25 January 2004, Sunday, Toronto, Canada:
The Toronto BAPS celebrated the ‘Ekantik Utsav’ of Vasant Panchami Samaiyo on January 25, 2004. The exquisite murti of Shreeji Maharaj adorning the streamers of red and white flowers enhanced the glorious backdrop of the stage symbolizing the enticing colors of ‘Vasant’. The program was interspersed with a captivating kirtan aradhana that gave a glimpse of the soul stirring kirtan aradhanas of Gadhada in the presence of Shreeji Maharaj. The crowning address by Pujya JnanPriya Swami enabled the audience to realize that Vasant Panchami is undeniably and ‘Ekantik’ Utsav. He deftly defined the term ‘Ekantik’ with its pillars of Dharma, Gnan, Vairagya and Bhakti and ingeniously described the significance of this day. It was on this day, that Dharma was born in the form of Shikshapatri. He reminded the audience that by bestowing the Shikshapatri upon us, Shreeji Maharaj indeed ushered the glorious colors of Vasant in to everyone’s lives. It was also on this very day that Shastriji Maharaj was born who unfolded the complexities and mysteries of the Eternal knowledge of the Akshar Purushottam Upasana– Gnan. Nishkulanand Swami, the embodiment of ‘Vairagya’ was also born on this auspicious day. Lastly, Sadguru Brahamanand Swami, who demonstrated exemplary devotion – Bhakti- towards Shreeji Maharaj also was born on this day. Hence, all the pillars of ‘Ekantik’ celebrate their birth on Vasant Panchami and hence the appropriate name- Ekantik Utsav.