Author: Sonal Ladva
Jai swaminarayan!
During the sabha that took place last week on Wednesday 14th April at Ladywalk, a letter from Param Pujya Maniben was read out . The letter started by explaining the significance of the date ‘15th April’.
This is because in the past many important events have occurred on this date.One such example is that on this date in 1952, our Guruhari Param Pujya Pappaji arrived in India from Africa.The letter then went on to explain the significance of this date in the year 2010 and this is what I have summarised.
As you may know both the Eastern and Western calendars revolve around a 12-month cycle. Whilst the Western cycle is dictated by the Sun, the moon dictates the Eastern cycle. Although they both have 12 months in the year, each month starts and finishes on different dates. Hindus believe that every 3 years there is an additional month in the calendar year and this month is known as ‘Adhika Mas’ or ‘Adhika Mahina’. Therefore the significance of 15th April in 2010 is that it is the start of this ‘Adhika Mahina’.
Hindus believe the ‘Adhika Mahina’ to be a very auspicious month and often use it to carry out activities to purify the soul. ‘Adhika Mahina’ will last until 15th May. The letter written by Param Pujya Maniben emphasized the importance of this month within the ‘Swaminrayan’ faith and outlined ‘niamhs’ that we as members of this Satsang should carry out on each day of this month. These are as follows:
Each day one should:
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Do 51 pradakshina of Param Pujya Pappaji. This can be achieved by placing a murti of Param Pujya Pappaji on a chair in the middle of a room and circling this 51 times.
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Half an hour dhun
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‘Reading and studying’ otherwise known as ‘parayan’ of one or all 3 of the main publications of Guruhari Param Pujya Pappaji’s life. These are ‘Parabhakti Ni Saurabh’ or ‘Atam Pokare, Pappaji Padhare’. Alternatively for those of you who may not know how to read Gujarati you can read ‘Fragrance of Supreme Devotion’ or ‘Paying the Cost of my Kalyan’.
All of the above activities should be done with a great deal of thought and whilst immersed in the divine smruti of Guruhari Param Pujya Pappaji.
The letter also said that if for some reason you are unable to complete the above on one day, then the following day, one should do double the amount!
After the reading of the letter it was pointed out that there are very few times in our branch of the Swaminarayan satsang that we are asked to do ‘niamhs’. And in most other branches of Hinduism followers are expected to fast, meditate and carry out many other austerities on a regular basis. But very rarely have we in Param Pujya Pappajis samaj received such instruction and this to me re-enforced the fact that each one of us should endeavor to adhere to these niamhs for this very special month.
Click here to read the letter.