Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 91st Birthday Celebration
At 8.00 a.m. Swamishri performed his morning puja in his room. Sadhus sang bhajans during puja in praise of Swamishri. Thereafter, Swamishri came for darshan in the Nilkanth Abhishek Mandap. An arch-shaped decoration of flowers was arranged as a backdrop to the murti of Nilkanth Varni. A murti of Nilkanth Varni made of ghee was displayed, depicting his travels in the Himalayas. Before the murtis of Guru Parampara 91 different types of fruits and a large cake were arranged as an offering. Garlands prepared by various Satsang centres in Mumbai were also displayed. Swamishri saw the offerings and showered his grace.
On entering the Mandir shrine a grand annakut was arranged before Thakorji to commemorate the Mandir’s 28th consecration anniversary (patotsav). Swamishri performed arti in all three shrines. Pujya Kothari Swami and Pujya Viveksagar Swami honoured Swamishri with garlands. Then Swamishri inaugurated the Vachanamrut app for the Apple ipad and iphone.
Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly of devotees and dignitaries, saying, “Jais of all sadhus and devotees! The reason being that all of you have put in great effort for the growth of Satsang. This is so because of the blessings of Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj.
“We are unable to do anything. Yogiji Maharaj prayed that may the numbers of mandirs increase, sadhus increase and Satsang flourish. It is because of his wish that I am able to have your darshan. You have consolidated satsang in your jiva, otherwise how could one bear such difficulties. Yogiji Maharaj used to call it bhida-bhakti. When one realizes the knowledge of atma one will not feel hurt when someone tells one off. When one imbibes the knowledge of atma and Paramatma, no matter in whichever part of the world one may be, one’s work will be accomplished.”
Swamishri’s darshan and blessings were relayed live through Aastha and the Sanstha’s website.