Johannesburg, South Africa (Saturday – 11/9/04 –8.30 p.m.)

Swami Bapa was having prasad. Balaks and kishores informed him that many balaks, balikas, kishoris, kishores and yuvaks had taken a niyam of not eating chocolate for one year until the mandir’s murti pratishtha.

Everyone present had now brought chocolate with them so that Swami Bapa would give them permission to stop the niyam and give prasad of chocolates.

One kishore began, “Bapa, now that Bhagwan has been consecrated in the mandir…,” then in a humourous tone he added, “after we took the niyam, we felt really miserable. We could hardly wait until you arrived, performed the pratishtha and free us from our niyam.” By saying this he wished to receive chocolate prasad from Swami Bapa personally.

However Swami Bapa said, “If you have observed this niyam for one year, what is the need to break it now?” Hearing this, everyone remained silent for a moment. Then on behalf of the kids, Mukeshbhai said, “The parents will be more troubled instead of the kids if they continue to follow the niyam.”

Swami Bapa remained firm. He said, “What’s the problem? Parents worry needlessly. In India parents even pressure children to eat eggs to become strong. But there’s no reason for doing this. Even chocolates contain eggs (non-vegetarian products). So what I am saying is that if they have observed this niyam for a year, what’s wrong with following it for a longer time with greater control?”

Vishal replied, “Since you have given agna, then from today we shall continue the niyam.”
“Really? Did you ask your mind?” inquired Swami Bapa.
“After your command, what’s the need to ask the mind?”
“Then you will still need to ask your mother and father?”
Vishal replied, “You are our mother and father.”
“Keep this firmness for life. If you need to, do convince your parents. In fact tell them that ‘since we can do without chocolate you too should avoid them.”
Vishal then informed Bapa about another kishore, “Sejal here has a niyam of mishtan (avoiding all sweet items).”

Swamishri replied benevolently, “Now the mandir is complete, so is your niyam.”
“Some took niyams of avoiding pizza,” added Vishal.

Swamishri advised, “Nobody knows what they use in commercial pizza. Therefore we always forbid it. However, it’s fine if you make them at home. Same for home-made chocolates, there’s no problem.”

Noting the chocolates in front of the kids, Swamishri then inquired, “Are these home-made?”

“Yes,” replied everybody.

“Then let Dr. Swami give them to you,” said Swamishri. He then requested prasad to be given to all who had taken niyams and to kishore-kishoris who did seva in the mandir and also blessed everybody.