Photo Story
Swamishri's Empathy and Compassion for an Ailing Boy
A young, poor boy had met with an accident in Valsad during mid-December. He was hospitalized at the Mahavir General Hospital in Surat. A week later, when Swamishri arrived in Surat, he remembered the ailing boy. Swamishri expressed his wish to visit the boy. Immediately, all the requisite arrangements of transport and appointment to the hospital were made. As Swamishri's car arrived, both sides of the road to the hospital were excavated for a new water line. Because of the narrow road, Swamishri's car could not go any further. Subsequently, Swamishri walked the distance of 100 to 150 meters during the late busy morning hours.
Swamishri walked along the narrow uneven footpath, between the shops and the excavated road, with the support of attendant sadhus.
Swamishri came to the thin boy's bedside in an ICU ward of the hospital. The boy's head was bandaged and IV fluids were supplied through a catheter in his arm. Swamishri gently placed his hand on the boy's head and greeted him, "Prashant, Jai Swaminarayan..." And then garlanded the boy and also placed sanctified flowers on his chest and head. Prayers were then offered for Prashant's quick recovery.
Swamishri reassured Shantilal, the boy's father, not to hesitate in asking for any help required.
After coming out of the hospital, there was an excavated channel, nearly 2.5 feet wide. With the support of the attendant sadhus, Swamishri jumped across the channel and returned back to the car.
Disregarding the frailties of old age, Swamishri's empathy and compassion reached out to a poor, ailing boy.
24 Dec. '99 (V.S. 2056 Maghsar Vad 2) Friday, Surat
The evening assembly was celebrated as Yuva-Kishore day. Special programs were presented by the youth and teenage members of Satsang.
25 Dec. '99 (V.S. 2056 Maghsar Vad 3 ) Saturday, Surat
The evening assembly programs were presented by children members of Satsang as part of Bal Day. They sang bhajans, delivered speeches, presented a quiz program and a drama on the power of the Swaminarayan Mahamantra.
26 Dec. '99 (V.S. 2056 Maghsar Vad 4 ) Sunday, Surat
Swamishri celebrated the 3rd Anniversary of the mandir inauguration (Patotsav) according to Vedic rites. Swamishri bathed the murtis with water, milk, curd, ghee and saffron.
In the evening assembly the small murti of Lord Harikrishna Maharaj (Thakorji) was brought ceremoniously in a palanquin and placed in a decorated seat. The murti of Harikrishna Maharaj was then honored.