27 July 2007 (V.S. 2063, Ashadh sud 12) Friday, Toronto, Edison
At 10.09 am Swamishri departed from Toronto International Airport and landed at Morristown airport in New Jersey at 11.05 am. Swamishri arrived at the mandir to a tumultuous welcome from devotees, youths and children.
In the evening Swamishri started another round of EECP treatment.
28 July 2007 (V.S. 2063, Ashadh sud 13) Saturday, Edison; Welcome Assembly
At 7.00 pm Swamishri arrived at the Rariton Expo Centre in Edison for the welcome function. A replica of Akshardham made of polystyrene formed the stage backdrop. Prior to Swamishri’s arrival senior sadhus had addressed the large gathering. On his arrival senior sadhus garlanded Swamishri. Thereafter the Mayor of Edison Hon. Jun Choi honoured Swamishri with a proclamation and declared the day as ‘Pramukh Swami Day’. The Mayor praised the BAPS and Swamishri in his address. Then Swamishri blessed the CEO of TV Asia Shri H.R. Shah and social worker Bharatbhai Shah. Shri H.R. Shah praised Swamishri as today’s sanskruti purush (culture personality).
Children and youths performed a cultural dance and a drama on family disputes and miscommunication. Then Shukmuni Swami spoke on effective communication. Finally Swamishri blessed the function, “We are indebted to one’s family, society and country. But our obligation to God is the greatest. Whatever you have achieved, do not use it unethically. Live morally and spiritually and consolidate our cultural values in life. If the foundation of a building is strong then the building will stand for many years. So, one has to take care in constructing the foundation. If one becomes engrossed in material pleasures, the present lifestyles and wealth then one’s foundation will become weak. We must observe and preserve our values of truth, ahimsa, brahmacharya, compassion.”
The assembly concluded at 8.30 pm. About 7,000 devotees and well-wishers were served with prasad.
29 July 2007 (V.S. 2063, Ashadh sud 14) Sunday, Edison; Guru Purnima
Swamishri performed the pratishtha rituals of Shri Sita-Ram Dev and Hanumanji and Shri Shankar-Parvatiji and Ganapatiji besides the presiding murtis of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and Shri Radha-Krishna Dev.
At 7.00 pm Swamishri arrived at the Expo centre. The assembly theme of “He gurudev, apna anant chhe upakar” was elaborated upon with speeches by Tyagvallabh Swami, Ishwarcharan Swami, Viveksagar Swami, Anandswarup Swami and Gnaneshwar Swami. On Swamishri’s arrival a cultural dance was performed by youths. Thereafter senior sadhus garlanded and offered shawls to Swamishri. Then Swamishri blessed the assembly, “A guru reveals true knowledge and direction in life. Through him we realize God, his true glory and the realization of one’s atma. God has blessed us with this human body to realize the true knowledge of atma.
“The more your expectations and desires, the more your problems. You should earn as much as you need and also donate for the welfare of others… The essence of all shastras is that one attains moksha through God or his Sadhu.”
Finally Swamishri blessed all with samip darshan.