Pragna 1-1 Pre-test 2017

[Describe 8 / Thoughts 4] In Faneni.

A. Shreeji Maharaj travelled from Jetalpur to Faneni. The devotees grandly welcomed Ramanand Swami, Sahajanand Swami, and the other santos. Everyone was staying at the house of Ramji Soni. Everyone had come for lunch, but nobody was leaving therefore Ramanand Swami said, "The sabha will be in the evening, come then." Santos and devotees attended the evening sabha. Ramanand Swami stated, "Varni has rid everyone's sorrows. My work has now come to an end. Previously, Shri Krishna came and left after completing his mission. Nobody has remained continuously on this Earth, this is mrutyulok. Likewise, I will now leave this body. I am leaving Varni here for all of your wellbeing." Thoughts: Great people (Maha purush) have no ties to this world. They do not abandon their devotees, instead, leave them in the care of a true guru. Just Pramukh Swami gave us the gift of Mahant Swami.

[Describe 8 / Thoughts 4] Shri Hari was welcomed as the groom.

A. The wedding of Devbai, Natha Bhakta of Mankuva's daughter, was arranged. She became stubborn, and proclaimed that she will only get married if Shri Hari comes with her. Everyone tried to make her understand, but she would not budge. Her mother had welcomed the groom and done pujan. She had the darshan of Maharaj four times, she got nervous and began to see the actual groom again. But then, a little while later, had the darshan of Maharaj again. She quickly finished the rituals and rushed back to Devbai, proclaiming, "God himself as come as the groom, so now please let go of your stubbornness." Hearing this, she was prepared to go get married. Thoughts: Many times, devotees of God are stubborn. God and the Sant strive to fulfill their wishes no matter the circumstance.

[Complete Quotations] Just as ones mind ........ God and his Sant.

Just as one's mind is polluted by association with the immoral, association with God or his Sant purifies one's mind. Even if one's mind is polluted, it is purified by listening to the words of God ad his Sant. (Gadhadā I-18)

[Essay] Gita - Adhyay 4: Divine birth and actions.

(Swaminarayan Prakash (Gujarati) May 2017, pp. 4 to 7, 43)

[Essay] Upanishads on the human form of Akshabrahman.

(Swaminarayan Prakash (Gujarati) October 2011, pp. 5 to 7, 23)

[Essay] Satsang with Pragat Brahmaswarup Mahant Swami in Chicago.

(Swaminarayan Prakash (Gujarati) September 2017, pp. 43 to 45)

[One Sentence] Whose form is the mantra considered to be?

A mantra is regarded as God's form. (Ch 3: Nitya Puja II)

[2 Incidents x 5 Lines] A promoter of devotion: Ghanshyam as a child (Only incidents of 'Ghanshyam Given Sacred Thread').

A. After his head shaving ceremony, Ghanshyam went to take a bath. Suvasini bhabhi was bathing him when Ghanshyam held her arms and said I'm not going to let go. Suvasini bhabhi replied, "Let go of my arms, how can you be brahmchari and touch women." Ghanshyam immediately let go because he believed in staunch ekantik dharma. B. Whatever Ghanshyam did was with discipline and to preserve ekantik dharma. After his janoi vidhi he went out to beg for alms and decided to go to Kashi for further studies. At that time he knew that in Bhadra, Aksharbrahma Mulji was singing songs of the sacred janoi ceremony with his mother. In his mind, he knew he was bound to the west in order to vanquish the adharma.

[In 30 lines] Ghanshyam fulfilled the wishes of his relatives (Only incidents from 'Birth of Ghanshyam and Childhood' to 'In the Righteous Land of Ayodhya').

A. God came onto this Earth to fulfill the wishes of devotees. In the naming ceremony of Ghanshyam, Markandey Muni came and wished to immediately meet God which was fulfilled. B. He held back his greatness and let Dharmadev and Bhaktimata have the joy of raising him as their son. Many friends and relatives also came to play with him. C. During his earring piercing, Bhaktimata held Ghashyam's ear. A devotee has the right to hold God's ear. As he was growing up, Bhaktimata and her friends began to teach him how to speak. When he began crawling, Bhaktimata would come and pick him up. In this manner he accepted their bhakti. D. Suvasini bhabhi took care of Ghanshyam as if he were her own child. Due to his dark complexion, she referred to him as Ghanshyam. She would feed him whatever he wanted and accept her bhakti. E. Once when Dharmadev was doing mansi and tried thinking of God, he was unable to visualize the murti. Instead, he kept seeing Ghanshyam. He thought to himself, "This is a result of my love towards for my son." After, Ghanshyam went to the farm and put the sparrows in a trance. F. After arriving in Ayodhya he became unhappy with worldly affairs. He would spend the entire day doing bhajan bhakti at the mandir. Seeing this, his parents became worrisome. Ghanshyam thought to himself, "I came to give them happiness therefore I cannot remain in this unhappy state." G. Other Prasangs: 6 of 11 a. Suvasini bhabhi and the ring.

[In 30 lines] Divinity shown by Shri Sahajanand Swami after appointed as the head of the Sampradaya (Only incidents from 'Assembly in Manavadar' to 'Bochasan: Shri Hari's Goal).

A. In the town of Manavadar Shriji Maharaj celebrated Janmashtami. He gave everyone agna to do nirjala upvas, and they sang devotional songs till the next morning. Shriji Maharaj taught devotees how to control their indriyas in such a manner. B. Manavadar's Nawab came to do darshan of Maharaj. He asked him lots of question and every question Maharaj answered back to his satisfaction. C. To feed Maharaj, two darbars who were brothers from Panchala and Manubha arrived. A person by the name of Ambaram said "We are jiva and you are Bhagwan, we have such a difference that we aren't able to see you in your true form." Then Maharaj graciously put him into samadhi. In samadhi he saw Maharaj seated on a grand sinhasan surrounded by countless devotees. D. In Dangar, Khima Patel's house had a swing on which he wished Maharaj would sit. Maharaj fulfilled his wish. E. Maharaj arrived at Gadadha for the first time at the banks of river Ghela. He sat there alone while kids were playing around the area and put them all into samadhi, giving them the darshan of Akshardham. People were astonished and began to gather around the area, therefore Maharaj woke the kids up from samadhi. F. Maharaj stayed in Memka for 3-4 days then left for Bochasan. Maharaj instructed Mulji Sheth, Hansraj Suthar, and Shyamo Patel to leave their village. 20 days later their village was attacked and robbed by a gang of bawas. G. Bapubhai of Vartal wished to see the 16 signs on the feet of God, which Maharaj showed him through samadhi.

[Incidents / Personality] Govardhanbhai of Mangrol (Incidents only from 'ln the Lovely Region of Saurashtra' to 'Prohibition on Consecrating Murtis of Ram, Lakshman and Janki').

A. Nilkanth Varni had arrived in the town called Mangrol, where he met a devotee named Gordhanbhai pujari. During that time there was an occasion for the pujari's foi in which he saw Varni sitting and offered him some sweets from the occasion. Nilkanth Varni said I cannot eat it because your foi is in hell. He put Gordhanbhai in samadhi and showed that she had stolen gold form Ramanand Swami and never returned it. He pleaded to Varni to free her, so with the help of Akshar Muktos they freed Gordhanbhai Pujari's foi and sent her to Badrikashram to repent for her sins, and after she will be born into satsang. Personality: After this incidence Gordhanbhai's faith in Maharaj never flinched ever again. Whenever He asked him to do anything he obeyed every agna.

[2 Incidents x 5 Lines] On the way to Pulhashram (Only incidents from 'In Nepal').

A. On the way from Muktinath to Pulhashram he met a person named Himalay. He had come to serve Nilkanth Varni and show him the path to Pulhashram. B. On the way Varni also met another sadhu by the name of Mohandas. He was meditating when he saw Varni and was deeply touched by seeing Nilkanth Varni. Therefore, he asked if he can stay with him and guide him through the dense jungle. After traveling he soon developed love for his gourd. Varni, being antaryami, smashed the gourd and told him "While trying to understand God's form, if you keep your mind attached to worldly objects then you will never be able to understand god's true form." C. Additional prasangs: a. Darshan to Suryadev b. Darshan to 500 bawas c. Advice to the King of Butolnagar and Queen Mayarani

[Describe 8 / Thoughts 4] Godliness is not dependent on miraculous powers.

A. Once Maharaj went to Dudhi Talavadi in Mangrol for a bath. He was accompanied by many devotees including Ramachandra Sheth. All of them were bathing and chanting the Narayan mantra. Surveying the area, Ramachandra Sheth noticed that there was space for Maharaj to bathe, but no large slab to wash clothes. He spotted a large, heavy stone in the distance. He wished to see a miracle and requested Maharaj to transport the stone. Maharaj told him to touch the stone himself and it would follow him and settle down wherever he wanted it placed. Ramchandra Sheth did as Maharaj said and the rock was placed exactly where he wished. He came and bowed at the feet of Maharaj. Thoughts: Don't believe in God because of miracles/tricks, even a magician can perform such acts. True miracles are those that transform ignorant souls, ridding their flaws, and helping them surpass the wrath of maya.

[Describe 8 / Thoughts 4] At Khima Patel's house in Dangra.

A. One day, Shri Hari was staying at Khima Patel's house in Dangra. Khima Patel had a swing under a pipal tree on which he wished Maharaj would swing. To fulfill his wish, Maharaj came to Khima Patel's house after his morning bath and immediately went straight to the swing and sat down on it. Maharaj then told Khima Patel, "I have fulfilled my wish of swinging." Khima Patel replied, "Maharaj, you have no wishes. You do all this to fulfill our wishes." Hearing this, Maharaj stated, "I always wish to fulfill the wishes of devotees, that is why I have taken birth on this earth." Thoughts: Shri Hari is omniscient. He only thinks about his devotees and nothing else. According to Kariyani 5, the only reason God assumes an avatar is to fulfill the desires of his beloved devotees.

[2 Incidents x 5 Lines] Shri Hari's facial attraction.

A. Shriji Maharaj left Mangrol for Mooli where he bathed in the Bhagwati River. He asked a devotee at that time by the name of Harji Khatri that show him a house where he can stay. Right as he saw Maharaj's face he was shocked and deeply engrossed in the divinity. At that moment he requested Maharaj to stay at his home and served him. B. Nityanand Swami (Dinmani Childhood name), sought to seek sarvopari bhagwan and came to meet Shriji Maharaj. As soon as he saw Maharaj's face he was convinced that he is the sarvopari bhagwan. At the village of Meghpur he received diksha and became Nityanand Swami.

[Describe / Thoughts] In Agatrai (Umiyashankar learns about Shri Hari's form).

A. To help devotees understand his true form, Shreeji Maharaj travelled from village to village. There was a Brahmin named Umiyashankar who believed that Shreeji Maharaj was just a magician performing tricks. He went to a sabha to see for himself. Just by seeing Maharaj he began reciting shlokas about the greatness of God which caused one of the devotees in the sabha to go into samadhi. Maharaj states, "Due to your recitation of the shlokas, a devotee has gone into samadhi." Hearing this Umiyashankar folded his hands and pleaded, "Maharaj, I have recited these shlokas many a times and yet nobody has ever gone into samadhi. This is due to your powers and greatness, there is some magic in your eyes." Thereafter, the devotee who was in samadhi awoke and described seeing Mahraj as God. This clarified any misconceptions in the mind of Umiyashankar and helped him realize the true form and knowledge of Maharaj. Thoughts: Shreeji Maharaj ventured to find devotees and lead them onto the path of salvation. Umiyashankar was a fortunate soul, Maharaj revealed his true form and guided him onto the right path.

[In 30 lines] Fearlessness of Nilkanth Varni (Only incidents from 'In Jagannathpuri' to 'In the Pilgrim Place of Lojpur').

A. When Varni came to Manaspur he stayed at a garden inhibited by a gang of halfdressed bawas. Once the king asked for a shaligram from the bawas but the mahant of the bawas refused. On the second day they refused to give one to Jaiyaram. On the third day Varni threw all the shaligrams into the river which maddened the mahant of the bawas. They began to throw rocks at Varni, but he sat fearlessly and was not even touched by a single rock. B. When Nilkanth Varni was traveling to Bhutpuri, the path was very dangerous. It included such a dense forest in which not even sun's rays were able to hit the path. Yet Nilkanth Varni walked alone and fearlessly through the forest. C. Varni reached Totadri in which he met Jeer Swami and learned about the Ramanuj scripture. He also boldly explained to Jeer Swami the meaning of being a true renunciant is one who renounces both women and wealth. D. From Surat, Varni left for Ashvinikumar at which he faced a flooded/overflowing Taapi river. Others warned him not to enter, but he merely looked up at the sky and laughed, then plunged into the river and crossed it with ease as if he were casually walking across on the water. E. Nilkanth Varni reached Shikaaner Vadgaam. There he taught many people about their dharma and duty as Hindus. After doing so, all the people got attached to Varni and wanted him to stay. They tried persuading him by saying the roads were unsafe and flooded, etc. Still, Varni was determined and continued on to Vaaspur.

[Write Concisely 4-5] According to Vachanamrut Gadhada I 21, which conviction should all of our satsangis develop?

All of our satsangis should develop the following singular conviction: 'We also wish to join the ranks of the aksharrup muktas and go to Akshardhām to forever remain in the service of God. We have no desire for the temporary and vain worldly pleasures; nor do we wish to be tempted by them in any way.' Keeping such a firm conviction, one should offer ekāntik bhakti to God. (Gadhada 1-21)

[Example / Principle 4-5] Example of a horse.

Example: In society, a person with one horse is considered to be greater than someone with no horses at all; whereas a person with five horses is considered to be greater than someone with only one horse. In this way, the wealthier a person is, the greater he is considered to be in society. (Gadhada I-27) Principle: However, such a person is not great in the spiritual realm. God eternally resides in the heart of such a devotee that possesses countless noble virtues such as gnān, bhakti, vairāgya, etc. Consequently, by the grace of God, that devotee attains countless types of powers and liberates countless beings. Despite these powers, though, he tolerates the praises and insults of other people. This itself is also a great feat, because to tolerate despite being so powerful is not easy for others to achieve. Therefore, one who tolerates in this manner should be considered to be extremely great.

[Example / Principle 4-5] Never remember the objects one has renounced, like faeces once excreted.

Example: Once we excrete out feaces we do not remember them again. We instantly forget them. (Gadhada I-47) Principle: In Vachanamrut Gadhada I-47, Maharaj states that a devotee in whom firmness in vairāgya is predominant has a persistent dislike for all worldly objects, but not towards God's form. Realising those objects to be asatya, he never remembers his home, his family or other objects that he has renounced - in the same way that he never remembers feces once they have been excreted.

[One Sentence] According to Vachanamrut Gadhada I 68, what has God himself said?

God himself as said, "I forever reside in the eight types of murtis and in the Sant." (Gadadha I-68)

[One Sentence] What should one do to increasingly understand the profound glory of God?

In order to increasingly understand the profound glory of God, one must constantly remain in the company of the true Sadhu. (Gadadha I-21)

[Write Concisely 10] What are the advantages of dandvat pranam?

In the dandvat pranam, three yogic postures are involved: namaskaram, prasaranasan, and bhujangasan. These help relieve backache and increase the flexibility of the spinal column. It also increases the efficiency of the pancreas and adrenals and helps prevent diabetes along with aiding in the maintenance of an internal equilibrium. By doing dandvat pranam, one's ego diminishes. Subsequently one's anger also lessens gradually. The ultimate aim is to remove ego completely. Dandvat pranam helps to achieve this and will result in mental peace as well as gaining physical benefits. (Ch 3: Nitya Puja II)

[One Sentence] According to Vachanamrut Gadhada I 37, what is extremely difficult to forget?

It is extremely difficult to forget one's native place and relatives.

[Complete Quotations] It is to liberate the jivas ........ to have been eradicated.

It is to liberate the jivas and to allow those jivas to offer the nine types of bhakti to him that that God - who has a luminous and divine form - becomes like a human out of compassion, always doing so with all of his strength, divine powers and attendants. Even then, those who realize this esoteric truth understand the human form of God on this earth as being exactly the same as the form of God residing in Akshardhãm - they do not feel that there is even a slight difference between that form and this form. One who has known God in this way can be said to have known God perfectly. For him, mãyã can be said to have been eradicated. (Panchala 7)

[Incidents / Personality] Magniram (Advaitanand) (Only incidents from 'Shri Hari's Powers Revealed Through Samadhi').

Magniram was a very pious brahmin. After traveling around India to find a guru he arrived in Bengal where he heard a king by the name of Pipa had summoned Shaarda Devi and seeked to become his disciple. To test Magniram, Pipa had sent his daughter to get 9 of 11 married with Magniram, but Magniram kindly refused and said I am here to follow Brahmacharya. Soon after he fell into some evil company and learned some black magic, thereby forgetting his spiritual life/path. He used this black magic to scare people and disturb the peaceful life of religious people. In Mangrol he came across Nilkanth Varni whom he had tried to scare. The devi that he believed in, appeared and told him if you want moksha bow to him soon. After he realized his mistake and bowed to Nilkanth Varni and on the second day he came back and got diksha and was named Advaitanand Swami. Personality: He followed extreme celibacy. Even though he had fell into bad company, Varni uplifted him and showed him the true gnan, by eradicating his ego and by making him a paramhansa.

[Short Notes 15-20] What is nitya puja? Why is it performed?

Nitya means daily. Puja in Sanskrit means to adore, to worship. Puja is to worship God. Therefore Paramatma's Puja performed every day is known as nitya-puja. Paramatma's blessings on us are countless. We are greatly indebted to Him. Simultaneously, the Guru's obligations on us are also unpayable, for he shows us the true ideals and continually infuses strength to walk that path. Over a period of time we tend to forget the debt of Paramatma and the Guru, and this decelerates our spiritual uplift. To prevent this, it behooves upon us to be ever vigilant. The daily performance of puja of the murti or portrait of Paramatma and the Guru is Nitya-Puja. It is a blissful encounter, a meeting with God and Guru. In comparison to their profound grace on us, Nitya-Puja is our way of returning love and gratitude, no matter how petty and insignificant. (Ch 2: Nitya Puja I)

[Complete Quotations] No distance remains ........ my varna or ashram.

No distance remains between PurushottamBhagwãn and a person who has cultivated such qualities of a sadhu. Everything else may be possible, but to cultivate such qualities of a sadhu is extremely difficult. In fact, I am such a sadhu, because I do not have even the slightest vanity of my varna or ashram. (Gadhada I-44)

[One Sentence] Like what should one not perceive the manifest form of Purushottam Narayan?

One should not perceive any type of imperfections in that form - it is like a murti made of sākar. (Panchala 7)

[Short Answers 4-5] What should we do in dhyan(meditation)?

One should think about the atma and one's true identity in the following way: " I am atma, separate from the body. Shriji Maharaj constantly resides in my atma. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the embodiment of Akshar Brahman, is my atma." One should then internally vocalize the goal of one's life to become Aksharrup and serve Purushottam. In mansi puja (mental visualization), one can perform shodupchar puja of God and the Sant. (Ch 2: Nitya Puja I)

[Reference / Explanation 3-4] Zamkuba of Udaipur, who had firm atma-realization, hid in the skeleton of a camel for three days.

Reference 1: A devotee in whom ātmā-realisation is predominant always behaves as the ātmā, which transcends the three bodies and the three states, and is characterised by eternal existence. He understands his Ishtadev as all-transcending, extremely pure, and forever possessing a divine form (Gadhada I-47). B. Reference 2: The three bodies - sthul, sukshma and kāran - and the three states - waking, dream and deep sleep - are the kshetra. Such a person realises that kshetra to be distinct from his own ātmā. (Panchala 3) Explanation: Zambuka believed herself to be the atma, therefore when the king's soldiers came searching for her she hid in the carcass of a camel for three days. She was determined to go meet Maharaj and therefore was indifferent to the smell and decay of the dead camel.

[Reference / Explanation 3-4] The executive who administered the state of Vadodara was considered to possess blunt intellect, whereas Sagram, who belonged to the lower caste was considered to possess sharp intellect.

Reference: A person who safeguards his liberation, even though he may possess only a limited intellect, should be considered to have a sharp intellect. On the other hand, a person who, even though possessing a sharp intellect, pays more attention to worldly affairs should be considered to possess a blunt intellect. (Gadadha I-50) Explanation: Sagram Vaghri was not educated yet he believed Shreeji Maharaj to be God and attained liberation therefore is said to have sharp intellect. On the other hand, the executive administrator of Vadodara was deemed to be intellectual as he dealt with affairs of the kingdom. But he did not have any knowledge of liberation and plotted to kill Maharaj, therefore possessing a blunt intellect.

[Reference / Explanation 3-4] Harbai and Valbai acted against the norms of dharma. Therefore, they were excommunicated from Satsang.

Reference: If a person's finger is bitten by a snake, or if it develops gangrene, and if the affected part is immediately removed, then the rest of the body remains healthy. But if it is not removed, much harm results. Similarly, if a person is recognised as evil, you should immediately shun him. (Gadhada I-18) Explanation: Harbai and Valbai were initially good Satsangis, but they started going against niyam dharma. Maharaj excommunicated them because they would have potentially made several other satsangis fall out of satsang and ruin their liberation as well.

[Reference / Explanation 3-4] Kathi Darbars who went to the Charotar region, believed yellow berries(rayan) to be sweet neem fruit (limboli).

Reference: When a foolish person looks at that manifest form of God with a māyik vision, he perceives a human like himself. Also, just as he himself is born, becomes a child, becomes a youth, becomes old and dies, in the same way, he believes God to undergo the same process. (Panchala 7). Explanation: Just like the Kathi Darbars who went to the Charotar region, believed yellow berries(rayan) to be sweet neem fruit (limboli) even after eating it, a foolish person experiences the manifest form of God and yet still views Him to be like us. God lives within us, and despite seeing his leelas a foolish person still perceives God to be a human like himself.

[One Sentence] Which two names are included in the Swaminarayan mantra?

Swami and Narayan, Swami represents Mul Akshar Gunatitanand Swami and Narayan represents Shreeji Maharaj. (Ch 3: Nitya Puja II)

[One Sentence] Why is money donated while taking arti?

The Arti's jyot becomes divine by being waved over the divine form of God. To offer this respect towards the form of God, the bhakta donates money. (Ch 4: Arti)

[Write Concisely 4-5] What causes disturbances within the hearts of God's devotees?

The five indriyas are the causes of disturbance within the hearts of God's devotees. However, if the objects of indulgence of just one of the five indriyas is impure, the antahkaran will also become impure. Therefore, the sole cause of any disturbance experienced by a devotee of God during worship is the vishays of the five indriyas, not the antahkaran. (Gadadha I-18)

[Write Concisely 4-5] What are the causes of the development of a nastik attitude?

The sole cause of the development of such a nāstik attitude is listening to the scriptures of nāstiks and keeping the company of one who has faith in those scriptures. Furthermore, lust, anger, avarice, arrogance, egotism and jealousy also cause such a nāstik attitude to develop. (Gadadha I-68)

[Short Answers 4-5] Write in detail about rajasi food.

There are 6 types of rasa food tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour (acidic), hot (spicy), and bland. In addition, foods which are hot in temperature, fried, baked, boiled, spiced, which cause burning, watering and tingling sensation in the mouth, induce unquenchable thirst, and those which cause pain, depression and incite one's passion are all Rajasi foods. (Ch 12: Diet Purity)

[Write Concisely 10] What are the steps in the progress of a child?

There are several aspects related to the progress of a child: Physical growth, intellectual growth, mental growth, psychosocial growth, moral growth, and spiritual growth. While the body's growth is an extrinsic factor, a child's intrinsic growth depends on the balance between his intellect and feelings. When the child develops faith in God, understands the importance of morality and the feelings of others, then these factors will influence his inner development. In addition to his intellectual progress, these aspects are just as important. This inner education is possible through parental guidance and associations with sadhus. (Ch 11: Child Development)

[Write Concisely 4-5] According to Vachanamrut Panchala 3, why is a devotee possessing jnan superior to all?

Those who possess gnān in this manner attain ātmā-realisation and develop love for God. Such a person realises that kshetra to be distinct from his own ātmā. Understanding this firmly, he who develops vairāgya towards everything else and offers bhakti to God while observing swadharma is known to possess ekāntik bhakti and gnān. Such a devotee possessing gnān is superior to all. (Panchala 3)

[One Sentence] Which series is nityapuja, instructed by Shriji Maharaj, considered to be a part of?

To become eligible to worship Purushottam and attain His grace, the bhakta has to attain purity in mind and body. (Ch 2: Nitya Puja I)

[Short Answers 4-5] Why is mala-kanthi worn around the neck?

To maintain the purity of a mala used for mantra chanting, it is ideally placed in a cloth bag called a gaumukhi. But in the gaumukhi's absence, the mala is worn around the neck rather than carrying it in one's pocket. Some health benefits according to Ayurved: If the beads are made of Tulsi, Sandlewood, or Rudraksh plants/trees can radiate medicinal properties in the neck region. (Ch 2: Nitya Puja I)

[One Sentence] Write the invocation(ahvan) mantra for nityapuja.

Uttishtothishtha hey nath, Swaminarayan Prabho Dharmasuno dayasindho swesham shreyaha param kuru Agachha Bhagwan deva, swasthanat Parameshwara, Aham pujam karishyami sada twam sanmukho bhava (Ch 2: Nitya Puja I)

[Short Notes 15-20] What is the significance of doing murtipuja of God?

the Bhakti scriptures of Hinduism, there is only one creator of infinite cosmos, who is supreme, the all-doer, eternally divine, and eternally with (human) form. There are infinite souls all bound by the ignorance of Maya. For mukti- redemption from Maya, the Jivas best and only way is to accept surrenderance at the feet of Paramatma, and to then serve and offer humble devotion to Him. Bhakti (devotion) remains the status quo before and after redemption. In other words, bhakti becomes the means and the goal. This devotion and service is amenable only if Paramatma is manifesting on Earth. The all-merciful Paramatma incarnates on the Earth for his devotees. During this period, the bhaktas get a chance to offer devotion but what happens when He physically leaves this world? He then manifests Himself through His murti. This murti is not a symbol, nor is it a medium to focus on devotees' attention. But it is to be revered as Paramatma Himself. The Vedas proclaim Paramatma's form to be beyond mind and speech. To facilitate bhakti, Paramatma assumes the form of a murti. By focusing the mind and senses in His devotion, worldly desires are easily subdued. The uniqueness of murtipuja of God is that, through this medium, the bhakta experiences the bliss resulting from serving Him wherein the mind is stilled in Him, thus liberating the bhakta from vitiating influences of his baser instincts. (Ch 1: Puja)