1 March 1999 : Monday (Falgun sud 14) , Sarangpur - Birthday Celebration of Bhagatji Maharaj
Before his morning worship, Swamishri went for Thakorji's darshan and the Smruti-Mandir of Shastriji Maharaj. While circumambulating the mandir, a group of 16 devotees and 5 sadhus
from Surat were effervescently chanting the Swaminarayan dhun. They had accomplished on
foot their pilgrimage of 375 kms from Surat. Swamishri welcomed them by showering rose
petals and said, "Sahajanand Swami Maharaj ni jay. The group of devotees from Surat have accomplished their pilgrimage on foot. Maharaj, Swami, Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj are extremely pleased by your effort and devotion. For every step you have attained the fruit of countless Ashwamedh yagnas because you had remembered God and His holy sadhu. You
have pilgrimaged by foot to Akshardham!..."
Using paper, styrofoam and cloth, a beautiful stage was created by the sadhus, parshads and sadhaks of Sarangpur.
The birthday celebration of Bhagatji Maharaj commenced in the morning with the singing of dhun and prayer. In his blessings Swamishri said, "Bhagatji Maharaj was born in Mahuva on this very day. Since his birth, he was born to continue the mission of Maharaj. He was wedded to service and attached to Satsang from the beginning... He had developed a strong bond with
Gunatitanand Swami
- believing him to be the form of Maharaj and that Shriji Maharaj was working through him. Bhagatji Maharaj talked openly about the glory of Shriji Maharaj and Gunatitanand Swami in Junagadh..."
After lunch, at 1.05 p.m., Swamishri blessed a group of 30 devotees who had walked their way from Radhu.
2 March 1999 : Tuesday (Falgun sud 15) , Sarangpur
Fuldol
5 March 1999 : Friday (Falgun vad 3) , Sarangpur
This morning Swamishri blessed the assembly, saying, "One has to apply sankhya vichar (the temporary nature of all things) in life. Because life is full of problems and difficulties. When Idi Amin expelled the Indians many left with nothing in hand, leaving all their life's savings behind. If one has sankhya vichar then one would not feel unhappy and grieved... One faces difficulties in one's health. The human body is a house to diseases. Even in business one goes through ups and downs. So life is bumpy like a camel's trot. One who has sankhya vichar sees the worldly pleasures as painful and full of misery. If one understands this then one will fare well in life."
5 March 1999 : Friday (Falgun vad 3) , Sarangpur
This morning Swamishri blessed the assembly, saying, "One has to apply sankhya vichar (the temporary nature of all things) in life. Because life is full of problems and difficulties. When Idi Amin expelled the Indians many left with nothing in hand, leaving all their life's savings behind. If one has sankhya vichar then one would not feel unhappy and grieved... One faces difficulties in one's health. The human body is a house to diseases. Even in business one goes through ups and downs. So life is bumpy like a camel's trot. One who has sankhya vichar sees the worldly pleasures as painful and full of misery. If one understands this then one will fare well in life."
6 March 1999 : Saturday (Falgun vad 4) , Sarangpur
After lunch Swamishri blessed some devotees and officials. The General Manager of Telecom, Ahmedabad district, Shri A. K. Saxena, had come for Swamishri's darshan. Swamishri said that he had met the Saheb before. But a sadhu added that he has come for the first time. However Swamishri was sure that he had met him before and so tried to recall where he had met the General Manager. A sadhu replied that Swamishri had met another Telecom Manager. But Swamishri confidently said, "No, it was not him, it was Saxena Saheb we had met...."
Mr. Saxena was amazed with Swamishri's memory and added, "I had come for Swamishri's darshan three years ago..." Swamishri blessed Mr. Saxena with success and happiness in life. Everyone else were left simply amazed by Swamishri's sharp memory.
7 March 1999 : Sunday (Falgun vad 5) , Sarangpur
A parents' meet was organised for this evening assembly. After a program of mono-acting, story telling, folk-dance and speeches Swamishri emphasized in his talk about the necessity of inspiring character and values in children. Swamishri said, "Today there is a great need to inculcate good qualities in children. Even in education the authorities are planning very seriously on this matter... It is important for parents to understand their children and their problems. During his/her schooling years one should know and understand their needs. One does not have interest in one's children's talks as one has in reading the daily paper.
"Talk politely with him and he will realise his own faults and mistakes. But to insult him or beat him is not proper. The child will not develop from within. To do this the parent has to become like a child and listen to his/her problems and talks. Spend some time and talk to them every evening. And together with this instil good character in their life by doing arti and puja. With the regular contact of Satsang they will be able to imbibe morality. One should read the holy shastras like the Shrimad Bhagvat, Gita, Vachanamrut and Swamini Vato and think upon what you have read. From this, one will attain inner strength..."
8 March 1999 : Monday (Falgun vad 6) , Sarangpur
Before his morning puja Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha ceremony of the murtis of Akshar and Purushottam and Guru Parampara for the newly built mandir in Sabarmati, Amdavad.