PREFACE

We feel great pleasure in offering this small book to our young readers under the title 'Bapashri - As Experienced By Kids' with blessings and best wishes of the most compassionate respected Sadguruvarya Anadimukta Param Pujya Shri Narayanbhai. Generally, the mind of an average child is clean and clear like a mirror. At this stage, whatever is projected on their minds, is engraved permanently. Therefore, they should be exposed to the ideal literature which could mould their lives in best possible ways.

Muktaraj Shri Narayanbhai was very fond of kids. It was his heartful desire to awaken the spiritual awareness of the children and to raise noble and virtuous future generation which can set an example for others to follow. He always used to say, 'Seeds of right principles and ideal values in children should be nurtured constantly through the literature of highest quality, congregations, Brahmyagya etc. So that they can build and strengthen their character in the best possible way and proceed easily on the path of God-realization by living their lives full of devotion and without any vices. A small plant can be moulded in any direction due to its tenderness, but a tree can not give up its rigidity and become flexible. Similarly, once young age is passed it becomes very difficult to make changes during adulthood and old age. Therefore, we must start moulding children right from their childhood.

It is not easy to comprehend the divine life of Anadi Muktaraj Shri Abji Bapashri. We have made a humble gesture to present his life experiences in simple and easy to understand language for the children. We hope, our efforts would be appreciated. We wish that each and every flower of this bouquet of life-experiences of Bapashri spread the fragrance and inspire our young readers in real sense.

Finally, we sincerely pray to the Ultimate Supreme Lord Shriji Maharaj, the most compassionate Bapashri and Sadguruvarya Pujya Shri Narayanbhai to bestow their boundless blessings on each and everyone who co-operated in preparing and publishing this book as well as the innocent young readers who are the most deserving for the grace of God.

16 February, 2004

Samvat 2060,

Maha Vad Ekadashi

Publication Committee

Shri Swaminarayan Divine Mission

Ahmedabad