Sadhu Vaswani’s Golden Mahayagna (50th Anniversary) 2016

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Prabhat Pheri / Deepak Yatra / Sevas & Satsangs mark the special 50th Anniversary observed at Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Pune

The 50th Mahayagna (Anniversary) of Sadhu Vaswani started right from the New Year, with daily prayer meetings at the Sacred Samadhi of Sadhu Vaswani from January 1 to 16, from 12 to 1 PM.  The sessions included a special performance by acclaimed American vocalist Krishna Das, who took time out of his concert tour, to visit Pune and perform at the sacred 50th occasion. The settings of the satsangs were in open settings in nature, under the trees and open skies, similar to the ones at the ashramas of the rishes of ancient India.

On 15th January 2016, a youth event, Sounds of Silence brought out the healing power of silence and the importance of silence in one’s life.  Sadhu Vaswani was a man of silenceA Bal Mela (Fun Fair) was also held where 1850 children, including differently-abled ones, had fun and frolic with meals, games and goodies.

16th January, the date when Sadhu Vaswani breathed his last, commenced at dawn with a ‘Prabhat Pheri’,. The procession began at 5:30AM in the dark hours of the dawn from the Shrine (Sacred Samadhi) of Sadhu Vaswani. Hundreds of devotees, from various parts of the world along with school children from St. Mira’s schools participated in this procession, singing and chanting the name of the Lord through the streets.

Later, the spiritually charged devotees took refreshments and continued their endeavor by congregating at Sadhu Vaswani’s Sacred Kutiya for next session from 8 am to 9 am, which marks the time Sadhu Vaswani dropped the physical body at 8:22AM. The congregation observed a few minutes of silence to pay homage to Sadhu Vaswani followed by a recorded message in his voice.

The entire day was witness to several forms of seva. The aura filled with prayer and devotion permeated the environment of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, flowing into the horde of devotees who had congregated for the evening satsang.

The ensuing bhajans and kirtan were seeped in sweet and sublime supplication. In his taped message, Sadhu Vaswani reminded us that we have to also collect the treasure of Ram Ratan but we throw away the precious treasure and are running after worldly wealth. We strive hard to earn worldly wealth and call ourselves rich but it is of no use to you when your end comes. Name Divine is the only jewel which will help you at the end.

Dada J. P. Vaswani in his touching speech said, “Saints come as mere human beings and live like common men but they are divine from head to toe. They act like common persons but come with true treasures of the spirit, to help us realize the importance of the human birth.  Alas, abandoning these treasures we run after pebbles not realizing that when we die we will leave every penny behind.  The purpose for which we have been given the human birth is to collect true treasures. Drawing from the life & teachings of Sadhu Vaswani, Dada spoke on 5 spiritual treasures: humility, longing for the Lord, gratitude in every situation, silence and service. We are not born to be happy, but to make others happy.

On 17th January Sadhu Vaswani’s Mahayagna was observed with more service and prayer programs. 24 handicapped people were brought in from Pune and given artificial limbs at the hands of Rev. Dada. Widowed families were given rations.

50 years ago, on January 17, the funeral pyre of Sadhu Vaswani was lit at 5.30 pm in Pune at the place where his Sacred Samadhi stands today.  At the same hour of 5.30 pm, Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani offered a touching prayer at the Sacred Samadhi. The atmosphere brought back the memory of the Great Master – Sadhu Vaswani.  “Years have passed on but we are still the same. Dear Lord, in your grace, make us new,” was the poignant prayer by Rev. Dada offered on behalf of the gathering. The holy remains of Sadhu Vaswani are enshrined in the Sacred Samadhi (Shrine).

The prayer was followed by a procession of lights (Deepak Yatra) to the Sadhu Vaswani Chowk, the traffic circle where a bronze life-like statue of Sadhu Vaswani stands tall with words inscribed to the passers-by: ‘Children of the Earth, Ye all are One’.

In the evening, students of St Mira’s Schools and College enacted scenes from the life of Sadhu Vaswani. They depicted through the incidents of his life how Sadhu Vaswani served the poor sacrificing his all for the Lord.

The blessed evening ended in a special way with devotees holding earthen lamps (diyas) and performing the ‘aarti’ at the Sacred Samadhi.

Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani said, “Sadhu Vaswani did not seek fame and greatness. He lived a hidden life in the Hidden God, and sought to walk the “little” way, serving suffering humanity and giving the love of his pure heart to all of God’s creation. But the world remembers him with deep gratitude and honours his memory as befits a great soul. His grace continues to flow, and it may be received by all sincere souls who turn to him for help and guidance.”