Youth Shibir 2017

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Months of meticulous planning and weeks of spirited preparations, excited Yuvarpits crossing each day of the calendar, lively Jivanarpits putting in their all for a smile on their beloved Sadguru’s face, dedicated Hridayarpits giving their heart to perform all tasks to the best of their capacity – each member of these three Arpit groups keenly awaited the arrival of February 8th when they were scheduled to embark on a life-transforming and soul-stirring spiritual retreat with their beloved Master.

The exhilaration built as upon the culmination of the first Satsang Shibir on the sacred text ‘Vivekchudamani’ in Dharampur, youngsters gathered holding aloft banners signalling just 10 days remaining for their Youth Shibir. The pravachan at Mumbai on February 5 saw them sing and dance zestfully to extend a warm and loving invite to Pujya Gurudevshri, making it a sparkling prelude to the eventful shibir. The elation of the three Arpit group members knew no bounds as they boarded the train in exuberant spirits.

Serenity in Sayla
Shree Raj Saubhag Ashram, Sayla; the birthplace of Pujyashri Sobhagbhai, quenches the thirst of many seekers from far and wide. The pristine surroundings of the ashram were graced by the august presence of Pujya Gurudevshri as the Master arrived here with His caravan of young aspirants. The present spiritual head of the ashram, Pujyashri Nalinbhai Kothari along with Minalben Shah, Vikrambhai Shah and several devotees accorded Pujya Gurudevshri a rousing welcome. A procession along the ashram premises, comprising of a chariot hosting Pujya Gurudevshri and Pujyashri Nalinbhai, surrounded by dancing devotees, proceeded to a grand mandap adorned in red and white. Marking Valentine’s Day and heralding an everlasting love for the Divine, Pujya Gurudevshri and Pujyashri Nalinbhai released red heart-shaped balloons inscribed with the virtues of the Lord in the air. The ambience resonated with spiritual vibrations as Minalben fondly felicitated Pujya Gurudevshri and Atmarpit Nemiji reverently felicitated Pujyashri Nalinbhai. Honouring the 150th birth anniversary year of Param Krupalu Dev, Minalben and Vikrambhai addressed the audience with information on projects and activities focusing on inner transformation as the true form of celebration. Pujya Gurudevshri’s thought-provoking pravachan enumerated the process of removing disturbance through devotion for the Enlightened One. Seekers absorbed the wisdom expressed by Pujyashri Nalinbhai in his pravachan. Flooded with Divine love, devotees swayed to connecting beats through nrutyabhakti. An ocean of bliss inundated the stage when the saints too joined the celebrations. The beautiful evening concluded with a heartfelt acknowledgement of the Sayla Ashram sevaks for their loving hospitality.

Soulful Veneration at Vavania
Devotion peaked and tears rolled down the eyes as the youth visited these pious lands graced by their beloved Param Krupalu Dev – the place of His birth, marriage and where He left His body.

Pujya Gurudevshri personally boarded the buses of the group and blessed them with sweets celebrating the festive spirit en route to visit to Param Krupalu Dev’s birth place – Vavania. Beings throbbed with the deepest adoration for Param Krupalu Dev as seekers arrived at Shrimad Rajchandra Janma Bhuvan, Vavania and breathed in the air graced by their Lord. Pujya Gurudevshri was warmly welcomed by Shri Bharatbhai Mody, grandson of Javalba, daughter of Param Krupalu Dev. The Sadguru revered objects blessed by Param Krupalu Dev’s physical touch, such as His cradle, chair, bed and the place where Apurva Avsar was composed. A painting of Param Krupalu Dev made by Pujyashri Ambalalbhai was greatly admired by devotees. Imbibing the pious vibrations, the Master spent moments of quietude in deep connection. The group soared in devotion as they dissolved in bhakti for their beloved Lord at the very place that witnessed His birth and captured His brilliance during His childhood. The group also beheld the sacred space where Param Krupalu Dev attained Jatismaranjnan and visited the school attended by Param Krupalu Dev.

Majestic Devotion at Morbi
In Morbi, Pujya Gurudevshri and the group of devotees visited Shrimad Rajchandra Smruti Mandir, the place where Param Krupalu Dev tied the nuptial knot. Hearts and hands joined together in sweet worship of Param Krupalu Dev’s yearning for complete renunciation by singing Apurva Avsar and reiterating chants of ‘Rajchandraya Nirvikaraya Nirvikalpaya Namonamah’. The Master also visited the house where Param Krupalu Dev composed Mokshmala. Seekers were elevated on their visit to the residence of Shri Mansukhbhai Kiratchand, which Param Krupalu Dev had graced. Devotees worshipped the stone slab where He sat and a sock used by Him.

Reverent Moments in Rajkot
The group arrived in Rajkot and paid respects at Shrimad Rajchandra Samadhi Bhavan – Narmada Mansion, the house where Param Krupalu Dev shed His mortal coil. They paid obeisance at Shrimad Rajchandra Samadhi Mandir, where His remains were consigned to flames as well as Shrimad Rajchandra Gyan Mandir. Hearts of all were touched by the divine ambience at the sacred places.

Jubilations at Shri 72 Jinalaya Tirth
Infused with a deep desire to attain oneness with the Lord, the troupe arrived at the sacred Shri 72 Jinalaya Tirth. The Tirth is a majestic Jain pilgrimage site spreading over 80 acres of land and home to 72 deris of the Tirthankars of past, present and future. Feelings of intense devotion swelled in hearts as Pujya Gurudevshri venerated the Lord with arti. Shimmering beautifully in the full moon the Jinalaya evoked devoutness. Vibrant members of the three groups welcomed the Master with thunderous spirits which reflected in their nrutyabhakti. Thrilling feelings of devotion and surrender manifested during garba at the Jinalaya. Moving in circles, bright happy faces received several warm and loving gestures from their beloved Sadguru. Manjira in hands, Pujya Gurudevshri revelled in mellifluous bhakti. The Sadguru accompanied by the group, extolled the 24 Tirthankars with a roaring ‘Jai’ for each to conclude the celebrations.

Bliss at Shri Bhadreshwar Tirth
Devotees travelled to Shri Bhadreshwar Tirth – a sacrosanct complex housing 53 Jinalayas, believed to be one of the oldest Jain temples. Brimming with devotional fervour in the Master’s midst, the youngsters participated in a glorious snatrapuja. The Sadguru also visited the Jain Dadawadi near the temple.

During the visit, Pujya Gurudevshri also shared a genial interface with Sadhvishri Shilapiji of Veerayatan Vidyapeeth at Jakhania near Mandvi in Kutch. The Master also graced the construction site of Nadco Navneet Nagar, Moti Rayan (Avaas Yojana) – a complex that would provide housing for the homeless people of the Jain community.

Merriment at the Mandvi Beach
Pujya Gurudevshri arrived at the Vijaya Vilas Palace with the entourage. Built across 450 acres and adorned in an Indo-European style, this famous summer palace is located on sea-beach of Mandvi. The youth were blessed with moments of ecstasy as they proceeded towards the Mandvi beach to spend informal moments with their beloved Sadguru. In Pujya Gurudevshri’s elevating presence the young devotees immersed in festivity and gaiety. Engrossed in interesting games, dances, skits and impromptu musical dedications, they left no stone unturned to bring a smile on the Master’s face. Drawing the audience closer to the Sadguru, Atmarpit Nemiji shared numerous experiences singing the glory of Pujya Gurudevshri and His divine state.

Kindling Communion in Kukma
The next morning Pujya Gurudevshri visited the Shrimad Rajchandra Sadhana Kendra, Kukma and had an endearing exchange with Pujyashri Gangjibhai Mota, the spiritual head of the ashram. As a mark of love and respect, Pujyashri Gangjibhai felicitated Pujya Gurudevshri with a Raj tilak and addressing the audience he sang praises of the Master.

An Experience of Euphoria in the Rann of Kutch
The Rann Utsav, an amazing festival highlighting the culture of Kutch and Gujarat, is a carnival of music, dance and natural beauty. It is a landmark event bestowing elegance to the picturesque Rann of Kutch. Dotted with a riot of colours the White Desert brings an opportunity to experience the vibrant lifestyle and diverse traditions of the region. Breathing sanctity into this terrain, Pujya Gurudevshri arrived here with the assemblage.

The loving Sadguru blessed the young seekers with two inspiring Udghosh. As a prelude to the festival of colours, Pujya Gurudevshri expounded on its spiritual relevance and described the Master as an expert dyer who purifies the disciple and drenches him in colours of divine love. In the second Udghosh, He shared the recipe of success and inspired the youth to remain unfused in the faces of failures. Atmarpit Apurvaji explained the five steps on the path of devotion in a touching session. In her debut session, Jivanarpit Shraddha Kothari portrayed the journey of a seeker from falling in love to becoming love. She stirred the youth by sharing emotional details of her experiences and experiments on the spiritual path. Pujya Gurudevshri blessed Shraddha with the title of a Yuva Swadhyaykar. He expressed that as Sister Shivani is to Brahma Kumaris Mission, Shraddha will be to Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur.

The Rann of Kutch was infused with life as members of the Yuvarpit, Jivanarpit and Hridayarpit groups presented fantabulous dedications honouring the 150th birth anniversary year of Param Krupalu Dev. Moving skits and pulsating dances took centre stage during the two day celebrations. The supremely eloquent skit, ‘Karunani Parampara’ led devotees in the feeling of gratitude for Tirthankar Bhagwan, Param Krupalu Dev and Pujya Gurudevshri for bringing about an inner reform in seekers and leading them on the path of liberation. Bearing an unwavering fidelity for the Sadguru and His ajna, a devotee remains steadfast in his devotion for his Master in spite of difficulties. This characteristic was underscored in a stirring drama, ‘Aho Prabhu aur Aho Prabhuke Bhakt’ on the glory of Param Krupalu Dev and His devotees. The two performances won a standing ovation from the Master and left Him sobbing ceaselessly. ‘Jalkamalvat’, a profoundly poignant skit highlighted Param Krupalu Dev’s detached inner state amidst the external occasion of His marriage. A rousing skit ‘Jesal-Toral’ narrated how the company of Toral transformed dacoit Jesal as he confessed his sins to her, accepted her as his Guru and embraced the path of God. ‘Raj Leela’ a charming dance musical based on Param Krupalu Dev’s compositions reinforced Him in the young hearts.

An eager sevak of the Audio – Video department, Hridayarpit Bhavin Mehta, spoke expressively of the wonders the Master created in his life from a very young age by training him through seva and simple life lessons. Dr Alok Shah, a scientist, described his journey from a success-focussed upwardly mobile individual to a soul-focussed person with a higher goal who gladly moved from USA to India to concentrate on his inner pursuits under the loving guidance of Pujya Gurudevshri. Amid ecstatic screams of joy from the crowd, Pujya Gurudevshri affectionately bestowed the Youth Icon Award on Atmarpit Rajuji for his marvellous contribution in spreading the name and message of Param Krupalu Dev far and wide by serving as a Swadhyaykar in the Mission. The Best Performer Award was conferred upon Hridayarpit Aniruddh Mehta for his outstanding seva as a dependable and efficient support to Atmarpit Nemiji in the organising of the Master’s dharmayatras.

Members of the Yuvarpit, Jivanarpit and Hridayarpit Group were blessed to celebrate three festivals with their beloved Sadguru. Their faces beamed with joy as they spent gracious moments with the Master celebrating Uttarayan. As the kites flew high in the skies a spirit of hope engulfed their beings that the Sadguru would take them higher up in the spiritual skies. As they celebrated the colourful festival of Rangotsav with the compassionate Master, the audience was uplifted with the musical rendition of Kabirji’s composition, ‘Saheb Hai Rangrez’. As the youngsters came forward dancing to melodious tunes, the benevolent Sadguru dyed them in divine hues of devotion. The youth was also blessed to celebrate the festival of love – Valentine’s day with Pujya Gurudevshri. Through various enriching sessions on love a feeling of warmth and security was instilled in all present. As a perfect present of love and fond memory, the young seekers were gifted small bottles of sand from the beach which was sanctified by Pujya Gurudevshri’s divine touch.

The Rann witnessed the Sadguru flood the young hearts with vibrant shades of devotion. An unprecedented spiritual fervour gripped their minds and their beings experienced an unceasing flow of dedication. Having touched the lives of more than 900 youngsters the Master proceeded to the heritage desert city of Bhuj and visited Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. He endearingly worshipped the Tirthankars at Shri Vanki Tirth with a deeply connecting chaityavandan. Having elevated and transformed the lives numerous of thousands, the Master returned to Mumbai.

Having experienced extraordinary elevation and revolutionary transformation, the young hearts exclaim that we bow down to Our Dearest Sadgurudev for blessing us with unconditional love and infinite grace!