The Elevating Ashram Sthapnadin Shibir 2018

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The cool winds of spirituality brought solace to seekers burning in the heat of worldliness as they gathered at the Asham for the eagerly awaited Ashram Sthapnadin Shibir from Thursday, 29th March 2018 to Sunday, 1st April 2018. The 4 – day spiritual extravaganza in the august presence of Pujya Gurudevshri drenched seekers in heavy showers of divine grace through insightful discourses, soulful bhakti and inspiring presentations.

The auspicious day of Mahavir Jayanti marked the 17th anniversary of the commencement of Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram Dharampur. On this glorious morning Pujya Gurudevshri and sevaks of the Mission performed the holy dhvajarohan ceremony at the Ashram’s present Jinmandir. Devotees immersed in devotional jinbhakti followed by elevating chaityavandan. The event was enhanced by ajivan brahmacharya vrat taken by a few blessed seekers. Thereafter a Vishwakalyan Abhishek Anushthan, designed to spread love to all beings in the entire universe and put into action Lord Mahavir’s philosophy of Ahimsa, was performed by renowned devotional singer Shri Nilesh Ranawat.

The 6 discourses on the sacred text Shri Adhyatmakalpadrum by Pujya Gurudevshri nurtured seekers showing them the true path to inner bliss. The Sadguru elucidated that only by recognising the true temporal nature of the world can the transformation from attachment to equanimity take place.

The first evening of the shibir was adorned with a Seva awards ceremony, celebrating individuals and organisations that have supported the Mission through selfless service or through financial means. Core team members, Premarpit Deepakbhai Chitalia, Sarvarpit Jignesh Shah and Sarvarpit Kamal Mehta received surprise Seva awards for their selfless and ever-enthusiastic seva in the Ashram’s Sadguru Prerna project.

On the second evening, devotees watched the film, “Hare Krishna” based on the life of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the founder perceptor of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness ( ISKCON). The director and producer of the film Shri Yadubara Das conducted a heart-touching kirtan bhakti prior to the screening of the film leading everyone deeper into devotion.

On the final evening of the mega shibir, the story of Danveer Sheth Jagdusha, was portrayed through a captivating drama. A devout Jain shravak known for his generosity, he has inspired seekers to perform selfless charity.

As a tribute to Bhagwan Mahavir’s principle of non-violence, 501 animals were saved from slaughterhouses. After the final pravachan of the shibir, Pujya Gurudevshri lovingly bid farewell to all present as He would embark for a Dharmayatra to Gujarat.

Tears flowed and heads bowed in gratitude to the compassionate Sadguru who constantly endeavours to lead us to our destination of everlasting bliss.