gurumanan Swami asked Swamishri, “While giving samip darshan to the devotees what do you think about them?”

Swamishri replied, “They are all muktas [liberated souls] and they are all divine.”

Shrutipriya Swami asked, “They are divine because of Mahant Swami’s association?”

Swamishri instantly denied, “No, they are divine because of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s association.”

Shrutipriya Swami argued, “While the devotees came before you for samip darshan, the bhajan that was being played had the name of Mahant Swami.”

Swamishri replied, “It doesn’t matter what is written in the kirtan, but all are divine because of Pramukh Swami’s association.”

The unique aspect of all the Gunatit gurus is to give credit and praise to their gurus. Whereas our lives are self-centric, the genuine guru is always God- and guru-centric in all his actions and words. Such a guru is an ideal for all spiritual aspirants.