Shri Hari renounced the home - 26, July 2015
Shri Hari renounced the home
Samvat eighteen hundred fourtynine,the month was Ashad;
He began to loath home so fine,loves to live in forest a far!
On this early morning before 222 years Bhagwan Shri Harikrishna set out under the pretext of having bath in the river Sariyu. He carried with Him a deer-hide, small booklet, Shalgram, gourd-bowl and a staff. He renounced the home for the ultimate good of innumerable souls.
The Ekadashi of Devshayan - 27, July 2015
The Ekadashi of Devshayan
The 11th day in the bright half of the Ashadh month is known as Devashyani or Devpodhi Ekadashi. Chaturmas worship begins on this day and ends on the 11th day in the bright half of the Kartik month. Special worship is offered following special rules during these four months.
God retires to rest and sleep on this day. These months are important because God’s presence and care are required when the management of water and food during these four months is prime importance it will not do if God retires to rest. But there is a secret message behind this, it suggests that you may do the action but never allow the ego of doing it. Let your ego get buried and put your ego to sleep. God goes to sleep that He maintains the practical world without the consciousness of action.
In short many Vrata worship come during these four months. Following all these Vratas giving beautiful shape to one’s life with the feeling that I will work with full consciousness, alert and awake only then my God will be able to rest and sleep. This subtle meaning is hidden behind Devshayani Ekadashi.
Lord Swaminarayan has commanded to follow special rules from this day which is meant to uplift human life and spirit.
Chaturmas Vishesh Niyam - 27, July 2015
Dear Ward of Shreeji Maharaj
Chaturmas is the group of four months in a year. The period from the 11th day of the bright half of Ashadh month to the 11th day of the bright half of Kartik month (from 27-07-2015 to 22-11-2015 in the current year). This is the period for every devotee to spare some additional time for devotion to please Lord Swaminarayan by attaining close association with His idol. As per the command of Lord Swaminarayan out of eight rules one should be followed with special care and devotion. These eight rules are as follows:
1.Listening to Sermon:
?Minimum 30 minutes – listening to sermons based on Vachanamrut, Bhaktachintamani, Satsangijeevan, Shikshapatri or the life-sports of Shreeji Maharaj, the interpretation of original scriptures such sermon should be listened from an absolute speaker.
2.Reading the Sermon:
The reading of the above mentioned should be done for 30 minutes.
3.Devotional Singing:
Singing of the devotional verses and Kirtans composed by the Nand Saints, containing the description of life-sports and spiritual powers and spiritual significance of Lord Swaminarayan. It should be done in the front of the idol of Lord Swaminarayan.
4.Pooja Worship:
A sacred bath should be offered to the approved idol of Lord Swaminarayan using the material like milk, ghee, sugar, honey, curd etc. and then lamp, incense and sweet food should be offered.
5.Chanting Mantra:
The chanting of fixed number of Swaminarayan Matra should be done or listening to the Audio Cd of dhoon and singing of the dhoon should be done.
6.Hymn Singing:
Reading or singing of Janmangal, Sarvamangal and Harikavach etc. should be done.
7.Pradakshina:
Right word circles in the fixed number should be taken around the idol at home or in the temple.
8.Dandvat:
Total salute (dandvat) in the fixed number should be offered to the idol of Lord Swaminarayan.
On this Ekadashi day, after doing daily pooja one should sit before the idol of Shreeji Maharaj either at home or in the temple, offer a prayer and take a vow, “Oh Maharaj! I will accept this particular rule from the special rules in Shikshapatri and will follow it throughout Chaturmas (four sacred months). Kindly give me the sense, strength and faith to fulfill it.
After this the rule should be followed throughout the four months without fail. This rule should be followed as an addition to the daily worship. Additional rule should be accepted and followed in such manner that it may not disturb normal practical routine life and there comes no obstacles in following the rule, stated by Shreeji Maharaj.
So, all should accept one rule as mentioned above and it will surely please Shreeji Maharaj.
Jay Swaminarayan!
Jnan Baug, Vadtal.
Guru Purnima - 31, July 2015
Guru Purnima
AshadhSud 15 i.e. the bright half of the month of Ashadh. It is the day of Guru Pooja (worship). A Guru is defined as the one who is not Laghu i.e. petty and the one who turns (someone or something) 'petty' into 'Guru'i.e. great. The one who allows the mind to master one's life is 'petty' and the one who masters the mind and lives one's life is 'Guru'.
A Guru has to be all-pervasively strong. He has to be the one who stands in the midst of tempting streams of life.To enlighten a lifeless entity, one needs a 'lively' person, likewise for a lifeless human surviving in an animal-like state, one requires a person full of life-forceand enlightenment to lead that lifeless man towards divinity and proximity to God.This person is the 'Guru'.
The relationship between the Guru, the one who removes the darkness of ignorance and lightsthe flame of wisdom; and the disciple, the one who makes his life serene and wishes to walk life's loftier path, is unique.Guru is the Paperweight of his disciple's life-book which does not allow the pages to be disturbed by strong winds.Because of Guru’s guidance the disciple's mind does not get muddled up in erotic desires and he stays steady and calm.A heart that is ever so grateful and obelized to the favours of the Guru recites...
Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu,Guru devoMaheshwara;
GurursakshatParabrahman, tasmaishriGuravenamah.
Which means –I bow to the Guru who creates good qualities and virtues in the disciple, like Brahma; who nourishes good qualities and virtues in the disciple, like Vishnu and like Mahesh who destroys bad qualities and evil desires in the disciple. I bow to such a Guru, the all-pervading Parabrahman.
It is the eternal Hindu culture and tradition to worship the Guru with all our heart.We worship the Guru who is like the Sun of knowledge, the grand ocean of affection and the Himalaya of peace. Guru Puja means to worship truth, to worship knowledge, to worship experience.
But what happens if in this age, we are unable to find such a Guru? Then SahajanandGurumbhajesada – Always worship Guru Sahajanand. In such a situation make Lord Sahjanand Swami as our Guru and then imbibe his teachings and code of conduct, which is the ideal way of our spiritual path.
Guru Purnima is such a pious occasion and a day filled with purity. On this auspicious day, we should show our gratitude to 1. Our parents who gavebirth to us, 2. The one who nurtured us, 3. The one who gave us our identity i.e. name, 4. Our teachers who gave us education and taught us reading and writing, 5. The one who led us and inspired us to the path of Satsang by giving Vrataman; and the present Acharya Shree of Vadtal and Amdavad diocese, who when initiates a devotee with Mantra Diksha then and then only he is authorized to be a Satsangi in real sense, 6. The one who destroyed all our false illusions and illuminated our souls with Brahma Jnan (knowledge of Almighty) and 7. The One who created us, Who doesn't have any expectation of any Guru. The aforementioned 6 Gurus surely need the 7th Guru because He is the only one Who makes us cross the sea of suffering, He is the Creator - Lord Swaminarayan.
Guru Purnima is the auspicious occasion whereby we extend our respect and utmost gratitude to the above-mentioned 6 Gurusand submit our body, mind, intellect and soul at the feet of the 7th Supreme Almighty Guru Lord Swaminarayan!
Dev shayni Ekadashi - Chaturmas Prarambh - 15, July 2016
Dev shayni Ekadashi - Chaturmas Prarambh
Guru Purnima Mahotsav - 19, July 2016
Guru Purnima Mahotsav
Hindola Prarambh - 21, July 2016
Hindola Prarambh
Shree Kamika Ekadasi Upvas - 30, July 2016
Shree Kamika Ekadasi Upvas