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DISCOURSES: TRANSLATION: SADHU AMRUTVIJAYDAS Jiva-Centric Satsang On 8 July 2000, Swamishri blessed the UK National Family Shibir at Nottingham University. He focused on how to strengthen satsang in one’s jiva. aharaj has said in the Vachanamrut that, primarily, one should practice satsang to attain kalyan for the jiva. One should not engage in satsang out of a desire for material objects, honour or fame. We practice satsang to attain kalyan and have sought the refuge of Maharaj, so we do not face any problems. If one has developed jiva-centred satsang there will be no problems in serving, discoursing, devotion and doing other satsang activities. However, if one is body-centred, there will be many problems. Our fundamental principle is to become atma-rup or akshar-rup, and offer bhakti to Purushottam (God). Achieving this is ‘jiva no satsang’. Then, even if others rebuke or insult us, it will not deter us from satsang. Our faith in God will not diminish and we will not think ill of others. However, if one’s satsang is body-centred, then when one’s wishes are not fulfilled, and one faces problems, one questions: despite practicing satsang, why do I get health, family, business and personal problems? In this way one falls back from satsang. Gunatitanand Swami has said that the body is a home to illness. Diseases are latent in the 14 Swaminarayan Bliss ◆ February 2009
ody. People may look well, but within there are diseases which may become troublesome at any time. This is the way of the world – some days bring joy, while some days bring misery. When such upheavals are faced, questions about satsang arise. However, the solution to all questions is to develop jiva-centric satsang. Devji Bhagat of Nenpur had developed such jiva-centric satsang. When his only son passed away at 20 years of age, he reasoned that Maharaj had taken him early to save his son from worldly misery. Then, so that others would not come unnecessarily to mourn his son’s death, Devji Bhakta went to his farm to offer bhakti and sent his wife to Gadhada to take some fresh ghee for Maharaj. Thus, because they both had true understanding, they had no problems. Those without true understanding would complain, “Even though I offer bhakti why did my son pass away?” Those with jiva-centred satsang also willingly permit their sons to become sadhus. They also serve physically, financially and mentally. Whenever there is a need in the mandir they help. However, one without true understanding, will think about leaving satsang. So, we should do like Bhagatji Maharaj. He asked Gunatitanand Swami, “I do not want wealth or anything else, except for my jiva to become focused on satsang, so that I never fall back.” Bhagatji Maharaj said, “Gunatitanand Swami has so moulded me through jnan, discourses, dharma, vairagya and bhakti that my body and atma are separate. No matter how many difficulties or miseries arise, or whatever others say, I will never fall back from satsang. My devotion to Maharaj will never decrease.” Without firm satsang, one is immediately disturbed by what people may say to us. Someone may call us a fool and we become agitated and retaliate, leading to unnecessary trouble. However, if we reason that ‘I am atma’, and that ‘I practice satsang to attain moksha, for the benefit of my jiva’, then there will be no problems. If one introspects in this way there will be no problems. We are engaged in activities and so, naturally, questions will arise. But think about who we are serving. We are doing all this for God. He knows who is doing what, so there is no need to create conflict. By compromising, such questions can be resolved. These questions arise due to ego, so the first step is to strengthen satsang in the jiva, with the thought that we are doing satsang only to please God. All who have done this have never had any problems. And this samagam (association) and these talks are to help strengthen satsang in the jiva. Such talks are in the Vachanamrut and Swamini Vato. We do read and listen to them, but when the need arises to apply them, we forget them and so we get carried away. However, remind yourself, ‘I am akshar, I am brahman. I have come to please God only. I want nothing else.’ By strengthening this, there will be no difficulties or misery and one will have greater enthusiasm each day. Thus, in this way, ensure that there are no ups and downs. Sometimes, when someone is on a high, he does a lot of service, but when he encounters some difficulties, he becomes inactive. He stops attending and has to be called, and even then he refuses to come. So now, prepare yourself so that there are no fluctuations, and you are consistent and regular. Shriji Maharaj said that ever since Shuk Swami came to become a sadhu, his enthusiasm had continuously increased. Even Dada Khachar’s and his family’s enthusiasm increased daily. There were many such devotees, some of whom Shriji Maharaj mentions in Vachanamrut Loya-3. Even though they faced difficulties, they believed that God was with them. Shuk Swami served by writing Maharaj’s letters and also faced many tests. Maharaj sometimes displayed human traits, yet Shuk Swami’s understanding that Maharaj is divine never wavered. February 2009 ◆ Swaminarayan Bliss 15
Page 1 and 2: February 2009 Annual Subscription R
Page 3 and 4: February 2009, Vol. 32 No. 2 CONTEN
Page 5 and 6: he or she transgresses them repeate
Page 7 and 8: PHILOSOPHY - SWAMINARAYAN VEDANTA:
Page 9 and 10: Other mantras of the Ishãvãsya Up
Page 11 and 12: is to enjoy with the renunciative a
Page 13: experience the virtues of truth’
Page 17 and 18: RELIGION & SCIENCE: SADHU AMRUTVIJA
Page 19 and 20: Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s VICHARAN
Page 21 and 22: Living With Swamishri IMPROVING ONE
Page 23 and 24: B A P S N E W S BAPS NEWS ANNUAL KA
Page 25 and 26: NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP SEMINAR 8
Page 27 and 28: SWAMISHRI’S VICHARAN December 200

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