Day 3 - Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj Shashtipurti Mahotsav
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Morning ImagesAfternoon ImagesEvening Images
Morning
Day 3 of the Mahotsav commenced with scripture recitals by Sadguru Shashtri Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swami. Disciples on whose behalf scripture recitals were held, were keenly waiting at Swamibapa Hall to have a glimpse of Acharya Swamishree’s divine darshan. H H Swamibapa Pipe Band performed a guard of honour when Acharya Swamishree reached outside Swamibapa Hall and led the swagat procession from Swamibapa Hall to the sabha mandap.
A number of prominent guests including Mr Atul Shah, the owner of Nakumatt supermarkets were also present on this occasion. Mr Shah and his other family members were presented with a prasadi paagh by Acharya Swamishree.
Magazine by Swamibapa Education Centre
A special book written and composed by the students and teachers of Swamibapa Education Centre to mark the 10th Anniversary of Swamibapa Education Centre, was inaugurated by Acharya Swamishree. The magazine contains the experiences and stories of individual students and teachers.
Ashirwad
Acharya Swamishree bestowed his divine blessings and said:
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Merciful Lord Swaminarayan considers everyone equal and whoever comes in His contact attains the path of salvation.
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This is a sabha in Akshardham- Lord Swaminarayan has brought His huge sant mandal (52 sants) to grace this auspicious accession- Nairobi Ghanshyam Maharaj Shashtipurti Mahotsav.
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Muktajeevan Swamibapa took a revolutionary step to visit Africa in 1948. He received a lot of criticism from various religious sects in India. Their belief was that whoever makes a trip across the oceans will get enticed in the material world and distance himself from the lord. Muktajeevan Swamibapa made His trip to Africa without breaking any of the rules set by Lord Swaminarayan in The Shikshapatri for a sant. Indeed the same sants who had earlier criticised Him, later followed His footsteps.
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During Muktajeevan Swamibapa’s first visit to Africa in 1948, the standard of living for the devotees was very poor, but due to His divine blessings, today His devotees have achieved a very high standard and are organising various religious and cultural events to please The Lord.
After the sabha, a delicious lunch prasad was served to all.
Afternoon
The afternoon sabha commenced at approximately 4.00pm with scripture recitals by sants, followed by samuh parayan poojan held on behalf of devotees to pray to The Lord for a better health of our beloved Acharya Swamishree.
Evening
Drama by Swamibapa Education Centre
The evening programme consisted of a drama production by the young students of Swamibapa Education Centre. The drama was divided into two parts. The first part of the drama comprised of the story of Faiba and Fulibai from the village of Machhiav. Faiba was one of Swaminarayan Bhagwan’s eminent disciples. She would do all that The Lord would command of her, but due to her ego, she did not obey one command of The Lord - she refused to accept her daughter-in-law in her house even though The Lord insisted her to do so. Lord Swaminarayan was so disappointed with her that He refused to dine at her house even though He Himself had requested the sants to prepare the lunch prasad.
The moral of the story was to always follow The Lord’s commands and do as he says.
The second part of the drama was based on the recognition of a true sant. A true sant is one who always works tirelessly for the common good and not personal benefit. By doing so, he and the followers attain ultimate salvation.
Day 3 - Vachanamrut Scripture Recitals and Swagat
