Swami Shreeji
Ahoho Aa Prapti?
Part 1: Understanding what we have attained.
Introduction
Guruhari Pappaji Maharaj used to say that every day is our New Year’s Day, this is because every day is like a new spiritual rebirth. The compassion and grace that God has bestowed upon us is almost beyond our comprehension. Guruhari Pappaji often used to say, ‘Ahoho Aa Prapti?’ as an expression of His absolute wonderment and revelation at the thought that He had attained the Supreme God Himself (Bhagwan Swaminarayan) in the form of Brahmswarup Yogiji Maharaj.
Pujya Jasuben reminds us constantly that we are the luckiest of all because we have attained God in human form, in the form of Pappaji Maharaj. However, have we fully comprehended this? If we do not fully grasp this then we cannot make the most of this unique opportunity that only a few people on this Earth ever get.
Once there was a man who was very poor, he had to collect twigs to make fire to cook his meagre meals. One day he found some sandalwood but he burnt it. A sheth who was passing by smelt the sweet fragrance and he thought to himself that there must be a very wealthy man who lives here if he can afford to burn sandalwood. So he went to see who this person was only to find the poor man. Realising that the poor man did not know the value of the sandalwood the sheth asked him whether he could take it, and so the poor man gave the sandalwood away for nothing! If the poor man knew the value of the sandalwood he could have sold it and improved his own circumstances.
In this way, if we have truly realised that Pappaji Maharaj is the manifest form of God then every second we would make the most of our association with Him and would dedicate ourselves completely to Him. We would reach the highest level of realisation such that God Himself would take His place in our heart, mind and soul. Otherwise we will be like the poor man who gave away his chance to better his life.
Brahmswarup Yogiji Maharaj had once stated, “We like those who have knowledge as they know things as they are…” This knowledge was explained by Gunatitanand Swami in Swami ni Vato 3.12, where He had said that without knowing Shreeji Maharaj (Bhagwan Swaminarayan) as Purushottam (the supreme Almighty God) one cannot go to Akshardham (the highest spiritual abode). One can only become brahmrup (the highest spiritual state) by associating with the Gunatit sadhu through one’s mind, deeds and speech”.
In Vachanamrut, Shreeji Maharaj repeatedly said that many aspirants often do not progress in satsang because they have not fully understood the greatness of God. In order to fully appreciate the great fortune that has been bestowed upon us it is absolutely necessary to develop a true understanding of our unique satsang. Whilst stalwart satsangi will have this understanding, someone new to the satsang or the youth who may be been born into satsang may not fully have this understanding.
It is important to know who Bhagwan Swaminarayan actually is and develop an understanding of His greatness. We should also comprehend the significance of His promise that He will forever be manifest of this Earth through His Gunatit Swarupo. In turn, we should realise the greatness of the Gunatit Satpurush as per Vach G II 21; this is true spiritual knowledge. If we achieve this then we would understand the significance of the phrase Ahoho Aa Prapti!?
Author: Sunil Gandhi