Stories
What is the story of Dada Kachar?
Dada Kachar was 12 years old when Ebhal Bapu passed away.
One day, Lord wanted to test Dada's love for Him. He called Dada Khāchar and his sisters Jivuba and Laduba. He announced that He wanted to leave as Ebhal Bapu passed away. Dada pleaded for the Bhagwan to stay. Shreeji Maharaj said He will only stay if Dada Khachar signs over the whole estate to Him. Without hesitation, Dada handed the whole estate over to him. Then, maharaj told them to leave Gadhada before sunrise the next morning. Sura Kachar pleaded with Maharaj to even keep them as servants. The lord called Dada Kachar and said that he would be easily able to tear the paper, and take his kingdom back. However, dada said, "how can You doubt that I will not do as you ask, Maharaj?" Hearing this, maharaj became extremely pleased with Dada Kachar's devotion and love for him.
Who was Shravan?
He cared for his blind parents and took them on a pilgrimage.
What is forgiveness? +example
Forgiveness is an act of attitude in which we do not seek revenge
Ex: just give a valid one
Eknath was a sage who lived in the state of _________.
If a friend takes away your pencil, you tell your teacher at once. Seeing that you get your pencil back and that your friend is corrected by the teacher, how do you continue to treat them?
After that, however, they know that the matter is over and continue to be his or her friend. You must continue to love him or her. This is forgiveness. It is not always easy, but it makes you a very fine person.
What is the story of King Dashrath?
King Dashrath was out one day in the forest practicing archery. When he thought it was a dear, he shot his arrow, and it turned out to be a boy named Shravan. Shravan had gone to get water for his blind parents, and had died right there by King Dashrath. Dashrath took the water back to Shravan's parents, and told them what had happened. So, Shravan's mother gave Dashrath a curse, and said that he would die all along and without his sons just like Shravan had died without his parents. This represents the law of karma.
Who are our acharyas? (2)
Bonus: What village was Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj in?
Acharya Shri Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj
And
Acharya Shri Raghuvirji Maharaj
Bonus: Gamdi in Gujarati, India
What is perseverance?
+example
Perseverance is the ability to keep doing something in spite of obstacles. People who persevere show steadfastness in doing something despite how hard it is or how long it takes to reach the goal. Perseverance with resilience is called "grit" -- is the great leveler.
Ex: just give a valid one
Newton’s third law of motion states that, “_____________________________________”
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
If someone is putting you under pressure to do something, (for example, if someone is pressuring you to stop wearing a kanthi to school, or stop doing chandlo because it looks weird, and you stand out from others, what is your response?
There may be many obstacles, and many people trying to knock you down, and pressure you to do something against your religion, however, you must persevere, and keep following your beliefs despite the many obstacles in your path because you know that by doing so, maharaj will always be with you.
What is the story of Moti Rambai?
Shreeji Maharaj now could not hold Himself. One night in Kadvibai's room appeared a enormous ray of light and in that Kadvibai had darshan of Shreeji Maharaj. Kadvibai folded onto Maharaj's feet and could not control her tears. Maharaj said, "Daughter Kadvi, you need not to worry anymore. Tomorrow you shall go to fetch a pail of water from the Bhadar River where you will find the river flooded. Just throw yourself in the river and let the waters wash you. You need not to worry, you will see my murti in front of yourself, just keep following it and I will take you to Gadhada." The next morning Kadvibai did as Maharaj instructed and the river took her. While the villagers felt she drowned, Maharaj sent His parshads to bring her to Gadhada. There Maharaj asked Laduba and Jivuba to take care of her. Kadvibai was thrilled to be in the company of such great devotees as Laduba and Jivuba. Later she became a Sankhyayogi and assumed the name “Moti Rambai.”
Who was Moti Rambai?
She was Jiva Joshi’s Daughter, Kadviba, before becoming a sankhyogi and assuming the name Moti Rambai.
What is karma +2 forms?
A person’s karma is responsible for good or bad consequences in his or her life.
Nishkam karma - when actions are performed without any expectation of material gain, ego, or material desires. They are only performed to fulfill one’s duties and please God.
Sakam karma - when actions are performed with an expectation of material desire or purpose.
Bhagwan Swaminarayan has given us Shikshapatri and other holy books that helps us differentiate bad from good. We also call it _____
Dharma
Name 5 religions
Bonus: Try naming their main principles
● Sanãtan (Hinduism) - Pavitra Bhavyatã (Pure grandeur)
● Rãmãnuj - Pure Upãsanã
● Vaishñav - Devoted service
● Jainism - Non violence.
● Christianity - Group prayer
● Islam - Belief in one form of God
● Sikhism - Respect for Holy Scripture
● Buddhism - Compassion, Simplicity.
What is the story Sage Eknath?
Sage Eknath was living in the state of Maharashtra, India. He went to take a bath in the Godavari River every morning. On the way to the river, there was a Muslim man staying. He was a crooked man. He had hatred towards sage Eknath. He was always busy finding ways to harass Eknathji. Each time when Eknathji was going towards river Godavari, the muslim man (Pathan) cursed him with bad words. Eknathji tolerated him without reacting. One day Pathan thought, ‘Why is this man not getting angry? I am going to make him angry today. On that day, Eknathji was returning after the bath. At that time, Pathan spits on him. Eknathiji went back to take a bath again, without getting angry and with a smile. Eknathji came back after another bath, the man spits on him again. Eknathji, with the same smile, took the bath again. Eknathji decided that ‘Just like the Pathan isn’t quitting his ways to harass me, I do not want to quit my way’. It went on and on and that evil man spit on Eknathji 108 times and Eknathji took bath 108 times! In the end, that evil man got tired, felt embarrassed. He bowed down to Eknathji’s feet and asked for forgiveness and said, ‘You are a true saint, I could not know you.’ Eknathji said, ‘Why is that matter for forgiveness? I was able to gain the benefit of 108 baths in the holy river Godavari because of you.
Who was Shitaldas?
Shitaldas was a brahmin and a strong devotee.
What are the definitions of niyam, nishay, and paksha?
Niyam - moral instruction
Nishchay - faith
Paksh: Loyalty to god, his sant, and his devotees
Mota Rambai was the daughter of _____ _____ of ______. She took on the name of Kadvibai when she became a __________
Jiva Joshi of Jetpur, sankyogi
How do you know if you are doing enough for Maharaj?
You question yourself, you introspect. You asl yourself if you are following niyam, nishchay, and paksha…
If you don’t know, you read the swami ni vato, vachnamrut, other scriptures in which Maharaj gives us instructions on how to live an orderly life. They will let you know.
What is the story of the little boy and his father in the story about perseverance?
A little 14 year old boy was a strong satsangi of maharaj, however his father was not. To try and change his mind, his father brought him to a farm to persuade him to forget Swaminarayan Bhagwan. The little boy said that he felt at peace, and and very happy when he chanted "swaminarayan", and that he would be willing to die, but would not give it up. Filled with rage, his father tied him by the neck to a shaft of a bullock cart, and passed away. Maharaj was in Gadhada and became very saddened by them. He explained that this boy was a bigger devotee than Prahlad even. Prahlad gained strength from maharaj saving him. However, this boy did not give up even when Bhagwan did not protect him. Bhagwan is merciful and does not let His devotee suffer but if some suffering befalls us we should not give up our faith and belief in Him. We should not give up our Puja, Tilak Chandlo, or Kanthi because only then we will be called true devotees.
Who was Sage Ekanth and where he’s from?
He was a sage who lived in Maharashtra.
What are the definitions of sarvakarta, divyasakar, sarvopari, pragat?
● Sarvakarta - He is the all-doer
● Divyasakar - He has a divine form
● Sarvopari - He is supreme and above all else
● Pragat - He is always present on earth
One who has resolute _____ in God and his Sant, strongly abides by _____ and has _____ for them – his satsang keeps on increasing. Shriji Maharaj stated this in GM-61
nishchay, niyam, paksh
What are the characteristics of the Supreme God (mentioned in the vachnamrut)?
Sarvakarta
Divyasakar
Sarvopari
Pragat