On 11 January 2021, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj expressed, “One who memorises the Satsang Diksha verses in Sanskrit should be known as a scholar of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan.”
Children from across the UK and Europe recently completed the Sanskrit mukhpath (memorisation) of the Satsang Diksha. A special felicitation assembly (sanman mahotsav) was organised to commemorate this remarkable accomplishment in the presence of Mahamahopadhyay Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami on Saturday 3 August 2024 at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London.
The Satsang Diksha, authored by Mahant Swami Maharaj, is a concise scripture comprising of 315 Sanskrit verses based on the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, in which Mahant Swami Maharaj concisely describes the philosophical principles to be understood and the devotional practices to be undertaken by all BAPS devotees.
Hundreds of children aged between 3 and 14 joined ‘The Mukhpath Marvels Club’ – an online learning programme – from 14 March 2023 to 31 July 2024. Swamis conducted the course weekly to teach and prepare children for the mukhpath. Sadguru and senior learned swamis also provided regular encouragement. So far, 44 children have successfully memorised all 315 Sanskrit verses, with many more on the way.
Prior to the evening programme, a special online session was organised with Mahant Swami Maharaj from Bochasan, India, in which balaks performed their recitations and received personal guidance.
Thereafter, the balaks and balikas performed a grand Homatmak Yagna, a special ceremony in which sanctified grains are offered to a sacred flame while reciting all 315 Sanskrit verses of the Satsang Diksha. They were joined by parents, swamis, and well-wishers.
The grand celebration in the evening included a recitation of selected verses by the young scholars, enlightening presentations by swamis, and interactive discourses from the children.
The children and their parents were appropriately congratulated and celebrated. They also received mementoes to mark their historic achievement.
The uplifting evening provided motivation for other children and their respective parents to also learn and memorise the Satsang Diksha.