QUESTIONS RELATED - BHAGWAN SWAMINARAYAN 1. Who gave the name Swaminarayan? a. Maharaj himself. 2. How many names Maharaj have? a. Nine 3. What are the four names that Markhand Rushi gave to Maharaj when He was just born? a. Hari, Krishna, Hari-Krishna and Neelkanth 4. Who called Maharaj, Ghanshyam? a. His parents and childhood friends. b. to rest for a week but HDH Bapji started katha varta on same day of the accident. 5. Where did Maharaj celebrate Shakotsav first time? a. Loya 6. Which vegetable is made on shakotsav? a. Eggplant (Ringan) 7. List name of Ghanshyam maharaj s friends. a. Veniram, Madhav, Prag, Raghunandan, Sukhnandan 8. What was Maharaj s parent s names? a. Bhaktimata (Mother) and Dharmadev (Father) 9. What qualities of Neelkanth Varni did we learn? a. They are: i. Strong Determination, ii. Selflessness, iii. Service to others, iv. Politeness, v. Humility, vi. Respect for others, vii. An obedient child, viii. Minimalistic lifestyle, Page 1 of 15
ix. Fearless. 10. What age did Maharaj go for van vichran? a. 11 years, 3 months and 1 day 11. How having strong determination can help you in your life? a. If we have strong determination to do something, then we will have our goals clear. And when we have our goals clear, then nothing can distract us from achieving our goal. 12. Why do you think everyone was pleased and impressed with Neelkanth? a. Because of his humility, politeness and respect for others. 13. Where did Neelkanth Varni end his epic Van Vicharan? a. In the town of Loj in Gujarat. 14. Who was Swaminarayan Bhagwan s Guru? a. Ramanand Swami. 15. When and where did Neelkanth meet Ramanand swami for first time? a. In Piplana on 12 th day of dark moon of Jeth month VS 1856. 16. How many purposes of manifestation of Lord Swaminarayan? a. 6 17. What did Maharaj ask from Ramanand Swami after Maharaj s Dixsha? a. If my haribhaktos are to face any pain or trouble in life, make me experience all that pain throughout my entire body, but keep away my haribhaktos of that pain. 18. In order to bring complete chastity of character into the Holy Fellowship, the temples, meeting assemblies and initiating rites should be separate for male and female followers. Who gave this order? a. Lord Swaminarayan gave this order. 19. Whose name is mentioned on most of the pages of Vachanamrut? a. Dada Khachar s name is mentioned on most of the pages of Vachnamrut. 20. During Maharaj s human manifestation, how many saints were with him? a. Around 3000 21. What is Vachnamrut? Page 2 of 15
a. Bhagwan Swaminarayan s daily discourses to devotees and sadhus have been documented and compiled in the Vachanamrut, the main scripture of the Swaminarayan sampraday. The Vachanamrut is a historical collection of 273 spiritual discourses delivered by Bhagwan Swãminãrãyan. The word Vachanamrut in Sanskrit means divine nectar (amrut) in the form of words (vachan). 22. What is pragatbhav? a. We can t see Maharaj s divine form in the Murti, but Maharaj does reside in them. That belief / feeling is called Pragatbhav. 23. What was the name that Ramanand swami gave to Nilkanthvarni? a. Sahjanand Swami 24. How many temples did Maharaj build? a. 6. 25. What is samdhi? a. Highest level of meditation where soul and body gets separated. 26. Does maharaj use weapon to kill a bad person? a. No. 27. How many years did Maharaj live in dada khachar s darbar? a. 28 years QUESTIONS RELATED ABJI BAPASHREE 1. Who is Abji Bapashree? a. In order to fulfil His promise to remain on this earth for 125 years and to explain further His own principles and to preach His glory to the lost souls, Lord Swaminarayan re-manifested as Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree, fifteen years after He had initially withdrawn His human form. 2. Why Abjibapashree is called Sankalp Murti? a. As Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree was manifested due to sankalp of Lord Swaminarayan, he is called Sankalp Murti Abji Bapashree 3. When and Where Abjibapashree was manifested? Page 3 of 15
a. Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree manifested in the Kutch town of Vrushpur on Kartik Sud 11 (Ekadashi) Samvat 1901 (1845 CE). 4. Name parents of Abjibapashree during his manifestation a. His parents: Pachapita (father) and Devuba (mother) 5. What mainly Abjibapashree did? a. Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree, further communicated Lord Swaminarayan s principles of the true glory and supremacy of Lord Swaminarayan and the status of Anadi Mukta. QUESTIONS RELATED SADGURU 1. Why Dinmani Sharma (P. Nityanand Swami) had left home and all his wealth? a. He left home, in a great desire of meeting the true Lord. 2. P. Nityanand Swami translated which scripture into Gujarati from Sanskrit? a. Shikshaptri 3. P. Nityanand Swami was one of the greatest in Bhagwan Swaminarayan s time. a. Scholar 4. For which temple Maharaj appointed P. Gunatinand Swami as a Mahant and for how many years, he served as Mahant? a. Junagadh and 40 years 5. What was ordered from Maharaj to all devotees about P. Gunatinand Swami? a. Maharaj had ordered all devotees to go to Junagadh for one month every year to do Samaagam (Attend Sabhas). 6. P. Gunatinand Swami was sweeping the entire premises of Junagadh temple daily; what moral should you learn from him? a. P. Gunantinand Swami used to sweep the entire premises of the temple and this showed his humble and helping nature. In same way we should also help our parents in their daily household cleaning activities. QUESTIONS RELATED HDH BAPJI 1. What is childhood name of our Guru HDH Bapji? Page 4 of 15
a. Devubhai 2. What is HDH Bapji s Jivan Sutra? a. Siddhant ma Samadhan Nahi ane Niyam Dharam ma Chhut-Chhat Nahi. 3. Any one example about HDH Bapji`s Niyam Dharam Ni Dharta (ન યમ ધ મ દ રઢત ). a. HDH Bapji had Heart Surgery, but he did not allow any women to come near and wear only Bhagva Cloth and Didn`t took off Kanthi and Janoi. 4. Any one example about HDH Bapji`s Katha-varta no Agrha? a. After meeting an accident, HDH Bapji got hurt and doctor advice to rest for a week but HDH Bapji started katha varta on same day of the accident. 5. From a young age, what was HDH Bapji s goal? a. To become a great saint QUESTIONS RELATED P.P. SWAMISHREE 1. What did we learn when Ghanshyambhai (P.P. Swamishri) refused to take question paper from his math professor before his exam? a. Honesty. We should never cheat anyone. 2. What learning message you will get from Ghanshyambhai (P.P.Swamishree) `s life about Maharaj s kartapanu (Doership).? a. Before start of study or doing any work just pray to Maharaj, Bapa, HDH Bapji and P.P. Swamishree. 3. Let me know which is the quality of Life of Ghanshyambhai (P.P.Swamishree) `s from below sentence: Ghanshyambhai and Maharaj were taking lunch together during lunch time in the college. a. Maharaj Pragat Bhav 4. Quality of Ghanshyambhai (P.P.Swamishree) `s before he become saint? a. They are: i. Maharaj Pragat bhav ii. Maharaj kartapanu (Doership) iii. High Spiritual power Page 5 of 15
iv. Samagam (Katha-varta) Life v. Good Education Life vi. Honesty, obedient, respect, simple life, seva, help parents etc QUESTIONS RELATED - P. SAINTS 1. How many Vartmans are there for Saints and which are they? a. There are 5 Vartmans for Saints. They are: i. Nishkami Vartman (Vow of Non-lust) ii. Nirlobhi Vartman (Vow of Non-greed) iii. Nirmani Vartman (Vow of Humility) iv. Nisnehi Vartman (Vow of Detachment) v. Niswadi Vartman (Vow of Non-gourmandize) 2. Explain Nishkam Vartman, Nirlobh Vartman and Nisneh Vartman Page 6 of 15
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3. Why HDH Bapji did not accepted Reshmi (silk) Gaumukhi that was offered by some devotee? a. In Nirlobhi Vartman of Saint, it is mentioned that One shall not use Rajoguni clothes like silk, muslin etc. or other such Rajoguni objects for his own use, So HDH Bapji replied Sadhu ne vali Reshmi Gaumukhi Shani and saint life should be simple not Rajoguni and thus not accepted that Gaumukhi. 4. Respect or disrespect (insult), whatever comes by the wish of Bhagavan Swaminarayan, one shall behave with equanimity in both situation Which Vow of Santo is it? a. Nirmani Vartman (Vow of Humility) 5. Does a Saint Allow to eat in steel or golden dish and Glass? Why? a. No a saint is not allowed to eat in steel dish and bowl. As per commentary of Vow of Tasteless. 6. What is the name of bowl in which santo eat and what is made off of? a. Pattar, it s made of wood. 7. Does a saint allow to have pride for his materialistic achievements? Why? a. No a saint is not allowed to have such pride. As per commentary of Vow of Humility (Nirmani Vartman). Page 8 of 15
8. Give an example of HDH Bapji / P.P. Swamishree s vows of Humility Nirmani Panu. a. HDH Bapji s Prasang: During Poonam samayo, HDH Bapji himself cuts vegetable for samayo s rasoi. Also cleaned grains with santo and haribhakto. b. P.P. Swamishree s Prasang: Once P.P. Swamishree came back from vichran at Swaminarayan dham. It was afternoon and P. santo were having lunch together. Swamishree came to kitchen and start doing dandvat to P. Santo. P.P. Swamishree is spiritual successor of HDH Bapji though he put his divine highness, parbhav and avarbha s motap on side and did dandvat. This shows the dradhta of vows of Humility. QUESTIONS RELATED SABHA/ MANDIR 1. What is our Siddhant sutra? a. To understand the supremacy of Maharaj and Attain the state of Anadimukt. 2. What is the ideal dress code for Bal/ Balika Sabha? a. For Boys White kurta/shirt/t-shirt, For Girls Full Dresses 3. What is the first thing that we do when we visit Mandir? a. We do Maharaj s Darshan and do Dandvat Pranam (for boys) and Panchang Pranam (for girls). 4. Where should we place our foot-ware if shoe rack is full? a. We should arrange it properly on floor away from everybody s way. 5. When do we do Shobhayatra? a. We do Shobhayatra during Murti Pratishttha Utsav and at the time of Patotsav. 6. What are Maharaj, Satpurush and P. Santo doing during Shobhayatra? a. Maharaj, Satpurush and P Santo are doing kalyan by drashti (By seeing) during Shobhayatra. 7. Who plans for Shobhayatra and what types of responsibilities are given? a. Temple committee members planned in advanced for Shobhayatra and they give seva and responsibilities to Kayakar like the ones who will handle Page 9 of 15
Chhab, Security, Band, Spot decoration, Palkhi, Water distribution during yatra, Banner, Dhaja, Pataka handling etc. 8. Why P. Santo visit chhab Yajman house on day of Shobhayatra? And what are things we are taking from there for temple? a. P. Santo visits chhab Yajman Haribhakt s house and does Aarti of Maharaj. After that we take Maharaj s divya Vastra-Alankar, Pagh, Mugat etc. in the chhab, join Shobhayatra and finally reach to temple with chhab. 9. What is Murti Pratishtha? a. Murti pratishtha is a ritual invoking God(Maharaj) in a murti by performing Vedic rites and chanting mantras. 10. When Murti Pratishtha is performed? a. Murti Pratishtha is performed on the day of inauguration of a new mandir. 11. What is Yagna? a. A Yagna is a holy ritual in which all devotees offer oblations into a sacrificial fire as Swaminarayan maha mantra are chanted. 12. What is Abhishek ritual? a. Abhishek is the tradition in which devotees do pray by pouring water, milk or panchamrut on the murti. 13. What is Kanthi? a. Kanthi is one of the identification that we are devotee of Lord Swaminarayan 14. How Kanthi helps us? a. It protects us from Ghosts b. It protects us from any trouble. 15. What if our Kanthi breaks or lost? a. As kanthi should be wearable all the time and all the places. So we have to keep extra pair of kanthi with us all the time. 16. What is Aarti? a. In Sanskrit, the word arti transcribed as aarati is composed of the prefix aa, meaning complete, and rati, meaning love. The arti is thus an expression of one s complete and unflinching love towards God. It is sung Page 10 of 15
and performed with a deep sense of reverence, adoration, and meditative awareness. 17. How Aarti is practiced? a. After the Aarti is sung, the lighted wicks are passed around the congregation to allow members to receive the blessings infused within the flames. Members hover their down-turned hands over the flame and then reverently touch them to their eyes and head. The purificatory blessing, conveyed from the God to the flame, has now been passed on to the devotee. 18. Which are different types of Aartis and what is the significance? 19. Who created Aarti: Jay Sadguru Swami? a. P. Muktanand Swami created it. 20. We should never enter the santo s. a. Kitchen. 21. What should you do when meeting santos first time in the day? a. 2 danvats. 22. When do we do Shobhayatra? a. We do Shobhayatra during Murti Pratishttha Utsav and at the time of Patotsav. 23. What are Maharaj, Satpurush and P. Santo doing during Shobhayatra? a. Maharaj, Satpurush and P Santo are doing kalyan by drashti (By seeing) during Shobhayatra. 24. Who plans for Shobhayatra and what types of responsibilities are given? Page 11 of 15
a. Temple committee members planned in advanced for Shobhayatra and they give seva and responsibilities to Kayakar like the ones who will handle Chhab, Security, Band, Spot decoration, Palkhi, Water distribution during yatra, Banner, Dhaja, Pataka handling etc. 25. Why P. Santo visit chhab Yajman house on day of Shobhayatra? And what are things we are taking from there for temple? a. P. Santo visits chhab Yajman Haribhakt s house and does Aarti of Maharaj. After that we take Maharaj s divya Vastra-Alankar, Pagh, Mugat etc. in the chhab, join Shobhayatra and finally reach to temple with chhab. 26. Who is called Sakaam bhakt? a. Sakaam bhakt prays Maharaj in return of something. He is selfish devotee. 27. Who is called Nishkaam bhakt? a. Nishkaam bhakt prays Maharaj to please him and make him raji. He is selfless devotee. 28. Give one example of Sakaam bhakti. a. Eg. Maharaj, I will go to temple every Sunday if I get good marks. Maharaj, I will not drink cold drinks if my father buys me iphone. 29. Should we be Sakaam or Nishkaam bhakt? Why? a. We should be Nishkaam bhakt. Nishkaam bhakti is true devotion, and it is selfless. Nishkaam bhakti will earn Maharaj s rajipo, and hence Hon. Baapji s and P.P. Swamishri s rajipo. 30. Establishment year of SMVS Sanstha? a. a) 1987 QUESTIONS RELATED PARENTS 1. What does charan sparsh represent? a. You are letting go of your ego and are going to be humble. b. Shows that you respect them for who they are. c. It also shows a way that you love them and will respect their decisions. d. You are surrendering to their age, wisdom and spirituality. 2. What should a satsangi bal/balika do every morning to their parents? Page 12 of 15
a. Charan Sparsh and say Jay Swaminarayan 3. What types of seva did Maharaj do for his Parents (give few examples)? a. Massaging their legs, working in the farm, cleaning the house and organizing things. 4. What are some things that show that we are obedient child? a. Ask our parents for permission when we step out of the house or when we embark to do something new 5. Tell us a few things how you can be helpful? a. Helping older grandparents, opening the door for someone or helping your friend with homework. 6. List few ways to make your parents feel special - a. Show your love and respect b. Connect with your parents c. Always be there to support your parents d. Know that they want to teach you the right way e. Follow their rules QUESTIONS RELATED GENERAL TOPIC 1. Which are the two Goli (medicine) to use when something goes wrong in our life? a. Two Goli (medicine) - Chant Swaminarayan mahamatra and Do Prathna (Prayer). 2. Why we should not believe in superstition? a. Because maharaj and mota is always with us and protects us from any problem 3. What shall we do in case of any problems? a. Start doing dhun and keep faith in maharaj 5. What are the four food groups? a. Grains, Fruits and Vegetables, Dairy products, Meat and alternatives. 6. Why is it especially important for us to eat beans? a. Because we are vegetarians, so to make up for the protein we must eat beans (meat alternatives). 7. Why rules are important? Page 13 of 15
a. RULES are important because they are guidelines to what is acceptable and what not. We need rules to help us get a long together and show respect to each other. 8. The absence of rules brings and. a. Disorder and Chaos 9. What will happen if you don t obey the rules? a. If we do not respect the rules, our life will be like a boat without the boatman. Life can't be organized without rules. 10. Give example if a student ignores rule against talking in class? a. Teacher will not be able to achieve his goal and other students can't concentrate. 11. List few memory techniques: a. They are: i. Self-Study ii. Mind Map iii. Key words iv. Revision 12. List 5 parents rules that bal/balikas must follow. a. Ask permission when you are leaving the house or doing something for the first time. b. Do not be negative, feisty or have an attitude with parents. c. Listen to what they have to say and then follow it immediately - not at your convenience. d. Don t forget your manners with your parents i. When receiving something, say "Thank you. ii. When asking for something, say "Please. iii. Do not interrupt when parents are speaking. iv. In short, always be polite!!! e. Eat what is made by parents at home. Please don t create a fuss to make something different for you. Page 14 of 15
f. Follow rules that are set for you by parents for social media/internet/gaming etc. g. Irrespective of the fashion trend, please do not wear provocative clothing at home or outside. h. Complete your homework/school work without being asked. i. Help keep the house clean and participate in some chores that are age appropriate. 13. Name few benefits of eating healthy meals. a. Helps you learn b. Promotes healthy weight c. Sports performance d. Keeps you healthy e. Prevents diseases f. Dental health g. Sleep better h. Increase self-esteem & self-confidence i. Decrease depression & anxiety Page 15 of 15