Tuesday 26 September 2023 | Bhadarva Sud 12, Samvat 2079

Tue 26 Sep 2023

Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa has bestowed His blessings upon all of the disciples under the patronage of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi such that the Lord gracefully fulfils the wishes of whosoever performs deeds or seva at Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan while free from lust (Nish-kaami) and desires.

Lord Shree Swaminarayan in the Vachanamrut describes an ardent disciple as one within whom three aspects exist firmly. The Lord is extremely pleased upon such a disciple. The Lord further in this Vachanamrut explains these three aspects which are as follows:

  1. Firstly, having implicit compliance with the vows/commands given by The Lord for which he  (the disciple) would even forsake his life to abide by them. One has to act as per the commands given in, Shikshapatri; in the prarthna - Nirvikalp;  and as per the five Vartmans. A disciple having such an implicit compliance to the Lord’s commands does not have to ask the Lord to remain pleased unto him, The Lord unquestionably remains pleased unto such a disciple. He never abandons those religious decrees. Before starting any activities or deeds, one should think if the deed he is to perform is against the will of the Lord or is as per the Lord’s will and commands. Gnan Mahodadhi Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj on this context further explains that one should maintain such a constant thought process on realisation of the wrong and right before beginning of any activities/deeds and one should not just give up on a vows taken due to minor inconveniences. One should not try to deceive the Lord when taking vows (Niyams) because the Lord is omniscient, He knows, sees and notes down about the individual souls of each cosmoses at the same time. He takes note on the actions of each soul at the same time and grants the fruits of each of the souls actions when the right time comes. For one to be persistent in conducting their vows (Niyams), he should be God-fearing and should have an understanding that the Lord is Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent. One should not act in a way that may lead to regrets in future, therefore one should always try to act in accordance to the religious decree. The Lord and His Muktas give us Guidance through their discourses and its our work to imbibe in their discourses and act as per their guidance. One should constantly have self realisation to identify their weaknesses and improve themselves accordingly by understanding the Glory of the Lord and taking Him as the Doer and by acting as per the Lord’s commands. The Lord supports a disciple who does this.
  2. Secondly, having such an immensely firm determination about the Murti of the Lord that even if someone tries to put doubts in him (the disciple), or even if his own mind starts to have doubts, he would not be swayed. He would have such an unfaltering determination about the Lord. Gnan Mahodadhi Acharya Swamiji Maharaj explains that one’s determination about the Lord must be firm and resolute. In the same manner as the number 9 remains firm, one’s determination about the Lord must also never waver. Regardless of whether He shows human behaviours or divine feats, one’s faith about Him should remain steadfast. That is the meaning of having a determination about Him like the number 9. When the Lord Himself tests a disciple in all aspects of life and the disciple’s determination about the Lord should remain steadfast. Such a disciple is an ardent disciple.
  3. Thirdly, having an allegiance to the Lord’s disciples, in the same manner that one has for his mother, father, son and daughter; just as a son has allegiance to his father, and like a wife has allegiance to her husband. In that same manner, he would have allegiance to the disciples of the Lord.

When someone comes and sits at the front of a congregation of disciples, to others it seems that he must be a great disciple. However, the test of a great disciple is as follows. If he is a gruhasth, he surrenders everything to the Lord and His disciples. He would even give up his own life for the Satsang. Furthermore, at the precise moment if the Lord gives him a command to become an ascetic, he immediately becomes an ascetic. A person within whom such characteristics exist should be known to be a great disciple, regardless of whether he sits at the front of an assembly or at the back of a congregation of disciples. An ascetic may have been sent to a far away place or even abroad, where he may encounter wealth or women; but still, he is not fazed by them and obediently abides by all his vows. This is the great individual amongst all the ascetics.

There are people in this world who are engrossed in the rajas attribute, but are still considered by society to be eminent. When such an individual comes to an assembly, one should have respect for him and offer a seat for him at the front. That is social decorum, and it should be observed by scholars and ascetics alike. If one does not comply with this, an undesirable situation will arise. Gruhasths and ascetics should all abide by the following decorum: When a person who is regarded to be eminent according to worldly matters comes to an assembly, he must not be insulted in any manner. If he becomes offended, problems will undoubtedly arise and this will create difficulties in one’s worship and remembrance of the Lord.

Gnan Mahodadhi Acharya Swamiji Maharaj's Ashirwad - Nairobi 9th Dec 2022

Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj's Mombasa Vicharan - 2022