In 1969, Yogiji Maharaj was going to celebrate the Shri Hari Jayanti in Gondal. A few devotees in Mumbai informed the sadhus in Dadar Mandir that they would be attending this festival by flying to Rajkot. Within a short time, Mahant Swami and other sadhus made a grand six-feet rose garland weighing 15 kilos for Yogi Bapa! In Gondal, Yogi Bapa requested the pujari sadhu to adorn it on Ghanshyam Maharaj. While doing darshan of Ghanshyam Maharaj, he praised Swamishri’s bhakti, “Mahant Swami made the garland in one hour and sent it by plane. Such bhakti! I offer five dandvats to each flower!”
To spiritually strengthen youths and sadhus, Yogi Bapa loved to prescribe them nirjala (waterless) fasts. To his favorite sadhus he would prescribe two consecutive fasts! Once, by his agna, Vinubhai observed a fast. The next morning, before parna (breaking the fast), he went for Yogi Bapa’s darshan. When he bowed down, Yogi Bapa said, “Swami will be greatly pleased if you fast today.” On the third day also, Yogi Bapa repeated his blessings! In this way Vinubhai observed five consecutive nirjala fasts without entertaining any doubts and with equal enthusiasm. On the sixth day, pleased with Vinu Bhagat’s unflinching faith to obey, Yogi Bapa blessed and offered him lemon juice, which he had personally made for parna.
Discussion Points
- What was the occasion in 1969 that led to the making of a grand rose garland for Yogi Bapa?
- Can you describe the significance of the six-feet rose garland that was made for Yogi Bapa and its weight?
- How did Yogi Bapa request the garland to be used during the festival in Gondal?
- What praise did Yogi Bapa give to Mahant Swami's bhakti regarding the garland?
- What was the significance of Vinu Bhagat observing five consecutive nirjala fasts without any doubts?
a. How can we also keep unwavering belief in our gurus aagna? - How did Yogi Bapa reward Vinu Bhagat for his unwavering faith and obedience on the sixth day of the fast?
- What can we do in our day to day lives to offer our bhakti to our guru?
a. What is the outcome of doing this?
Activity (Optional)
- Make a checklist of daily niyams/aagna that we should do everyday (Puja, aarti, thaal, ghar sabha) and tick these off every time we do them. In this way we can keep Maharaj and Swami happy!