Bali Raja
Who was Vamanji?
What is a niyam?
A personal spiritual vow or discipline taken to please Bhagwan and the Satpurush.
Ek vāt kahu māno teha
Bhaktachintamani: Prakran 71
Ek vāt kahu māno teha, āpaṇe ātmā nahi deha; Māno chaitanyarūp tamāru, dukharūp deh teh nyāru.
What is the meaning of chaturmas?
Four months.
True or False – It’s okay to take a small niyam like “no chocolate” during Chaturmas.
True — even small niyams help build discipline and bhakti.
Who was king Bali?
Grandson of Prahlada, king of asuras, through strength and power he expanded his rule to encompass the entire world, eventually conquering heaven and taking it from Indradev
Name common niyams yuvatis take during Chaturmas.
Avoiding sweets / Doing extra malas daily / Attending all sabhas / No social media / Reading one scripture daily.
Koṭi janme kasar ṭaḷvānī hoy
Swamini Vat (1/119)
Koṭi janme kasar ṭaḷvānī hoy te āj ṭaḷī jāy ne brahmarūp karī mūke, jo khare-kharā sādhu maḷe ne te kahe tem kare to.
Why do devotees focus more on bhakti and niyams during Chaturmas compared to other times of the year?
Because Chaturmas is considered a spiritually powerful period where extra effort in bhakti brings greater rajipo and personal transformation.
Which guru did 5 continuous nirjala upvas due to their guru's agna?
Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Why did Vishnu Bhagwan take avatar as Vamanji?
To consolidate his rule over the three worlds, Bali began performing a grand Ashwamedha Yagna, a powerful ritual sacrifice. This would give him power and control over the universe. All devtas asked Vishnu Bhagwan to intervene.
Why do we take niyams during chaturmas?
Spiritual growth, practicing tap (austerity), strengthening control over indriyas (senses), creating a bhakti-focused lifestyle, and gaining rajipo
Moṭā sāthe het thayu hoy to
Swamini Vat 5/390
Moṭā sāthe het thayu hoy to vāsanāvāḷānā antarmā paṇ sukh āve ne te vinā to nirvāsanik thayo hoy to paṇ lūkho shuṣhka rahe.
Which four months does Chaturmas include on the Hindu calendar?
Ashadh, Shravan, Bhadarvo, Aso.
What festivals occur during chaturmas? (there are 5)
Janmashtami / Raksha Bandhan / Ganesh Chaturthi / Navratri / Diwali
What did Vamanji ask for and what was Bali's response?
Bali raja promised to fulfill the wish of "three steps of land" from Vamanji despite being warned by his guru, Shukracharya. Bali, bound by his word and a deep sense of dharma, granted the request.
What foods are we to avoid during chaturmas? (Include all)
Sugarcane, ringan, radish and it's plant
Shravaṇam kīrtanam Viṣhṇoho
Vachanamrut: Gadhada I-40
Shravaṇam kīrtanam Viṣhṇoho smaraṇam pād-sevanam |
Archanam vandanam dāsyam sakhyam-ātmanivedanam ||
Evī rīte nav prakāre karīne je Bhagwānne bhajvā tene bhakti kahīe.
How does Bali raja's story connect with chaturmas?
After Bali asked Vamanji to place the 3rd step on his head, Vamanji was very please and granted him a boon. ccording to the boon, Bali requested Vamanji or Vishnu Bhagwan to live with him in Patala. Vishnu Bhagwan obliged which worried all of the deities, including the goddess Lakshmi (Vishnu's consort). Lakshmiji then devised a plan which only allowed Vishnu to live with Bali for a certain duration. This duration is also known as Chaturmasya or the period that Vishnu "sleeps" while visiting King Bali.
Share the niyam(s) you are taking and how you hold yourself responsible.
Varied.
What were Vamanji's 3 steps and what happened after?
1st step - entire earth and underworld
2nd step - heaven
3rd step - Bali's head
With all three worlds covered, Vamana asked Bali where to place his third step. Bali, in a moment of profound humility and devotion, offered his own head for the third step. As a reward for his ultimate sacrifice and unwavering devotion, Vishnu placed his third foot on Bali's head, not in a destructive manner, but as a gesture of blessing, banishing him to Patal Loka (the underworld) and granting him dominion over it forever.
How can a niyam taken during Chaturmas lead to long-term spiritual progress?
It builds discipline, reduces dependence on material comforts, and creates lasting bhakti habits.
Kathā-vārtānu vyasan rākhvu. Kathā-vārtānu vyasan hoy to
Yogi Gita
Kathā-vārtānu vyasan rākhvu. Kathā-vārtānu vyasan hoy to karyā vinā rahevāy nahi. Motā vātu kartā hoy ne pote hājar na hoy to hrudaymā balatrā thavi joie. Jyāre kathā sāmbhalie tyāre shānti thāy. Māte shabda jhilvā shikhvu. Ek shabda vruthā javā devo nahi. Navin navin vāto yād rākhvi. To ja shrut kahevāy. Māte kharā shrut thāvu.
What plan did Lakshmiji devise to take Vishnu Bhagwan back to Vaikunth?
Lakshmiji disguised herself as a Brahmin woman and went to Bali's kingdom seeking refuge until her husband returned. During the Shravan Purnima celebration, Lakshmiji tied a sacred thread (rakhi) on King Bali's wrist. When Bali asked what she desired in return, Lakshmiji revealed her true identity and requested that he allow Lord Vishnu to return to Vaikunth. Touched by Lakshmiji's devotion and her longing for Vishnu Bhagwan, Bali requested Vishnu Bhagwan to accompany her back to Vaikunth, thereby sacrificing his wish for Vishnu to guard his kingdom. Hence, it's only a 4 months period.
How were sadhus given agna to eat their meals during Bhagwan Swaminarayan's time?
By rinsing everything with water and then forming them into laddus.