Seva Without Status
What 'lowly' considered seva did Bhagatji Maharaj perform for six months?
Barber
Since the barber for the Santos increased the price, Gunatitanand Swami asked Bhagatiji Maharaj to do the barber's job.
Where was Bhagatiji Maharaj Born?
Mahuva
At what time did Bhagatji Maharaj wake to begin his day?
3 A.M.
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The questions in this column will serve as the post-sabha ghosti. Since responses will vary, there are no right or wrong answers. The kishore sanchalak may decide whether or not to count these responses toward the overall score.
During construction, Bhagatji Maharaj removed this from the stone slabs so seva could continue.
What is a dead dog.
Everybody thought that a scavenger would come and remove the dead dog, while Bhagatji Maharaj thought that he should remove the dead dog because Swami had asked him, only then would the work continue.
When was Bhagatji Maharaj Born?
Fagan Sud 15, 1885
Bhagatji Maharaj would eat once every how many days?
Every three days
Bhagatji Maharaj performed tasks that were considered "lowly" at the time and even faced excommunication. What "modern-day" stigmas or social pressures prevent us from doing seva wholeheartedly, and how can we use Bhagatji Maharaj’s example to overcome them.
Below are possible answers kishores may give.
a. Many seva tasks feel beneath us given we live in a world that is driven by status & “clout”. Bhagatiji Maharaj’s willingess to do seva no matter what, shows the importance of not focusing on the seva that you are doing; rather, focus on performing the seva with the goal to please Maharaj and Swami
b. We may feel embarrassed to wear a kanthi or perform puja in front of non Satsangi friends. Bhagatji Maharaj faced literal excommunication and physical beatings but never wavered in his identity. He teaches us that internal conviction is more valuable than external validation
What dangerous material did Bhagatji Maharaj mix with his feet to prepare the mortar?
Lime
How many years did Bhagatji Maharaj do samagam of Gopalanand Swami?
13 Years
Bhagatji Maharaj compared firm conviction to this metal that cannot turn back into iron.
Gold
When Gunatitanand Swami gave agna that felt "illogical" like calling out to Mount Girnar, Bhagatji Maharaj obeyed without argument. Why is "intellectual reasoning" sometimes a barrier in the relationship between us and our Guru and how can we combat that?
Below are possible answers kishores may give.
Often, when we say "this doesn't make sense," what we really mean is "I don't want to do this." Intellectualizing a command is often a subconscious way of protecting our own comfort or ego.
What did Bhagatji Maharaj say to anyone who warned him of the damage the lime stone could cause?
"I want to please Swami. I have dedicated my life in the service of Swami."
Who initiated Bhagatji Maharaj into Satsang?
Sadguru Yoganand Swami
What did Bhagatji Maharaj do when Gunatitanand Swami asked, “Where can one find all the sixty-eight places of pilgrimage?” And why did he do it?
Bhagatji Maharaj jumped directly into the pit of dirty water. He knew that all the sixty-eight holy places lay in that pit of dirty water because Swami’s toes were dipped into it.
Bhagatji Maharaj told Pavitranand Swami that just as gold cannot be turned back into iron, his conviction could not be reversed. In our modern lives, what are the (influences) that test our faith, and how can we make our conviction "golden" so it doesn't change back?
Below are possible answers kishores may give.
a. Modern science or secular "logic" often challenges spiritual beliefs. We make our faith "golden" by studying the Shastras and our history so our foundation is spiritual and intellectual
b. When things go wrong, we often blame God. To be "gold," we must realize that God’s grace is present even in hardships, just as Bhagatji saw grace even in excommunication