Acharya Swamishree Maharaj's Ashirwad - 1st Jan 2017

Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Says that during the beginning of a New Yearone must forget all the past disputes, arguments, rancor, malice and hatred; bury them in to the ground, turn to a new page and begin dialogues with everyone. Today is a day to have positive thoughts. A New Year means making commitments of burying all the shortcomings, mistreatments and misconducts; and tounite to gain good virtues and goodwill.  On such an auspicious occasion we pay homage to the Lord and all we pray for from Him is to grant us new strength, hopes, inspiration and enlightenment which advance. If one asks for blessings from God with complete veneration whilst taking the Lord’s patronage; the Lord blesses him and also protects and rescues him from all danger, misfortune and bad at all times. To gain such blessings from the Lord, one must act as per the Lord’s commands and perform devotion with chasteness. We have to become true disciples of Lord Shree Swaminarayan, and to become His we have to have an understanding of his omniscience and omnipresence.

The Lord has explained to us, in the Vachanamrut, what constitutes taking His patronage. He says for an individual to be called a soul who has taken the patronage of God and become an unyielding disciple; such an individual has to discard all notions of religious decree and take patronage unto the Lord and he shall be freed from all sins. A person with such a firm patronage unto God considers none other than God to be his protector from all misery and considers none other than the Lord as his granter of happiness. Such an individual behaves strictly in accordance with the will of God.As explained in the Vachanamrut, Lord Swaminarayan says,”I have a very compassionate nature. However, if someone betrays my disciple, I develop detest for that individual. If I hear someone speaking ill of a disciple I would not want to speak to that person, even if there was a pressing need to speak to him. I become immensely pleased with someone who offers his service and looks after the disciples of God.

Acharya Swamishree concluded with a prathna, “Oh Lord may you grant us the divine strength, courage and the wisdom to remain under the shelter of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan for our entire life.”