Historical Significance of Annakut Utsav

October 2014—Year 3, Issue 1
Historical Significance of
Annakut Utsav
Bhagwan requested all the residents
Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan celewho had been protected by
brated Annakut Utsav on a grand
Govardhan to offer large sums of
scale in Ghadhada. Dada Khachar and
food
to
thank
Him
for
His
actions.
his elder four sisters, Jivuba, Laduba,
By Anish Patel (Dallas)
The residents arranged all the food in Pachuba, and Nanuba enthusiastically
On the auspicious day of Diwali,
mountainous heaps, thus the use of
organized the event inviting saints and
known commonly around the world the word annakut to describe this
haribhaktos of entire Sampraday.
as “the festival of lights,” a large
phenomenon. In their hearts, the resiamount of food is made by various
dents knew it was not the
devotees and offered to Bhagwan.
Govardhan Mountain but
Inside this Edition:
This annakut, literally meaning “a
Shree Krishna who promountain of food,” is a tradition that tected them from the
Historical Places in Vadtal
2
has its origin from an event in the life troubles. From this day
Dhyan Chintan
3
of Shree Krishna Bhagwan. Shree
forward, devotees preWhats & Whys
4
Krishna Bhagwan protected the cow- pare large amounts of
Sharad Poonam
5
herders of Vrindavan from Indra. He food for Diwali and offer
ISSSV Shibir
6
lifted the mountain of Govhardhan to it to Bhagwan to please
Youth Corner
10
protect residents along with their
Him and thank Him for
cattle for many days prior to Diwali. His continued protection.
After this terrific feat, Shree Krishna
Year 3, Issue 1
Page 2
Historical Places in Vadtal
GYAN BAUG
Courtesy: www.vadtalmandir.org
On reaching Vadtal, one can
realize the peaceful - meditative atmosphere on the sacred
soil of Gyan Baug, which offers
the coolness and serenity like
that of Vrindavan. This is the
place where Shree Hari had
organized assemblies and festivals for devotees. Lord Swaminarayan used to sit here on
festival days to offer darshan
and to deliver sacred sermons.
This place preserves the
12 - arched stone monument to commemorate
his question-answer sessions with devotees to
bring out profound religious
meanings.
This
place is also known as
Otta or Bethak (Lord
Himself used to sit often
here) is situated on the
way to Kanjari from
Vadtal. (below)
Divine places for darshan in
Gyan Baug include the following:
A. Lord Swaminarayan
used to celebrate the festival of Holi with saints
and devotees. (below)
B. Lord Swaminarayan had
shown his Godhead by assuming 12 forms at a time while
swinging in 12-doored Hindola
under two mango trees here.
To commemorate the event a
monument is constructed
here.
C. The only well which is
active in Vadtal today of
which the water of this
well was sanctified
many
times by Lord
Swaminarayan. (right)
D. The holy bodies of two mighty
forces of the holy
fellowship-1. Gopalanand swami -
the master yogi and 2. Nityanand swami - The great
scholar were cremated here.
The Gyan Baug stands as a
witness to grand celebrations
of numerous religious festivals.
Saints - devotees consider the
soil of Gyan Baug
most divine because Shree Hari
had graced this
land by His frequent visit and divine plays. This
place
has
been
blessed by His divine foot - prints.
By chanting, fasting,
and
performing
penance over here
one can become
eligible for endless
material and spiritual bliss.
This place is humming with art
galleries flourished with eye catching paintings based on
divine plays and teachings of
Lord Swaminarayan. Gyan baug
stands as a memorial to remind us of the divine sports of
Lord Swaminarayan and such
memory along with visualizing
this holy land one can lend the
path to spiritual progress.
Page 3
ISSSV Vision
“Dhyan Chintan”
(Thoughts of Meditation)
Exerpt from “Gnan Sarita” - Written by Sadguru Brahmaswarupdasji Swami
Translation:
“After reading all the scriptures, Vyasji made one
decision that,
Always do the meditation of Narayan only”
Also Shree Premanand Swami proclaims:
“Kijiye dhyan Shri Dharmana Kunvarnu, sarva pahela
uthi prat:kale;
Nirakhi a roop nakhashikh Maharajnu, vaasana
ashubh tatkaal taale”
“Four types of Meditation”
(1) Saang: To stare at each
and every single body part
(including the 16 symbols
under the Lotus feet, and
marks on the body) of the
murti of Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan, from legs
to face (from bottom to
top), and then repeatedly
meditating on those parts.
Shree Muktanand Swami sings:
“Dhyaandhar dhyaandhar Dharmana Putranu, je
thaki sarva santaap naase;
Koti ravi chandra kanti zhankhi kare, ava taara uravishe nath bhaase.”
Shree Nishkulanand Swami has written in “Hari
Smruti”:
(3) Salil: Meditating on the
“Manohar sundar murti, Sahajanand sukhroop;
different pastimes from
Nakhashikh sudhi nirakhata, aave anand anoop”
the life of Bhagwan
Shree Swaminarayan
Similar to these excerpts, the importance of medita(For Example: Holition is written in all the scriptures. So let’s do mediDhuleti Utsav and Hintation for the purpose of pleasing GOD and acquirdola Utsav in Vadtal,
ing mental peace.
Raas Utsav in Panchala,
“Process of Meditation”
Shakotsav in Loj, DiwaliKeeping the thoughts from above in mind, the devoAnnakut Utsav in
tee who is seeking liberation should first become
Ghadhada, etc).
pure (take a shower and dress in plain clothes).
Then, the devotee should sit in a clean place by folding his legs and making a simple body position by
putting both hands in their lap. Do the meditation of
Shree Hari from your mind and your heart.
Meditation is when the senses, inner heart and tendency of our soul are being completely engaged in
the idol of God. Keeping your inclination of mind
constantly engaged into the idol of God, like the flow
of God is also called meditation.
(2) Upaang: To meditate
on the murti of Shree
Swaminarayan
Bhagwan with clothes
and ornaments
(4) Sapaarshad: To
meditate on the
murti of Shree
Swaminarayan
Bhagwan accompanied by Saints
and Devotees.
Year 3, Issue 1
Page 4
Whats & Whys
Courtsey: harismruti.blogspot.com—Lalji Bhagat (Gnan Baug, Vadtal)
Q-1. What is Prasad? What
is Naivedya? What is the
significance of Prasad on
different festivals (e.g. Popcorn on Vasant Panchami)?
fered, Naivedya should be admirable and sacred. Such eatables
should be such as could be swallowed, chewed, licked, drunk and
sucked. (else where they are de-
A-1. Whatever is distributed
among the devotees after Arati
and rituals ceremonies is called
Prasad. Prasad is the symbol of the
fact that God is pleased with the
worshipper and the devotees. In
ancient times fruits were placed
before the guest by the host to
show his happiness at the arrival of
the guest. (Prasadchihnani puraha
falani – Kalidasa) When we offer
Bhog to Shree Hari, it symbolizes
our perfect dedication to Him.
Whatever is offered as food is
called Naivedya and whatever is
distributed among the devotees is
called Prasad. While eating prasada, the following verse is generally recited:
|| Narayanprasadam tu gruhitva
muktibhavatah,
Sarvan kamanvapnoti preetha
saayujyamhapnuyat. ||
After getting the Prasad of Shree
Narayana, a devotee would have
all his desires fulfilled and after
death he would attain Sayujya
Bhakti with the Lord.
Thus Prasad reflects the happiness
of God so far as the devotee is
concerned.
Naivedya is one of the sixteen
constituents of devotional practices. Here the devotee dedicates
himself to God. This is symbolized
by Naivedya offering. That which is
worth offering to Shree Hari is
called Naivedya (Nivedam arhati iti
naivedyam). According to religious
scriptures Naivedya is of five types:
Whatever eatables are to be of-
are recited:
Naivedyam gruhayatam deva bhakti
me haychalam kuru,
Ipsitam me varam dehi, paratra cha
param gatim.
Sharkarakhandkadyani dadhikshirghrutani cha,
Aaharam bhakshyabhojyam cha naivedyam pratigruhayatam.
“O God accept Naivedya and
make my devotion firm. Give me
desired boon and the supreme
state here and in the next life. I
have offered crystal sugar, eatables, curd, milk and clarified butter
and food worth eating and chewing."
After offering naivedya to Shree
Hari water is poured around the
plate of Naivedya and sprinkled on
it by a Tulsi leaf or a flower. After
this, while moving the right hand
repeatedly the following Mantra is
recited:
Shree Bhumanand Swami
offering Thal to Shree
Swaminarayan Bhagwan. He is
clared as of four types).
According to scriptures naivedya is
offered in plates of gold, silver,
copper or wood. They are offered
also on clean leaves of lotus or
banana trees. Naivedya is kept on
the right side of Shree Hari, otherwise it would be inedible and water sprinkled on it is as unholy as
liquor. Naivedya can be taken as
Prasada by anyone. The Prasad of
other deities is meant only for the
worshipper or the devotees of
that particular divinity.
When Naivedya is offered to
Shree Hari the following verses
Pranaya swaha | Apnaya swaha |
Vyanaya swaha | Udanaya swaha | Samanaya swaha | Brahmen swaha |
“May this offering reach the five
types of Pranas like Prana, Apana,
Vyana, Udana, Samana and Brahman.” The Naivedya while being
taken to Shree Hari is covered
with a clean piece of cloth and
then it is removed.
Sour, bitter or putrefied eatables
are never offered as naivedya.
When food with sweets which we
consume is offered to Shree Hari
it is called maha Naivedya. Naivedya includes seasonal foodgrains, fruits etc. so popcorn
(dhani) is offered on Vasant Panchami day.
Page 5
ISSSV Vision
Sharad Poonam Utsav by Kajal G. Patel (Dallas)
Sharad Poonam, also known as Kojagari Poonam, is the final poonam on the Hindu calendar and it occurs on the first full moon night
of the month of Ashvin, which will be on October 8th of this year. During this night, the
moon is the closest it will get to Earth. This
poonam marks the end of the summer and
monsoon seasons and the beginning of winter. It’s also known as the time of harvest.
Many countries around India celebrate
Sharad Poonam by worshiping Shree Lakshmiji, the goddess of wealth, at nighttime. It is
said that Lakshmiji will bless the people who
are awake on this night of the full moon with
prosperity and wealth.
In Gujarat, people celebrate Sharad Poonam by playing
garba and raas, and singing devotional songs. It is also
traditional to make dhood powa, a dish of sweetened
cold milk and rice flakes and leave it out in the moonlight
before serving it as prasad during this night. This is because the moon is said to have nourishing qualities to
heal the body and the soul, so when the rays of the
moonlight hit the prasad, it becomes healthy.
Sharad Poonam is important to our Swaminarayan Sampraday for multiple reasons. By celebrating this occasion
during the night with vigilance, our mundane qualities like
passion, anger, lust, and greed are no longer within us as
our evils. Instead, those qualities are reflected back
through the moonlight, cleansing our souls in the process. Then, in the same way that the moon is pure, our
hearts become pure enough for Lord Swaminarayan to
reside in. Lord Swaminarayan has explained in the
Vachanamrut that vigilance worship will lead a devotee to
the Lord’s divine abode, which is why devotees worship
and celebrate on this auspicious night. Sharad Poonam
was also a night where Lord Shree Krishna would
play raas with gopis in Vrindavan. (above) Sharad
Poonam is an important
occasion that is celebrated
all around India, and it’s
especially significant in our
Swaminarayan Sampraday.
On this night of Sharad
Poonam, Lord Swaminarayan performed
divine raas leela in Panchaala at Jinabhai’s
home. The celebrations lasted troughout
the night as saints such
as Brahmanand Swami
and Premanand Swami
singing devotional kirtans and Shreeji Maharaj performing Raas
w i th
s ai n t s
an d
haribhaktos. (left)
Page 6
Third Annual ISSSV Shibir by Manu Malavia (Denver)
The Annual ISSSV Shibir is the vision of H.H.1008
Acharya Shree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj. The first
shibir was held in New Jersey and the second shibir
was held in Chicago. The third shibir was held in Dallas, Texas, from July 24 through 27, 2014.
The theme for the third Shibir was “Mahatmya.” This
Shibir was truly a “Triveni Sangam” because it was a
combination of Adult Shibir, Youth Shibir and Mahila
Manch. We were fortunate to have the entire Dharmakul including H.H. Acharya Maharajshree, Poojya
Matushree-Gadiwala and both Lalji Maharaj
Saurabhprasadji Maharaj and Nana Lalji Dwijendraprasadji Maharaj. The Shibir was hosted by the
Shree Swaminarayan Mandir of Grand Prairie
(Dallas), Texas.
The following are the highlights of the Shibir:
1. About seven hundred devotees from
various ISSSV Temples and Chapters of
North America attended the Shibir.
2. Twenty prominent and learned Saints
of the Vadtal Diocese were on hand and
addressed the attendees on various topics
related to the Original Sampraday.
ISSSV Vision
Year 3, Issue 1
Page 7
3. Both Lalji Maharaj were present throughout the Shibir.
4. Poojya Matushree, accompanied by Sankhya Yogi Baheno, addressed women devotees in separate sessions.
5. ISSSV celebrated the birthday of Poojya Maharajshree.
6. Poojya Matushree and Sankhya Yogi Baheno joined
in doing Raas-Garba with female devotees.
7. Both Lalji Maharaj were on hand in the Youth Shibir
and had a one on one conversation with the youths.
Lalji Maharaj also answered questions from youths.
8. Shibir attendees had a chance to visit the Shree
Swaminarayan Mandir in Grand Prairie and enjoyed a
dinner given by Mandir.
9. A cultural program was performed by
Youth from Downey Mandir (Los Angeles),
Somerset Mandir (New Jersey) and Dallas
Mandir.
shibir will be held in California in 2015.
In conclusion, this Shibir re-emphasized the
knowledge of fundamental principles of original Sampraday founded by Shree Swamina10. Volunteers and prominent devotees were rayan Bhagwan. The Shibir also brought
Vadtal Devotees closer and bonded them to
recognized for their services.
the Original Sampraday.
11. The entire program was moderated by
We pray that Shree Harikrushna Maharaj
Shastri Suryaprakashdasji and P.B. Shree
gives strength to Poojya Maharajshree and
Virajibhai Paghdal.
under his guidance ISSSV can continue or12. The entire shibir was well organized by
ganizing such Shibirs for many years to
the Grand Prairie Temple. Thanks to Presicome. See you all in California in 2015 durdent Bharatbhai and his team.
ing next shibir.
On the last day, it was announced that next
Page 8
ISSSV Vision
ISSSV Youth Shibir 2014 by Kajal G. Patel (Dallas)
During the summer of 2014, International Shree Swaminarayan Sansthan of Vadtal (ISSSV) held the
Second Annual Youth Shibir in Dallas, Texas from July 24th to July 27th. This year, there were over 80
youth in attendance, which was an increase from the first Shibir. There were kids from all over the United States including New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, California, as
well as youth from all over Texas. The ages of the youth in attendance went from as young as age of 5,
all the way to the 20’s. Because of this variety in ages, we decided to create smaller groups of kids with
the older attendees serving as youth leaders. This way, kids from different states got to know each other
better within these groups, and there was a youth leader present at all times to help the kids and answer
any questions they might have.
This Shibir was similar to the
first youth Shibir in Chicago
last year. There was a combination of educational presentations, games and recreational
activities, and a social outing.
During the first day of the
Shibir, the kids spent time getting to know each other as they
were all coming in from different states throughout the day.
We also took a field trip to the
Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Grand Prairie, and the kids were able to do darshan and sing dhun together.
The second day of the Shibir was spent on our educational presentations. The kids and youth leaders sat together in a lecture hall and learned about a wide range of topic from the core values of our Swaminarayan
Sampraday to the importance of internet safety.
On the third day of the Shibir, the kids went on their social outing to see Fort Worth, Texas, where they saw
the Fort Worth Water Gardens. The kids also participated in a volleyball tournament and basketball games
during the outing.
Year 3, Issue 1
Page 9
On the fourth and final day, we wrapped up about everything we had learned during the Shibir and gave
feedback on what we liked and gave feedback on what we want to do for the next Shibir.
The special part of this second annual Youth Shibir in Dallas was having His Holiness Lalji Maharaj
Saurabhprasadji Maharaj and his younger brother Nana Lalji Maharaj Dwijendraprasadji Maharaj, the
sons of the current Acharya of Vadtal Diocese His Holiness
Acharya Shree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj, present with the kids
every day. This was the first time that our Lalji Maharaj has
attended a youth Shibir. He spent a lot of time with the youth.
Lalji Maharaj also spoke to the youth numerous times, teaching
us about important values of our Sampraday. Lalji Maharaj also helped us get to know him better by talking about his life in
India, what he’s studying in school, and what he does in his
free time. When learning about the day to day life of Shree
Lalji Maharaj, the youth found it easier to relate to him. The
youth were excited to have Lalji Maharaj with us and requested that he attend
all future youth Shibirs from now on.
The youth left the Shibir looking forward to getting together again next year
in California and learning more about
our Sampraday.
Page 10
ISSSV Vision
Charnarvrind
Divine Symbols on the Lotus Feet of Shree Hari
SWASTIK
MATSYA (MEEN)
ASHTAKON
TRIKON
ANKUSH
URDHVAREKHA
KAMAL
KETU
GAUPAD
DHANUSH
JAMBU
VAJRA
JAV
WORD SEARCH
Find the names of the
symbols in the word
search.
ARDHACHANDRA
VYOM
KALASH
Year 3, Issue 1
Page 11
SPOT THE DIFFERENCES
Courtesy: SGBYM Activity Book
Mahima of Haribhaktos By Hitesh Patel (New Jersey)
What is Mahima?
The meaning of Mahima is to understand the importance of
something or someone. According to Lord Swaminarayan,
Mahima plays a major role towards our liberation.
Our satsang has six pillars:
Mandir, Dev, Scriptures, Acharya Maharajshree, Saints, and
Haribhaktos.
One must have Mahima towards Satsang’s six pillars. However, human nature tends to look for the flaws in other human
beings; therefore, we do not have such Mahima for Haribhaktos who we interact with every day.
In Ghadhda First 54 , Lord Swaminarayan says,
|| prasanga-majaram pãsha-mãtmanaha kavayo viduhu
sa eva sãdhushu kruto moksha-dvãrama-pavrutam ||
This means that if a person maintains as intense love towards
Maharaj’s saints and Haribhaktos as he or she has towards his
or her relatives, then the door for liberation opens for him or
her. Therefore, next time when we interact with a Haribhaktos, instead of looking for their flaws we should look for their
good qualities and that will help us become a better satsangi.
How do you say? Searching for good qualities in others
and incorporating those good qualities in our life
makes us better satsangis.
Treats for Shree Hari by Kajal G. Patel
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
Directions:
Ingredients:
Preheat oven to 350. Line 9x13 inch pan with greased
foil.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 &1/2 cups oats
¾ cups brown sugar
1 cup butter, cubed
2 cups chocolate chips
8 ounces cream cheese
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Place flour, oats, and brown sugar in food processor and
mix. Then add chocolate chips and butter and mix until combined. Separate mixture
into halves. Take one half and press it into pan to form crust. Bake for 12-15
minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Then cool completely.
Using mixer, combine cream cheese, vanilla, and condensed milk until smooth.
Pour over cooled crust and spread evenly. Then sprinkle remaining half of crust
mixture over top evenly. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Cool to room temperature, and
then place in fridge for 2 hours. Then, cut into bars. Store in fridge.
© International Shree Swaminarayan Sansthan of Vadtal
P.O. Box 5621, Somerset, NJ 08875
www.iswaminarayan.org
For comments and suggestions, please write to [email protected]