Remembering God Throughout The Day

Morning: Nitya Pooja


In Mansi Pooja or mental worship, the devotee imagines serving Maharaj as if He is before them, accepting all their offerings. It is a powerful spiritual practice that deepens our love for Maharaj. We perform Mansi Pooja five times per day.


First Mansi Pooja

It is early morning, and Maharaj is asleep in his palace. I arrive after bathing to wake him. I perform five full prostrations before him and sing a morning devotional song, humbly requesting him to awaken. Maharaj opens his eyes and gets up from his bed. He goes to the bathroom while I brush his teeth with a softened twig soaked in a mixture of cardamom and clove powder. Then, I bathe him with fragrant water and dry him with soft towels. I offer him a clean white dhoti, a shawl, and slippers for him to wear. Maharaj changes his clothes and proceeds to the kitchen for breakfast.

Maharaj sits on a beautiful throne covered with a velvety cloth. I place an ornate pedestal in front of him, adorned with a golden plate, bowl, spoons, and a cup. I offer him specially prepared milk with almonds, pistachios, saffron, and cardamom. Once he finishes eating, I wash his hands and face and then offer him water and a mouth freshener. I assist him in dressing in an elegant upper and lower garment, and I adorn his shoulders with a decorative cloth and his head with a turban. I place golden earrings in his ears, a garland of roses around his neck, bands around his wrists, rings on his fingers, and apply a sandalwood tilak with a red chandlo on his forehead. I seat him on a grand throne and perform his worship while waving a ghee lamp in front of him, concluding by joining my hands in a heartfelt prayer to him.


"Uttish to tishtha he Nath! Swaminarayana Prabho;

Dharmasuno Dayasindhoo, svesham shreya param kuru.

Uttish to tishtha Govinda! Uttishta Garuda Dhvaja;

Uttishta Kamalakanta trailokyae mangalam kuru.

Agachha Bhagavan dev, sva sthanat Permeshara;

aham puja kariyashmi, sada tvam sanmukho bhava."


"aparadh sahastrani kriyante ahornisha mayaa;

dasoy miti mammatva kshamashva Purushottama."

"sva-sthanam gaccha Devesha, puja madaya mamkim;

Ishta-kama prasi-dhyartham punarag-manaya cha."



English Mantra Translations



“Arise and stand up, O Lord! O Lord Swaminarayan; O ocean of compassion for the righteous, grant supreme welfare to your devotees. Arise and stand up, O Govinda! Rise, O Garuda-bannered Lord; Arise, O Kamalakanta (“Beloved of the Lotus”), and bring auspiciousness to the three worlds. Come, O divine Lord, from your abode, O Supreme Ruler; I perform worship, may you always be present before me."



“Thousands of offenses are committed by me day and night; O Supreme Personality, please forgive my sense of ownership and consider me your servant.”



“O Lord of Devas, return to your abode, do not worry about my worship; It is for the fulfillment of your desired goals and for obtaining your blessings once again.”


Breakfast

After completing Nitya Pooja and the first Mansi Pooja of the day, mentally offer your food to Maharaj and then eat breakfast.


Work

A person should practice maintaining the focus of their consciousness on the divine form of Bhagavan during all activities.


Vachanamrut, First Gadhada, 22.5 - Remember Bhagavan During All Activities

22.5 “If a person specifically attempts to engage themself in singing devotional songs, they may be able to focus their consciousness on Bhagavan alone. However, after they have completed singing devotional songs, if they do not keep their consciousness focused on Bhagavan while performing their daily duties, it will not remain steady on the divine form of Bhagavan even if they attempt to engage in singing devotional songs again. Therefore, a person should practice maintaining the focus of their consciousness on the divine form of Bhagavan while walking, eating, drinking, and during all other activities..."


Noon (Lunchtime) - Second Mansi Pooja

Later in the morning or in the early afternoon, the second Mansi Pooja is performed. Maharaj is dressed in regal garments, garlands, and jewelry as he sits on a divine throne. As lunchtime draws near, kindly request Maharaj to take a seat on a festive bench and provide Him with the most opulent fare, including baked, fried, boiled, and sweet delicacies. Keep in mind that everyone who is a devotee is watching Maharaj eat the food you have brought. After lunch, give Maharaj water and breath fresheners; he then goes to bed.


Afternoon - Third Mansi Pooja

In the late afternoon, at about four o'clock, the third Mansi Pooja is performed. Imagine waking up Maharaj and giving Him water to wash His face and rinse His mouth. He takes a few drinks of water before being given a variety of seasonal fruits. Prasad is distributed to all muktas. Imagine Maharaj with his followers taking a stroll through a garden or taking a dip in a river, depending on the season. Give flowers to Maharaj and experience His divine delight while doing so.


Late Afternoon (Dinner) - Fourth Mansi Pooja

Around dinnertime, the fourth Mansi Pooja takes place. Devotees are seated in front of Maharaj, who is enshrouded in glory and enthroned on a majestic throne. Imagine the Aarti being performed and the joyful celebration of the devotees. Imagine Maharaj giving his blessings upon the devotees at the end of the Aarti. Maharaj then sits down on a bench and enjoys his dinner. Imagine Maharaj drinking milk, and enjoying vegetables, and delicacies like Khichdi, Kadhi, and Bhakhari. After finishing his lunch, Maharaj accepts water and breath freshener.


Evening - Aarti of Shriji Maharaj (see the previous Aarti page)

The Aarti of Shriji Maharaj is a devotional ritual performed in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. The Aarti ceremony is typically performed in temples or at home altars, and it involves various devotional activities, including singing kirtans that express love and devotion towards Shriji Maharaj, waving a ghee lamp in front of the deity, and offering flowers, incense, and other items as a symbol of devotion.

The Aarti of Shriji Maharaj is not only a religious ritual but also a means of connecting with the divine and experiencing a sense of spiritual upliftment. It purifies the mind, awakens devotion, and fosters a deep connection with Shriji Maharaj, allowing devotees to experience his divine presence and grace.


Satsang

The Swaminarayan Sampradaya places considerable importance on Satsang. The Sanskrit word "Satsang" can be broken down into two parts: "Sat," which means truth or the divine, and "Sang," which means company or association. Satsang can be interpreted as being in the company of or associated with the divine or the truth.

A group of people assembles for a Satsang to engage in spiritual discussion, devotional singing, and the study of sacred texts. It gives followers the chance to fully immerse themselves in Bhagwan Swaminarayan's teachings and the tenets of their sampradaya. Satsang's primary goals are to promote spiritual development, arouse devotion, and fortify one's relationship with God.

A spiritual discourse is offered during a Satsang session by a knowledgeable and skilled person or a sadhu. The talk may touch on a variety of subjects, such as Bhagwan Swaminarayan's life and teachings, moral and ethical standards, philosophical tenets, or advice for living a good and moral life.

In addition to the spiritual discussion and devotional singing, Satsang includes the study of sacred texts. The devotees engage in the study of writings including the Vachanamrut, a collection of Bhagwan Swaminarayan's teachings, and other revered scriptures. Devotees gain a deeper comprehension of spiritual ideas and principles through the study sessions' systematic approach.

The Swaminarayan Sampradaya views Satsang as a critical component of spiritual practice where devotees can purify their minds, cultivate virtues, and advance on the path of spiritual enlightenment by regularly attending and actively participating. In addition to offering a sense of community and support, Satsang brings together devotees to exchange experiences, seek direction, and inspire one another.

In general, Satsang in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya serves as a way to nurture a righteous and virtuous way of life, as well as to cultivate a closer relationship with God.


Chesta (Lila’s) 

The devotees were in a state of sadness when the Lord departed his human body and returned to his heavenly abode (Akshardham). Both Acharyas went to older saints for comfort and begged them to inspire the devotees with courage.

Premanand Swami was given the task of creating a Kirtan by Gopalanand Swami, the person that Maharaj had trusted with the Acharyas. The Lord's everyday routine was then condensed into ten verses by Premanand Swami.

As the devotees sang these verses, the swami's moving remarks served to remind everyone of the Lord's actions in intricate detail, as if the Lord had never departed. We recite these verses daily to recall and reflect on the Lord's deeds and to advance spiritually every day.


Before Sleeping - Fifth Mansi Pooja

Before retiring to bed for the evening, perform the fifth and final Mansi Pooja. After receiving almond puri, laddu, and fresh milk, Maharaj sips some water before retiring to bed. Immerse yourself in the divine presence of Maharaj as you picture Him sleeping calmly in Akshardham. We must consistently execute all five Mansi Poojas with the utmost regard and dedication. You should never feel burdened by it. One must give both their body and intellect to Maharaj to achieve union with His divine form.