2 August 2009 (VS 2065, Sud Baras Pavitran Baras) Sunday, Atladra
The day was celebrated as ‘Prapti Day’. Sadhus and youths sang bhajans related to prapti – the divine joy of having attained God and his God-realized Sadhu.In the evening Sunday satsang assembly Viveksagar Swami delivered a discourse. Then children and youths performed a welcome dance before Swamishri. Thereafter, Swamishri was honoured with garlands by senior sadhus. A drama on prapti, written by Yogendra Swami, was enacted by youths. Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly, “If one has attained God and realized his divine happiness then one finds material happiness to be fleeting. Real happiness lies in God, in doing his bhajan. Happiness lies in spiritual association with the God-realized Sadhu. Mira found happiness in God’s bhajan but not in the pleasures of her palace and opulence. The same happened to Narsinh Mehta. Parvatbhai and Govardhanbhai were also such devotees in the time of Shriji Maharaj. They were joyous because of their association with God. God has given us intelligence therefore we should contemplate on this subject, but not remain immersed in worldly happiness.”
14 August 2009 (VS 2065) Friday, Atladra, Janmashtmi
The evening celebration assembly was interlaced with speeches and dance. Aksharvatsal Swami, Viveksagar Swami and Tyagvallabh Swami spoke about the divine life of Bhagwan Shri Krishna. BAPS teenagers performed a lively traditional dance based on the bhajan “Govinda ãlã re…”, describing Krishna’s pastime as a child. Thereafter Swamishri was honoured with garlands. Finally at 9.40 p.m. Swamishri blessed the assembly, “We celebrate such festivals because of our devotion to God, to please him, to experience his divine bliss and to attain his divine abode. To listen and remember his divine incidents is also a means to attain moksha. When we attain God and his realized Sadhu we experience inner peace. Material things or pleasures do not provide inner peace, but cause turmoil.”Swamishri concluded his blessings at 10.00 p.m. and performed arti. Thereafter he devotionally rocked Thakorji in a decorated hindolo amidst the singing of “Nand gher ãnand bhayo…”.
Bal Din-2
9 August 2009 (VS 2065, Vad Trij Fulkajali Vrat) Sunday, Atladra
The day was dedicated as ‘Children’s Day’. Children sang bhajans during Swamishri’s morning puja.
In the evening Sunday satsang assembly 3,000 BAPS children were present. Children performed a traditional dance, delivered discourses in the parayan format and enacted a short drama ‘Bhimnath na ranka’. Thereafter Swamishri was honoured with garlands by senior sadhus. In conclusion, Swamishri blessed the assembly, “If one receives values from a young age then one becomes good. With the prevailing atmosphere in society it seems that values are hard to imbibe, but Yogiji Maharaj was far-sighted. He knew that in future people would lose their values, forget the path of moksha and find it hard to study well. So we should be thankful to Yogiji Maharaj (for establishing the Bal Mandal).
“Be honest but never speak lies. Never copy during exams. Bow down to one’s parents. Secure a first class in exams. Do not eat outside food. Perform five malas daily and pray to God.”
The next day, prior to performing daily puja, Swamishri initiated about 500 children into Satsang by giving the vartman mantra.
Indian Independence Day
15 August 2009 (VS 2065) Saturday, Atladra
On India’s 62nd Independence Day celebration Tyagvallabh Swami unfurled the Indian flag. Then the entire congregation sang the national anthem. A one-day camp was arranged for all kishores and kishoris. About 3,500 teenagers had assembled in the mandir precincts. Swamishri was garlanded on the occasion and blessed all with his darshan.
16 August 2009 (VS 2065, Vad Dasham) Sunday, Atladra
In the evening Sunday satsang assembly Viveksagar Swami concluded his discourses on the life of Muktanand Swami from the Harililamrut. Thereafter Swamishri was honoured with garlands. Then a drama “A Super Mall of Peace”, written by Yogendra Swami, was enacted by students of Akshar Purushottam Chhatralay (APC). Finally, Swami blessed the assembly, “We will do many things in this world and listen to all worldly talks, but they will not give us peace within. The more we see things of this world, the more they lead to distress and misery. Our shastras say that all worldly things cause delusion. But we rejoice in acquiring and indulging in them. But it is all due to our ignorance. Till we attain true knowledge and enlightenment, that all this is destructible and fleeting, we cannot get inner peace.”