A total of 82 bal-balikas and kishore-kishoris, aged between 4 and 15, from across the UK and parts of Europe participated in the first-ever Bal Vidvan Conference, held at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London. They are among the more than 130 children who have already memorised all 315 verses of the Satsang Diksha in Sanskrit.
In the presence of Atmatruptdas Swami, Dharmasetudas Swami, and resident swamis from the UK, the three-day conference provided an in-depth analysis of a letter written by Mahant Swami Maharaj, outlining the attributes of a ‘Nakkar Vidvan’ (robust scholar) of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan.
Through various workshops, presentations, interactive games, videos, and challenges, the conference explored the following five objectives outlined by Mahant Swami Maharaj:
1) To understand the meanings of the Satsang Diksha verses
2) To observe niyam-dharma
3) To strengthen satsang samjans
4) To understand Akshar-Purushottam upasana
5) To speak to others about Akshar-Purushottam
On the first day of the conference, delegates attended presentations that enlightened them on Akshar-Purushottam upasana as revealed in Hindu shastras. Next, delegates took a journey through the history of Akshar-Purushottam upasana through the lives of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Gunatit Gurus. The day ended with learning how to imbibe the values of Akshar-Purushottam upasana through interactive workshops.
On the second day, delegates learned methods of speaking to others about Akshar-Purushottam upasana and the importance of their personal niyam-dharma. Parents of the delegates also benefitted from a special parents’ session delivered by Atmatruptdas Swami and Dharmasetudas Swami.
The final day of the conference began with a guided samuh-puja. Sessions for the delegates covered various samjans (theological understandings) within satsang: praptino vichar, kartapanano vichar, sambandhno vichar, and workshops on how to practically apply these profound principles in their everyday lives. The delegates also enjoyed a special prapti-themed kirtan aradhana before departing for an outdoor adventure. It featured foot-golf and bouncy castles, which concluded with a final message from Atmatruptdas Swami.
The delegates left the conference with a newfound understanding of Akshar-Purushottam upasana, practical applications of many satsang concepts, and motivation to continue excelling in their studies and personal satsang.