24th – 25th January 07

The celebrations began with the start of consecration ceremonies of the idols of the Divyayatan Spiritual Center on the morning of 24th January, 2007 and concluded with the pran prathishta (the establishment of the Lord’s vital energy in the idol) on the 28th. The idols were moved into the spiritual center on the 27th from their place outside where the consecration prayers and ceremonies were conducted, and the final rituals conducted on the 28th. The pratishtha pujas were conducted in the grounds between the Parampad and the Divyayatan, previously sanctified by a full-scale mandap puja. There were entertainment programs on all evenings during this period. (See Photo Gallery)

26th – 27th January 07

On the 25th evening, the Maharaja of Jodhpur arrived and stayed two nights as a house guest. He inaugurated the tenth anniversary celebrations early next morning by cutting a ribbon at the impressive Main Gate and unfurled the national flag as a part of ceremonies to mark the country’s Republic Day which falls on this date. He later inaugurated the Vanaprastha colony in the campus and joined the many Princes of Gujarat who had also gathered at Rajrajeshwardham to witness the closing ceremonies of a special yoga training course for overseas participants and entertainment programs and yogasan demonstrations by children of the Saraswati Vidya Mandir and Lakulish Yoga Vidyalay. The yogasan demonstration was organized as an inaugural function of the Indian Federation of Yoga and Culture sponsored by Life Mission. The Maharaja of Jodhpur also released Muniji’s just published English language work Divine Body Through Yoga and gave away certificates to participants of a special yoga training program organized for overseas participants. There were speeches, of course, and Muniji spoke words of blessing.

On the 27th January, Saints of all major persuasions of the country performed the required spiritual ceremonies for the consecration of the grottos of the respective faiths at the Sarva Dharma Prarthana Hall. Later, the Saints addressed a very large and appreciative as well as receptive audience at the public assembly tent throughout the day. The Saints who attended were: Lalitkishorji Maharaj of Mota Mandir, Limbdi, the Mission’s own Acharya Yogendra Dev, Pir-e-tarikat Sayed Haji Yusufmiyan Bapu of Surendranagar, Gyani Ratansinhji from the Gurudwara Govinddham at Ahmedabad, the Rt. Reverend Stansilaus Fernandez, Archbishop of Gandhinagar, His Holiness Sagarpuriji Maharaj Saheb of Chotila, Master Huen Prokuang from the Huaen Monastery, Taiwan and Dasturji Kursed Kaikobad Dastur, Vada Dasturji of Udvada. 

Sudha Sarovar was the scene of special events. On the morning of the 27th, pranpratishtha prayers were conducted at the Ganga Mandir in the forecourt of Sudha Sarovar, followed by the ritual infusion of the waters of the sacred rivers of India into the Sarovar. A grand and colorful Ganga Avataran and Arti programs were organized in the evening, attended by hundreds of devotees. (See Photo Gallery for pictures of the main events of these two days)

The consecration ceremonies of the idols of the Divyayatan Spiritual Center concluded in the afternoon of this day and the idols were moved from the Vedi in the forecourt of the Divyayatan to the interior of the Divyayatan.

28th January 07

28th January was the concluding day of the celebrations attended by temporal and spiritual heads. The day began with addresses by His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswatiji Maharaj, Shankaracharya of Dwarka, His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasansthanam Shri Ramchandrapura Mathha Bangalaore Shri Shri Ragheshwar Bhartiji Swami and His Holiness Swayamprakashdasji Swami of the Swaminarayan following. After the addresses, they proceeded to perform the actual pran pratishtha in the temple. They also performed the first Maha Arti. With this, Divyayatan opened as a place of worship for all.
In the afternoon on the 28th January, His Excellency, the Honorable Shri Bhaironsinhji Shekhawat, Vice President of India, was the guest of honor. He inaugurated the Yoga gallery and Exhibition Hall and the All Faiths Prayer Hall and performed prayers in the Spiritual Center. Later, the Vice President arrived at the Assembly Tent where he released Muniji’s monumental work Classical Hatha Yoga, to which the Vice President had himself written the Foreword. Presentations were made; Muniji was honored by the Vice President on his Diamond Jubilee. Finally, the Vice President addressed the vast mass of visitors (nearly two hundred thousand persons) gathered there.  
When the day ended, Muniji had reason to be much pleased and indeed declared his pleasure to all those who had assembled for the night’s entertainment program. He applauded the principal workers who had steered the development of Rajrajeshwardham and conferred honors and titles on those who had worked hard to make Rajrajeshwardham a reality. (R.V. Chudasama, H.R. Patel, Kiritsinh Jadeja, A.U. Solanki, Natubhai Makwana and Mahendra Kothari). There was joy and satisfaction, indeed also a feeling of blessedness in the hearts of all present.

29 January 07: Muniji Has Darshan of Lord Lakulishji

On the 29th of January, at the evening hour, Muniji entered the Spiritual Center to invoke the presiding deities. As He had done earlier in 1993, Bhagwan Lakulishji gave darshan to Muniji in the temple of Lord Shiva. The two communicated, as they did on the occasion of the first darshan in 1993. The Lord gave to Muniji two objects universally recognized by the Scriptures as His emblems.  The content of the communication between Muniji and the Lord as well as the two Divine Objects were unveiled later at the time of the celebrations of Muniji’s birthday at Malav on 11th February 07. Read Darshan 2007.

Darshan 2007

We celebrated Life Mission’s tenth anniversary and the consecration of the idols of the three Lords in the Divyayatan Spiritual Center with great joy and enthusiasm. I had considered invoking the three Lords and establishing them at an auspicious hour on the auspicious day of Monday, 29.1. 2007. I had informed only Shri Ranjitsinh Chudasama, the Secretary General of our institution, about this so that there may not be a crowd in the temple complex at the time. Shri Ranjitsinh himself drove me to the Divyayatan at the appointed hour in his own car. Only one or two persons could be seen having come to each temple for darshan at that time. Otherwise there were just the priests and four or five volunteers there”. “First I went to the temple of Lokeshwar Brahmaji and invoked Lord Brahmaji to forever reside as energy in the idol in the temple and concluded the yogic procedure for the installation of the energy in the idol. Thereafter I conducted the same procedure in the temple of Lord Jagadeeshwar Vishnu. I went lastly to the temple of Lord Siddheshwar Mahadev to invoke Lord Shivji. I believed that reverend Dada Gurudev (Grandguru) Bhagwan Lakulishji would certainly grace me with his darshan (visual manifestation of that which is otherwise invisible and unmanifest) on this occasion because he had told me when he gave me darshan in 1993 that he would give me darshan again when he considered it to be the proper time for it. What could be a more proper time than the occasion of the consecration of the idols in the Divyayatan!
This is precisely what happened at 5:15 in the evening on 29.1.2007. Lord Lakulish appeared in the inner sanctum of the Shiv temple and I was once again blessed to receive his purifying darshan. The darshan on this occasion was of a shorter duration than the darshan of 1993. Still, I had a significant conversation with Dadaji even in that brief darshan and received his sacred prasadi.  I understand that everyone among you would be impatient to know in greater detail about this darshan. Therefore I describe this occasion in brief.
I experienced great thrill in every pore of my body the moment Revered Dadaji appeared. This time my eyes were not blinded because the brilliance of his Divine Form was attenuated and tolerable and I could easily see Dadaji’s benignly bright form with ease. I feelingly prostrated before him to offer obeisance and thereafter feelingly said, “Lord, I am blessed today for I have once again received your Divine darshan. In compliance of your Divine command, all your devotees together have built this Divyayatan. Now I humbly pray to you on behalf of all your devotees that you may ever reside in this temple in the form of your Divine energy.”
Dadaji said, “Son! All devotees have together undertaken an excellent endeavor. I am pleased. This temple is most beautiful and grand. From now onwards my subtle energy shall remain established in the center of this Shiv Ling in the form of five idols. Let all know my presence in the following manner:          
Sarva kale sthitau  madhye, pratah poorvabhimukh sthitah,
Madhyane uttar, pashchime sayan, ratrikale ch dakshinam.
“‘I shall be established in the middle at all times. In the morning I am established in the form facing east; north in the afternoon, west in the evening and south in the night.”
I said, “Lord, through the construction of the temple of the three Lords we have made a humble attempt to reflect the principle of the oneness of God as propounded by You. Please mercifully guide us in case we have made any mistake in this.”
Dadaji said, “Since the one and the same Supreme Energy has been established in three forms in these three temples, the Divyayatan will become an excellent center of the principle of the oneness of God. The principle of the oneness of God will be well understood by all who try to understand these temples with a fine subtle vision. Deep mysteries useful for spiritual progress can also be obtained from these temples. The lives of even all those who come here for darshan with their physical eyes and to offer prayers and offerings will be made pure and lifted.”    
I said, “Lord, as commanded by You, for ten years I have adopted the path of external endeavor and worked to the best of my ability for the revival of culture and cultural values. I now wish to revert to the path of renunciation and engage myself in secluded sadhana. Please be so kind as to permit me to do so.”
Dadaji said, “Rajarshi! I am satisfied with your service of ten years in the path of external endeavor. After this, you are free to pursue secluded sadhana. Nevertheless, make arrangements so that the work of cultural revival that has been started continues. Provide necessary inspiration and guidance to the devotees of the pravrutty marg (path of external endeavor) to carry this task forward.”
I said, “Lord, with bowed head, I make a prayer for my own benefit at your holy lotus feet. Please be so merciful as to forgive me if this appears improper. Please be so merciful as to give me your blessing that I may become a complete yogi and attain the Divine Body. If there is any discourtesy in this prayer, please forgive your innocent child.”
Dadaji said, “Son! I know that the goal of your life is to complete your yoga and attain the Divine Body. The sadhana for the attainment of the Divine Body is extremely difficult. However, if you remain steadfast in the face of all difficult phases and pursue your sadhana with firm determination, you will attain your goal. My blessings are of course with anyone in my spiritual lineage who faithfully pursues yoga sadhana. As an indicator of my blessings, I give you two mysterious symbols which are associated with my form. Consider these symbols as the identifying symbols of my spiritual lineage.’  Saying this, Dadaji gave me the two objects and said, ‘Son! You will obtain the deep yoga secret hidden in these symbols, which will prove useful to you in your sadhana.”
I said, “I am blessed that you have showered upon me so much boundless mercy. All your followers will also experience blessedness by viewing this symbolic holy gift.”
Dadaji said, “I shall go now”.
I bowed and said, “Lord! Continue to thus bless this servant”. Speaking thus, I raised my head. Dadaji had disappeared within himself.
I wrapped both symbols in my handkerchief and experiencing the thrill of the Divine darshan walked towards the door. Shri Ranjitsinh opened the door when I knocked at it. About 60 – 70 persons were awaiting my emergence from the temple. Therefore, giving the symbols with the handkerchief to Shri Ranjitsinh, I told him, “Keep this handkerchief with you carefully. Do not open it just now and do not ask any questions about it out of curiosity. I will give you an explanation about it at the appropriate time. Till then, say nothing about it to anyone else also.”
Shri Ranjitsinh has implemented my instructions to the letter. I spent the next day in discussions with the seekers from abroad and had no free time. Thereafter I went out on tour for two days. On the fourth day I decided to write down everything so that I may not need to describe this event individually before various people. Thus, this is the way it was.
Muniji passed on this written account to Ranjitsinh and instructed him to make it known to the public on 11th February (his birthday) when a large number of followers would be attending the celebrations at Kripalu Ashram, Malav. Ranjitsinh abided by the instructions and waited for the appointed day.

Maha Shiv Ratri, Kayavarohan, 16th Feb., 07

Maha Shivratri was celebrated with the usual fervor and piety at Kayavarohan on 16th February. Muniji came down for the occasion from Malav. There was the usual darshan and tapli from the balcony of Parampad in the morning (See Photo). Late comers continued to receive blessings whenever Muniji’s eyes fell on them from the balcony of Parampad where he was busy with Trustees and paperwork. (See Photos). The usual pravachan had a special poignancy this year for by this time it had become known that Muniji was resuming ekantvas in the next few days and this was his last public function as well as discourse. Muniji’s return to Jakhan that same day was considerably delayed because of the very large numbers who turned up to receive mantra diksha.

Lead up to Muniji’s Resumption of Ekantvas, 17th - 19th Feb., 07

After 14th February, Muniji went from Malav to Kayavarohan for the Maha Shivratri celebrations and returned to Rajrajeshwardham in the evening. The Maharaja of Jamnagar awaited him. The next two days were busy days. Naturally there were uncontrollable crowds of devotees who came from far and near for darshan. Muniji remained fully engaged till late night. The Maharaja of Jamnagar, who had come to meet him, stayed till the morning of the eighteenth, which was his birthday. Ever the perfect host, Muniji personally conducted his guest round the Rajrajeshwardham facilities over the two days that he stayed. The Life Mission family briefly but warmly celebrated Jam Sattaji’s birthday on the 18th morning in Muniji’s presence. He took leave thereafter with Muniji’s blessings. Till the end, Muniji was engaged in the affairs of the Mission. He had discussions about the setting up of a University for Yoga and Ayurved. In the afternoon, he had a final meeting with the Apex Project Planning Committee. There was an endless stream of visitors throughout the day. Devotees were permitted to approach for the last darshan that night. It took time. Muniji was patient and loving, blessing all with his characteristic tap on the head or shoulder or back. When all had done, he sat a while listening to the musical rendition by the Valera family. Then Muniji entered his private chambers. When the bolt closed from inside, the door also closed on an era. Tomorrow would be another day. It would be the dawn of the era when Muniji began his final sadhana and attained the ultimate, the Divine Body, un-known, unmentioned, unheard of, and certainly unaccomplished since centuries.

Bhagwat Saptah at Jakhan, 25th – 31st May, 07

A Bhagwat Saptah was celebrated at Rajrajeshwardham from 25th to 31st May. The tireless donor and benefactor Bhailalbhai Patel who has generously supported many a cause at Rajrajeshwardham was the mukhya yajman. Life Mission’s own Satyendracharya graced the Vyaspith. The saptah was attended by thousands of people from far and near, all eager to have the benefit of Muniji’s daily darshan and the dharmalabh of kathashravan in an adhikmas.  (See Photo Galleries).