8 February 2011 (VS 2067) Tuesday,Vadodara
The evening celebration of Vasant Panchmi commemorated the births of the Shikshapatri, Brahmanand Swami, Nishkulanand Swami and Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj. The stage backdrop, embellished with leaves and flowers, reflected the advent of spring. Swamishri’s pathway was decorated with floral designs and deepas. The theme of today’s festival was “Jai Jai Akshar-Purushattam” which highlighted the virtues and efforts of Shastriji Maharaj. The assembly programme included speeches by senior sadhus and skits and dances by youths. The programme was as follows:
· The Spread of Upasana: Pujya Vivek-sagar Swami
· Vicharan of Shastriji Maharaj: Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami
· Shastriji Maharaj’s love for devotees (skit): Bal Mandal
· Vicharan of Shastriji Maharaj: Pujya Dr Swami
· Hira Mukhi (drama): Youths
· The Living Guru Tradition: Pujya Mahant Swami
· Traditional Dance: Bal-Kishore Mandals
· Garlanding Ceremony by Senior Sadhus
· Video on assembly theme
Swamishri’s blessings.Swamishri eulogized on the life of Shastriji Mahraj, “Shastriji Maharaj incarnated on earth through the wish of Shriji Maharaj. From his childhood he visited mandirs, listened to katha by sadhus, built mandirs of mud, installed Thakorji and performed arti. Viharilalji Maharaj gave him diksha and named him Yagnapurushdas. He studied the Hindu shastras and served in the Vartal Sampradaya with saintliness. On hearing about the principle of Akshar-Purushattam he consolidated it by meeting veteran devotees and sadhus and heard their testimonies in this regard. Then he met Bhagatji Maharaj and the principle was consolidated further. Shastriji Maharaj was born to establish and spread the Akshar-Purushottam principle and its mandirs.”