“Consecrating the Lord at home provides a constant reminder of the highest virtues which one wishes to imbibe. It softens the heart, preparing one to pursue everyday activities with inner calm and focus.”
As soon as Param Pujya Bhaishree announced the auspicious date for the consecration (sthapna) ceremony at Brahmnishth Rasikbhai Patel’s residence, mumukshus Naynaben Mehta, Kirtibhai Boradia and spiritual seekers from Jetpur and Thanghad enthusiastically started preparations.
On the auspicious day (4th September 2019), a large number of mumukshus (seekers of liberation) gathered in the lane, outside the residence, to give a grand welcome to their Enlightened Mentor, Param Pujya Bhaishree. A red carpet, a beautifully crafted arch, a huge signboard reading ‘Om, padharo Niranjan Nath Om', music, dancing feet and overflowing hearts welcomed their savior into their home and hearts.
The devout sentiments and enthusiasm of Brahmnishth Rasikbhai and the mumukshus was clearly evident in the way they had beautifully decorated both the houses where the sthapna would take place.
The idol of Bhagwan Parshwanath and Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandra, images of Mahavir Swami, Param Pujya Bapuji, Pujya Bhaishree, Shivling, idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Saraswati were to be consecrated and installed inside the temple of the two houses.
As the consecration ceremony began, Brahmnishth Vikrambhai reminded us to focus on the inner virtues and the true identity of Bhagwan and in doing so, instill Him in the innermost realms of our hearts in such a way, that one day, we can have darshan of our own Bhagwan Atma. This orientation and constant reminder to focus inward even when the eyes were transfixed outwardly at the idol, ensured that everyone remained in a state of awareness (jagruti) throughout the ceremony.
Thereafter, Vikrambhai stirred up the atmosphere with his soulful vocals and spiritually uplifting reverberations. All mumukshus were elated to witness Pujya Bhaishree perform the ceremony. The idols were then given to the host, Rasikbhai and his family, to hold over their heads, as a way of symbolising that the Lord’s words and wishes will be supreme in the life of each and every disciple. Words fall short in describing the overflowing bhakti that came from every heart.
Brahmnishth Rasikbhai, from Ahmedabad, who was present at the ceremony shared that the divinity on Pujya Bhaishree’s face during the rituals was a sight to behold.
After the consecration ceremony, everyone proceeded to listen to the inspiring discourse given by Pujya Bhaishree. Explaining the hidden depths from Parshwanath Bhagwan’s stavan, Bhaishree talked about the great importance of having an idol of the Lord to establish a connection with and the role His darshan, puja and bhakti play in the progress of the disciple on the path to Salvation.
As Brahmnishth Vikrambhai sang each stanza of the stavan, Pujya Bhaishree explained the underlying meaning with great simplicity and insightfulness. He highlighted the significance of focusing on the elevated internal state of Tirthankar Bhagwan while doing darshan.
Pujya Bhaishree also added that if anyone wishes to observe the true inner state of Bhagwan Parshwanath, then the people of Jetpur just needed to observe the spiritual depths of Brahmnishth Rasikbhai Patel. Acknowledging the spiritual heights reached by the host Rasikbhai Patel, Pujya Bhaishree said: “All of you are lucky that your family member has reached such an exalted state in these times when it is very difficult to find an Enlightened Soul (Gnani). This village, this area and all of you who are in contact with him are very lucky that such a Gnani lives in your midst."
“તમે બહુ જ ભાગ્યશાળી છો કે તમારા ઘરે જ્ઞાની છે. આ કાળે જ્ઞાની મળવા દુર્લભ છે. અહીં બેઠા તે પણ ભાગ્યશાળી છે, આવા જ્ઞાનીનો સંગ થયો છે. આ ગામ અને ક્ષેત્ર પણ ભાગ્યશાળી છે, આવા જ્ઞાની અહીં જનમ્યા છે.”
પરમ પૂજ્ય ભાઈશ્રી
In this remark, Pujya Bhaishree brought to light the importance of a living (pratyaksh) master (gyaani) on this path.
Such was the impact of Bhaishree’s satsang and his elevated state that most of the people present had a greater understanding about the internal state of an Enlightened Master and Bhagwan.
After lunch, it was time for the Master to depart and the mumukshus present sang a self-composed farewell song that brought tears to every eye. With grateful hearts and wet eyes, the disciples bade farewell to their Master.
Kunj, a young mumukshu from USA shares her experience:
“Before reaching Jetpur, I had never actually met Brahmnishth Rasikbhai Patel, but had only heard anecdotes of his advanced spiritual state. However, even in the midst of the processional welcoming for Param Pujya Bhaishree, I immediately spotted Brahmnishth Rasikbhai. He was dancing and celebrating with such immense bhakti bhaav, as if the Lord Himself had just come to his doorstep. I have been to numerous Pratishtha events in the past, but nothing compared to the supreme joy and happiness that was emanating from Brahmnishth Rasikbhai. It made me realise how we should all feel when our Guru comes to our home and even more so, when our Guru comes to consecrate Tirthankar Bhagwan’s idol in our homes.
Seeing the rest of his family and other mumukshus from the town of Jetpur, it was clear that something magical existed here in the presence of Brahmnishth Rasikbhai as he walked on the Moksh marg as shown by Param Pujya Bhaishree.”
