Why not schedule alarm reminders in your calendar to remind you to perform cheshtā.

The swabhavik cheshtã has been composed into kirtans dedicated to describing Shriji Mahãrãj’s divine actions, physical features and unique characteristics. It comprises of 23 pads with two major sections.

The ‘Lilã Chintãmani’ consists of 10 pads detailing Mahãrãj’s daily routine, unique tendencies and His interactions with devotees.

The ‘Dhyãn Chintãmani’, comprising of 8 pads, vividly illustrates Mahãrãj’s divine form, ranging from the clothes He wore to the various beauty marks He had on His body. 

The remaining five verses include a similar lilā and glory of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

The practice of reciting the cheshtā originated just after Bhagwan Swaminarayan reverted to Akshardham. For the devotees, the pain of separation was unbearable. Senior sadhus and devotees went to Sadguru Gopalanand Swami looking to cure their grief. Gopalanand Swami provided a remedy. He instructed the devotees to meditate daily on their memories and experiences with Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He instructed Premanand Swami, a skilled poet and singer, to compose verses depicting Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s life based on his personal experience.  These verses would help others in their efforts to keep Bhagwan Swaminarayan constantly in their thoughts.

Significance
Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj often said that if one recited the verses of the ‘Lilā Chintāmani’ and the ‘Dhyān Chintāmani’ while meditating on God’s form, one would earn the same merit as reciting all of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s lilā as written in the Bhaktachintamani scripture.

When to sing cheshtã

In the whole of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, the cheshtā is sung after the evening ārti and is considered as important to a satsangi’s daily devotional routine as the morning puja and ārti.