Dharmajivandasji Swami

Dharmajivandasji swami
Dharmajivandasji swami
Religion Hinduism
Founder of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot
Personal
Born Arjan Lakhani
(1901-06-18)June 18, 1901
Taravada, Amreli, Gujarat
Died (1988-02-05)February 5, 1988
Rajkot, gujarat, India
Religious career
Successor Sadguru Mahant Swami Shree Devkrushnadasji Swami
Guru Gopinathdasji swami
Honors Shastri (Scholar), Sadvidya Saddharma Rakshak

Shastri Shree Dharmajivandasji swami (June 18, 1901 – February 5, 1988), commonly known as 'Shastriji Maharaj', was a Hindu saint, social worker and founder of Swaminarayan Gurukul. His former name was Arjan. He established Swaminarayan Gurukul at Rajkot with seven students in a small room in 1947. During his lifetime gurukul was spread to the rajkot, junagadh and ahmedabad. And after his death his followers made branches at Surat, Hyderabad, Taravada, Navsari, Vidyanagar, Narmada, Mumbai and Bangalore. Its international branches include Dallas (Texas, United States) and Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic). www.rajkotgurukul.org

Founder

Shastriji Maharaj Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami, the founder of the Gurukul tradition was born on 18 June 1901, the auspicious day of the Rathayatra of Shree Jagannath Bhagawan of Puri, in the Taravada village of Amreli District in Gujarat, India and was named as Arjan. He was very brilliant and studious. He had natural inclination for spiritual learning and reading of religious scriptures.

Since his childhood, he had a natural attraction towards saints, as he aspired to attend all spiritual gatherings. Even at the cost of sleep and food, he used to go and serve these saints at every opportunity he had. One such occasion changed his life forever. He was privileged to receive divine blessings from Saint Shree Balmukundadasji Swami. This created a spiritual fire in his heart and a calling in his soul that shaped the journey for the rest of his divine life.

Being attracted by the pure and virtuous life led by the saints of Swaminarayan Sampradaya, Arjan started regularly attending Swaminarayan Satsangs. At the tender age of 16, Arjan was convinced that the pure life of the Swaminarayan Saints was the optimal method of supreme spiritual realization and salvation and became a Saint. Arjan now became Sadhu Dharmajivandas.

Seeing Gurukul and saints imparting Sanskrit and Religious education to young students on his pilgrimage on foot on the Himalayas, he realized the message of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan to preserve and propagate ‘Sadvidya’ all over the world. There he got the inner inspiration to start some constructive and service activities based on the broad and benevolent message of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan. Coming back to Saurashtra he established Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul in the year of India’s independence i.e. in 1947-48 at Rajkot – Gujarat.

Shree Dharmajivandasji Swami led a very simple life of devotion, compassion, spiritual inquest and strong righteous principles. This lifestyle had a major influence on his disciples as well. He always emphasized the path of Bhakti and Dharma.

Social welfare activities and betterment of the society were the pillars of his mission. He practiced a vow called Ayachak Vrat i.e., never to ask anyone for any money as donation. He had firm faith in God and believed that all the benevolent activities of the Gurukul should run only with the voluntary donations of the people inspired by the Almighty. This principle is still practiced as a vow by this Gurukul in all its activities.

Success for him was nothing other than the betterment of the society. Success for him was not a destination, but journey. In fact, his life became the source of inspiration to so many saints of other sects, that they too started creating huge institutions for education and social welfare activities.

He was a great successor of Gunatit tradition, a reformer of spiritual activities and Saint-life.

Homage With Regards

While strolling in the Himalayas, the 46 years old Shashtri Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami had an intuition and his divine vision was bestowed upon with god's inspiration.

It resulted in establishment of Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul - Rajkot, Junagadh the series of institutions, flowing a continuous stream of education, social, religious and sacred activities.

Accompanied by adventure and adorned with the wealth of discretion, Swamiji's life and work were full of service and sacrifice, concentration, efficiency, deep insight, awareness towards the goal of life, composure and determination amongst the several service activities.

We, the 151 self-less well educated saints and lacs of devotees engrossed in reciting Swamiji's life full of virtues like selfrestraint, simplicity and straight forward nature, pay our sincere homage with due regards to him.

Virtuous and living formulae

The sainthood of Rev. Swamiji was cautious and charming. He had maintained the behaviour methods of the old saints and also the original tradition of Satsang. He believed that a Sadhu is one, who performs Sadhana having no deceit for pleasing Ishtadev. Sainthood is in simplicity restraint and straight forwardness of course a Sadhu is a representative of God Almighty. So his life should be holy filled with good usages and benevolent. At the same time the society shoulders the responsibility of foods, clothing and life maintenance for a Sadhu. So a Sadhu should remain busy with serving the society by leading the public to holy path. It is not at all proper for a real saint to lie down on bed having sleep after consuming much food & drinks of Dharmada or to seat idly. If having consumed the foods of Dharmada the service is not done one has to take another birth for paying debts. One should constantly remain busy with Jap, Tap, Vrat & worshipping memorising God for pleasing God with the rake of salvation and also should join himself in the ??? service activities according to capacity for public welfare. Rev. Swamiji had learnt such life formulae and best lessons by service association and inner blessings of the great saints and Gurus like Rev. Guruvarya Purani Swami Gopinathdasji, capable great saint Swami Narayandasji and others.

Always active great saint

Rev. Swamiji was by ??? nature active & constantly active from the very beginning. Idleness, indolence and inactiveness never had touched him. He utilised his foresightedness, vision and endless power given by God in continuous worshipping and memorising God in knowing something new in Jap, Tap, Vrat in contemplation of Ishtadev and in doing service activities of public welfare. He himself did worship & memory and for joining the divine people in worship, arranged new planning too. He had always shortage of time, so there was no question of passing time uselessly. He had never seated idly like Ishtadev Shri Hari and Nand saints. He believed the selfless service activities done for God and the devotee of God as devotion to God that is why he was never tired from benevolent tasks.

Divine Sculpture

Rev. Swamiji was divine foresighted formulator of shapes and expert artisan of character building. He was able to inspire and ultimately mould anyone who came in his contact. He always was careful regarding observance of instructions of Shri Hari and always remained careful and cautions at the internal gate of awareness. His care and attention in connection with even minor matters was wonderful. In each and every occasion his stopping & training which was felt herd for some people but this was reason, why the persons who associated him were remained sharp and cautious. None could remain careless. He often by narration of Katha storied as well as by arranging special assemblies reminded his disciples about duties and obligations of Tyagashram. As an expert gardener would cut down the unnecessary increased branches and sub-branches of a plant by scissors and would mould it good shape, Rev. Swamiji too would preach like a medicine the disciples for removing increased nature or laziness indolence. Sometimes, this was done with love affections while sometimes by scolding with bitter sentences, hence they remained cautious. Restraint could be maintained naturally and edges of senses became blunt. His bitter medicine rendered health of self-control to all. He had compassionate in his heart, so that the nature of the devotees associated with him may vanish and that they may climb the steps of progress. Leaving for years in association of others the improvement could not be done or there may be no change in behaviour that could happen by even a little association with him. This was obvious. One who is prepared by his training (by suffering his censure) had not to suffer any other’s reproach.

Foresighted Rev. Swamiji certainly effulgence, brilliance, substance could measure the courage of anyone who come in his contact. He was able to evaluate the mentality of an approaching person only by his steps. He had wonderful capacity of reading the face of the person who came before him. He mapped the depth of the heart, only seeing the eyes. He had charming vision of realising feelings of heart by natural physical movements of any person. So skill of anyone could not stand before him. He never attracted to anyone’s endearment. He never closed transgressing God’s directions. He did not like anyone’s flattery or cajolery. He never came under anyone’s pressure or shame. He boldly narrated wherever it was necessary to tell anything without fear. He did not prefer to adulate anyone. He was a fearless saint always having fear of God. He specially evaluates all his own activities. He remained far from any service activities, which the relation with God for forgotten. Always his intention was to join everyone with God. He could get the co-operation from real spirituals devotees and virtuous saints.

Proficient and selfless Karmayogi

There was wonderful proficiency in Rev. Swamiji. In his each and every task foresightedness, public welfare view, well arranged planning, time management, novelty, God’s pleasure, “whether I haven’t forgotten anything?” such vigilance etc. were appearing.

In Junagadh Swaminarayan Temple, he had done successful administration as a chief Kothari for about 2 to 2½ years. Further in Samvat Year 2011, he had celebrated successfully a 21 days huge ‘Mahavishnuyag” under the auspices of Shri Radharamandev along with ‘Ashtottarshat (108) Parayan’ of ‘Satsangijivan’. By all above celebrations the Satsang Samaj had realised the expertise and administrative capacity of this brave saint. Thereafter he had remained constantly busy with tasks related to encouragement to the original principles of Sampradaya and for increase of glory of Satsang. He did new planning.

For providing knowledge with Sanskars of spiritual knowledge to children, he re-establish the ancient Gurukul method, he organised Jap Yagna for spreading the wave of devotion in public, he arranged Brahmasatra for inspiring divine people for attaining Brahmarupa status, he arranged special train tour for pilgrimage to holy places, he started services to the public for sick and poor people, he planned ‘Satsang Shibirs’ for explanation of life improvement. Behind all these activities, there was complete care for following the directions of Shreeji insistence for joining in the form of Shri Hari no pride, no pretence, no fear, no aim for being famous in public. That is why his all planning and welfare activities had become ‘Nishkam Karmayoga’.

Any person who is endowed with insight & expertise too is affected by the worldly activities. It takes no time for vanishing of merits during worldly problems, but if there is constant awareness of God’s instructions and there is selflessness in worldly affairs if there is benevolence then verily that activity became ‘devotion and can became an instruction of God’s pleasure’ Rev. Swamiji even during his activities, remained careful and had aim of public welfare. Howsoever great activities are might be externally, that activity never became obstacle in his heart. Katha Varta and the duties never became minor for him. He remained cautious in his every activity. He remained always detached from activities by which God is forgotten.

Erudite and self controlled saint

Rev. Swamiji always had desire to acquire something new information desire and knowledge. Grasping power, contemplation, meditation & power of assumption of this sagacious great person was much wonderful. During study, many verses of Sanskrit were learnt by heart by him. Vedstuti of Shrimad Bhagvat, Bhishmastuti, Gopigeet and many Mantras of Upanishad he had at his tongue. He was able to sing with sweet voice. Hence, all these things were heard into his preaching. He had learnt by heart ‘Shikshapatri’. Within only 18 days, he had memorised 18 chapters of Gitaji. A number of devotional songs (Kirtans) and chapters were memorised by him. For not being forgotten, whatever he remembered by heart, he repeated it as exercise. He took a vow in his young age to speak 40-45 Kirtans before going to bed every day. His voice was melodious sweet and sentimental with ascending & descending notes of music gifted with acute discernment. Care in uttering of short- and long letters melodious tune a fine mode of singing due to all these his discourse became sentimentally. Interest was maintained even if we listen for hours. Calling the new saints, Parshads and enthusiastic students, near him he taught them various stanzas, modes, styles along with melody of pronunciations.

Shrotriya and Brahmanishtha

Shrotriya and Brahmanishtha are two uncommon characters of Sadguru. Shrotriya means knower of scriptures and of spiritual knowledge. Brahmanishtha means a scholar saint with absolute faith in God durilt deep meditation.

Rev. Swamiji was a good scholar of scriptures and had deep study of scriptures. He could easily explain the essence of scriptures by his own experience. The depth of the scripture of this Swaminarayan Sect and authentic scriptures could be heard in his lectures. His knowledge was not limited only for preaching others, but he had filled his own life and works with its essence. He was able to realise mentality of any person. By looking at the face of listeners he knew their mentality and curiosity. He should their doubts, right in his discourses and uprooted the doubts of their minds. He knew the level of listeners and gave illustrations accordingly, so that they could follow and he explained clearly his opinions or abstracts. He possessed a wonderful skill of such explanations. All were much impressed by his memorable discourses, all were encourage for proceeding in the right path the devotion to God was increased all could realise. Their mistakes and defects discrepancies all felt disgust towards. Their wicked natures and bad addictions all were inspired for life improvement and there were changes in the behaviour of people who listened him.

Rev. Swamiji had gained the status of Brahmanishtha and hence, he kept had association of God in his every tasks and could experience unexpected help of God in many occasions in his life. There was absolute faith and firm trust of God’s capacity in his heart. Many times he clearly represented the divine Saakar form of Purna Purushottam Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan Mahaprabhu and described divinity and meaningful glory, contained in the Swaminarayan Mahamantra which is worth for memory of meditation at that time he deeply engrossed in that Saakar form of God Almighty became ecstatic and explained the significance. Getting read Vachanamrut, he made firmness of Agna and Upasana. An abnormal effulgence of firm trust in Pragat Purushottam Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan could be seen in his life.

Hundis were accepted in the name of Narayan

Rev. Swamiji performed the public welfare tasks for lifetime. For that, too, he never had asked for finance nor did he ask for the fund contribution. Occasionally many times, he would say, “In Purvashrama, where I was there was no tradition of begging and now at present, I have worn the Chundadi of capable master like Swaminarayan and if I wonder for begging then would not it become a matter of shame for that master? He is husband of Laxmi. I beg from that Narayan not from any human being. I have full trust of that, Narayan perform the public welfare programmes as many as possible. And for that, finance is managed by that Narayan.”

Certainly, the Almighty God inspiring anyone’s heart provided finance for the tasks of Rev. Swamiji. His task never remained incomplete. Philanthropic rich householder having trust rendered monitory fund without demand. That is why Rev. Swamiji told, “How abnormal mercy of God is for me? He had accepted the Hundi of Narsinh Mehta only once, whereas He has still continued to accept my Hundis. How great His grace is for me! Otherwise how can expenditure be covered by such short hostel fees? Apart from the ??? of the students, many fold other public welfare services including construction are going on in spite of that I never ask for financial contribution no I get it done through others. Swaminarayan fulfils everything by any means. This is the task of God and God complete it. I am simply a cause of course I demand Narayan and not money.” What a brilliance of absolute faith & firm trust appears in these his exclamations!

Expert orator and super Kathakar

There was wonderful skill of speech in Rev. Swamiji. At the time of representation of any subject, he was able to represent even hard subjects very easily. He presented the discourses, in a nice manner with appropriate weightage on words and with movements of hand and face and with ???. His discourses were memorable. In Brahmasatras, Katha Parayans and in festivals like Vasant Panchami, his speeches continued for long hours however constant interest could be maintained. To listen his discourses was considered as a privilege of the life.

As a best orator a distinct personality had arisen. He has narrated interesting Katha discourses of Shrimad Bhagvat, Gitaji, Shrimad Satsangijivan, Kalpataru, Nishkulanand Kavya etc. Great Kathakar and Puranis took seats to listen his Katha discourses. Novel essence and contents were represented by him. All were greatly impressed by listening his serice & sweet speech like flow of Ganga.

He was so thirsty of narrating and listening Katha-Varta that he remained present in evening assembly. After reading Katha, he asked questions to group of listeners and the enthusiastic saints and students, replied according to their understanding. He explained the essence of Katha. He definitely asked questions to Morarjibhai or Bhanubhai Soni in Sunday assembly. He told the old stories of Satsang and inspired Satsang.

Since last many years, Katha was being read at his room before Sandhya Aarti in the evening everyday for about an hour. In that assembly, the saints, ??? students, Shri Govindbapa Pipalia, Bhanubhai Soni, Purushottambhai Joshi, Girdharbhai Patel, Parbatbhai Korat and others took benefits of Katha regularly. Rev. Swamiji, if became sick even then he kept Katha continue. Even if there be ailment in body, as Katha would progress, he experienced marvellous freshness in his body, as if he were not sick at all. Such zeal was obvious in doing and listening Katha. Verily by this Katha Varta, he moulded life of saints. The saints, reached at the assembly putting other engagements in services aside. They listened the sentences of Guru with faith and insistence and also noted down in a diary.

Distinct interest in Archan of God

Swamiji had from the very beginning, distinct interest in Archan-Poojan of Ishtadev Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan Mahaprabhu. His morning Pooja rituals were really very nice. He awoke in the morning before 5:00 a.m. in Brahmamuhurt, seated for a while memorised Shri Hari and then completed tooth brushing, bathing etc. became engaged in morning Pooja. The younger saint, who was in service, would have swept Pooja room, spreading the mat, would have prepared the Pooja materials. The glass Tarbhanu of Pooja would have been cleaned and filled with holy water and kept ready. Fresh flowers and Tulsi leaves would have been ready.

Rev. Swamiji wearing a Dhoti and Gatariya cloth took seat towards eastern direction, chanting Janmangal Verses would spread the cloth for God, they would prepare liquid sandal paste by rubbing, they would sound the Ghantas melodiously then would awakes God: a small icon of Harikrishna Maharaj (given by Guruvarya Purani Swami) and would apply sandal woods paste to God and then would get bathing by pure water then cleaning the organs of God by a clean, thin and white piece of cloth, offered ornaments to God Shri Hari with great love. He then offer a nice Surval and a Khes (upper cloth) as a canopy on head, earrings on ears, garlands in neck, Kada in hands, Toda in legs etc. clothes & ornaments would paste sandal would in forehead, offer garland in the neck, then would put a mark of Tilak by Prasadi Chandan in his own forehead & put Chandla of Kumkum, then would perform Mansi Pooja, then would place icons of Charanarvinda, then would perform Aarti with grew joy with Agarbatti & then would engross his mind in form of God, then he would worship by Mala (rosary) with concentrated mind and with Mantra Jap.

Seating at a little distance, some faithful and enthuastic saints sang the Prabhatiya or Chapters with melodious voice. The saints, students or devotees came for glimpse and after prostration from far, would leave the place. This time scene certainly looked nice & Brahmamay.

Rev. Swamiji would stand-up and worship the rosary of austerity would do circumambulations and would prostrate before God with ecstasy. He would offer meal to God then read Shikshapatri and Vachanamrut. Next winding up Pooja, he would proceed for Dandvats of God in the temple. There, too, he would prostrate to God would have Darshan with concentrated mind, then circumambulator and there would rest on the Otta near the stairs or in the Yagnashala for a while. From there he would come in the chowk and looking around everywhere would come at the office. There he would seat for a while for some works, next would come to Sadhu Ashram and have Darshan and then would arrive at his room. There Parshad Naranbhagat would bring hot milk and Rev. Swamiji would drink it, then would read the letters and soon would himself write the replies. He would welcome devotees who came for Darshan with pleasure and asked them news about health etc. listening their question, would answer properly with peace.

During Chaturmas, Rev. Swamiji took more time for Pooja rituals for doing Poojan of the open wooden shapes Prasadi of God with flowers and Tulsi lives. The main characteristic of his Pooja was that he was doing Pooja with concentrated mind with reverence, having high feeling that God himself remain present in Pooja. At the time of Pooja, he verily vied to God. Never he looked ground anywhere and didn’t talk with anyone about any matters. During the ??? anywhere here or abroad, if time of Pooja had changed i.e. early or late, his concentration of eyes in the Pooja was always maintained.

Always far from being worshipped or fame

The saints, who were Samakalin of God and those of after that period and of old generation great saints even being with characters of Sadhuta and capable or Vachan Siddha were always about being worshipped or fame. Rev. Swamiji had come into contact of such saints of old generation, so he too, could stay far from such worldly desired of fame etc. Occasionally he said, “A Sadhu is guide and servant of the society. He should not engage himself for being worshipped or fame. Pooja should be of God not of body. Worship can be done of God not of self. The human body is given for service, so it is appropriate to use it like borrowed bullock. It should not be patted fondled. Sandal powder shouldn’t be pasted to this body like Shaligram. By it chutney of the form of service to Satsang Samaj should be rubbed.

Spread fragrance by being rubbed like sandalwood paste

Certainly vide his, this opinion Rev. Swamiji rubbed his body on the vessel of the form of service of the Satsang Samaj. He did expect neither facility or discomfort nor respect-honour. Either in God health or sickness, he constantly thought and planned about progress of Satsang. All are aware that he rubbed himself like sandalwood and spread the fragrance of Satsang everywhere.

Rev. Swamiji lived his whole life for giving to mankind the blissful experience of his divinity. He undertook extensive tours covered lakhs of kilometres, mostly by road and reached out to merges (divine people), even in remote villages to give them the direct experience of his divinity (of God). He told them God (Swaminarayan) had incarnated on earth to relieve than of his sufferings and lead him to God ward path and to redeem his life. [Simple pure hearted villagers gathered in thousands to hear him and experience. His (God’s) Omni presence, Omni science and Omni potence like the cow-herd of Brindavan, when they found Lord Krishna amidst them in Dwapar Yuga.

These tours of Bhagwan make it evident that, there is no limit to His love for His devotees and His compassion and kindness are boundless. No amount of physical discomfort could deter Him from reading out to His devotees. Be it scorching heat of the midday Sun in summer season or torrential rain be it the most tedious journey on dusty bullock cart-tracks of villages or walk across open fields, where no road existed, nothing could stand between Him and His devotees. But in spite of the arduousness of the journey or long hours of travel, sometimes from early morning to past midnight His co-travellers never saw any trace of fatigue or discomfort on His face, which was always radiant and fresh like a rose in full bloom.

A Life full of spirituality & zeal of obeying duties

Vide his name the life of Rev. Swamiji was full of spirituality. In his life of course, from the very beginning, zeal of obeying religious duties was visible. Keeping constantly care of the instructions of Shri Hari, he planned the service activities. He followed each and every instruction, major or minor, very carefully and got it followed by others. In the event of breach of following instructions, he became irritated very soon. The voice of zeal of following instructions of God was being heard in his each discourse. Since Rev. Swamiji was insistent of obeying God’s orders. He specially emphasised and insisted all to follow the duty instructions, explaining the importance of implementing the good usages.

He for his whole life made attempts to increase the brilliance of Uddhava fellowship. Clean in behaviour and an erudite scholar Rev. Swamiji did not allow having even a little stain in his saint life. He was stainless in the abandonment of woman and money. He was brilliant in characters. However he never mentioned even a little arrogance pride or elation of his abandonment & remuneration. He was very careful regarding there may not occur any arrogance about his own virtuous and there may not arise intention of showing anybody weaker or inferior.

Having less food & insistent of vows and penance

Rev. Swamiji took less food. His meal was very simple, mostly he took loaf of Bajari, vegetables and hot mile. sometimes if available pickle of carrots, sour chillies or pieces of ginger turmeric ‘Not to consume sweats’ was his vow from very beginning. He did not require rice and pulse like old saints. His method was to take two mouthpieces less than appetite. Nobody could dare to serve him with force, because he did not left behind even little quality of food in his vessel. It is Annadev. He had permanent care not to waste any particle. He often told, one whose meal is tasty has his worship stale. On whose meal is simple has his worship sincere.

Rev. Swamiji himself was Atmanivedi great saint. It was his firm vow to take foods & water only after offering to his Sevya Swarup Shri Harikrishna Maharaj. This was maintained for lifetime by him The Prasad offered deities (Dev) placed by Ishtadev Shri Hari was consumed by trim with love.

He was of the opinion of taking less food and also he was insistent of preparing penance, abandonment and vows. He had observed the hard vows like Jav, Dand and Pipilika Chandrayans as shown in Satsangijivan scripture and also had observed Parna Kruchchha, Parak Kruchchha, Dharna-Parana etc. Apart from that, he for a full month of Chaturmas depended on the cow-milk and worshipped and memorised the God. In Kalsari, he observed Annakana vow i.e. unripe Bajaro for first month, unripe wheat for the second month, pulse for the third month and unripe rice for the fourth month were taken as meal and performed Anushthan. At the age of 61, he in Rajkot Gurukul, observed ‘Chandrayan Vrat’ in Samvat Year 1962 with glory.

Excellent co-ordination of virtuous

As Rev. Swamiji was endowed with plenty of the saintly characters excellent co-ordination of some virtuous like regularity, neatness, cleanliness, awareness, activity nature was appeared in his life. Insistent of regularity Rev. Swamiji had attempt of maintaining regularity beginning from getting up in the early morning up to taking rest at night, in each & every activities. He did not, at all like the irregularity or carelessness of other persons. In such cases, soon he word draw attention and inspired to do the service activities in time. For explaining the significance of time, he many times told with light remark that if you lost time, then it will be the greatest loss. Time is of course invaluable. The moment that passed does not come back. How a person, who has no value of time, can be said to be a wise man?

If he had to proceed out for Devdarshan, Padharamani or any auspicious even he would reach there in time without fail. None would have to wait much for his arrival. He would present himself at given time. His virtue inspired many others for becoming regular.

Like regularity, neatness too, was natural in Rev. Swamiji. His dress was Satvik, neat and a fit properly and it created a specific impression of sainthood. No Rajas Bhav at all. A best manner of wearing Dhoti, art of fixing knot to upper garment skill of covering the shawl, all these were according to tradition. Everything elegant & neat. He quite naturally adjusted the turban cloth while standing. All these were in accordance with old tradition. Seeing random or disordered dress of any new Parshad or Sadhu, he soon remarked him.

Everything at his seat (in his room) seemed look be well arranged (and suitably placed). The seat bed sheet, pillow covers and such everything would be clean and well arranged. Parshad Narayanbhagat constantly kept watch for keeping everything arranged according to liking of Rev. Swamiji.

At the time of prayer in the temple, he vigilantly checked whether the students were standing properly in their lines and chanting the Stuti systematically & uniformly and doing prostration too, uniformly. If there would be any mistake, he instructed to do correctly. His sight would take note whether the carpets are appropriately spread and all are sachet in a proper way.

Rev. Swamiji was very insistent of cleanliness. For nurturing the virtue of cleanliness among the students, he gave significance of the service activities connected to sweeping and cleaning in the Ashram. At present, also the service oriented and enthusiastic students are seeming to clean rooms, lobbies, ground, roads, drainage tank, gutters etc. at 6:00 o’clock on the early morning. The urinals and toilets are also being cleaned with glory. The cleanliness is maintained nicely & obviously in such a huge institute without any salaried person and by self-help and volunteerism.

All these are due to the high principles of cleanliness taught by Rev. Swamiji and enforced volunteerism. Rev. Swamiji, if found any little mistake at any place, soon drew attention of the serving saints or students regarding this. If he found the clothes of any of students, saints or Parshads to be dirty (filthy) or disordered, he did not miss to memorise with a light remark.

He was guide cautious and vigilant in each and every activity Idleness or laziness there was no place to. The idleness-laziness of one who comes in his contact, too, vanished. If he would have got up very early in the morning for journey purpose, nobody has found him snoozing in the car. He kept the car driver, too, careful and cautious. Great care was taken by him, so that anything would not be forgotten anywhere. At the time of proceeding to out station (to other village or city), before departing from his room, he never missed to drink the Prasadi water memorising the God. He had firm vow of doing Darshan in the temple and then to proceed outside. When returning, too, the first visited the temple for Darshan and then would go to his room. If he had to go to Ahmedabad or Mumbai from Rajkot, he never drank water in the car. He did not keep water bag or any breakfast material with him.

He was so thirsty of Devdarshan, that he never missed to visit Vadtal, Gadhpur, Junagadh, Dholera on the occasion of Samaiya festival or Patotsava. It was his routine to arrive at Gurukul only after doing Darshan at Rajkot Temple.

Rev. Swamiji was of opinion of self-help and self labour and volunteerism. Most of the buildings of Rajkot, Junagadh or Ahmedabad have been constructed by voluntary services and self labour of saints, students and devotees. By self labour the virtue of self-help and voluntarism one cultivated in students and the body, too, becomes strong and solid. It was in his notice in addition that extra ordinary attachment is arisen by it for the institute.

A distinct and brave personality

The whole personality of this Vandaniya and brave divine (super human) great saint was very genius and inspiring. He had acquired holy blessings of capable Vachansiddha saints by offering his sincere services. He had successfully achieved Samatva Yoga of Gita in his life. His life was truly spiritual. The heart was full of devotion. His action was selfless and full of knowledge. His mind was full of renunciation. Chitta was clean, concentrated and Murtimaya. Meditation was full of memory of God.

There was a great impression of simple, neat and self-controlled saint life of this great saint in public. By his bright eyes, clean vision and sense-serious speech, having tone of truth, there arose a specific effulgent personality. There was such magnet power in the fragrance of his life, that anyone, who would come once in his contact would be eager to get his memory forever.

Effulgence of serenity and Atmabal was visible for ever in the face of this great person. His divine vision could measure the essence of the heart of the person in contact. He was not pleased only by the external virtuous, but was definitely pleased by polite volunteered life with good usage.

This brave & principled saint never had come under anyone’s pressure or shame. There were obstacles in the service tasks however he continued his endeavour to adhere to his aim without disappointment or stoppage.

This selfless Karmayogi constantly remained busy with public welfare services. Unexhaustedly as if Ishtadev Shri Hari has rendered full strength in him. Not only that but also he inspired has disciples to do service activities for upliftment of Satsang Samaj and for pleasing the Almighty God.

This benevolent Paramhansa could understand well the Sarvajiv Hitavaha messages of God Almighty Shree Swaminarayan Mahaprabhu and also for his full lifetime remained busy too with glory, faith and zeal to propagate these messages, on the broad platform of public society.

This Styavadi capable great saint was insistent of following strictly The God’s instructions and was of the opinion of self-controlled life. He had coloured the lives of a number of young with Satsang’s effect by cultivating the Sanskars of moral and spiritual values. Not only that, but also, he spread Anasakti Yoga in the lives of many and built so high character that, so many well educated young, even in their young ages, abandoned the worldly life with clear understanding and becoming his disciples joined in the services of Sampradaya for lifetime.

This Paramhansa was like a flow of inexhaustible inspiration has offered the drink of the nectar of inspiration, has awakened, their hidden energies, has nurtured, their lives by virtuous and has made them Dharmanuragi. He stopped instructed and kept in restraint those who lived in his close proximity. So that even a very little weakness or demerits demerit could prevail in them. His bitter medicine provided many the healths of restraint and vow. By his association the spokes of mental wheel became out of function wear out.

This shape revamper foresighted holy saint had kept his life moving with spirituality according to his name and spiritual. The extract of the outcome of his discourses, too, inspired the zeal of spirituality. He prepared these Sadhus lice jewel.

There was wonderful insight and moral courage in this intelligent and active great saint. He solved the much complicated matter quite easily. In the holy tasks of public welfare and Satsang propagation, his faith and zeal never decreased. He spent his energy completely in the services of Satsang, not only that, but also the endeavoured tirelessly for making the saints and Parshad of his group having such zeal of service of Satsang.

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