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Satsang at Home | Family Din, London, UK

13 May 2023

The evening assembly commenced with youths singing a moving rendition of <i>'Sampilo Parivār, Amāro Jampilo Parivār'</i>

The evening assembly commenced with youths singing a moving rendition of 'Sampilo Parivār, Amāro Jampilo Parivār'

Rahulbhai Bhagwat, a leading children's forum volunteer, introduced the theme of the programme by addressing the challenges many families face at home

Paramtattvadas Swami spoke about how various factors can detrimentally impact peace and harmony within a home

He touched upon the judicious use of devices for positive family time together

Children recited verses from the Satsang Diksha emphasising satsang at home

Manoharmurtidas Swami explained the various resources already available to make satsang at home fun and easy for families

He outlined various publications, games, apps, online tools and other resources

Anandswarupdas Swami emphasised the need for regular and effective satsang at home

He drew upon scriptural passages as well as powerful metaphors and parables to reiterate the need for regular satsang at home

The assembly listened attentively to the engaging programme

The programme then transitioned into a drama about a family

Prakashbhai and his son, Akshar, were busy doing some housekeeping...

...while Dada, Akshar's grandfather, napped on the sofa,...

...when suddenly, there is a ring at the door. Who could it be?

Mahant Swami Maharaj had arrived at the home of the family for a padhramani (home visit)

Swamishri rang the bell and announced himself to Akshar

Swamishri, Sadguru Tyagvallabhdas Swami and swamis enter the 'home' of Prakashbhai as the assembly sings the traditional welcome kirtan, <i>Āj māre orde re āvyā Avināshi albel</i>

Swamishri, Sadguru Tyagvallabhdas Swami and swamis enter the 'home' of Prakashbhai as the assembly sings the traditional welcome kirtan, Āj māre orde re āvyā Avināshi albel

As is customary in a padhramani, the family members perform the pujan of the murtis

'Shri-Vāsudeva-vimalāmruta-dhāma-vāsam....'

Simultaneously, Tyagvallabhdas Swami performed the pujan of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj...

...and Mahant Swami Maharaj

The family then proceeded to prepare the arti

'Jay Swāminārāyan, Jay Akshar-Purushottam...'

'Akshar-Purushottam jay, darshan sarvottam...'

'Dhanya dhanya mam jivan, tav sharane sufalam...'

'Yagnapurush pravartit, siddhāntam sukhadam...'

'Jay Swāminārāyan!'

When asked by the family how to tackle the challenges they face at home, Swamishri listens carefully...

...before revealing <strong>'Daily Satsang Time'</strong> as the key to family harmony

...before revealing 'Daily Satsang Time' as the key to family harmony

The family contend that practising satsang at home daily can be difficult and maybe even boring

Gunkirtandas Swami explains that Swamishri's plan of 'Daily Satsang Time' has been designed to make it easy and fun for everyone

'Daily Satsang Time' involves a different short activity for every day of the week for children to engage with a parent or grandparent

Swamishri reveals the family activity for Monday is mukhpath (memorisation of scriptural passages)

Swamishri encouraged the 'Mukhpath Marvels' club for children that happens every Monday

For Tuesday, Swamishri reveals the family activity as...

...the reading of Swaminarayan Bal Prakash

Swamishri watches a short video introducing Swaminarayan Bal Prakash

Swamishri leafs through the latest issue of Bal Prakash, which he reads invariably every month

Swamishri reveals the family activity for Wednesday as...

...'Vanchan' (scriptural reading)

Akshar doubts whether he will be able to understand the deep principles of the Vachanamrut and other scriptures

Swamishri explains that through prayer and sincere practise, the truths of the Vachanamrut, Swamini Vato and other scriptures reveal themselves to readers

Swamishri also explained that the Vachanamrut reveals profound spiritual principles using easy-to-grasp, everyday analogies

As an example, Swamishri reads an excerpt from Vachanamrut Panchala 1, and practically demonstrates how, like the light of a lamp is more intense in its vicinity but diminishes with distance...

...similarly, the bliss of God is experienced increasingly as we near a true understanding of his divine form

Swamishri reveals the family activity for Thursday as 'Ghar Sabha' (family assembly at home)

Swamishri reiterated the importance of spending time with the family at home in spiritual discussion, sharing and learning

Swamishri listens intently as the father engages in guna-kathan (positive talk) of his daughter

Swamishri reveals the family activity for Friday as 'Guru Bhakti'

Swamishri explains that offering guru bhakti means to follow Pramukh Swami Maharaj's wish to study for the Satsang Exams by reading the short jivancharitras and other books

Swamishri watches a short video about the Satsang Exam books

Swamishri reveals the family activity for Saturday as 'Smruti'

Swamishri watches a smruti video of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in London from 2006

Swamishri reveals that the family activity for Sunday should be to summarise the week's activities, including whatever was learned at mandir in the weekly sabha

When asked by the family what dakshina they could offer Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj for gracing their home in this padhramani, Swamishri responded with 'Daily Satsang Time'

Anandswarupdas Swami leads the dhun, the traditional manner in which a padhramani is concluded

Anandswarupdas Swami prays for health, happiness and harmony to prevail amongst all families

Swamishri emphasises each of the prayers for the families with hand gestures

Swamishri chants the 'Swaminarayan' mahamantra as he prays for the families

Swamishri blesses a gift that will be given to each family reminding them of 'Daily Satsang Time'

Swamishri sanctifies the gift with flower petals

Swamishri reveals the fridge magnet that each family will receive, reminding them of the satsang activity for each day of the week

Yogikirtandas Swami and Gunkirtandas Swami honour Swamishri with a decorative garland incorporating the seven family activities of 'Daily Satsang Time'

Swamishri donned the decorative garland with folded hands