Kanha Shantivanam 22nd September 2023

It was an early start to the first day of the first batch of the Bhandara for Daaji’s 68th birthday celebrations. After rising early and getting ready, Daaji arrived at the meditation hall a few minutes before 9 AM and conducted Satsang from 8:58 AM to 9:36 AM. The approximate number of brothers and sisters present for the meditation at the hall was 6614.  After the Satsang, he met the ministerial delegation from the Fiji government in his office. A discussion on various future initiatives that could be taken forward in Fiji with the support of Heartfulness ensured and Daaji gave his direction in a number of areas where transformation could be brought about with Heartfulness intervention, which include rural prosperity, education, lifestyle improvement, etc.

The team accompanied him back to his house where he took them around the forest area developed at Gokul Point. They were given a first-hand experience of the hydroponics setup, innovative farming techniques, plant and tree cover, and other initiatives there. After spending time with the group over tea, Daaji took a group photograph with them and saw them off. He went to rest thereafter before the evening meditation.

Daaji arrived at the meditation hall in the evening and conducted the evening group meditation from 5:58 PM to 6:38 PM. There were a total of 9923 practitioners present. After the meditation, Daaji lovingly conveyed that a special reminder announcement be made that as per the instructions from the Hierarchy of Masters, besides the 68th birthday of Beloved Daaji, this bhandara was also the special celebration of the 96th Birth Anniversary celebration of Rev Chariji Maharaj.

Daaji left for home right after that and went for a walk. Upon receiving an update that the Fiji delegation was returning home that night, he instructed that they be dropped off at the airport in his own car. This was yet another glimpse into his perfect hospitality, concern, and affection for respected guests. He had dinner with a few visiting guests and after that, it was time for a read-aloud session with his granddaughter Devki. He sat on the swing with the little one and gently read aloud a story from his new book ‘Tales From The Puranas And Itihaas - Retold by Daaji’. After the story was over she went to sleep and he, too, retired for the day. It is indeed a blessing for all of us to be able to witness and learn from the life of the Master, and how to conduct our day-to-day lives with our families. The way he teaches us through minute details of his life - the perfect way to be in the Grihastha ashram and integrate material and spiritual aspects of existence, being an example for the next generations to follow - it is an invaluable blessing, something to be grateful for over and over again.