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(Vachanamrut Kariyani 1: A Worm and a Bee)

Extract: 

On Bhādarvā sudi 12, Samvat 1877 [19 September 1820], a decorated, canopied cot that had been brought by Jādavji, a devotee from Surat, had been placed on the veranda outside the north-facing rooms of Vastā Khāchar’s darbār in Kāriyāni. A mattress with a white, silken cover had been placed upon that cot. A white, cylindrical cushion and red, silken knee-cushions had been placed on top of the cushion. Also, frills of golden fabric were dangling on all four sides of the cot. Shriji Mahārāj was sitting facing north on this beautifully decorated cot. He was wearing a black-bordered, white khes and had tied a golden-bordered, white feto around His head. He had also covered Himself with a golden-bordered shelu. At that time, an assembly of munis as well as devotees from various places had gathered before Him. They were all enjoying the darshan of Shriji Mahārāj and were captivated by His charming appearance.

…

“The following example will clarify: A bee captures a worm, stings it and then buzzes over it. As a result, that worm - in the very same body - is transformed into a bee. Thereafter, none of its bodily parts remain like that of a worm; it becomes exactly like a bee. Similarly, a devotee of God, in that very same body, becomes divine like God.”

Moral: Everyone who has the association of Bhagwan and the Satpurush is divine for that very reason - that they are associated with Purna Purushottam Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the creator and ruler of the entire creation, and the Satpurush, in whom Bhagwan resides from head to toe. Regardless of how they may look and act on the outside, they are all divine because of their association - this is called “Sambandh No Mahima”.

Discussion Points:

1. What is Sambandh No Mahima?
   1. Answer: Sambandh no mahima is appreciating our fellow haribhaktas for their association with Bhagwan and the Satpurush.
2. Why is Sambandh No Mahima important?[Answers can include but are not limited to…]
   1. The Satpurush always keeps sambandh no mahima and only sees the good in all.
   2. Always maintaining sambandhno mahima is key to gain Maharaj and Swami’s rajipo, as this is the key to keeping samp.
   3. The constant use of this mindset improves our relationships with not only other satsangis but with anyone.
3. Bhagwan Swaminarayan says in Vachanamrut Gadhada I 71: “Bhagwan forgives all other mistakes, but he does not forgive the mistake of [taking abhav avgun] of another devotee [haribhakta] of Bhagwan. Therefore, one should never harm a devotee of Bhagwan in any way whatsoever.”
4. How do we keep sambandh no mahima?[Answers can include but are not limited to…]
   1. The best way is to learn from our gurus and follow in their example.
      1. This doesn’t happen overnight, it is something that we need to work on over time. However, if we keep trying, we can achieve our goal of changing our perspective and seeing everyone as muktas of Maharaj and Swami.

Here They Come, It’s The Mumus! | Bal-Balika Din

1. Yogiji MaharajYogiji Maharaj, some santo and haribhakto were travelling by train to Sarangpur. While travelling, Yogiji Maharaj sang kirtans. A few yuvak-age people got on the train at Vadhwan. As the train moved, the other people began to play a card game. One of them very rudely told Yogiji Maharaj: “Hey, sadhu bawa! Stop your singing, it is interrupting our game!” Yogiji Maharaj immediately stopped singing and began to do mala. Meanwhile, the other people were so engrossed in playing their card game that they missed their station, had to get off at the next station, pay a fine for the extra journey and had to spend a night at the next station - the returning train was the next day! Seeing this, one of the haribhaktas said: “Ha! They got what they deserved!”Yogiji Maharaj instantly replied: “Guru! We shouldn’t say that. We should learn from them - we should be really focused on Bhagwan in the same way that they were really focussed on their card game.”
   1. What can we learn from this prasang?
2. Pramukh Swami Maharaj[swabhavs: nature, tendency]8 April 1984, Belgium. Dr Shah asked Pramukh Swami Maharaj a question: “When a conflict arises due to swabhavs, we only see those swabhavs in that person. You, however, are aware of everyone’s swabhavs, but still, what perspectives do you keep?”

Swamishri replied: “Bhagwan and the Sant do not look at anyone’s mistakes. Despite seeing them, one should become blind. Despite hearing about them, one should become deaf. The other person may have 99 flaws, but that person possesses at least one virtue. Correct?”

1. What can we learn from this prasang?

1. Mahant Swami MaharajOn 27 March 2018 in Sydney, Australia, Atmaswarup Swami informed Mahant Swami Maharaj how two haribhaktas in Houston, USA call each other every day and start off their conversation by doing gun grahan of another haribhakta. Hearing this, Mahant Swami Maharaj became very happy and said: “This is the best use of a mobile phone!”
   1. What can we learn from this prasang?
2. [Presenter note: End the goshthi by watching the following kirtan and trying to understand the lyrics.]

Divyam Shibir: Sarve Divya Chhe