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National
Bal-Balika Convention, Orlando, USA |
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During the first full day of the Bal-Balika National Convention, delegates explored the theme, "Vicharan Around the World." Before Swamishri arrived in the morning session, saints described the uniqueness of Swamishri's worldwide and continuous vicharan, and discussed in detail Swamishri's busy daily routine within that vicharan. Throughout the morning assembly, Swamishri gave divine memories to all balaks and balikas present. First, balaks and saints played a game of musical chairs in Swamishri's presence in which all those who lost the game were required to take extra niyams. Swamishri also took a "Walk Down Memory Lane," in which he was shown several pictures of himself; saints; and devotees, and was asked to describe the incidents related to each picture.
Rath Yatra is a famous
religious festival during which murtis are taken out in a chariot
procession throughout the town. Symbolically, this festival maintains
that God is the charioteer and the devotee the rider, as it is God
who helps the devotee transcend the cycles of births and deaths. Balaks
and balikas, during this evening, celebrated this festival keeping
its significance in mind.
Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and Swamishri entered the Rath Yatra assembly in a rath, after which the evening program was about how Swamishri is the ideal charioteer because of his love and compassion. Balaks showed that Swamishri is always willing to make time for them, and saints relayed prasangs of how Swamishri touched their hearts when they were children. Swamishri personally expressed his affection for the children by playing a game with them called "Swami's Ruchi"; and by saying, "I love you all," during his evening blessings to the assembly. Swamishri also celebrated the Rath Yatra festival by giving Shri Harikrishna Maharaj a ride on a remote-controlled rath, and guiding a blimp that would symbolically take the balaks and balikas to Akshardham. |
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