Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi
9 November 2008 (V.S. 2065, Tulsivivah Prarambh), Sunday, Bochasan;
Today was Dev Uthi Ekadashi. The memorable day also marked the appointment of Shriji Maharaj as the head of the Sampraday and successor by his guru Ramanand Swami, and the parshad diksha of Swamishri by Shastriji Maharaj. A variety of vegetables (shakotsav) were arranged before Thakorji. Swamishri did darshan and performed arti of Thakorji in the three shrines. Thereafter Swamishri performed his morning puja with a variety of fresh vegetables arranged around him. Viveksagar Swami discoursed about the history and significance of the occasions that marked the day. Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly, “Today is Prabodhini Ekadashi. God is always awake. He never sleeps. He keeps us awake and vigilant so that we do not commit any moral lapses. He protects us and awakens us from slipping into addictions and bad habits. We celebrate festivals to please God and the joy we experience is due to God. Happiness does not lie in worldly objects but in God. Whatever is associated with God becomes divine and lustrous.” Swamishri then took a brinjal, galka, ambalu and ginger, one by one, and spoke about their benefits. Then he added that all should remember this occasion, for it would give inner peace.
Dev Diwali
13 November 2008 (V.S. 2064, Aso vad 30), Thusday, Bochasan; Kartaki Punam (Dev Diwali)
A grand annakut was arranged in all three shrines of Thakorji in the main mandir. Swamishri performed arti at all three shrines.
The celebration assembly commenced at 8.00 a.m. Swamishri arrived at 10.00 a.m. Viveksagar Swami narrated incidents of Swamishri with respect to the Bhagavad Gitã’s karma yoga. Ishwarcharan Swami elaborated upon Swamishri’s deep belief in God as the all-doer. Tyagvallabh Swami narrated incidents of Swamishri’s understanding of God’s glory. Kothari Swami discoursed about how the Shikshapatri is weaved into Swamishri’s life. Mahant Swami talked about Swamishri’s brãhmic state and Dr Swami explained about what remained to be done after attaining association with a guru. Thereafter, several invited guests were honoured on stage. Then, senior sadhus honoured Swamishri with garlands, during which BAPS youths from the town of Adas performed a traditional dance. An offering of mantra pushpanjali was made to Thakorji and Swamishri by everyone.
Finally, in his blessings Swamishri said, “While performing your worldly duties always keep God in the forefront and remember that you are doing everything to please him. Science has gifted us with many blessings. But they have been achieved due to God’s powers. He is the all-doer. One who feels egoistic, nourishing the feeling that ‘I did it’, will fail to progress. Instead, one should nourish feelings that whatever one has been able to achieve is all due to God’s doership.”
Twenty-four thousand devotees took prasad.
14 November 2008 (V.S. 2065, Kartak Vad Padvo), Friday, Bochasan
Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha rituals of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, Radha-Krishna dev and Guru parampara for BAPS hari mandirs in Sojitra, Danteli, Porda, Valasan, Bakrol, Ranoli, Badalpur and Bhadarmiya. For most of the hari mandirs mentioned the former murtis would be replaced by the newly consecrated ones.
15 November 2008 (V.S. 2065, Kartak sud 2), Saturday, Bochasan, Sankari
At 4.45 p.m. Swamishri departed from Bochasan and travelled 235 km to Sankari. En route, devotees of Vasad, Dabhoi, Rajpipla, Netrang, Mandvi and Kadol had assembled by the roadside for darshan. Swamishri arrived at the BAPS mandir in Sankari at 8.35 p.m., after travelling for 3 hours and 50 minutes. Swamishri was briefly welcomed with garlands.