Jai Swaminarayan!

Revered saints and all brothers and sisters,

Today I am witnessing the holy festival of ‘Bhav Vandana’.  Pujya Madhavpriya Dasji Maharaj has beautifully written an inspiring book ‘Shri Dharmajivan Gatha’ embodying Gurudev Shastri ji’s accomplishments, austerity and dedication to society.

It would have been a matter of pleasure for me to be amongst you to enjoy this program, but due to time constraints, sometimes one has to forego this desire. Revered Shastri ji has emphasized duty and I am bound by it.

I congratulate and express my gratitude on behalf of the hallowed gathering to everybody, especially revered Madhavpriya Dasji, for this effort. 

There are so many beautiful things in our country that are not chronicled. These remain in memories and are conveyed through generations. But all that should be documented and it should be in the form of literature. It seems Shastriji Maharaj is amongst us. When we read (this book) we realize what Shastriji Maharaj said and we have to follow him. Similarly, we can’t do something which Shastriji Maharaj forbade us from doing. It has so many minute details, especially related to the ‘Satsang’ (sacred gathering) and about a vivacious life which should have the vitality of penance and should always be concerned about society and inspire it. In a way, this literature has been handed over to us in the form of a precious flower so that we can enjoy the ceaseless quest of knowledge. It should now be our endeavor so that our families and generations understand the life of Shastriji Maharaj.  There are two things that are very important in the teachings of Shastriji Maharaj which we can call the life mantra. He always emphasized ‘Sarvjan Hitay’ (welfare of all) in whatever we do.

The second thing he emphasized was ‘Sadvidya Pravartanaya’. My vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’ is about the welfare of all. Shastriji also said the same thing which is based on the philosophy of ‘Sarvjan Hitay’ (welfare of all) and ‘Sarvjan Sukhay’ (happiness of all). It is also a fact that knowledge, worship and learning have been the principal mantra of our nation for centuries. All our sages were associated with one or the other ‘Gurukul’ tradition and it was a kind of traditional university.

In this ‘Gurukul’ tradition, people from all sections of society, children of the kings as well as common people, used to study together. The Gurukul tradition in the Swaminarayan institution is the link connecting our grand past and bright future. This tradition gives religious, cultural and social inspiration to the common people of the country. Gurukul has given so many gems that are now spread across the world. This is the divine vision of Shastriji Maharaj. Whosoever goes to any part of the world and meets the Indian community will come across one or two persons who would proudly claim that he belonged to a poor family and grew up in Gurukul and would credit Gurukul for his growth.

What I want to say is that Shastriji did not merely preach or give sermons; his life was a continuous stream of discipline and austerity. As a result, Shastriji Maharaj continues to be with us in a spiritual form. This literature will remind us of Shastriji Maharaj’s teachings and inspire us for our duties.

I have a very close relationship with you. I have been visiting SGVP regularly and also attended a practice session held by our former MLA. This is such a sacred place where one feels vibration. I also like modernity and I have seen that our Gurukuls have also been modernized. I feel happy when we see children playing cricket and volleyball under the lights on SG Road where there are religious gatherings, meetings, etc also taking place simultaneously. It was the inspiration and tradition of Shastriji Maharaj and every generation made changes accordingly. Instead of stagnation, they adopted the change. This is the specialty of Swaminarayan to look for a practical solution.

We found a way out and such a beautiful outcome is there for everyone to see. There is such a huge “Satsang’ family now. As you know I don’t return empty-handed when I am amongst you, though not in person this time.  I will ask something and I am sure Madhavpriya Dasji and Balaswami will definitely support me. Had I visited you personally, I would have said this loudly, but today I would say this quietly to all those who graduated from Gurukul and their families. Our saints had also contributed to creating an atmosphere during the freedom struggle. There was social service in the teachings of Swaminarayan himself which inspired the freedom struggle. Today, I want to make a request to Gurukul, the religious gathering, students and their families on the 75 years of our independence. The world is facing new challenges due to Corona or Ukraine-Russia events. There is so much uncertainty and it is difficult to imagine what will be its effect on us. And the world has become so small that nobody can remain unaffected. 

Self-reliance is the only way out. We need to strengthen ourselves to meet our requirements and only then the country will survive. The AatmaNirbhar Bharat campaign can be taken forward with inspiration from Shastriji Maharaj. I reiterate one thing and that is Vocal for Local.  I want to tell all the students of Gurukul and their families to make a list of things of everyday use and find out the imported products which are there in our households. Many such products are available in our country, but we are not aware.

We are not even aware that the firecrackers that we burn are foreign-made. You will be surprised when you prepare a list. Shouldn't I expect that those associated with Gurukul should have such products in their households that have the fragrance of the soil of India and the sweat of an Indian and which have been made on the soil of India? Why should we not use such products? Vocal for local does not imply buying Diwali lamps only. We should buy all the products made locally. So many people will get employment, the pace of self-reliance will gather momentum and the country will also become strong.

Secondly, your help is needed regarding single-use plastic. The cleanliness campaign does not mean only keeping our campuses in Gurukul and temples clean. We as a team should decide to visit a village once a week or a month and do the cleaning there for about two hours. You are not short of anything, you have vehicles and everything. Sometimes, you can decide to visit the Statue of Unity not for sightseeing, but for its cleanliness. It could be Ambaji next time. There are so many statues in our city. It should be our responsibility to keep the statues of Baba Ambedkar, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Bhagat Singh clean. There are many forms of cleanliness. Why should we give ‘prasad’ (god’s offering) in a plastic bag? Why should there be plastic bags in our houses? Those believing in ‘Satsang’ culture should not use plastic bags.  

Almost all the children in Gurukul and Madhavpriya Dasji or any other seer are from rural background. Our Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat is campaigning for natural farming. Earth is our mother.  Should it not be our responsibility to serve that mother? Shastriji Maharaj has said for how long we will continue to torture Mother Earth by giving her poison.

We should liberate Mother Earth from chemicals.  You even have a cowshed for Gir's cows. And the method of natural farming has been taught in Gurukul. People from Gurukul should visit villages in a week as part of a campaign and create awareness among farmers against the use of fertilizers, chemicals, or pesticides. I believe it will be of great service to Gujarat and the country and a true tribute to Shastriji Maharaj. Today, when I am in your midst, I want to make a request to you. I can say this with authority to Madhavpriya Dasji Maharaj. It will not be wrong to say that it has become my habit. Therefore, I rightfully ask our Gurukul, Satsangis and their family members to celebrate the Amrit Mahotsav of freedom in a novel way.

We should try to fulfill Shastriji Maharaj’s resolution of ‘Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay’. I apologize for not being able to come in person. Wishing everyone a very Happy Bhav Vandana Parv!  Thank you all.

Jai Shri Swaminarayan!

Disclaimer: This is a translation of the Prime Minister's message. The original speech is in the Gujarati language.

***

DS/LP/AK