PARICHAY PAPER 2 SECTION 1: KISHORE SATSANG PARICHAY - 4th Edition, January 2010 Q.1. In the sentences below, state who is speaking to whom and when. [9] 1. Sahajanand Swami himself is the incarnation of supreme God. (p.55) A) Himraj Shah to his family members. B) When they criticized and questioned his faith. 2. We had decided to plunder your house. (p.8) A) The Garasiyas to Galuji s mother. B) When they had planned to come kill Galuji at his house. 3. We have renounced and suffered for the sake of Akshar Purushottam! (p.34) A) Shastriji Maharaj to the Thakor of Limbdi. B) When evil-minded people instigated the Thakor of Limbdi and persuaded him to ask Shastriji Maharaj to install the murtis of Radha-Krishna in the central shrine. Q.2. Give reasons for the following (two to three lines each). [6] 1. Sundarji Suthar became a sadhu. A) Maharaj smiled and asked, What are the qualities of a servant? To act as per the wishes of his master. Then Shriji Maharaj said, If you are a servant then discard your clothes and ornaments and renounce. At that very moment, Sundarjibhai discarded his clothes and ornaments, had his head and face clean-shaved and renounced. (p.65) 2. Maharaj granted moksha to Putlibai. A) Maharaj put Gordhanbhai in a state of samadhi in which he could see his aunt suffering in hell. When he emerged from the samadhi he prayed to Maharaj and requested that his aunt be released from hell. Maharaj granted moksha to Putlibai. (p. 106) 3. The brothers set their mother on the road to Gadhada. A) They loaded the cart with all their belongings and set their mother on the road to Gadhada to keep her safe. Their mother wished them well and bid Jai Swaminarayan for the last time and saw them off to avenge the insult of her beloved sadhus. (p.82) Q. 3. Write short notes on Kusang (Bad company) (in 15 lines). [5] A) Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami in his discourses has observed that even if we are touched by a gust of wind coming from the direction of a sinner all our merits earned over a period of sixty thousand years, are burnt away. Such is the destructive influence of evil company. Just as milk which is nectarine becomes poisonous with a drop of venom from
a snake s mouth, virtues such as vairagya, vivek and swadharma are destroyed by coming into contact with evil company or by putting faith in the words of an evil person. Such contact or company produces evils like lust, anger, greed, delusion, etc. Therefore, a devotee of God should always avoid evil company. While defining kusang Shriji Maharaj says that the worst of all types of kusang is the company of one who has no devotion to God and has no faith in God. In the Swamini Vato (discourses of Gunatitanand Swami) three types of kusang have been described: 1. External kusang 2. Internal kusang and 3. Kusang within Satsang. To associate with one who vilifies God and his Sadhu and does not practise dharma is called external kusang. To indulge in sensual pleasure and to ascribe human traits to God and to his brahmanized Sadhu is internal kusang. To equate Shriji Maharaj with other incarnations, to equate the brahmanized Sadhu with an ordinary sadhu, to find faults with devotees and to show lack of enthusiasm or sincerity in following the religious tenets or commands is called kusang within Satsang. Therefore, devotees should shun these three types of evil influences. (p. 50-51) Q.4. Answer ALL of the following, using one sentence (not just one word) for each answer. [5] 1. When does a murti attain divinity? A) When either God himself or a God-realized Satpurush performs the prescribed Vedic rites of invoking the divinity of God in the murti, then God himself remains manifest in the murti. (p.13) 2. In which scriptures has Shriji Maharaj laid down the codes of conduct for householder devotees and ascetics? A) Shriji Maharaj has laid down the codes of conduct for householder devotees and ascetics in his Shikshapatri, Dharmamrut and Nishkam Shuddhi. (p. 77) 3. What happens by betraying the trust of others? A) No one should commit a breach of trust because great damage is caused to the person who is thus betrayed. He is hurt. (p.6) 4. Which question did Ardeshar Kotwal ask Bhaichandbhai? A) He asked Bhaichandbhai, Is there any deity on this earth who would instantly answer our prayers and immediately rush to our succour? (p.10) 5. Whose disciple was Damodarbhai? A) Damodarbhai Patel of Ahmedabad was a disciple of Sadguru Ramanand Swami. (p.44)
Q.5. Narrate: Vachanamrut Gadhada I-8 [5] Please refer to Chapter 17, Page 58-59. Q.6. Complete the following. [8] 1. Nathi darta... nathi kartã, amãrã jãnni parvã; Amãre dar nathi koino, ame janmyã chhie marvã...ame 1 Ame ã yagna ãrambhyo, balidãno ame daishu; Amãrã Akshar Purushottam, Gunãtit...jnanne gaishu. 2. Katha sambhalta re... hare hare kahi bole; Marma kathãno re, suni magan thai dole. 7 Bhãn kathãmã re, biji kriyã mãye; Kyãrek achãnak re, jamtã... hare bolaye. (p. 70) 3. Anyakshetre...krutam pãpam tirtha kshetre vinashyati; Tirthakshetre krutam pãpam vajralepo...bhavishyati. (p.102) 4. Translate the shlok into English: Vairagyam gneya... sushthu Vedanam. A) Non-attachment to any object except to God is called vairagya. Complete knowledge about the form and nature of jiva, maya and ishwar is called jnan. (p.104) SECTION 2: PRAGJI BHAKTA - 4th Edition, September 2009 Q.7. In the sentences below, state who is speaking to whom and when. [9] 1. Stay away, can t you see we are passing? (p.40) A) A Barot devotee to the harijan woman B) When they were passing through a narrow lane, a harijan woman approached them. 2. You have made me fulfilled. (p.20) A) Pragji Bhakta to Shriji Maharaj B) When Shriji Maharaj gave Pragji Bhakta darshan in a divine form after ten days of meditation. 3. Today, I want to feed you well. (p.46) A) Bhagatji Maharaj to the Sadhus B) When Bhagatji Maharaj wished to feed all the sadhus. Q.8. Give reasons for the following (two to three lines each). [6] 1. Ganpatbhai travelled by boat while returning to Bharuch from Mahuva. A) Ganpatbhai wished to return by rail, but by the wish of Bhagatji he went by boat. There was no trouble during their voyage and they reached home in one day. (p.55)
2. Pragji is pure at heart. A) During the Holi festival Pragji received fagva prasad and asked Swami to rid his flaws with each kernel. Swami stated that: Pragji is pure at heart and has full knowledge of the glory of those who associate with the great Sadhu. (p.20) 3. Bechar Bhagat went to Bhagatji s seat and sought communion with him. A) Listening to Bhagatji speak aroused an air of curiosity in Bechar Bhagat. He went to Bhagatji s seat and sought communion with him. He was greatly impressed by Bhagatji s talks about atma and Paramatma. His desire for Bhagatji s company increased and he became his disciple. (p.37) Q.9. Write short notes on any ONE of the following. (In 15 lines.) [5] 1. Recipient worthy of Aksharjnan. A) Once, Pragji Bhakta came to Sarangpur in the search of Gunatitanand Swami, but Swami was at a nearby village of Khambhda. Pragji Bhakta made it there late at night, and Swami was greatly pleased. He took a piece of rotlo and offered the rest to Pragji Bhakta.The next morning when they traveled back to Sarangpur, they stopped at Narayankund because Swami had to answer a call of nature and perform ablutions. As Pragji Bhakta was helping Swami by pouring water, Swami told him his inner thought. Pragji, I am overflowing with jnan but I have yet to find a worthy person to receive it. Pragji Bhakta said, Swami, will you give that jnan to me? Swami replied, It can only be given to a valiant soul who has total control over all his senses and body and is prepared to surrender himself completely to me. Pragji Bhakta took these words seriously and resolved to be worthy of Swami s blessings. (p. 7) 2. Vagha Khachar s drawbacks were overcome. A) Vagha Khachar saw that all the devotees of Swami at Junagadh were cheerful and happy. But he was wondering why he did not experience that joy. Once, he talked to Dama Sheth of Mahuva about it. Dama Sheth told him, Keep faith in Pragji Bhakta and accept Swami as Mul Akshar. Vagha Khachar said, I will believe this only if Swami tells me in person. So, Pragji Bhakta meditated on Swami, who was talking to a congregation, and drew him to the garden where they were. Pragji Bhakta said to Swami, This Vagha Bapu wants to ask you a question. Swami said, What Pragji is telling you is the truth. Vagha Khachar asked directly, Swami, are you yourself Akshar?. Swami replied, Yes. Vagha Khachar experienced divine peace and his drawbacks were overcome. (p. 25-27) Q.10. Answer ALL of the following, using one sentence (not just one word) for each answer. [5]
1. Who was assisted by whom in making arrangements for Bhagatji s reception in Junagadh? A) Yagnapurushdasji was assisted by Kothari Jibhai in making these arrangements for Bhagatji. (p.60) 2. Under whose command did Bhagatji instruct the sadhus to remain? A) He commanded the sadhus to work under the commands of Vignandasji. (p.45) 3. Which river did the devotees of Mahuva safely cross with Bhagatji? A) Bhagatji Maharaj leads the devotees through the flooded river Shetrunji. (p.66) 4. Which verse did Gunatitanand Swami say when he garlanded Hariswarupdasji? A) With a smile Swami said, Haldi jardi nav taje, khatras taje na ãm, Gunijan gunku nav taje, avgun na taje gulãm. (Even turmeric does not leave its colour, nor mango its flavour, nor a base man his demerits, how can a great man leave his goodness!) (p.31) 5. Who came to Mahuva to treat Bhagatji in his last illness? From where? A) Jetha Bhagat rushed from Mumbai to Mahuva leaving aside his work as kothari to serve Bhagatji. (p.64) Q.11. From the given options, place a tick ( ) in the box next to the correct ones. [6] Note: One or more of the options may be correct. Full marks will be awarded only if all the correct options are chosen, otherwise no marks will be awarded. 1. I am possessed by Swaminarayan. (p.40) (1) ( ) If a ghost has the power to possess, doesn't God also? (2)( ) God does not possess just anyone. (3) He possesses only those who have immense vairagya and detachment for Him. (4) I continually enjoy the divine bliss of Swami s murti. 2. Instructions regarding education of Yagnapurushdasji (p.58) (1) Saints sought instructions on the education of Yagnapurushdasji. (2)( ) No need for him to go to Kashi.
(3) What will devotees do if he goes to city? (4) Told Yagnapurushdasji to go to Vartal to study. 3. The qualities of Bhagatji Maharaj proven by Yagnapurushdasji in Mahuva. (p.43) (1) ( ) Jnan. (2) Patience. (3) ( ) Vairagya. (4) Dharma. Q.12. Rewrite the incorrect sentences below in relation to the sentence heading. [6] Note: Marks will be awarded only if a completely correct sentence is written. Otherwise no marks will be awarded. Example: Grand reception at Junagadh: An Amin devotee named Acharya Jatashankar once asked his student, Manilal Bhatt, How is it that Jaga Bhakta, a cobbler, sits on a raised seat and the Acharya prostrates to him? Ans. Grand reception at Junagadh: A Nagar devotee named Dr. Umiyashankar once asked his guru, Balmukunddasji, How is it that Pragji Bhakta, a tailor, sits on a cot and the sadhus prostrates to him? 1. Excommunicated: After walking for some time he broke his journey to eat a little. As soon as he put a piece of Rotla in his mouth, he felt a terrible burning sensation in his body. He realised that the Rotla contained poison, so he threw them deep in the water. A) Excommunicated: After travelling for some time he broke his journey to eat a little. As soon as he put a piece of ladu in his mouth, he felt a terrible burning sensation in his body. He realized that the sweets contained poison, so he buried them deep in the ground. (p.32) 2. Request for Akshar Jnan: In V.S. 1999 when the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj was installed at Vartal, Jaga Swami pleased Acharya Bhagvatprasadji Maharaj by preparing beautiful garments for the murtis of Gopinathji Maharaj and Raghuvirji Maharaj. A) Request for Akshar Jnan: In V.S. 1916 (1860 CE) when the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj was installed at Gadhpur, Pragji Bhakta pleased Acharya Raghuvirji Maharaj by
preparing beautiful garments for the murtis of Gopinathji Maharaj and Harikrishna Maharaj. (p. 9) 3. Realization: Pragji Bhakta's mother left her mortal body and was blessed with Akshardham. Pragji Bhakta was reluctant to go to Bhadrod, but Acharya Maharaj told him to pay a visit. It was his last visit to Bhadrod for twelve years. A) Realization: Pragji Bhakta s father left his mortal body and was blessed with Akshardham. Pragji Bhakta was reluctant to go to Mahuva, but Gunatitanand Swami told him to pay a visit. It was his first visit to Mahuva for four years. (p.23) 4. End of Exile: On arriving at Gadhada, the Parshads put up in a palace opposite the main gate of the mandir. The Kothari Maharaj met them and told them to wear white robes. A) End of Exile: On arriving at Vartal, the sadhus put up in a haveli opposite the main gate of the mandir. The Acharya Maharaj met them and instructed them to wear saffron robes. (p. 47) 5. Meeting Sadguru Gopalanand Swami: At Gadhada he always sat by Shriji Maharaj s side and ate only simple food, like, sev and mamra. He served Shriji Maharaj with great devotion and listened to his discourses with great attention. A) Meeting Sadguru Gopalanand Swami: At Vartal he always sat by Gopalanand Swami s side and ate only simple food, like, gram and jaggery. He served Gopalanand Swami with great devotion and listened to his discourses with great faith. (p. 4) 6. With Gunatitanand Swami At Junagadh: As Pragji Bhakta adored Gopalanand Swami very much, he found the pangs of separation unbearable. He felt sad and unhappy and left Junagadh and reached Mahuva. Here, Muktanand Swami blessed him and took him to Gondal to meet Nityanand Swami. A) With Gunatitanand Swami At Junagadh: As Pragji Bhakta adored Gopalanand Swami very much, he found the pangs of separation unbearable. He felt sad and unhappy and left Vartal and reached Gadhada. Here, Siddhanand Swami consoled him and took him to Junagadh to meet Gunatitanand Swami. (p. 6)