15 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 2) Friday, Nairobi
Swamishri arrived in Nairobi by plane at 11.00 am.
16 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 3) Saturday, Nairobi
In the evening satsang assembly, the chief guest was India’s High Commissioner to Kenya, H.E. Surendra Kumar. Addressing the assembly he said, “BAPS devotees rendered commendable services to thousands of people after the Gujarat Earthquake. His Holiness has done wonderful work for society and I hope he has good health and a long, long life. I seek your blessings.”
17 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 4) Sunday, Nairobi
After his morning puja, a new publication by Swaminarayan Aksharpith, Footprints, was released by Swamishri.
18 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 5) Monday, Nairobi
In the evening satsang assembly, Swamishri’s blessings were centred around a series of questions asked by the devotees on topics such as satsang, moral and spiritual codes of conduct, base instincts, etc.
19 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 6) Tuesday, Nairobi
Mwanza Pratishtha
Today, Dr. Swami and most of the sadhus had gone to Mwanza for the murti-pratishtha in the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir there.
20 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 7) Wednesday, Nairobi
In the morning the devotees participated in a samuh mahapuja, praying for Swamishri’s good health. Devotees were guided through the mahapuja rituals by Narayanprasad Dave, who has been performing the mahapuja in Nairobi mandir daily for the past 35 years.
21 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 8) Thursday, Nairobi
In the evening satsang assembly, the kishores presented a drama entitled ‘Sant-samagam’. Blessing the assembly afterwards, Swamishri said, “In this age of materialism, people earn money but do not preserve the wealth in their homes. If one’s spiritual wealth, dharma, values and traditions are preserved then virtues remain and radiate fragrance. If there is a mandir in the home, a daily family assembly takes place, family members sit together to listen to each other with affection and amicably solve any problems, then love for each other will increase. If parents sit with children, they will sit with them and traditional values will be strengthened. Such a home provides inspiration.”
India’s Deputy High Commissioner, Purushottam Das, had come to receive Swamishri’s blessings.
23 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 10) Saturday, Nairobi
Annakut and Bal Din
Today, the women devotees had prepared an annakut of 1151 delicacies to offer to the deities. Swamishri performed the arti and then gave blessings to the devotees, praising the devotion of all and the artistic way in which the annakut was arranged.
In the evening assembly, the balaks celebrated the BAPS Children’s Activities Golden Jubilee by presenting a special programme titled ‘Suvarna Bhakti Din’.
24 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 11) Sunday, Nairobi
In the evening assembly, Kenya’s Environment Minister, Stephen Kalonzo Nusyoka, came to meet Swamishri.
25 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 12) Monday, Nairobi
In the evening satsang assembly, the sadhus presented a programme of devotional songs.
Also, the Kenyan Finance Minister, David Mwiraria, came to meet Swamishri.
26 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 13) Tuesday, Nairobi
In the evening satsang assembly, the vice-president of Kenya, Moody Awori, came to meet Swamishri.
27 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 14) Wednesday, Nairobi
After lunch, Swamishri blessed Rajnikant Patel, a devotee who has read the entire Vachanamrut 260 times. Swamishri said, “You have read the Vachanamrut 260 times, so Maharaj will be pleased and you will attain spiritual wisdom.”
In the evening assembly, Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the son of former Prime Minister, Jomo Kenyatta and current leader of the Opposition, came to meet Swamishri. Swamishri talked to him about his meeting in 1974 with his father, saying, “I had met your father and in Mombasa we stayed in your bungalow. At that time we also remembered you.”
Uhuru Kenyatta commented, “I am grateful that you accepted my prayers and sanctified our home.”
28 October 2004 (V.S. 2060, Aso sud 15) Thursday, Nairobi; Sharad Purnima
Sharad Punam
From 4.10 am, Swamishri presided over the lunar eclipse assembly. After the eclipse, Swamishri bathed and performed his morning puja.
After Swamishri’s lunch, the Ugandan High Commissioner to Kenya, H.E. Jali Gonza, came to receive Swamishri’s blessings.
From 5.15pm the Sharad Punam assembly commenced. During the three-hour assembly, as per tradition, the arti was performed five times.
Today also marked Swamishri’s last night in Nairobi before returning to Mumbai after a hectic six-month Satsang Tour of USA, UK and Africa. Hence, Bhaktavatsal Swami and senior devotees garlanded Swamishri.
Finally, blessing the assembly, Swamishri said, “Only by great spiritual merits does one gain the company of God, Satsang and the holy Sadhu, and understand their glory. Maharaj incarnated on earth and brought His abode, Gunatitanand Swami, with Him. Today we are celebrating Gunatitanand Swami’s birthday and we have to understand his glory also.”