Vasant Panchami
23 January 2007, (V.S. 2063 Maha sud 5) Tuesday, Gondal
After 36 years Swamishri celebrated the festival of Vasant Panchmi in Gondal. This time Swamishri wished to celebrate the birthday celebration of Shastriji Maharaj in the precincts of Akshar Deri – the memorial shrine of Gunatitanand Swami. Swamishri had, prior to his arrival in Gondal, given instructions to organize the festival celebration on a grand scale.
Today, also marked the 140th pratishtha anniversary of Akshar Deri. Vasant Panchmi celebrates the birthdays of Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj, Brahmanand Swami, Nishkulanand Swami and the Shikshapatri. The celebration was held in front of the giant Akshar Dwar facing the mandir. The giant gate was decorated with flowers and lights; and the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and giant cutout figures of Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj blessed the assembly. The assembly commenced with dhun and prayers at 5.00 pm. The assembly was themed on the contributions of Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj in the birth and growth of the BAPS. An introduction to the theme was given by Apurvamuni Swami. This was followed by a mono-acting skit showing Chandubhai Vidya-dhikari’s glory for Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. Thereafter Atmatrupt Swami talked about the service of Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. This was followed by a traditional dance by children. Thereafter Brahmadarshan Swami elaborated upon Shastriji Maharaj’s indomitable faith in the Akshar-Purushottam philosophy.
With Swamishri’s arrival at about 6.15 pm BAPS children waved flags from the balconies of Akshar Dwar and on terraces of the surrounding mandir buildings. Then a drama was presented by the youths of Gondal, depicting the deep impression that the then Shankracharya had for Shastriji Maharaj’s saintliness. Adarshjivan Swami spoke about Shastriji Maharaj’s saintliness and Siddheshwar Swami elaborated upon Yogiji Maharaj’s saintliness. Thereafter a short drama was enacted to show the diksha of Swamishri in Akshar Deri. Then, Viveksagar Swami spoke eloquently about the Gunatit Gurus and Swamishri’s glory and services in developing the BAPS. This was followed by an address from Balmukund Swami. Then the youths of Gondal performed a traditional dance during which a video of Shastriji Maharaj was shown.
Finally, the celebration was crowned with Swamishri’s blessings, “The glory of this Sanstha is immense. The Akshar Deri was impossible to acquire, however with the divine powers of Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj we got it and then this beautiful, miraculous place was built. The Akshar Deri fulfils the wishes of countless people.
“Shastriji Maharaj had firmly understood the Akshar-Purushottam philosophy. He researched and found references of the philosophy from the Sampraday’s shastras – Vachanamrut, Harililamrut and others. He also met the great sadgurus and, through their testimonies, confirmed the fact that Gunatitanand Swami is Mul Akshar and Sahajanand Swami is Purna Purushottam. The Bhagvad Gita speaks about Aksharbrahma yoga in the eighth chapter and Purushottam yoga in the fifteenth chapter. So, what he preached and established was not a willfully concocted philosophy or a consequence of a mere dream. He had confirmed and realized it himself. Despite all obstacles, Shastriji Maharaj had a single goal and faith that with Sahajanand Swami and Gunatitanand Swami with him nothing would happen to him. To believe and have faith that whatever God does will be for one’s good in challenging and turbulent situations is a great thing.
“Shastriji Maharaj did not change the words of the Vachanamrut to prove his belief. Even today the content of the Vachanamrut copies printed are the same as they were. He has never done anything to increase his glory. He always talked about agna, upasana, sadbhav and paksh. Yogiji Maharaj preached samp, suhrudaybhav and ekta. God is pleased when one follows his agna and exercises paksh and sadbhav for his devotees.”
In conclusion, Swamishri and 12,000 devotees performed arti and thereafter took mahaprasad. The divine celebration in the precincts of Akshar Mandir left everyone spiritually elated and elevated.
29 January 2007, (V.S. 2063 Maha sud 11) Monday, Gondal
Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha rituals of pujan and arti of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, Radha-Krishna Dev, Guru Parampara, Hanumanji and Ganapatiji for the BAPS hari mandir in Vakaner.
31 January 2007, (V.S. 2063, Maha sud 13) Wednesday, Gondal
Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha rituals of pujan and arti of murtis for the BAPS hari mandir in Ramod.
1 to 7 February 2007, Rajkot
Devotees partook of Swamishri’s puja darshan every morning, and evening spiritual discourses on the Bhagvad Gita by Viveksagar Swami and Swamishri’s blessings. The evening assemblies, held in the newly built hall, were themed on Satpurush Day, Children’s Day and Character Day.