Upasana
Kartapanu
Nischay
Ashro
Antardrashti
100
Complete the Swamini Vat, "Jo mār mār karato koī āvato hoy to em samajavu je, ..."
Jo mār mār karato koī āvato hoy to em samajavu je, ‘Mārā Swāmīnu ja karyu sarve thāy chhe, paṇ te vinā koīnu halāvyu pānaḍu paṇ halatu nathī.
100
If God is all-doer, why would he want me to have to go through these hardships.
In Vachanamrut Gadhada I-34, Maharaj has answered this question. He said “When one ignores the injunctions of God and begins to stray away from them, one suffers. On the other hand, of one acts according to those injunctions, one will experience the true bliss of God. So, in fact, one suffers only to the extent that transgresses the injunctions of God.”
100
What should we have faith in?
1. Form—God always has a form and I know he is always present on earth because I have faith in the fact that Bhagwan is sakar and pragat. 2. Actions—Whatever actions God performs are divya because I have faith in the fact that Bhagwan is sarva karta. 3. Words – Whatever agna he gives is for my benefit, because I have faith that he is sarvopari Bhagwan.
100
What is ashro?
Refuge
100
What are the benefits of Antardrashti?
It allows us to keep progress of our lives and continuously change course if we are on the wrong path. It also helps us keep track of our goals in life and helps us attain them.
200
What are the four principles that comprise our upãsanã? (give a brief description of each)
• Shriji Maharaj is the all-doer (sarva kartã-hartã) • Shriji Maharaj has a divine form (divya sãkãr) • Shriji Maharaj is the supreme God and transcends all (sarvopari) • Shriji Maharaj is always present on earth (pragat)
200
Describe a scenario in which understanding Shriji Maharaj to Sarva Karta Harta can help us attain Shanti.
Points will be given baised on the quality of the scenario and connection to theme of Karta
200
What are the benefits of having Nischay in Maharaj and Swamishri?
• The faith we sustain, even in hardships allows us to push further to accomplish our goals • Nischay in ahnik and bhakti gives us success in the form of shanti.
200
In Vachanamrut Gadhada I – 33, Maharaj decribes different types of refuge. List one of the three different types of refuge.
Refuge out of Intense Blind faith Refuge out of love Refuge out of understanding of the Upasana. “Accepting the firm refuge of God is the greatest endeavor amongst all spiritual endeavors for pleasing God. That refuge, though, must be extremely firm and without any flaws.”
200
In which Vachanamrut does Maharaj state that thinking about the pragat form of God is also a form of antardrashti.
Vachanãmrut Gadhada I-49
300
What is the definition (translation) of “Upãsanã”
In Sanskrit, the prefix “up-” means “near”, and the root “ãsanam” means “to sit”. Upãsanã therefore means to sit near, in this case, to sit near God.
300
How should one understand Bhawan to be Karta?
In Vachanamrut Gadhada I-74 Maharaj state, "If it is His wish, then Satsang will flourish; and if He wishes for it to decrease, then it will decrease. Moreover, if God seats us on an elephant, we should remain happy by sitting on an elephant; and if He seats us on a donkey, then we should remain happy by sitting on a donkey; but we should not harbour the slightest affection for anything except the holy feet of God. Thus, in whatever way Satsang develops according to His wish, we should remain content. If He so wishes, let everyone in the world become satsangis; or if He so wishes, let all satsangis cease to remain satsangis. But in no way should we harbour any joy or grief in our minds, because everything happens by the will of God."
300
What is the analogy that Maharaj describes in Gadhada I-22?
The digit ‘1’ analogy
300
In Vachanamrut Loya 2, Maharaj gives an analogy of Pativratapanu (one’s loyalty towards Bhagwan). We have seen many examples within the Guru Parampara, what is one example of Pativratapanu.
Swamibapa has scarificed his whole life for us.
300
How can we improve the way we do antardrashti?
As prescribed by Shriji Maharaj in Gadhada I-15, it may take us 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, etc., but we must keep at it, keep practicing and keep doing abhyas.
400
Describe One Prasang showing how our Guru Paranpara uphold the Akshar Purushottam Upasana
• Points will be given baised on the quality of the prasang and connection to Upasana
400
How did kartapanuno vichaar help Swamishri constantly feel shanti. Use a prasang to help answer the question
Points will be given baised on the quality of the prasang and connection to the theme of Karta
400
How can one develope their faith?
Through continuous efforts to learn more and more we are able to build upon the existent and core gnan we have in regards to our seva as well as our upasana.
400
What are the benefits of being nishkapat?
Open relationship Helps to overcome swabhavs Cardinal sign of true love Transparency (simple, straightforward, honest, open and sincere)
400
Complete the Swamini Vat, "Nirantar sarva kriyãmã pãchhu vãline jovu je..."
"Nirantar sarva kriyãmã pãchhu vãline jovu je, mãre Bhagwãn bhajvã chhe ne hu shu karu chhu? Em joyã karvu."
500
Why was it difficult for Shastriji Maharaj to leave Vartal?
He had said to Shastriji Maharaj, “I promise that even if you are cut into pieces, I will sew you back together again, but you should not leave Vadtal.”
500
During the Akshardham attack, how did Swamishri react?
Points will awarded based on the quality of the answer
500
What is the three-step process to having blind faith?
Step 1: Logic Step 2: Faith Step 3: Agna
500
What are the four aspects, on how we can improve our prarthana?
-Faith in God -Surrender to God -Love for God -Purification
500
What was the moral of the story of Lindiyo the Lion- Goat?
Realized his true identity, WHO AM I?
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