PV 1
What do we do on Dashera?
Dashera is a day where we think of the greatness of God and remember that we are his servants.
What do we read in the end of our puja?
Shikshapatri
Name Gunatitanand Swami's childhood name, parents name, birthday, and birthplace.
Gunatitanand Swami’s childhood name was Mulji Sharma. His parents were Bholanathbhai and Sakarba. Mulji was born on (October 17, 1785) in the town of Bhadra, Gujarat.
Maharaj initiated ____ Paramhansao
500
What does BAPS stand for?
‘Bochasanwāsi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swāminārāyan Sansthā’
Name the 4 days of the Indian New Year? (Hint: 1 of them is also the festival of lights)
Dhan Teras, Diwali, Annkut, and Bhai Bij
What are 3 benefits of satsang reading?
● We can find inner peace and happiness
● We can gain satsang knowledge and motivation
● We will be following the āgnā of Maharaj and Swami by doing satsang reading
What do we gain from coming to sabha? (Name 3 things)
We gain:
-Satsang Knowledge
-Fulfill his agnas
-Make Maharaj and Swami raaji
How does Michael Jordan show regularity? [regularity means doing things daily or on a regular basis]
He was always the first person in the gym practicing and the last one to leave. He made it a goal to practice at least 500 free throws everyday! He never went one day without shooting 500 free throws. By being regular in his practice he became one of the NBA’s great superstars
Finish this: Gurur Brahmā Gurur Vishnur, Gurur...
...Devo Maheshwaraha
Guruh Sākshāt Parambrahma,
Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha
What do we do on Bhai Bij?
On the second day of the year, brothers go to their sister’s house to enjoy a meal with her and to show their love. The sister wishes him health and long life.
When Muktanand Swami said he felt unhappy, why did Maharaj keep telling him his life story/childhood story over and over again?
He explained to Muktanand Swami that Maharaj was showing him the pathway to peace. He explained to Muktanand Swami that to get true peace, he needed to think about the life of Maharaj and concentrate on the things Maharaj did.
What do we observe on Jal-Jhilani?
All devotees who honor this festival observe Nirjalã upvãs (fast) as a symbolic submission to Mahãrãj and Swãmi . During the day, we do not eat, drink, or sleep.
Explain the meaning of Samp, Suhradbhav, and Ekta?
Samp means unity, or working together, Suhradhaybhav means brotherhood, or having love for each other, and Ekta means oneness.
Finish This: Aapne to Akshardhāmamā...
... jāvu chhe evo ek sankalp rākhvo.
What things should we thank Lakshmiji for?
Lakshmiji is kind and gives us the money and wealth that we can use to make sure we have food, clothing, shelter, and fun.
Name the steps in Puja. (You don't have to go into specifics, just give me the general steps)
1. Sit on asan and do mansi puja
2. Say shlok to invite Maharaj and Swami
3. Do mala and say the swaminarayan mantra
4. Tapni Mala
5. Pradakshina
6. Dandvat
7. Ending shlok
8. Read Shikshapatri
Where are the three places we do Pradakshina?
-Puja
-Mandir
-Akshar Deri in Gondal
When Bapa came to America, he wrote 6 niyams in English. What were they? [Name at least 4]
1. Do Puja Daily
2. Attend Sabha Regularly
3. Respect Parents
4. Avoid Bad Books, Company, TV
5. Study Hard
6. Read Satsang Books Daily
Explain the meaning of this: Gharmā rahevu te mahemāna ni pethe rahevu.
Live in the home like a guest
Retell the story of Ganesh.
He was created by his mother using earth which she moulded into the shape of a boy. As Shiva was away on his meditative wanderings, Parvati set her new son as guard while she bathed...
What are the 5 basic niyams written in the Shikshapatri?
1. Never drink alcohol or take drugs
2. Never steal and always respect others things
3. Never harm any creature – from the smallest insect to a cow. Therefore we must also never eat meat.
4. Never lie
5. Never gamble
What are the proper steps to doing Pradakshina? (Hint: There are 4!)
Walking straight, hands folded, clockwise, say "swaminarayan, swaminarayan"
Narrate the story of how Dharmadev found out what Ghanshyam was going to be when he was older.
Dharmadev placed three things on a table: a knife (symbol for a king), a coin (symbol for a merchant), and a book (symbol for a scholar). Ghanshyam came crawling to his father, and without looking at the other 2 things he quickly picked up the book and began reading it. Dharmadev was surprised and realized Ghanshyam was very different from everyone else. Dharmadev then began helping Ghanshyam read books, so that Ghanshyam would gain knowledge.
Which are the major shāstras of our Sampradāya? [Hint: There are 3]
1. Vachanāmrut
2. Swāmini Vāto
3. Shikshāpatri