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Gurudev Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa’s 107th manifestation day was celebrated at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Maninagar, in the divine presence of Acharya Swamishree Maharaj on Wednesday 24th September 2014.

After performing the Shangar Aarti of the Lord in the main Mandir, Acharya Swamishree travelled to the Tower Mandir, from where a grand procession was held. 107 young disciples carried various gifts to present at the lotus feet of Jeevanpran Swamibapa. The procession proceeded to the ground of the Mandir, where the main assembly had been held. One by one, the disciples came to the front of the stage with their offerings and presented them with Acharya Swamishree to our Gurudev. Acharya Swamishree adorned Swamibapa with a grand, golden garland and moogat, before cutting the celebration cake.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa’s tula ceremony was then performed, during which He was ceremonially weighed against fresh flowers, coconuts and sugar candy. This reminded disciples of the grand festivals held in 1957, 1967 and 1977, when Jeevanpran Swamibapa’s golden, platinum and diamond jubilees were held.

In His divine blessings, Acharya Swamishree Maharaj explained the manner of performing the Lord’s darshan properly. If the Lord’s divine Murti is not remembered, there is no point in the darshan. Whilst performing darshan, if the person is distracted by others and does not maintain focus on the Murti, he has not understood the glory of the Lord; and the Lord does not become pleased. Similarly, after experiencing the bliss of grand occasions and festivals, if those memories are not kept and remembered, there is little advantage from attending them.

Acharya Swamishree Maharaj explained that some people perform devotional deeds, not to please the Lord, but instead, to show themselves to be great and pious to the external world. Rather than creating unity amongst the society, such fruitless devotion causes unrest. Through such dishonesty, that deceitful individual suffers, and never progresses. Such arrogance and ego must be eliminated and selfless devotion must be performed. Otherwise, everything that you do has no true purpose – you will not please the almighty Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa.