Yes, they do have desires, but not like those of worldly beings. A devotee's desires are centered around lovingly serving their beloved deity. They are eager to wake up their deity, assist with their bathing rituals, feed them with affection, adorn them with new decorations daily, and lovingly put them to rest. Devotees constantly seek opportunities to serve and cherish their deity, finding joy in the varied, heartfelt acts of devotion they perform.

A devotee can worship the God through two disciplines: 1) physically and 2) mentally.

Performing puja of the Lord’s murti with physical puja materials and offerings is an expression of physical worship.

What can one do when they do not have the material needed to do pooja?

During those times, one imagines the Murti of Maharaj in one’s mind and worships that Murti is called Mansi pooja. In other words, the pooja done with the mind is called mansi pooja. In Gujarati, man means mind, so praying with man means mind pooja; hence, it is called Mansi pooja. Lord Swaminarayan has commanded His devotees to perform Mansi pooja in the 19th Vachanamrut of the Gadhada middle chapters; “One should perform Mansi pooja of the Lord with great affection along with performing the nine forms physical worship.” In addition, Maharaj has taught His devotees how to perform Mansi pooja during the different seasons in the 23rd Vachanamrut of the Gadhada Last Chapters.

Ideally, a staunch devotee of Lord Swaminarayan should perform Mansi pooja five times a day. One may question which of the two disciplines is ideal. Lord Swaminarayan has addressed this question in the Vachanamrut, “Whether one worships the omnipresent Lord physically or does Mansi pooja, if it is performed with pure adoration from the depths of the heart, both are considered to be an epitome of true devotion. On the contrary, one who worships God through either discipline but does it obviously and without emotions is equivalent to not performing worship at all.” (Sarangpur - 3)

Great Sants used to say, “Learn to die five times a day.” What does dying five times a day mean? This means that while doing mansi pooja, one must learn to forget one’s physical existence (Dehbhav) and focus their mind only on Maharaj.

Abji Bapashri explains how to perform Mansi pooja by referring to the incident of Parvatbhai doing Mansi pooja while plowing the farm. “One must not wander during Mansi pooja. During Mansi pooja, if someone asks you about something, don’t use signs and actions to communicate with that person. An ideal Mansi pooja is one from which we come to our senses only when someone forcefully brings us out of it. Thus, one must forget everything other than the Murti of Maharaj when doing mansi pooja.” (Part 1, Sermon 206)

Mansi pooja is done so one can stay connected to Maharaj through the day at set times. When performing the physical worship of Maharaj’s Murti, one must prepare heavy garments and jewelry, flower garlands, and various cuisines, which can be tedious and expensive. Many devotees may not even be able to afford that. At the same time, Mansi pooja gives everyone, poor and rich, an equal opportunity to worship God. It frees people from the constraints of time, place, and resources. Mansi pooja allows a devotee to revere the Lord by reminiscing Maharaj’s Murti with emotions and prayers.
“Yetha deha tetha deva” – “jevu deh ne evu j dev ne”

According to this rule, whatever we do during the day is applied to Maharaj (i.e., bathing, having meals, etc.). Hence, through mansipooja, we get a chance to perform the seva of Maharaj throughout the day.

In avarbhav, even the great and divine Bapashri used to do Mansi pooja. It is described occasionally in the pages of Bapashri’s vato that Bapashri has done Mansi pooja under a tree whenever He visited Kakarvadi. HDH Swamishri emphasizes, ‘Perform Mansi pooja regularly and punctually. Even while driving, if it’s time for Mansi pooja, pull over, pause the vehicle, and engage solely in it.

આપણા બાપાશ્રી જેવા સમર્થ મૂર્તિ પણ અવરભાવમાં જોઈએ તો માનસીપૂજા અવશ્ય કરતા. બાપાશ્રીની વાતોના અનેક પાને આવે છે કે બાપાશ્રી કાકરવાડીએ પધાર્યા ને પછી જાંબુડાંના ઝાડ નીચે બેસીને માનસીપૂજા કરી. પ.પૂ. સ્વામીશ્રી તો ત્યાં સુધી કહે છે કે, "માનસીપૂજા નિયમિત અને સમયસર થઈ જવી જોઈએ. ગાડી ચલાવતાં હોઈએ ને માનસીપૂજાનો સમય થયો તો ગાડીને બ્રેક મારી ગાડી ખડી કરી, માનસીપૂજા કરી જ લેવી જોઈએ."

Bapashri says, “Perform Mansi pooja five times a day, dedicating either half an hour or an hour to each Mansi pooja. After a two-hour interval, engage in another session of Mansi pooja. This consistent practice ensures spiritual continuity.’” (Part-1, Story-178)

One of our devotees, a teacher, once met HDH Swamishri.
HDH Swamishri asked him, “Do you regularly perform Mansi pooja?”

Teacher: “Yes, Dayalu, I do.”

HDH Swamishri: “Do you perform all of five a day?”

Teacher: “Yes, it’s all due to Maharaj’s grace.”

HDH Swamishri: “Is it regular and timely?”

Teacher: “Yes, it happens at the appropriate times.”

HDH Swamishri: “How do you manage when you are at work? Do you maintain the time? How do you adjust everything?”

Teacher: “Dayalu, I don’t need to allocate extra time for Mansi pooja at school. When i am in class, and if it’s time for Mansi pooja, I perform it. Due to Gurudev’s gracing, I can perform parbhavi Mansi pooja while being in pratilom state even while engaged in any activity.”
Hearing the teacher’s response, HDH Swamishri was delighted.
He said, “Yes, if you are precisely and perfectly dwells in a pratilom state, then any action can be performed being in parbhav...!

Jivanpran Bapashri has also further elaborated that instead of performing the conventional mansi pooja where one serves Maharaj with lavish worldly materials, one should connect with Maharaj in a pratilom manner and serve Maharaj with divine food, garments and ornaments. Through this parbhav mansi pooja, one can become completely connected with Maharaj.

The parbhav Mansi pooja is the paramount way of performing Mansi pooja. However, before reaching that stage, one should learn to perform Mansi pooja with all one’s inner feelings and desires in mind. The service of Maharaj must not lack anything. “Yathã dehã, tathã devã.” This means to serve Maharaj with the materials which one prefers for oneself. This, in turn, helps centralize one’s focus on Maharaj.

A devotee owned a grocery store. Despite sitting on the store’s threshold, he never missed his Mansi pooja. He was considered a pure devotee. However, he had a slightly greedy nature. One day, while sitting on the store’s threshold as usual, he began his Mansi pooja. He put milk to boil on the stove for Thakorji. The milk started boiling. Just as he added one fist of sugar, a customer entered the shop. Hurriedly, the customer exclaimed, ‘Shopkeeper...!’ Listening to the customer’s voice, he stopped his Mansi pooja and attended to the customer. Afterward, he resumed his interrupted Mansi pooja. He pondered, ‘Where was I?’ Oh! Milk was boiling.Did I ever add sugar or not? Maybe not, so he added another handful of sugar. There was a protest from his mind, ‘Hey, you’ve already added sugar once before! Realizing his error, he threw his hand to remove sugar from boiling milk with a thought: if milk will be sweeter and may God love it, then God will ask for more sugar daily. Thakorji caught hold of his hand. Thakorji asked, ‘Hey, what are you doing?’ ‘Oh... Thakorji, I had added more sugar since the required it may bring diabetes, hypertension... to you. Thakorji, wisely understanding his greedy intentions, chuckled and said, ‘Hey, I will not ask for more sweetened milk daily. I don’t need it. But your hand is at risk in this hot milk, not the milk. I’m not worried about the milk; I’m worried about your hand.’ The devotees felt ashamed. Even so, this incident taught that God accepts our mental worship.

The story of such a parbhav Mansi pooja is from the village of Agatrai, a small town on the outskirts of the Sorath district. The village is mainly settled by Kanbhi farmers. One such farmer devotee during the time of Lord Swaminarayan was Parvatbhai. He was a true devotee of Maharaj. His outer appearance was of a farmer, but inside, he was a prosperous devotee, a true Anadimukta. No one could judge his internal prosperity simply from his appearance. He was an outspoken and carefree person. He used to do farming for his daily living.

One fine day, he was plowing the farm with bullocks for the initial soil cultivation in preparation for sowing the seeds. It was time for his Mansi pooja, so he closed his eyes and held onto the rope attached to the bullocks in one hand. While doing mansi pooja, Parvatbhai was immersed in the devotion and glory of Maharaj. The bullocks were plowing the farm on their own. Meanwhile, other farmers observed this incident and thought Parvatbhai had fallen asleep while plowing. They repeatedly tried to wake him up by calling out his name, but their efforts went in vain. Parvatbhai was deeply immersed in his mansi pooja, where he offered fresh rotlo from the pan with ghee spread over it and creamy yogurt to Maharaj.Parvatbhai held the plate with the meal with both his hands in front of Maharaj. The farmers saw Parvatbhai hold out his hands in front of him. Because they couldn’t understand what was happening, they decided to wake up Parvatbhai by hitting his hand with a stick. Upon hitting Parvatbhai, the rotlo and creamy yogurt spilled on the wooden ploughing frame and all over the ground. Farmers were appalled and amazed witnessing this incident. They inquired, “What was all this?” Parvatbhai answered, “You hit me while I was offering thal of fresh rotlo and yogurt to Maharaj. So, Maharaj turned my Mansi pooja into a physical pooja. Thus, the food spilled all over.”

Mansi pooja should not become burdensome to perform. Through our Mansi pooja, we get a valuable opportunity to please and serve Maharaj like past devotees did, such as Mulji Brahmachari, Laduba-Jeevuba, Gangama, etc. Let’s see another example that shows how much concentration, focus, and understanding of Maharaj’s omnipresence are required during a Mansi pooja and the outcome of such a Mansi pooja.

Once, a Brahmin devotee, Sukhram, was residing in the Rampur village near Suth. He came to Ahmedabad to sell jewelry. However, he had to return because he didn’t receive any offers that would benefit him. While walking back, he saw a bush on the roadside and sat down to do mansi pooja. A thief passing by noticed the bag of jewelry and approached to steal the jewelry.

Sukhram thought, “I am in the middle of offering food to Maharaj, so I should complete that and not focus on the thief. The thief stole all the jewelry and ran away. After completing the mansi pooja, the devotee bellowed, “I was doing mansi pooja, and you stole all my jewelry. I wish you fall, get injured, and die.” Meanwhile, the thief was trying to run away, but he fell into a deep pit and got severely injured. He was taken to a nearby dharamshala.Coincidently Sukhram went to the same dharamshala asking for food. The thief instantly identified Sukhram, got scared, and returned all the jewelry to Sukhram. When Sukhram left, the thief died of his injuries. This way, Sukhram performed Mansi pooja and got his jewelry back. Thus, we all must perform Mansi pooja wholeheartedly and with complete concentration to please Maharaj and Motapurush and avoid distractions.

Abji Bapashri used to say, “Many people use signs and actions to hint at things during mansi pooja, and yet they are still called devotees and sants. Therefore, one must be considerate and engrossed in the devotion and glory of Maharaj during mansi pooja.”
When should Mansi Pooja be done?

As a devotee of Shriji Maharaj, one should do five Mansi poojas.

(1) First: Early morning during daily pooja (5 am to 7 am)

(2) Second: Lunch time (10:30 am to 12:00 pm)

(3) Third: Afternoon time (3:30 pm to 4:30 pm)

(4) Fourth: Evening time (6:30 pm to 8 pm)

(5) Fifth: Nighttime (9 pm to 10 pm)

How should Mansi Pooja be performed?

1. First mansi pooja (Time: 5:00 am to 7:00 am)

The first Mansi pooja is performed early in the morning during daily pooja. In the Aksharordi, Maharaj is sleeping on a bed decorated with flowers. In order to wake up Maharaj, prabhatiya are softly being sung; “Prãtah thayu manmohan payara, preetam rahya shu podhine” (Translation: My dear Lord, its morning. Why are you still asleep?) Listening to the prabhatiya, Maharaj slowly opens His eyes and wakes up. Maharaj is overjoyed upon seeing all His sants and devotees and greets everyone with a mesmerizing smile. Then, Maharaj goes to the bathroom to do the morning routine. First, Maharaj goes to the toilet, washing His divine hands with warm water and powder seventeen times.

Brushing teeth: Maharaj brushes His teeth with datan (bark of Fabaceae tree), then rinses His mouth. Maharaj uses a tongue cleaner to clean His tongue and rinses His mouth again.

Bathing: After this, Maharaj bathes in scented water. Maharaj’s divine body is lightly scrubbed while bathing. After bathing, Maharaj wipes His body with a clean towel. Maharaj dresses in a white dhoti and uparani and sits on a divine throne.

Pujan – Arti: Maharaj’s pooja is performed by applying sandalwood paste on His forehead. The tilak-chandlo is also applied on His forehead. Then, Maharaj’s mangla arti is performed.

Breakfast: After that Maharaj goes to the dining room for breakfast. Maharaj is served milk with sugar, saffron ground pistachio, and rich delicacies for breakfast. After having breakfast, Maharaj changes into heavy garments and ornaments according to the different seasons. Maharaj is adorned with flower garlands, bracelets, and armlets. Maharaj arrives at the assembly. All devotees greet Maharaj by showering Him with flower petals. Maharaj is very pleased upon all His devotees and blesses them with divine discourses while all devotees listen attentively.

As such, the first Mansi pooja commences.

2. Second mansi pooja (Time: 10:30 am to noon)

Shriji Maharaj is seated on a royal throne in the assembly and delivers religious discourses about His likes and dislikes. Maharaj requested, “Dayalu, it’s lunchtime; please come to the Aksharordi for rich delicacies.” Maharaj accepts the prayer and ends the sabha by saying Jay Swaminarayan to everyone. Maharaj wears His chakhadis and arrives at the Aksharordi. Maharaj changes out of His heavy garments and into a white dhoti and jabho (kurta). He washes His hands and feet with warm water and uses a clean napkin to dry them.

In the dining room, Maharaj is seated on a decorated chair. On the table before Him, in a divine plate, Maharaj is served puri, fruit salad, different pulses and vegetables, gulab jamun, papad, pickle, buttermilk, etc. Maharaj begins accepting the Thal by taking tiny morsels and praising the food. Maharaj is served more puri, vegetables, sweets, etc. Then, Maharaj is served rice prepared with dry fruits and lentil curry.After completing the meal, Maharaj is offered lemon water and clean, warm water to wash His hands and mouth. Finally, Maharaj is offered mukhvas, a mixture of fennel seeds, anise seeds, coconut, and nuts. After having mukhvas, Maharaj rests for some time. Maharaj relaxes on the bed. His feet are softly massaged, and Maharaj slowly falls asleep.

Like so, the second Mansi pooja ends.

3. Third mansi pooja (Time: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm)

Maharaj is sleeping soundly on the decorated bed. Maharaj requests, “Dayalu, please wake up and give your divine darshan to Your sants and devotees.” Maharaj wakes up, goes to the washroom, and washes His hands and face with warm water. After freshening up, Maharaj is offered an afternoon snack of juices and fruits. Maharaj shares some prasadi with the sants and devotees. At last, Maharaj drinks water and washes His hands with warm water.

Maharaj relaxes on a Hindola (swing) for a while. All the sants and devotees eagerly await Maharaj’s darshan and sermons. Maharaj changes into some heavy garments and ornaments and proceeds towards the assembly. All devotees greet Maharaj with a victorious uproar and shower Him with flowers. Then, everyone folds their hands and prays to Maharaj;

“Mãhã balwant mãyã tamari, jene ãvariyã narnãri.”(Translation: Your maya is very powerful, which has clenched all the men and women…)

Maharaj becomes very pleased with all the devotees and blesses them with divine discourses while all the devotees listen attentively.

This brings an end to the third mansi pooja.

4. Fourth mansi pooja (Time: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm)

Shriji Maharaj is seated on the divine throne and is delivering His religious sermon. Maharaj requested, “Dayalu, it’s dinner time; please come to the Aksharordi to have dinner.” Maharaj accepts the prayer and ends the sabha by saying Jay Swaminarayan to everyone. Maharaj wears his chakhadi and comes to the Aksharordi. Maharaj changes out of His heavy garments into a white dhoti and uparani. Then, Maharaj washes His hands and feet with warm water and wipes them with a clean napkin.

Maharaj becomes seated on a decorated chair in front of the dining table. In a divine plate Maharaj is served khichadi, bhakhri, vegetable curry, milk, and sweets. Maharaj takes tiny morsels and offers prasad from His plate. We pray to Maharaj for forgiveness for any lack of preparation for the meal. Maharaj says the meal is very delicious and asks for more bhakhri, vegetable curry and milk. Maharaj is satiated with a divine burp. Hence, Maharaj washes His hands and mouth with warm water. Maharaj drinks some water and heads towards the hindolo.

While swinging, Maharaj is offered mukhvas and pan. After a while, Maharaj proceeds towards the assembly. All the devotees greet Maharaj by showering flowers on Him and performing His arti. Maharaj begins delivering His divine discourses while all the devotees listen attentively. As such commences, the fourth mansi pooja.

5. Fifth mansi pooja (Time: 9:00 pm - 9:30 pm)

At the end of the day, Maharaj continues to deliver religious discourses about His principles. Maharaj requested, “Dayalu, it’s time to go to sleep; you must be tired; please end the sabha.” Maharaj gives blessings to everyone and proceeds to the Aksharordi. Maharaj washes His hands and feet with warm water. Maharaj is offered fresh milk with ground almonds, pistachio, and cardamom. After having the milk, Maharaj approaches His bed, which is decorated with flowers and covered with velvet linens and cushions. Maharaj lays down on the bed. A soft podhaniyu is being sung, and Maharaj slowly falls asleep. This brings an end to the fifth Mansi pooja.

This brings an end to the fifth Mansi pooja.

All five mansi poojas should be performed regularly with complete devotion and glory of Maharaj in our hearts. It should not become a burden or routine. In order to attain oneness with the Murti of Maharaj, one must surrender his body and mind to Maharaj through the means of mansi pooja.