Thousands of years ago, in the forest gardenss of Naimisharanya, Sage Shaunaka described to Suta Rishi and others, the 39 Eternal virtues which are the attributes of God, and which all should imbibe in their lives in order to be closer to God.
These qualities can be seen in the lives of great incarnations, saints and devotees, of India and the world. And in the life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, we have seen each of these qualities perfectly inculcated. His life Inspires us, to imbibe divine virtues into our lives.
Welcome to the Garden of Virtues, where incidents of these divine virues are described through 100 food arts
In 1990, Swamishri was in London. One night, at 2.30am, Swamishri’s attendant sadhu noticed that Swamishri was sitting up in bed and chanting. 30 minutes later, when Swamishri opened his eyes, the attendant sadhu asked what Swamishri had been doing. “There is a severe drought in India. I was praying for the rains to come.” When asked how often he stayed up at night to pray, Swamishri replied: “Many times I pray at night. During the day, many people present their questions and problems to me, and I tell them that I will pray for them. I do not find the chance to offer those prayers in the dayrime, so I do so in the night.” Swamishri’s words, thoughts and actions were perfectly aligned. He was the epitomy of Truthfulness.
This quality is depicted using sesame seeds.
The great king Harishchandra of the Ikshvaku clan vowed early in life to always keep his word and tread the path of the Dharma. God and Sages tested him at every turn, but Harishchandra remained resolute even at the loss of power, wealth, and family. His story climaxes in him refusing permission to his own wife, to cremate their dead son without paying the due taxes. His story is an example to rulers everywhere.
This quality is depicted through painting on a popaddum.
When the battle between Ram and Ravan ended, Sita eagerly waited for Ram. When Ram arrived, he softly said, “You represent purity at its highest. However, I do not want people in the future to doubt your noble character”. Sita responded by saying that she will prove her purity by passing through raging flames of fire. As Sita approached the flames, she prayed, “O Agni Dev, reduce me to ashes if I have thought of any other man than Ram in thought, word or deed.” As Sita walked through the raging fire, she was unharmed. No flame could reduce her to ashes as she was the epitome of purity.
This quality is depicted using chocolate brownie and pulled sugar art.
1985, Amdavad. A sadhu asked Swamishri, “Which thought always remains with you throughout life?” Swamishri paused and then replied, “I’ll tell you which thought I’ve never had!”
“Oh yes, please do.”
Swamishri said, “I never ever thought of doing anything unkind to anyone. Of hurting anyone in thought, word or deed.”
Swamishri was the embodiment of Purity.
This quality is depicted through biscuit art.