11 February 1999 : Thursday (Maha vad 10), Nadiad
Swamishri, senior sadhus and 200 devotees participated in the first inauguration anniversary of the shikharbaddh mandir in Nadiad. In his blessings Swamishri said, "... The murti pratishtha was performed today last year, and we need to be reminded of it because we tend to forget due to the daily grind of work and social duties. We need to be afresh in matters of devotion, spiritual discourses and service to God... Shriji Maharaj tells us to be ever fresh in this matter because it blesses us with moksha."
In the evening Swamishri attended the Chhatralay's annual day programs. The student residents of the hostel performed a drama with respect to the influence of bad company.
In his blessings Swamishri said, "... Fifty years ago , Yogiji Maharaj established with great foresight, youth forums and children's forums to nourish academic consciousness and Satsang values in them.
"In the drama, we saw the effect of bad company and good company on a child. Today we find there are so many powerful attractions like T.V. and addictions. Even in college we see so many attractions and students get entrapped in them. But we have to understand that they are not good. We have to preserve our character and study. And that is why we should keep good company..."
12 February 1999 : Friday (Maha vad 11), Nadiad-Atladra
197 years ago, Lord Swaminarayan announced the Swaminarayan mantra for His devotees. To celebrate its Bicentenary, the Sanstha has arranged a three-year program. The announcement of the programs was to be made in Swamishri's morning puja. The backdrop had a banner and the name 'Swaminarayan' written in different colours. During Swamishri's puja, the sadhus sang bhajans glorifying the Swaminarayan mantra. Pujya Viveksagar Swami spoke on the glory and history of the Swaminarayan Mahamantra. Today, a 24-hour programme of chanting the Swaminaryan maha-mantra was to be launched by Swamishri. The occasion was inaugurated with the lighting of a lamp by Swamishri and then he addressed the gathering,
"Bhagwan Swaminarayan came on earth with His divine abode, muktas and divine powers. And when Ramanand Swami passed away he declared the 'Swaminarayan' mantra for all. The glory of this mantra is unique. By saying it one becomes free of physical and mental illness and ultimately one becomes blessed with God's divine abode. Whenever any national or social problems arise, Yogiji Maharaj used to chant the Swaminarayan mantra.
"This mantra has been given to us by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, therefore we should chant it to please God. We should engage ourselves according to our suitability and degree of faith. Now let us chant the Swaminarayan mantra..."
And Swamishri, with eyes closed and absorbed in God, began chanting Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan. The devotees chorused the mantra and the atmosphere was charged with divinity. For seven minutes Swamishri chanted the mantra.
Swamishri left Nadiad at 5.40 pm, stopped at Chhani for a while and then reached Atladra at 8.05 pm.