Pravesh

Nilkanth Charitra

100

“If you cherish my form in your heart then I shall always be with you.”

Nilkanth Varni - to King Sidhvallabh ➭ When Nilkanth Varni inspired the glory of his divine form in the King’s heart and when he departed the king was pained. Varni said the above sentence.

200

Who did Nilkanth Varni serve on the way to Kanchipuram ?

Sevakram.

300

In Loj, what did Nilkanth Varni chant when seeking for alms?

In Loj, Nilkanth Varni was chanting “Ram Krishna Dhuni Dhuni, Ram Krishna Dhuni Dhuni” when he was seeking for alms.

400

Reasons for the following: King Satradharma approached the mahant for a Shaligram.

King Satradharma and his queen used to go everyday to hear the sermons of Nilkanth. One day Nilkanth described the importance of worshipping Vishnu and Shaligram. The King therefore wished to have a Shaligram. so King Satradharma approached the mahant for a Shaligram.

500

Short Notes: Meeting Ramanand Swami

It had been nine months since Nilkanth arrived in Loj and still he had not been able to meet Ramanand Swami. Muktanand Swami inspired Varni to be patient because if would still take a little more time. One day Muktanand Swami sat down for puja, Nilkanth came and sat besides him. While meditating Muktanand Swami used to see Ramanand Swami so during his meditation Sarjudas linked his mind through his yogic powers with Muktanand Swami’s mind and had darshan of Ramanand Swami. When Muktanand Swami finished his meditation, Nilkanth happily expressed his feelings and described the features of Ramanand Swami. Everyone was surprise by hearing this. On the evening of Jeth vad 10, Kurji Dave brought a message that Ramanand Swami was to arrive in Piplana and had invited Nilakanth Varni and all the sadhus to come for darshan. Muktanand Swami was immensely pleased with the good news and as a token of appreciation presented his pagh to Kurji Dave. The other sadhus too presented him with whatever they had as gifts. Since Varni had nothing to give to Kurji Dave he said, “Dave, I shall give you my Akshardham as a gift.” Kurji Dave did not understand the words of Nilkanth. The Brahmachari repeated his words. “Dave what no one can give that supreme Akshardham I shall give you.” That very same evening, Nilkanth Varni, Muktanand Swami and other sadhus departed for Piplana. On the way to Piplana Nilkanth got tired easily. Muktanand Swami told him, “If you walk like this, then when will we reach Piplana? It is still very far therefore use your yogic power.” Nilkanth immediately exercised his yogic power and reached the banks of the Ozat river. The river was in spate and overflowing its banks. The current was so strong that even the mighty elephants would be swept away. But Nilkanth remained undeterred. So he used his yogic powers and walked briskly over the waters of the Ozat river and reached the opposite bank. Varni then had his bath, performed puja. After an hour when the floods subsided Muktanand Swami and everyone crossed the river in a boat and entered Piplana together. Ramanand Swami was staying at Narsinh Mehta’s home. The day of this historic meeting was 19 June 1800 (Jeth vad 12, Samvat 1856). News was conveyed to Ramanand Swami that Nilkanth Varni and Sadhus had arrived in Piplana. On hearing this, Ramanand Swami happily got up from his seat. On seeing Ramanand Swami Varni started prostrating. The guru ran towards the young Brahmachar, raised him and embraced him. Then Ramanand Swami said, “Muktanand Swami, do you know that the alms-centres we have started in the villages are for this Varniraj? I have been waiting for him to come for a long time.” Then Ramanand Swami spoke about the glory of Nilkanth to all the Sadhus. Then a sadhu asked him, “Swami, you had often said that the main player of the show is yet to come. Is it this Varni?” “Yes, it is him. It is your great fortune to have met him today. And whe

Shastriji Maharaj

100

“Then always assist us and forever stay with us.”

Swamishri - to Harikrishna Maharaj ➭ The circumstances had come for Swamishri to departure from Vartal. Before leaving Vartal Swamishri prayed to the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj.

200

Reasons for the following: Ranchhodbhai’s ignorance was removed and he exclaimed, “Shastriji Maharaj was indeed a powerful incarnation.”

A divine cow, extremely white in colour, came inside. She came to Swamishri’s feet and bowed her head three times. When he saw this he was convinced that the sixty-eight places of pilgrimage must have taken the form of cow. After this incidence, ignorance of Ranchhodbhai was removed.

300

On which terms only was Shastriji Maharaj ready to help Nirmaldas?

Shastriji Maharaj set his terms before Nirmaldas that He would help them only if they agreed to consecrate the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam.

400

Short Notes: We became Sadhus for Gunatit

The opposition tried relentlessly to disrupt the construction of Sarangpur mandir. But, those who previously taunted, “The most you will be able to build is a little shrine.” or “You will give up and abandon the work.” Watched dumbfounded as the construction progressed. As the day of the murtipratishtha quickly approached, the opposition thought about how they could stop Swamishri. The opposition thought to themselves, “Maybe by misleading Thakor Saheb, the king of Limbdi, we can halt the work.” They misleaded by saying Thakor Saheb, our deities of worship are Radha-Krishna, but, this Shastri neglects RadhaKrishna and wants to consecrate the murtis of his own gurus, Jaga and Praga. Only if the murtis of Radha-Krishna are consecrated in the central sanctum of the mandir will it be proper. As planned Thakor Saheb went to meet Swamishri. The king asked, “In the old Hanuman mandir, they have the miraculous stick of Gopalanand Swami which can exorcize ghosts. Do you possess anything of that nature? These words provoked Himatlalbhai, a prominent businessman of Botad. He exclaimed, “Bapu! This Swami is capable of creating another miraculous stick. The king agreed with Himatlalbhai’s words even he insisted that they be consecrated in the central sanctum. Swamishri was not intimidated by the king. He spoke boldly, “It is only for our God, the supreme Sahajanand Swami, and for Gunatitanand Swami that we have suffered countless hardships. It is for them that we have become sadhus. Therefore, the murtis of Shriji Maharaj and Gunatitanand Swami will be consecrated in the central sanctum and the murtis of Radha-Krishna shall be consecrated in the first sanctum.” Having heard Swamishri’s bold, authorative, and clear-cut reply, the king gave in. “Please ignore my words. Do what you feel is approirate.” The King’s hidden apology pleased Swamishri. Once again, the opposition’s tactics were thwarted.

500

Correct the Sentence: Negotiations for a compromise with Vartal : Whenever Swamishri came by bus, he would have to walk from Dharmaj to Bochasan mandir. He would do so, carrying his own bag on his head and his own bundle on his shoulders. Even if an older sadhu was with him, he still carried his own things.

Whenever Swamishri came by train, he would have to walk from Botad to Sarangpur mandir. He would do so, carrying his own bundle on his head and his own jholi on his shoulders. Even if a younger sadhu was with him, he still carried his own things.

Satsang Reader 1

100

“Where did this pepper come from?”

Jinabhai - to Adiba (sister) ➭ Adiba refused to give pepper when Kamalshibhai was having headache by saying we don’t have it in house but after some days she gave it to Jinabhai when he had headache. so Jinabhai said the above statement

200

What were the names of Joban Pagi’s brothers?

Joban Pagi’s brothers names were Sundar Pagi, Shakaro Pagi and Dalo Pagi.

300

Reasons for the Following: Ladudanji family decided to go to Gadhada.

Ladudanji was deeply touched by the sisters divine words and immediately went to Maharaj and gave up his rich clothes and ornaments. He then asked Maharaj to make him a sadhu. Maharaj initiated him into the sadhufold. When Ladudanji’s family knew about what Ladudanji had done they came to Gadhada to persuade him to return home.

400

Short notes on 'The scriptural debate with Khaiyo Khatri'

Shriji Maharaj once went to Kutch along with his sadhu and devotees. In Mandvi there lived a great learned scholar of vedant by the name of Khaiyo Khatri. When he learnt of Maharaj’s arrival in town he challenged Maharaj to a scriptural debate. Realizing the scholar’s intention Maharaj devised a plan. Turning to Brahmanand Swami, he said, “When Khaiyo Khatri arrives for the debate, you sit in my place, and I shall sit on the ground nearby. When he asks you questions, point to me and tell him, “This disciple of mine will answer all your questions.” Brahmanand Swami hesitated, for Maharaj was asking him to play the role of God. Yet, he was helpless in the face of Maharaj’s command. When Khaiyo Khatri and his disciple arrived his eyes fell on Brahmanand Swami seated on Maharaj’s seat. Taking Brahmanand Swami to be Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself, Khaiyo began asking him questions. “This disciple of mine will reply,” Brahmanand Swami said pointing towards Maharaj. Maharaj gave clear and logical replies to each of Khaiyo’s questions. His unfailing answers left the scholar taken aback and wondering which of the two was the real Swaminarayan. Khaiyo’s mother, sitting afar, quelled his doubt. “Look, my son,” she said “This younger sadhu sitting on the ground is God. The sadhu sitting on the seat is a fake!” Brahmanand Swami at once got up and had Maharaj sit on the high seat. He himself sat on the ground. Khaiyo’s misconceptions about Maharaj was cleared. Once a critic Khaiyo now became a devotee.

500

Correct Sentence numbers and correct order: 1. Anything I need is provided through the mandir. 2. Jogi Swami saw that Swamishri’s glance fell upon a big pile of dirt that had come up in one corner of the mandir. 3. Nirgun Swami pulled up his dhotiyu, took a shovel in hand and began removing the dirt himself from evening. 4. He immediately gave the postal order to the mandir treasury. 5. Once, a devotee sent a few shillings to Nirgun Swami by postal order to use the money for postage. 6. By morning, he had moved many cartfuls of garbage all by himself. 7. If there was ever any dirt, filth or disarray anywhere in the lodge, he would reach there immediately and enthusiastically set things in order. 8. Never send money for me. 9. A devotee from Africa once sent him a new, woollen blanket, hoping he would keep it for himself. 10. On Tuesday Ashadh sud 14, VS 2006, he left his body. 11. He would always find and take up even big services. 12. He sent a letter of sweet rebuke to the devotees.

Correct numbers: 1 4 5 8 9 12 Correct order: 9 8 5 4 12 1

Kishore Satsang Pravesh

100

“You bring the dead back to life. That is why I am calling you God.”

Shriji Maharaj - to Vyapkanand Swami ➭ Vyapkanand Swami gave life to dead horse of Hamir Khachar. So when he came to meet Shriji Maharaj, He addressed him as a God. Dismayed by Maharaj’s words, Vyapkanand Swami pleaded, “Maharaj! I am your servant. Please don’t call me your God.”

200

Reasons for the following: One should never commit suicide.

The vedas proclaim of all things the Atma should be protected. Liberation can be obtained only in the human form. The human body is awarded to offer devotion to God and is attained after a lapse of thirty five million prakrut pralays therefore one should never commit suicide

300

When was Pramukh Swami Maharaj born? (Samvat, Month, Tithi)

Pramukh Swami was born on Samvat 1978, Magsar sud 8.

400

Sadaiv Sarangpurasya .............. namami.

Sadaiv Sarangpurasya ramye sumandire hyaksharadhamatulye Sahaksharam muktayutam vasantam Shri Swaminarayanamanamami.

500

Prahladjie Narayan sathe ....' (24/87-88) - Complete the Swamini Vato and narrate it.

Swaminarayan hare Swamie vat kari je: “Prahladjie Narayan sathe ghana divas yuddha karyu pan Bhagwan jitana nahi. Pchhi Bhagwane Prahladne kahyyu je, ‘Yuddha karine to hu jitau tevo nathi ne mane jitvano upay to e chhe je, jibhe karine maru bhajan karvu, manma maru chintvan karvu ne netrama mari murti rakhvi - e prakare nirantar mari smruti karvi, em kahyu. Pachhi evi rite Prahlade abhyas karvo tyare Bhagwan chha masma vash thai gaya. Mate Bhagwanne raji karvane arthe a upay sarvopari chhe te shikhvo.’ “Prahladji fought for many days with Narayan, but God was not won over. Then God told Prahlad, ‘I cannot be won over such wars. The way to win me over is by singing my bhajans, thingking of me in your mind and cherishing my murti in your eyes. In this way, always remember me.’ Then, Prahlad tried this method and God was won over within six months. Thus, to please God, learn this method, which is the best.’’ Different types of foes require different tools to defeat them. While one needs a sword, a shield, or a gun to defeat a warrior, these same tools are useless in defeating a scholar in a debate; to defeat a scholar, one must use one’s sharp intellect. While weapons may work against warriors in battle, they do little in the battle against diseases caused by insects or virtues; these diseases can only be defeated with medicine. Similarly, worldly weapons cannot win over the supreme and all-powerful God; to win him over one needs to use a whole new type of weapon. In battle and shows us the tools one must use to win over God. Ravan and Kans were highly intelligent and heroic men but did not know the way to win Rama and Krishna respectively and were ultimately defeated. On the other hand, Bali was a demon yet he pleased God because he ignored his weapons and restorted to the true way of winning against God. Gunatitanand Swami has shown this way to please God in this sermon. Swami says if we attach all our senses to God, He is won over immediately. This method is revealed to us by the ekantik sadhu. It is a difficult task but can be accomplished with constant practice. Once, Gunatitanand Swami sent Ramdas Swami to Vanthali for some work. He instructed him, “Chant ‘Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan’ mentally all the way.” Thus, totally engrossed in chanting the mantra, Ramdas Swami reached Vanthali. As a result, he saw the divine form of Shriji Maharaj on every indentation of the fort surrounding the village. Thus, we should learn this ultimate method to please God.