anoopam mission

Anoopam Mission USA Celebrates
Ninth Patotsav
N
ine years ago, the murtis of
Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Gunatitanand Swami, and Gopalanand
Swami were installed in the Allentown mandir. The murtis arrived as
merely marble statues. However,
through many rituals and ceremonies, life was given to the murtis as
God himself resided within them.
July 20th, 2003 symbolizes a very
auspicious day for Anoopam Mission, as not only was life given to
the murtis on this day, but also life was given to the mandir.
Throughout the year many haribhaktos visit the mandir to have
darshan of the murtis, bringing their
prayers and seeking blessings. Many
have found peace and internal fulfillment by doing darshan of these murtis.
Metaphorically speaking, like any rechargeable batteries, the murtis require
restoration every year. Therefore, every
year on July 20th, the patotsav vidhi is
held to renew the divine powers and
the spirit of God within the murtis. Patotsav puja is performed by a
Gunatit saint like G. P. P. Sahebdada, P. P.
Shantidada, P. P. Ashvindada, P. P. Harshaddada. During the puja different shlokas
and bhajans are sung to symbolize different aspects of the ceremony, and a
specific sequence of rituals is followed:
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|| Swami Shreeji ||
1. To begin this very sacred ceremonial puja, Lord Swaminarayan,
Gunatitanand Swami and Gopalanand Swami are dressed in only
white robes and without any ornaments.
2. Later the murtis are cleansed with holy water. Traditionally, only a
Gunatit saint would wash the murtis, but Anoopam Mission is
unique in that G. P. P. Sahebdada has given the opportunity of
washing the murtis of god to all the saints and haribhaktos.
3. Once the murtis have been cleansed, the curtains close and Lord
Swaminarayan, Gunatitanand Swami and Gopalanand Swami are
dressed.
4. While they are getting dressed, everyone together sings various kirtans in anticipation of the opening of curtains. For example the
kirtan “Shobha Sagar” compares the unique qualities of God to the
characteristics of life on earth.
5. The first puja is called “angadinyas” which consists of shlokas. In
this puja, a holy grass called “darabah shalka” is used to restore the
divinity in the murtis. This holy grass is touched first at the forehead, followed by the mouth, heart, feet and then finally circled
around the whole body.
6. The second puja restores the 5 senses within the murtis. This is
done by a gunatit saint who places his hand on the heart of the
murtis. The senses are:
a. shabda (speech): praying to God to communicate with us
b. sparsha (touch): praying to God to feel our touch
c. roop (sight): praying to God to see “his children”
d. ras (taste): praying to God to taste the prashad being
offered to him during thal
e. gandha (smell): praying to God to smell His surroundings
Each sense has a different shloka that is sung during the puja.
7. Finally, G. P. P. Sahebdada or another Gunatit saint speak into the
ears of the murtis and recite special shlokas, which rejuvenates
God’s power to listen to his haribhaktos prayer.
8. Upon completion of the ceremonial puja, the beautiful marble
idols radiate with divine light, recharged with spiritual energy.
Sahebdada along with other santo, sadhak bhaiyo, and haribhaktos welcome Shree Thakorji with pushpanjali, arti, flowers, and annakut. In
the Hindu culture anything offered to god becomes prasad, so by accepting the annakut prasad we experience a positive change in our
thoughts and actions.
|| Swami Shreeji ||
Notes from Yesterday’s Sabhas
In the Junior sabha, P. P. Harshaddada explained the importance of
performing daily puja. He then explained the salutation shlokas for Sahajanand Swami, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and G. P. P. Sahebdada.
He said that you should always know the meaning of the shlokas so that
you can understand their mahima. Finally, after doing your daily puja, you
should bow down to your parents because they love you unconditionally.
He added that we should also obey their instructions. He answered questions such as: why we do mala, why we do pradakshina, and why the murtis are called “dham,” “dhami” and “mukta.”
In the senior sabha, P. Shreebhai talked about things that make Sahebdada happy. He loves when we work together selflessly for a common
goal. He used P. P. Ashvindada’s analogy and compared us with cups:
spiritual activity fills us up with divinity, but maintaining that level of divinity is difficult because of our internal shortcomings. P. P. Shantidada
explained how to remain happy at all times like Sahebdada. First, after
daily introspection on your actions, firmly decide that you will not do what
does not please Sahebdada and Shreeji Maharaj. Second, by always keeping them with you, you will not be able to perform any bad actions. Third,
when you take niyams and follow them through, Sahebdada becomes very
happy. In fact, two seniors girls took the niyam to not eat fried food until
Sahebdada’s birthday celebrations next summer. Similarly, Jayesh Uncle
has not eaten cheese for 15 years after given a niyam from Sahebdada.
Finally, Yogi Bapa gave Sahebdada a niyam not to eat any form of rice
until the Akshar Purushottam Chatralaya was built. Bapa was so happy
with Sahebdada’s commitment, that he fed Sahebdada rice with his own
hands on the inauguration day.
Shantidada closed by emphasizing that if we are in strong in our determination, God is sure to help us. P. Virendra Uncle was happy before he
met God, but he found true happiness once he met Sahebdada. Virendra
Uncle further emphasized the importance of niyams in your life: every
time you enforce a niyam, you are reminded of the divine murti of your
guru.
Yogi Gita
Quote of the Day
“One whose mind does not rest
anywhere other than in the divine murtis of Maharaj and
Gunatit Swami is nirvasnik
(desireless).”
|| Swami Shreeji ||
Thakorji Today
Brain Teasers
UNSCRAMBLE THIS!
What goes up and down without moving?
(Hint: Transcending the three gunas)
The temperature
TUATNGI
__ __ __ __ __ __
What has a spine but no bones?
A snake
Can you identify the following motera santo?
G. P. P. Saheb Dada, P. P. Shanti Dada, P. P. Ashvin Dada, P. P. Sanand Dada, P. P.
Harshad Dada, P. P. Barrister Dada, P. P. Rati Dada, P. P. VS Dada, P. P. Poonam Dada
Daily Quote
“A part of kindnes
s consist
ple more than the s in loving peoy deserve.”
Joseph Joubert
Did You Know?
Gunatit Swami’s childhood
name was Mulji Bhagat.