24 May 2005 (V.S. 2061, Vaishakh vad 1) Tuesday, Bhavnagar
For the evening parayan (discourse) a pothi-yatra (procession of scripture) was carried out with festivity. The parayan was to be held in memory of the late Dineshbhai (Gadhadi).
In the evening assembly, Viveksagar Swami conducted the parayan of Shri Harililakalpataru. Thereafter a welcome dance was performed by the local youths. Finally, in his blessings Swamishri talked about the Harililakalpataru scripture which describes the supreme glory of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. “The amrut (immortalising nectar) is found in the world of gods. But that amrut cannot help you transcend maya. The material pleasures of swarg are not everlasting. When one’s merits are exhausted one has to come back to mrutyulok (earth). The divine nectar of God dissolves our base nature and properties of maya within and blesses us with God’s eternal abode…”
26 May 2005 (V.S. 2061, Vaishakh vad 3) Thursday, Bhavnagar
Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha rituals of pujan and arti of Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj and Guru Parampara for a newly built mandir shed in Mahuva.
2 June 2005 (V.S. 2061, Vaishakh vad 12), Thursday, Bhavnagar
In the evening assembly Viveksagar Swami concluded his 11-day exposition on the Harililakalpataru. Finally Swamishri blessed the assembly, “The father believes that his son has grown up, but in fact his life has been shortened. Whatever that is to be done is possible during the years of youthhood. In old age the eyes lose their sight and one cannot do darshan, the hand cannot tell the mala, the body becomes weak and one cannot do what one desires to do so. If you wait to do things later in old age then your life becomes worthless85”
In his book on the Bhagvad Gita, former General of the Indian Army, Lt. Gen. Dr S.B.S. Kochar, writes his experience of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and of his visits to Akshardham in Gandhinagar:
My Inspiration
My initiation to spirituality was characterized by meeting and interacting with Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj at Akshardham in Gandhinagar sometime in 1992. His darshan filled me with such calm, assurance and ease that a quiet aroma of spirituality did not abandon me for weeks. It was much later that I came to know that Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the leader of a world-acclaimed socio-spiritual organisation, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. To me, however, it was his simplicity and gentle humility that penetrated the core of my soul. He lives an ordinary life with an extraordinary goal – to spread the message of love and compassion.
Whenever I went to Akshardham I felt at peace, totally at peace. The golden murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan had so much spiritual aura and I experienced unbroken joy and harmony. I found Akshardham a fountain of spirituality, ‘universal’ in outlook, composition, expression and teachings. I felt rejuvenated, re-energised, refurbished – a different person.
That was my first step to spiritual living. I was happy to renounce ‘food of violence’ and alcohol. Swamiji opens the locked door and takes us beyond our mundane existence to a life of joy and bliss. He provides pragmatic solutions to everyday living.
Lt. Gen. (Dr.) S.B.S. Kochar
PVSM, AVSM
3 June 2005 (V.S. 2061, Vaishakh vad 12) Friday, Bhavnagar; Yogi Jayanti
The evening celebration of Yogiji Jayanti was based on the theme of the kirtan, Ek kathE3 tame sau sE3mbhaljo. The assembly was interspersed with dance, drama and speeches. After the opening traditional dance by children Brahmadarshan Swami talked about the spiritual bonds between Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. Ghanshyamcharan Swami discoursed about the vicharan of Yogiji Maharaj. This was followed by a drama performed by children and youths depicting the harmful effects of addiction. Another drama by youths from ‘Yogi Smaran Yatra’ showed the impression Yogiji Maharaj had on Colonel Bhatia. Viveksagar Swami talked about Pramukh Swami Maharaj as the successor of Yogiji Maharaj.
Finally Swamishri blessed the assembly, “God is the doer of whatever that happens in the world, because He pervades in all things. Because he resides everywhere we are able to experience joy. If one believes that there is no God then one will cease to exist because God resides in one’s heart. Yogiji Maharaj was a simple sadhu. He saw the good in all and never saw their faults. He had the vision to see God in all. He respected everyone85”
More than 12,000 devotees performed arti in conclusion to the parayan.