Online Shibir - April 2020 - Updesh Chayya 10 & 11

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Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

As the Shibir in Sayla has been cancelled for April and many swadhyays around the world have paused to avoid group gatherings, Param Pujya Bhaishree has blessed us with a digital online Shibir, our vandan at his feet.

We will be sharing the digital shibir here on the website and on whatsapp for our Mumukshus for 5 days from 10 - 14th April 2020.

As in Shibir we encourage you to
- maintain as much maun as possible,
- to introspect and spend as much of the day in suvicharna and atma chintan,
- to reflect and do avlokan of your kashays
- minimise your phone use and limit your interaction with the news and the external world
- eat simply and limit the subjects of the senses.

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Day 1

Early Morning Ashirvachan:

Swadhyay - Day 1 - Shrimad Rajchandra Vachanamrut Updesh Chayya 6

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

1. Agar Hai Prem Darshan ka (Br Vikrambhai, Hiren)

2. Me Keval Tumhare Liye Gaa Rahihu (Yashica) 

3. Ab Hum Amar Bhaye na Marenge (Kirtibhai)

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Day 2

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 2

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti
1. Re Manaji (Br Vikrambhai, Hiren)

2. Guru Pyaar Hai (Rupaben) 

3. Sukh Aate Hai, Dukh Aate Hai (Br Minalben, Nimit)

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Day 3

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 3

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

1. Param Krupalu Tamara Vina (Br Minalben) 

2. Icche Che Je Jogi Jan (Paarul) 

3. Mari Ankho Ma Raj (Br Vikrambhai, Yashica, Hiren)

4. Shat Shat Tumko Pranam (Br Vikrambhai, Hiren)

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Day 4

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 4

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

1. Kunthujin Manadu Kim Hi Na Baje (Br Vikrambhai, Hiren)

2. Ekaja De Chinagari (Vajubhai)

3. Nenla Thare (Dulariben, Kirtibhai)

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Day 5

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 5

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

1. Aapne Tara Antar No Ek Taar (Br Vikrambhai, Hiren)

2. Har Saans Meri (Paarul)

3. Mane Shyam Rang Game (Palak, Yashica)

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Online Shibir - March 2020 - Updesh Chayya 6, 8, 9

Quick Links

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

As the shibir in Sayla has been cancelled for March and many swadhyays around the world have paused to avoid group gatherings, Param Pujya Bhaishree has blessed us with a digital online Shibir, our vandan at his feet.

We will be sharing the digital shibir here on the website and on whatsapp for our Mumukshus for 5 days from 21st - 25th March 2020.

As in shibir we encourage you to
- maintain as much maun as possible,
- to introspect and spend as much of the day in suvicharna and atma chintan,
- to reflect and do avlokan of your kashays
- minimise your phone use and limit your interaction with the news and the external world
- eat simply and limit the subjects of the senses.

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Day 1

Morning Ashirvachan:

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Swadhyay - Day 1 - Shrimad Rajchandra Vachanamrut Updesh Chayya 6

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

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Day 2

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 2

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

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Day 3

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 3

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

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Day 4

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 4

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

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Day 5

Morning Ashirvachan

Swadhyay Day 4

Afternoon Ashirvachan

Evening Ashirvachan

Evening Bhakti

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Param Pujya Bapuji's Birth Anniversary Mahotsav 2020

“હુ અને માંરૂ જાય તો પછી અધ્યાત્મ માર્ગે ચાલવાનું સેહેલુ થાય.”

— પરમ પૂજ્ય બાપુજી

We are pleased to share live broadcasts (all timings are in IST Indian Standard Time):

Tues 25th Feb

10:30am: Param Pujya Bhaishree’s Swadhyay, Sabha, Bhakti and changing of garlands.

4pm: Swadhyay and Bhakti

8pm Discourse by Pujya Jinji Maharaj

Wed 26th Feb

10:45am Pujya Jinji Maharaj Saheb’s discourse and unveiling of Shree Saraswati Mata’s Pat

2pm: Shree Saraswati Mata Pujan

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Live Broadcasts

Next: 26th Feb 10:45am (IST) - Param Pujya Jinji Maharaj Saheb’s discourse and unveiling of Shree Saraswati Mata Pat

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Previous Swadhyays

Param Krupaludev Janma Divas Celebration 2019

Quick Links

Write up and photos

Swadhay video recordings

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Celebrating his virtues

“Even kings and emperors with heaps of wealth and vast dominion cannot compare with an ant filled with the love of God.”

— Guru Nanak

Enlightened Masters through the ages have taken birth to become guiding lights to show others the path to self-realisation.  Without any expectations of praise or adulation, they leave footprints in the sands of time as luminous beacons for any soul desirous of saving self from the endless abyss of births and deaths.

Celebrating the birth of every enlightened Master is the most auspicious occasion in the life of every disciple.

Mumukshus of Shree Raj Saubhag Ashram, Sayla experienced this overflowing love and gratitude while collectively celebrating Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandra’s birthday on Kartik Purnima (12 November 2019) in the presence of their own Guru, Param Pujya Bhaishree.  

The auspicious day began with meditation (dhyaan), agna bhakti and Dev Vandan. At 10:30 AM all the mumukshus (seekers of liberation) participated in a ceremonial procession (shobha yatra) in the presence of Bhaishree and all Brahmanishth.  Enthusiastically dancing to the divine melodies, every heart was full of gratitude for Param Krupalu Dev.  

In her initial discourse Brahmanishth Minalben mentioned that our existence would be full of darkness if Shrimadji was not part of our lives.

During Param Satsang, Bhaishree said: “This is a very auspicious day for all Raj Bhakts.  All of us are very fortunate to be walking on the path shown by the most divine soul – Shrimad Rajchandra. He is our inspiration.  Today is also the birth anniversary of other great souls – Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandra Acharya, Guru Nanakji and founder of Sthanakwasi sect Lonkasha Muni.   

There are over 60 ashrams established in the name of Shrimad Rajchandra all over the country and all of them are celebrating his birth to help us overcome taking an endless number of births.  Shrimadji had other exceptional abilities as well such as a phenomenal memory, powers of astrology, amazing power of perception and dexterity with numbers among others, but he realized that these powers and the accompanying fame, were coming in the way of his spiritual growth.  Without a second thought, Shrimadji gave up all these accomplishments to pursue spiritual heights.

At this crucial junction, Shrimadji met Saubhagbhai and from here began a historic relationship, where Shrimadji would share with Saugbhagbhai his innermost thoughts and all spiritual milestones that he was rapidly crossing.”

Quoting from letter number 162, Bhaishree mentioned that Shrimadji writes of himself having attained Samyag Darshan and was now on the path towards the supreme Kevalgyaan.  Bhaishree said: “In a duration of one and a half – two months, Shrimadji had reached the exalted state of Nirvikalp Samadhi.” 

In spite of having to work in a firm trading in diamonds, Shrimadji’s internal state was like that of a sacrosanct saint.  During all his worldly activities – whether working, walking, talking, eating – Shrimadji remained uninvolved and detached.

Members of Digamber Jain Sangh from Surendranagar were also present during the morning session.  The evening ended with Arti, Mangal Divo, evening Dev Vandan, Atma Siddhi and bhakti.  Though the day came to an end, the immense gratitude felt by each and every soul for Param Krupalu Dev multiplied manifold.

Blessed, blessed, blessed is every soul who walks on Bhagwan Mahavir’s path shown by Shrimad Rajchandra.

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Swadhyay video recording

Param Pujya Bhaishree's morning swadhyay on Krupaludev’s virtue of Udasinta.

Param Pujya Bhaishree's afternoon swadhyay on Param Krupaludev's virtues of Nirvikalpta and Asangta

Paryushan Parva in Sayla - My experience

This was a unique opportunity to be able to spend the entire Paryushan Parva in Sayla. While Paryushan passes every year, this experience truly resonated with the sentiments and true goals of Paryushan, with daily pratikraman and Kalpasutra readings. However, even in the midst of what often can be considered rituals, Param Pujya Bhaishree made it a point to keep us constantly aware (jagrut). Personally, he advised me to keep the importance of dhyan at the forefront throughout all of the kriya (ritual) and spend as much free time in saadhana. In addition, he used the first 3 days of swadhyay to step by step prepare each and every mumukshu for our true goal – Samyak Darshan (knowing our true self). 

He started by describing the five lakshan of samyaktva, or the five virtues paving the path to self-realisation. These 5 virtues, sham (equanimity), samveg (the desire for only moksh), nirved (no other worldly desires), aastha (unwavering faith), and anukampa (compassion and empathy) are necessary for us to have in order to attain self-realisation. Bhaishree spent an entire swadhyay on each virtue, using stories and conversations between Lord Mahavir and his first disciple Gautam Swami to definitively instill the importance of these virtues. He constantly provided us with techniques to evaluate and measure our own progress as we move forward to truly embody these characteristics. One by one, he prepared us for the upcoming days, to keep our constant focus on these lakshan such that we could move further along this marg, as we adapt them into our practical reality. 

Then, with all these tools in hand, we began the Kalpasutra readings on day four of Paryushan. It was important to understanding that at the end, as we get closer to Kevalgnaan and Moksha, we do eventually have to give up all these worldly pleasures and take diksha (renunciation). And even more so, seeing the stories of four Tirthankars, with the emphasis on Bhagwan Mahavir’s journey to Moksha, caused everyone to constantly reflect on their own journey, where they stood and what is coming. 

The most important message, I felt, was that as living souls, we have all made countless mistakes, just like Lord Mahavira had in the past, but with the true marg and resolve, it is possible to endure all the associated karma and eventually reach salvation. His story gave inspiration, and at the same time, awareness of the mistakes and hurdles we are currently encountering, such that we can continue to push forward on this marg. 

Every evening, as we did pratikraman, we again found ourselves evaluating our own journey and shedding light on the constant cycle of karmas. Each day, with each pratikraman, I felt lighter, as if I was shedding previous wrong-doings and, hopefully, preventing new ones from building as rapidly. However, not until Bhaishree shared the true meaning behind pratikraman, at his very last swadhyay on Samvatsari, did I feel the full effect. He shared that in pratikraman, we are leaving all vibhaav (outward sentiments that are not in the soul’s true nature) and turning to swabhaav (soul's true nature). With this awareness and sentiment, I sat for the Samvatsari pratikraman and it was a completely different experience, with total focus on staying within. 

Kunj Sheth, USA

Paryushan Mahaparva 2019

Quick Links

Live Paryushan Swadhyay

Bruhad Alochana

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Live Paryushan Swadhyays

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Swadhyay 1 - Paryushan 2019

Swadhyay 2 - Paryushan 2019

Swadhyay 3 - Paryushan 2019

Swadhyay 4 - Paryushan 2019

Swadhyay 5 - Paryushan 2019

Swadhyay 6 - Uttaradhyayan Sutra - Adhyayan 29 - Paryushan 2019

Param Pujya Atmanandji visits Rajmandir

સંત પરમ હિતકારી, પરમ પૂજ્ય આત્માનંદજીનું રાજમંદિરમાં આગમન  

જેમની નિશ્રામાં દેહકેન્દ્રિત જીવન આત્મકેન્દ્રિત બને, કષાયો ઉપશમિત થાય, ઇન્દ્રિયો સંયમિત વર્તે અને મન પવિત્ર તેમજ સ્થિર રહે એવા મહાપુરુષોનું પવિત્ર આગમન જ્યારે સાયલાના આશ્રમમાં થાય ત્યારે મુમુક્ષુઓ ઉત્કૃષ્ટ ભક્તિભાવથી તેમને આવકારતા હોય છે. 

છેલ્લા એક વર્ષથી પરમ પૂજ્ય ભાઈશ્રી તેમજ સર્વે મુમુક્ષુઓ જેમની આતુરતાપૂર્વક રાહ જોઈ રહ્યા હતા એવા પરમ શ્રદ્ધેય, પરમ પૂજ્ય શ્રી આત્માનંદજી સાહેબ ગુરુવાર, તારીખ ૧૮ જુલાઈ ૨૦૧૯ની સવારે ૧૦:૪૦ કલાકે સાયલા આશ્રમમાં પધાર્યા હતા. તેઓની સાથે શાંતમૂર્તિ પૂજ્ય શર્મિષ્ઠાબેન, પરમ આદરણીય, બાળ બ્રહ્મચારી શ્રી સુરેશજી તેમજ કોબા આશ્રમના અગ્રગણ્ય મુમુક્ષુઓ પણ પધાર્યા હતા.

તેમની ગાડી મુખ્ય દ્વારમાંથી દાખલ થઇ અને હર્ષવિભોર મુમુક્ષુઓએ ગરબા રમી ચહેરા પર આનંદના ભાવો સાથે તેમનું સ્વાગત કર્યું. પરમ પૂજ્ય ભાઇશ્રીએ આંટી પહેરાવી અને નાદુરસ્ત તબિયત અને સફરનો થાક હોવા છતાં પૂજ્ય આત્માનંદજી સીધા રાજમંદિરમાં પધાર્યા.

પરમ આદરણિય મીનળબેન તેમજ બ્રહ્મનિષ્ઠ વિક્રમભાઈએ તેમનું ભાવઊર્મિઓથી શાબ્દિક સ્વાગત કર્યું અને ત્યારબાદ ૧૦૮ ઇંચ ઊંચી, પરમ કૃપાળુ દેવની દિવ્ય પ્રતિમાજીની આગળ રહેલા પડદાને શ્રી આત્માનંદજી સાહેબના હાથે બટન દબાવી ઉપર લેવડાવ્યો. ૮ મિનિટ સુધી તે પ્રતિમાના સ્વરૂપસ્થ ભાવોમાં સર્વે ખોવાઇ ગયાં! તેમના જ્ઞાન નેત્રો પ્રત્યે સહુ એવા સ્થિર થયા કે દેહભાવ ભૂલાતો ગયો. પવિત્ર ચેતના સાથે વૃત્તિઓ એકાકાર થઇ અને સર્વે ધન્ય થયાં. 

ત્યારબાદ આ સજીવન સમી પ્રતિમાજીને વર્ણવતું એક પદ વિક્રમભાઈએ ગાયું અને સમતાધારી ભાઈશ્રીએ તેમજ મીનળબેને સાથે મળી આત્માનંદજી સાહેબ તેમજ સતી સીતા સમા શર્મિષ્ઠાબેનનું શાલ ઓઢાડી બહુમાન કર્યું.

સંતશ્રી આત્માનંદજી સાહેબને વિનંતિ કરતાં તેઓ એક નમસ્કાર મંત્ર બોલ્યા અને ત્યાર બાદ જે સૂત્ર તેમના ભાવચારિત્રની ઓળખ બન્યું છે તે તેઓએ ત્રણ વાર સહુને બોલાવડાવ્યું. “હું આત્મા છું, આપનો સેવક છું, સૌનો મિત્ર છું.” શારીરિક પ્રતિકૂળતા હોવા છતાં તેમના ચહેરા ઉપર સતત અંતરઆનંદની છાયા ઊભરાતી હતી. સંતનું સંતપણું દૈદીપ્યમાન થતું હતું. 

ત્યારબાદ સ્વાધ્યાયમાં પ્રજ્ઞાશીલ ભાઇશ્રીએ પૂજ્ય છોટાબાપુજીનો પુષ્પાબેન ઉપર લખેલ પત્ર નંબર ૨૧ લીધો હતો. મૃત્યુની ભય પ્રકૃતિનો પ્રશ્ન પુષ્પાબેનનો હતો. જવાબમાં છોટાબાપુજી કહે છે કે “મૃત્યુ વિષે મનમાં જેટલા ઘોડાઓ ઊઠે છે તેના તમે સાક્ષી રહી શકો છો. પહેલા ભળેલા રહેતા તે હવે ક્રમે કરી છૂટાં રહેવાય છે તો તે ભય પ્રકૃતિ ઊછળી ઊછળી સામે આવતી તેના તમે સાક્ષી ખરા કે નહિ? સાક્ષી આત્મા હંમેશા નિર્લેપ, અપરિણામી તથા અક્રિય છે. તેમાંથી ઉપયોગનો કે જ્ઞાનનો પ્રવાહ ચાલ્યો આવે છે. આપણા જ્ઞાનનો પ્રવાહ કે ઉપયોગનો પ્રવાહ, તે નિર્લેપ આત્માની સમય સમય જ્ઞાન અવસ્થા, તે દેહના ધર્મો, સુખ દુઃખ કે જ્ઞાન ઇંદ્રિયોની સાથે બંધાયેલા છે. એટલે દરેક ઉદય વખતે આપણે જાગૃતિ રાખવાની છે કે આપણે નિર્લેપ ચેતન છીએ, સાક્ષી છીએ.” 

શાંતભાવે ભાઇશ્રીએ સમજાવ્યું કે ઇન્દ્રિઓની પાછળ મન છે અને મનની પાછળ આત્મા રહ્યો છે. જો આત્મા મનને પ્રેમથી નિયંત્રિત કરે તો ઈન્દ્રીઓ સંયમિત રહે. સાક્ષીભાવે આ જગતમાં અકરતૃત્વબુદ્ધિએ કાર્યો કરવાનાં છે. ઉપયોગને પરવસ્તુઓથી પાછો વાળી સ્વકેન્દ્રિત કરીને બહિરાત્મભાવને ત્યજી અંતરાત્મભાવમાં સ્થિર થવાનું છે. તેમ કરતા આપણે અસંગ, નિર્લેપ અને નિ:સ્પૃહ રહી શકીશું. ભય કે આંતરિક ચંચળતા નહિ રહે. ચિત્ત પ્રશાંત થતા આપણે આત્માનંદને અનુભવીશું. 

ત્યારબાદ પ્રેમમૂર્તિ શર્મિષ્ઠાબેને બાપુજીની સાથેની પ્રથમ મુલાકાત યાદ કરી હતી અને કહ્યું હતું કે મને બાપુજી મારા પિતાતુલ્ય લાગતા હતા અને સાયલા આવી છું તો એવું લાગે છે કે હું મારા પિયરે આવી છું. આત્મસિદ્ધિની એક મહત્વની કડીનો ઉલ્લેખ કરીને કહ્યું કે,  

“સ્વચ્છંદ મત આગ્રહ તજી, વર્તે સદગુરુ લક્ષ;

સમકિત તેને ભાખિયું, કારણ ગણી પ્રત્યક્ષ.”

આપણા સમર્પણભાવમાં ક્યાંય કચાશ ન રહી જાય અને આજ્ઞાઓનું પાલન અપૂર્વ રુચિ તેમજ પૂર્ણ શ્રદ્ધાન સાથે થાય તે બહુ જરૂરી છે. પ્રત્યક્ષ નિશ્રામાં આમ વર્તાશે તો જીવ સમ્યગદર્શન અવશ્ય પામશે.

છેલ્લે વિક્રમભાઈએ રાજમંદિર વિષે થોડી માહિતી આપી અને સૌ બેઝમેન્ટમાં રહેલી પરમ કૃપાળુ દેવની ખડગાસન મુદ્રાની પ્રતિમાજીનાં દર્શન કરવા ગયા, જ્યાં સ્તુતિ કર્યા બાદ કૃપાનિધાન આત્માનંદજી સાહેબે એક ભજનની પંક્તિ ગાઈ હતી. 

અન્નપૂર્ણામાં સૌએ સાથે ભોજન લીધા બાદ થોડો આરામ કરી બપોરના ૩:૧૫ આસપાસ તેઓ કોબા જવા માટે રવાના થયા. બે સંતો અને મુમુક્ષુઓનું આનંદસભર મિલન તેમજ પારમાર્થિક પ્રેમની પવિત્રતાનો દિવ્ય અનુભવ જીવનભર આપણે માણતા રહીશું.

Gurupurnima 2019

Quick links

Event write up

Swadhyays - video recordings

Dedications by mumukshus

Photo Gallery

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Faith & Surrender

Gurupurnima 2019

This shloka from the ancient Vedic Scriptures explains the supreme place a teacher or Guru holds in the hearts of his disciples:

Gururbrahmā Gururviṣhṇu Gururdēvōh Mahēśhvaraḥ...I

Guru Sākṣhāta Paraṁ Brahmah Tasmai Shrī Guravē Namaḥ...II

Meaning: Oh teacher, you are akin to the Gods. You are Lord Vishnu and you are Lord Shiva – the God of the Gods. Oh teacher, you are the supreme being, and you are Lord Brahma for me. Thus, oh revered teacher, I bow in front of you.

The Full Moon day in Shukla Paksha during the Lunar month Ashad is celebrated as Guru Purnima. In the word Guru - Gu means darkness, ignorance and Ru implies elimination or removal. So, Guru is literally the one who removes the darkness of ignorance from our lives, and extricates us from the potentially eternal cycle of births and deaths.

Day 1: 15th July

The 3-day celebration began with waking up in the Brahma-mahurat and doing meditation followed by the morning regime of love (Agna Bhakti) and Chaityavandan.

Eye Camp in Matushree Kashiben Harjivandas Sanghrajka Eye Hospital, Sayla

Mumukshus participated in an Eye Camp sponsored by UK-based Deepakbhai Kamdar.  A total of 100 cataract surgeries were performed free of cost, at this camp (which is part of multiple camps organised throughout the year, since many years). 

After lighting the inaugural lamp, trustee Shri Vinubhai Shah said: “In the very initial years, eye operations were performed by Raj Saubhag Ashram in collaboration with Virpur Ashram.  In the secondary stage, operations were performed in the ashram complex itself. Government regulations and increasing number of patients required enhanced facilities, and therefore this eye hospital was built and later expanded in Sayla village itself.  A lot of people advised against establishing a hospital in a centre as small as Sayla, since larger centres were unable to attract large numbers of patients and not more than 10 surgeries are performed every month. However, due to Pujya Bhaishree’s characteristic long term vision, and with his selfless efforts and grace, the hospital in Sayla was established and expanded some years later.  Today, over 700 surgeries are performed every month in Sayla.”

Unveiling of Dr. Ambedkar Open University Study Centre

The morning special session in the newly opened, architectural masterpiece Raj Mandir, witnessed a historic unveiling of a collaboration between L.M.Vora College of Arts and Commerce and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (affiliated to Government of Gujarat offering distance learning diploma and degree programs). The available degree courses would be M.A (Master of Arts), B. Com (Bachelor of Commerce), BPP (Bachelor Preparatory Programme) and CCC Computer course. L.M.Vora College has been chosen as one of the study centres for Dr. Ambedkar Open University.

In a village like Sayla, where a mere 20 years ago, educating the girl child beyond primary school and sending her to high school was unimaginable; slowly but surely a tectonic shift is taking place.  Now, girls would be able to spread their wings and become university graduates without opposition from family members and society. All this has been achieved due to the tireless efforts and vision of Pujya Bhaishree.

Project director Chandrakantbhai Vyas said: “I have always explained to my girl students, that education is the main reason for all progress – intellectual, economic and social progress. The L. M. Vora College girls students are making their place in the whole zilla district. To all those who support educating the girl child, I say that, this is superior to all other donations. When we started the Arts and Commerce college, there were 7 enrolments in the first year. Today, over 500 girls are studying in the college. In the same way, we have 11 admission applications for the graduation course, and I can foresee that this number will grow to hundreds and thousands. The ceremonial lamp that has just been lighted will drive away the darkness of illiteracy. I thank Pujya Bhaishree again and again for his unflinching support and vision.”

Morning Discourse

During the morning param satsang on Gnansaar, written by the venerable, eminent Upadhyay Shri Yashovijayji Maharaj Saheb, Pujya Bhaishree said: “A majority of the people are immersed in sansaaric activities, searching for happiness in transient objects like wealth, indulgence of the senses, worldly comforts, or fame; while an Atma gnaani has found happiness within himself, just like the Mansarovar swan. Merely memorizing verses from the scriptures is not enlightenment. For a sadhak aiming to reach his spiritual goal – he would need to focus on qualities to purify his soul, and not be blinded and weighed down by knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Atma Gnaan or Granthi Bhed should be every seeker’s goal and that is the highest, greatest, ultimate goal of this human birth.”

Emphasising the wisdom of the above words with narratives from the lives of Adi Shankracharya, Manjhibhai Patel among others, Bhaishree explained in great detail how the quality of Sambhaav (equanimity - not getting swayed by likes or dislikes) contributes greatly on the path of spiritual progress.  Bhaishree ended his discourse with: “I send good wishes and prayers to every mumukshu to progress on this spiritual path with great speed.”

Visit to Chorvira & Evening Celebrations

In the afternoon session, the mumukshus participated in a Jatra to Chorvira, (birthplace and school of their benefactor Pujya Bapuji) and Panch Kalyanak Puja with great enthusiasm.  After dinner, was the daily Arti, Mangal Divo and evening Dev Vandan; followed by Bruhad Alochana (a deeply meaningful prayer in which devotees recount their misdeeds and ask forgiveness with great humility).  Since it was the auspicious day of chaudas, everyone recited the Bruhad Alochana together.

A cultural programme by mumukshus from different parts of the world and different parts of India, brought this eventful day to an end.

Day 2: Guru Purnima – 16th July

After the morning meditation and agna bhakti, mumukshus lined up from Pujya Bhaishree’s kutir to the Raj Mandir to welcome their benefactor with soaring devotion in their hearts. At the first glimpse of Pujya Bhaishree coming out from Pujya Bapuji’s kutir, after bowing before his Guru (P Bapuji), warmed every heart beholding him. Each and every mumukshu bowed at his lotus feet as he passed them, while Pujya Bhaishree remained in his perfect balanced, unmoved inner state – a witness, full of humility and kindness in the midst of so much veneration and adoration.

The mid-morning session began with distribution of aids and appliances to individuals with motor impairment; and a dance performance by children with special needs from Ashirvad Trust for the Disabled. This centre has been doing exemplary work by empowering individuals with impairments via access, equal opportunities and love.

The morning Guru Purnima session also witnessed divine bhakti, messages and cards from mumukshus around the world were read and presented to Pujya Bhaishree by Minalben. Dubai mumukshu group presented their Guru Purnima card themselves with a 5-minute group performance.

In his param satsang, Pujya Bhaishree said: “An ever increasing faith in the True Deity, True Guru and True Path, with complete devotion will surely lead to spiritual progress. Such a sincere devotee will achieve salvation within 15 births, say Tirthankars. Having said that, the qualities of Upsham (calming the passions) and Vairaagya (detachment) need to be cultivated and nurtured constantly and consistently. As Param Krupalu Dev says: “ભક્તિ પ્રધાન દશાથી વર્તવાથી, જીવના સ્વચ્છંદ આદિ દોષ સુગમપણે વિલય થાય છે”. Just like the Gopis, who though living in sansaar, remained detached from sansaari relations, objects and situations. They were only connected to the Divine. In the same way mumukshus must remain detached from worldly objects and situations and be connected only to the Satdev, Satguru and Satdharma.  This supreme devotion of the disciple towards his Guru, will elevate the disciple to the spiritual level of his enlightened Master. This is Para-Bhakti.”

The afternoon session continued with selected mumukshus sharing with the audience their divine experiences with Pujya Bhaishree, giving everyone a glimpse into the divinity that personifies our benevolent Guru.

Evening session consisted of Arti, Mangal Divo, Dev Vandan and Atma Siddhi.  A 30-minute film on the UK Dharma Yatra and bhajans and bhakti immersed every person in the audience in devotion and bhakti bhaav.

Day 3: 17th July

Day 3 arose with meditation, agna bhakti and veneration to all our Guruvaryas.  

Mumukshus also participated in another eye camp, sponsored by the Parekh family based in Baroda and UK. 

Two more mumukshus shared their experiences and Bhaishree gave a discourse on purusharth (spiritual striving). During the Param Satsang in the mid-morning, Pujya Bhaishree questioned: “If you want to progress on the spiritual path, can you do so while giving in To Anger? To Egotism? To Malice? To Greed? Each and every mumukshu must master the art of suppressing his negative qualities and trying sincerely to overcome them. The reins of likes and dislikes (raag and dvesh) must be firmly held within our own hands, and we must not allow any of these to supersede us, overwhelm us.”

Pujya Atmanandji and his disciples from Koba Ashram arrived in the Ashram on the 18th July, to an extremely warm welcome by Pujya Bhaishree, Vikrambhai, Minalben and all the mumukshus of Shree Raj Saubhag Ashram.

The three days celebrations ended with Bhaishree’s key message urging seekers to strengthen their spiritual foundation by cultivating inner faith and complete surrender. These two foundational virtues will help us remove vices, increase our focus and become one with our enlightened mentor.

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Swadhyays - video recordings

Day 1 - Morning Swadhyay

Day 2 - Morning swadhyay

Day 2 - Afternoon Swadhyay

Day 3 - Morning Swadhyay

Day 3 - Afternoon Swadhyay

Dr. Ambedkar Open University - LMV College Study Center - Param Pujya Bhaishree’s Aashirvachan

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Gurupurnima Dedications