The National Bahai Council of Orthodox Baha'is of India congratulate to all the Baha'is on the Day of God, the Naw-Ruz.
All religions and nations celebrate a new year determined by their leaders and guides due to an auspicious or momentous significance. The Day of Naw Ruz has been itself described as the Day of God in Kitab-i-Aqdas. We thence turn ourselves unto Him on His own day in hope of Guidance unto Him seeking the path through His words:
Those words uttered by the Luminaries of Truth must needs be pondered, and should their significance be not grasped, enlightenment should be sought from the Trustees of the depositories of Knowledge… (Kitab-i-Iqan)
Indeed then, the secret of true nearness unto Him is the nearness unto the Trustees. So, we renew our pledge on this day (March 21) to be obedient, submissive and subordinate to the Trustee of the depositories of Knowledge - living Guardian of the Cause of God, Joel Bray Marangella, in faithful conformity with the following commands of the Master, Abdu'l Baha, in His Will and Testament:
"The Mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him who is the guardian of the Cause of God. It is incumbent upon the members of House of Justice, upon all the Aghsan, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of God to show their obedience, submissuveness and subordination unto the guardian of the Cause of God to turn unto him and be lowly before him."
(Will and Testament - 12).
Heartiest greetings of Naw Ruz to all the Baha’i friends throughout the world"The Mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him who is the guardian of the Cause of God. It is incumbent upon the members of House of Justice, upon all the Aghsan, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of God to show their obedience, submissuveness and subordination unto the guardian of the Cause of God to turn unto him and be lowly before him."
(Will and Testament - 12).
Rajendra Upadhyaye