BHUJ LEELA DARSHAN
By Shree Swaminarayan Temple Bhuj
1. SAADHURAAM WHERE ARE YOU STAYING?
Two of Ramanand swami’s students (disciples), Muktanand swami and Devanand swami were studying Vraj bhaashaa in Bhuj. There was no boarding place for them to stay. Once they went to Sundarjibhai and Hirjibhai Suthaar’s house to beg for alms, Narayan Hare, Sachidanand Prabho!.. Sundarjibhai and Hirjibhai’s mother, Roopabaai, gave the two saints alms. She was a very kind and devout devotee
What is the fruit of Dharma??
What is the Ethics of being kind & compassionate?
What is the fruit of Sin (Evil deeds)??
What is the fruit of evil pride?
One should always welcome with respect saints or devotees that have arrived on your doorstep, but never insult or be disrespectful towards them. Roopabaai asked” Saints, where are you staying? Have you got any arrangements or facility of place to stay at?
The saints silently answered,” We haven’t found a facility for residence as yet. We do our pooja Paat under a tree and currently staying under it.” Roopaabaai felt pity in her heart for them. She advised them to come to her house for alms every day.
“Those donating with kind heart will never have their stores empty.”
Roopaabaai said,” Baapji please don’t worry, upon asking my sons, tomorrow I will make arrangements for your lodging.
Hearing this, the saints felt a heavy weight lifted from their heart and blessed her, ‘Mother may you get happiness and welfare’. Roopaabaai discussed with her 2 sons that we should offer residence to the saints in our Vandima Ordi. Sons said lets think and talk.
Next day Saints came to beg for alms. Upon seeing the saints, Roopabaai was convinced that they are not like the rest worldly roaming Baawaas. They look deeply intensive, brilliantly well mannered and behaved. They happily made arrangements for the saints to stay at the Ordi.
2. GHOSTS LIBERATION:
Roopaabaai was thinking, the ghosts dwell in the Ordi (courtyard), so how will the saints dwell their? The saints cleaned the place and lodged in. Whatever food they had been given in alms, they offered to the Lord and chanting Lord’s name had it as their meal.
“Eating while chanting the name of Maharaj is like feeding Maharaj Himself and one gets the fruits (punya) equally to doing a fast (Upvaas)”.
Chanting of Lords’ name has marvellous powers.
In the evening, the saints performed the sandhya aarti, Kathaa, Kirtans and Nitya Niyams. Vandu Sahjanand ras rup anupam sarne re lol... Jene bhajta chute fand kare bhav parne re lol... After completing Niyam chesta and chanting Lord’s name the saints went to sleep on the floor.
At Midnight the group of ghosts started screaming and making weird flashes. The Saints awoke suddenly and started chanting Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan.
The group of Ghost could not approach the saints. Muktanand Swami chanting lords’ name sprinkled water on the ghosts. Ghosts became Silent and Sat down. Swami asked, “After doing what evil deeds have you become ghosts?” Ghosts answered “Attachment towards women and wealth has made us become ghosts”. We cannot liberate our souls.
“Addiction is no way to salvation. One should not involve in this sort of addiction. One should accept Maharaj and His true satsangi’s and follow the path of dharma to escape the cycle of birth and death. One can never succeed in anything if he is lustful.”
Please kindly detach yourselves from the desires and passion for women and wealth. Otherwise you’ll become ghosts. To Benedict ourselves from the desires, cycle of birth and death and get salvation. We should seek the shelter of God. Until we don’t discard the sense objects like we discard poison and become interested in the path of salvation, we will never succeed in whatever tasks we do. Saints help us get salvation.
Saints again sprinkled water, said: all of you know go to Badrikaashram. All the ghosts bowed and touched the feet of the saints, smearing the dust on their head from the saint’s feet, and acquiring divine forms went to Badrikaashram. See the strength of the saints. They are the true providers of salvation and help erase our sorrows and help us in becoming a happy.
These are the powers of true saints who are also the passage to salvation.
3. SABHA BENEATH THE GRAPES MANDAP:
Once, Ramanand Swami arrived in Bhuj. Devotees of Bhuj Nagar welcomed him with great love, affection and pomp. Sundarjibhai and Hirjibhai Suthaar offered Ramanand Swami to stay at their house. Just outside the house was a grape vine (Dhraaksh no mandvo) and underneath it, Ramanand Swami was sitting on a decorated bedstead. Food was offered to Ramanand Swami and also the devotees had their meal and came for the satsang sabha with Ramanand Swami. Among the present were devotees like Jethi Gangaram, Kaysath naathji, Shivraam and Harjivan along with his sister Laadhibaai and Surajbaai and many more, all listening attentively to the kathaa.
Ramanand Swami then asked, “At least understand this much, understand what?”
Always fulfil Shri Hari’s commands be they small or big with good faith. Following His commandments is like the roots of a tree. A tree cannot grow without roots. In the same way, without following Shri Hari’s commandments, salvation is not possible. Abiding by the Lord’s Commandments is the first step to Salvation (Moksha No Marg). Just as a tree grows from a seed then fruits, in the same way, abiding by Shri Hari’s commands, one achieves true knowledge of knowing the greatness of Bhagwan and bears the fruits of Salvation.
Ramanand Swami further explains that Bhagwan should always be Superior to us and other Worldly things (Jagat) should be inferior. Shriji Maharaj has said that all His devotees are His own and therefore will not let them free just like that. Whether a true devotee or not, all have to undergo their own past deeds, both in good or bad times, one has to definitely bear this pain. In this world, those who are sad, limping, blind, deaf, weak and ill-diseased all are in this state due to their past lives/deeds. Do not earn your living by going against Maharaj’s commandments as one will only have to suffer after.
Maharaj has also advised that, one should at least spend some time in the morning hours doing Bhajan Bhakti. Maharaj has given more and more other sermons.
4. RANV SHRI BHARMALJI’S DEVOTION:
Once, Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan had graced Bhuj. Bharmalji was a staunch devotee. He did devotion with glory and faith. There is no talk like the greatness of faith. Faith is the pillar of Devotion. Without glory, faith in the devotion is dry. On the basis of faith the Sampradaay is surviving. Faith is similar to Ghee. While preparing Ladoos we require sugar, flour, spices, but without Ghee the ladoos cannot be prepared. As Ghee is a major ingredient when preparing ladoos. Without ghee we cannot make mishtaan (sweets). Similarly without faith one cannot attain liberation.
Thousands of devotees came to welcome Shri Hari. An elephant had been well decorated; over the elephant a splendid palanquin has been placed. Maharaj was seated inside the palanquin on a mattress and a pillow. Various musical instruments are being played and the music is flowing in the air. The announcer standing upright made announcements of Shri Hari’s arrival, Singers were singing kirtans, and ladies were singing auspicious happy songs. Kids were dancing joyfully. With great pomp and welfare Shri Hari entered the city with the procession. Wherever you looked on all four sides there was a massive crowd. Ladies standing on the Verandas of the building were performing Darshan and showering flowers and were attracted to Shri Hari’s divine beauty. Everywhere the talk of Prabhu’s beauty was being discussed.
“Prabhus’s face was illumining divine beauty that one could not stop starring at”. His lips were beautiful red, His chic’s were pink like pink rose, His eyes were like lotus leaves. One by one the Lord’s body was being glanced and gazed at and Darshan is being performed.
Therefore, Darshan should be performed whole heartedly with eyes and mind fixed on God’s murti and not just for the sake of having a quick glance of him...
5. KATHAA IS THE PILLAR OF OUR SATSANG:
Once, Shri Swaminarayan arrived at Bhuj. Accommodation was arranged at Sundarji Suthaar’s residence. Knowing of His arrival, all of Ramanand Swami’s satsangi devotees came for the Darshan. Shriji Maharaj was seated on a bedstead. Facing Him were seated the saints and devotees, and on the other side were seated lady devotees. Shri Hari was looking very charming, beautiful and attractive amongst the devotees, just as the moon looks very attractive amongst the stars in the sky. Everyone was listening with absorbed concentration to the nectar like sermons coming out of the Lord’s mouth in the form of Gangaa.
Shri Hari said, “Oh Devotees, Kathaa is the pillar of our Satsang”. When you first joined the Satsang what was your plight then? You did not possess the knowledge of Aatmaa & Parmaatmaa, did not know how to do Pooja, and did not know how to seat in a well mannered way. There was no knowledge of moral duty towards culture. Kathaa, vocals in kirtans, mode of singing, all this was taught to you by our Guru Ramanand Swami. All these virtues our Guru has passed on to us. Ethics, Knowledge, nourishment of detachment to material desires. He has guided us through the path to attaining liberation. You all are clever and understanding. Do not forget the trainer who trained and educated you.
Please do not flaw away from the virtues, leave as a servant of a servant. In this life or all to follow there is only task to do. “What”? Detach yourselves from worldly Desires and passions and chant Shree Hari’s name and always remember him. This is the only mode of attaining Pragat Purshottam Narayan’s Akshardhaam. And attain divine happiness. One who does not have faith in Prabhu is suffering and is unhappy. Respect everyone but seek shelter and support of Bhagwan only.
6. IMMORTAL NECTAR GIVEN TO THE BABY:
Suthaar Hirjibhai was a staunch devotee. Hirjibhai had so much affection and love for Shri Hari and Shri Hari had the same love and affection for Hirjibhai as well. Love and affection works both ways. One who remembers Bhagwan Day and night; and seeks His refuge, need not worry of anything as Bhagwan looks after their needs. Prabhu says,” You chant my name and I will stay in your work and perform your tasks. Leave the worldly worries aside and remember Prabhu, all times. That’s the true teachings of the Shastras. The path to happiness is meditating upon and remembering Lords name.
A son was born to Hirjibhai, they named him Haribhai. It so happened that Hirjibhai’s wife became ill. Therefore no mother’s milk was available, the baby is small and has no milk to feed on, and he cannot digest any other milk.” What to do”? The baby became weak and fragile (malnourished). Prabhu graced accompanied by saints and devotees Hirjibhai’s residence. Hirjibhai was overjoyed and happy. He bowed down to Lords’ feet and gracefully welcomed them. Prabhu was seated on the cot, Hirjibhai ran to bring his son for Prabhu’s Darshan he bowed him down & placed him at the lotus feet of the lord.
Shri Hari asked, “Whose son is he”? Hirjibhai said, “He is my son”. Why is he so weak? Prabhu his mother is ill. That’s why he does not get proper milk nourishment. The lord stretched out His right leg and gave His toe in the baby’s mouth. The son with both hands held the thumb and started sucking ...chas chas. He keeps on sucking the toe and keeps on staring at Prabhu. The lord released immortal milk through His toe, feeling full the baby playing falls asleep. Whenever he felt hungry the son would come to Prabhu, He would give the son His toe to suck. Since getting all the nourishments, the son became healthy and looked bright. Hirjibhai heartedly happy, folded his hands and prayed. “Hey Prabhu”! You became a mother and nourished my son.
You are the father, you are the mother, and you are the true relative and a true friend. You are the all knowing and the lord of all the Deva’s and Deities.
Tvameh va mata cha pitah tvamevah, tvamevah bandu cha sakha tvamevah.
Tvamevah vidhya dravinam tvamevah, tvamevah sarvam mamah deva deva.
The yogis performing penance in the jungles turn into skeletons and yet cannot attain the Darshan of Bhagwan, and yet you’ve been so kind and merciful and blessed us with your Darshan. ”Hail Maharaj , you’re the greatest”. Prabhu takes care of all the responsibilities of His true devotees. Hirjibhai was truly relieved and his faith grew even stronger. Believing no one other than God can perform such a miracle.
Are we in the list of Bhagwan’s sons or not? Think and if there are any doubts then start making improvements. So that our name also appears on the list of Parmaatmaa’s sons and reach Akshardhaam.
7. SHREEJI MAHARAJ CELEBRATED RANG UTSAV AT SUNDERJI BHAI’S RESIDENCE:
Once, Shri Swaminarayan was dressed in white garments came to the Rang utsav playground. Saints and devotees started the Utsav of colours. Large containers and vessels of different colours were filled. Shriji Maharaj climbed over a higher step and Sunderjibhai handed him a golden colour sprayer. Shri Hari sprayed colour on saints and the devotees. The air was filled with Colour and small streams of colours started flowing. The singers with musical instruments are singing Holi’s kirtans. They formed into couples: