Shree Swaminarayan Gadi

Shree Swaminarayan Gadi
In the Vachnamrut, it is stated that in Akshardham, Lord Swaminarayan is seated on a divine throne (Sinhasan - Gadi). When Lord Swaminarayan came onto this earth, He was given initiation as a saint by Shree Ramanand Swami, and then subsequently was pronounced the leader of the religion. At the occassion when Lord Swaminarayan first announced His True Eternal and Divine Name Swaminarayan, He also said that the throne that He was sitting on would now be called Shree Swaminarayan Gadi.
Jeevanpran Swamibapa performing aarti to Shree Swaminarayan Gadi after His 61 days meditation)When Lord Swaminarayan handed the relms of the entire religion to Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa, Lord Swaminarayan also entrusted this supreme Gadi to him, and made Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa it's Acharya (sovereign). This Gadi was then concealed, but spiritually handed down from Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa, to Sadguru Shree Nirgundasji Swamibapa, to Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa. Lord Swaminarayan told Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa that this Supreme Gadi would remain concealed and the fourth Acharya in Gopalanand Swamibapa's supreme spiritual lineage would be the one who would re-establish it.In 1971 when Swamibapa sat in continuous meditation for 61 days, Lord Swaminarayan Himself told Swamibapa that it was now time to personify His spiritual throne, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi, which had been concealed for so many years. Lord Swaminarayan said· Shree Swaminarayan Gadi is the supreme, eternal Gadi.· Only at Shree Swaminarayan Gadi, can my true and divine principles be attained and understood.· I will preside upon this Gadi forever.· The home of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi is Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Maninagar.· I will be ever present upon this earth through the Acharyas of this supreme eternal Gadi.· Only a disciple of this Gadi will be able to achieve my eternal bliss, Atyantik Moksha.· The Gadi that I am seated upon in my divine abode Akshardham, is the same Gadi that Jeevanpran Swamibapa has re-established upon the earth and given a physical embodiment.· Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa has personified my ever-glorious Shree Swaminarayan Gadi by my express command.
Vishishtadvait
There are five schools of thought and ideology in Hindu philosophy. They are each elaborate and complex and are concerned with the distinction between the Lord, man and the nature of the cosmos. Advaita, Dvaita-dvaita, Dvaita, Shuddhadvaita and Vishishtadvaita.Vishishtadvaita philosophy was founded by Shree Ramanujacharya (11th century AD). The ideology is that there are three ultimate realities; The Lord, souls and matter (or maya's creation). Of these only the Lord is the independent reality and the other two are dependent upon Him. The soul and the matter are thus distinct from the Lord but not separate from Him.According to Shree Ramanujacharya, the Lord is the creator, preserver and the destroyer of the world. Liberation is not absorption with the Lord, but union with Him.Lord Swaminarayan accepted the basics of this ideology but with distinct differences indicating His own divinity.Lord Swaminarayan revealed there are five, not three, eternal and real entities; Jeeva, Maya, Ishwar, Bhrama and Parabhrama. Parabhrama is the supreme Lord, the other four entities dependent on and are obedient to Him. These four entities remain distinct, but not separate from the Lord.Lord Swaminarayan initially unveiled this ideology during a religious debate in Kashi. Kashi is a eminent gathering place for learned scholars and the most holiest of cities in Hinduism. Accompanying His father, Dharamadev at the age of 10, Lord Ghanshyam eloquently lectured to those gathered in sanskrit. Arguing that the Lord has a definitive form, Lord Ghanshyam, advocated the Vishishtadvaita philosophy and explained it further. He added, there are two real and identical entities; the master and the devotee. When the two merge, they appear as one, the master. Yet in reality they remain distinct in their nature and their attributes, with the Lord remaining the master and the soul forever the mastered.
Anadi, Param Ekantik, and Ekantik Muktas
The Vishishtadvait philosophy describes three types of souls. This was explained by Lord Swaminarayan and further clarified by Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree.· Ekantik Muktas have the obstacle of their material bodies to overcome before they can become as one with Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa· Param Ekantik Muktas dwell in the vicinity of the Lord in His Akshardham· Anadi Mukta is the highest state of the souls. Anadi Muktas dwell within the murti of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa in His Akshardham. However they are two distinct entities; the Lord - the master, and the Anadi Mukta - the mastered (eternally devoted soul)Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa revealed that the souls become liberated as they enter the karan satsang, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, but that they attain one of the above states according to their deeds.
Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree manifested in the Kutch town of Vrushpur on Kartik Sud 11 (Ekadashi) Samvat 1901 (1845 CE). His parents Pachapita and Devuba were devout followers of Lord Swaminarayan.In the form of Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree, Lord Swaminarayan further communicated His principles. The main being those of the true glory and supremacy of Lord Swaminarayan and the status of Anadi Mukta. With Sadguru Shree Nirgundasji Swamibapa and later with Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swamibapa, Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree toured India, and used any opportunity to further propound the greatness of Lord Swaminarayan.Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree used the Vachanamrut, the words of Lord Swaminarayan, to explain and clarify the supreme principles and tenets of the Karan Satsang. With Sadguru Swamibapa asking questions, Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree answered using only the Vachanamrut itself as a cross reference. These commentaries given by Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree were compiled by Sadguru Swamibapa and published as the Rahasyartha Pradipika Tika Sahit Vachnamrut as the source to find the true meaning of Lord Swaminarayan's words. Together with the Tika, two volumes Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree's sermons were published; Jeevanpran Abji Bapashreeni Vato parts 1 & 2. Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree was so pleased with these publications that he commanded Sadguru Swamibapa to have them printed and distributed to the masses. Seeing Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree so pleased, Sadguru Swamibapa asked for further blessings from His Jeevanpran. Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree obliged by saying that anyone who read, listens, has the darshan of, or touches the Rahasyartha Pradipika Tika sahit Vachnamrut and realises its glory shall in this very life attain aatyantik moksh (absolute salvation).There were many that could not and did not want to understand the preaching of Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree. They attempted to conspire against Him. However Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree is Lord Swaminarayan Himself, and no amount of water can dowse the fire which is brighter than the sun itself. Heretics within the Swaminarayan religion began gaining a stronghold in the administration but could not act due to the charisma and power of Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree. To cleanse the sampradaya of these corrupt administrative and immoral religious practices, Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree and Sadguru Swamibapa formed the Satsang Mahasabha in Samvat 1976 (1920 CE).Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree withdrew His human sports on Ashad Sud 5, Samvat 1984 after fulfilling His promise to remain on this earth for 125 years.· The name, the murti and the principles of Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree are alive today at Shree Swaminarayan Gadi. This is due to the immense pain and hardship endured by Jeevanpran Swamibapa. Without Jeevanpran Swamibapa, any trace of Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree's name would have vanished.· Only at Shree Swaminarayan Gadi is the true glory of Lord Swaminarayan understood. This is as a result of Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree's teachings.· In every Mandir of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, a murti of Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree is installed.Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree's true successor is Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa.

Applying Tilak-ChandloOfferings

Applying Tilak-ChandloOfferings of food, neyved, for prasad are placed in front of the murti and then concentrating solely on the Lord's murti, becoming totally engrossed in the murti of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa, the devotee should recite the Swaminarayan mantra, and turn over a bead on a mara, rosemary beads, after each mantra.
Doing the maraAfter completing at least three full mara while seated, the devotee should complete at least one mara while doing tapni (penance) mara. The devotee stands on his left leg, with the right leg in front of the left knee, in the crane position.
Performing the Tapni maraPradikshina (circling the murti) is the next ritual. Inside the murti of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa are all the great pilgrimage sites. During the pradikshina the devotee visits these sites and with each step, the sins of the devotee are destroyed. While completing pradikshina at least one kirtan should be sung. Pradikshina are symbolic of the devotion of the disciple unto the Lord.
Performing the PradikshinaAfter pradikshina, the male devotees will prostrate before the Lord with the following eight parts of the body all focused to Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa;Head, chest, hands, knees and legs should be touching the ground. The eyes should see only the murti of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa, while his speech is uttering prayers to the Lord. His mind should be contemplating the murti of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa. This is called saastaang dandvant pranaam - eight fold prostration.The female devotee will complete the same, but in a crouched position, with her hands on the ground and obviously her feet touching the ground. Again her eyes see only the murti of the Lord, while she says her prayers to Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa. Her mind should be contemplating the murti of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa. This is called paanchaang pranaam - five fold prostration.Once seated after the prostrating, neyved is offered to the Lord and 'Jhamo Thaar Jeevan Javu Vaari' is sung and the devotee should perform aarti. The devotee should then pray to Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa to protect and look after him during the day. After the reciting of the Visranjan (culmination) mantra, the devotee does a final darshan of the murti and then folds them away.Lord Swaminarayanbapa Himself commanded that each of His disciples must read at least five shloks (verses) from the Shikashapatri each day. Also at least one chapter from the great holy scriptures, the Vachanamrut and Shree Abji Bapashreeni Vato.
Reading the Shikshapatri

Karan

Karan means cause, and Satsang means true (sat) association (sang). Hence Karan Satsang means establishing a true association with Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa.Only in the Karan Satsang, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, can one achieve absolute salvation, aatyantik moksha, by forming a true rapport with Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa.· Lord Swaminarayan Himself re-manifested as Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree and reaffirmed the true tenets of the Karan Satsang.· Supreme worship of Lord Swaminarayan· The state of the Anadi Mukta· Chaste devotion onto Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa· The omnipresence of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa· The trinity of the divine forms of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa are each one and the same; The divine form residing in Akshardham, the human personification on this earth and the murtis installed in the temples.The true and direct association with the supreme Lord
VartmanDuring the formal and ceremonial initiation of a devotee into the Karan Satsang, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, the Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi places a few drops of water in the devotee's palm, chants the Lord's mantra and then pours the water onto the ground. Only the Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi can perform true vartman because only He has the power to burn away such great sin. This unique ceremony frees the devotee of all his sins and karmas from his past and present lives.By virtue of this ceremony the soul is free from past sins and the devotee promises to obey the panch vartman, Five Vows;
On Janmashtami, Samvat 1976 (1920 A.D.), Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree established the Satsang Mahasabha. The present section endevours to elucidate the reasons behind why its conception was vital for the supreme tenents of Lord Swaminarayan to remain alive and unadulterated.The Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan is the self-illuminating truth that will spread its light, more and more as time passes. This occurs because the understanding differs from man to man. Having said this, the entire history and philosophy regarding Shree Swaminarayan Gadi is in fact contained in the Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Granth in a very copious manner. The beautiful Invitation Booklet for the Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Rajat Mahotsav pictorially narrates the history of this supreme Gadi.The Shikshapatri has given us all clear cut directions on many important topics. It is like a small but very precious jewel, and in this sense, it needs thoughtful reading - reading with discretion. Lord Swaminarayan Himself has indicated this in verse 203 by directing us to read the other texts of the sampradaya.For example, let us take verse 128. Here, Lord Swaminarayan states the reasons why the posts of the Acharyas (Dharmavanshi Acharyas) were created - for the protection of the dharma (religion) of the devotees. This was the duty that was entrusted to these Acharyas. Our Lord Swaminarayan is very kind and gracious. He in His greatness sites some examples regarding the duties of these Acharyas. For example, they should ensure that the followers pursue a life of righteousness, they should respect the sants, and they should study the holy scriptures with great reverence.The history of the Karan Satsang shows that instead of attending to their duties, these entrusted persons neglected them and concentrated on amassing personal property, in disobedience of their rules of conduct. This unfortunate disobedience led to the creation of the Satsang Mahasabha. All devotees of Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan should eternally be grateful to Jeevanpran Shree Abjee Bapashree and Sadguru Shree Ishwar Bapa who undertook the heroic leadership of the Satsang Mahasabha and saved the principles and doctrines the supreme Swaminarayan Sampradaya from corruption.We all accept that to work effectively, we need to work systematically. A proper system is a necessity. However, the system should not lose sight of its own clearly stated aims and objectives. When the system deems importance to other, new aims and objectives, and neglects the former, it loses its worth and importance. It then needs to be repaired or resettled. It has to then give way to another system which works, with the objectives clearly in sight.The Supreme Lord Swaminarayan had commanded that the entire religion be under the control of Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa. This is documented in the Satsangi Jeevan and the Harileelamrut amongst many other granths. This was all well and good, whilst they were all obeying Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa's commands. However, with growing disobedience, the system started failing and the ever-obliging Supreme Lord re-appeared to fulfill His promises as Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree. Jeevanpran Bapashree subsequently created the Satsang Mahasabha, and saved the supreme Swaminarayan Sampradaya.The words of Sadguru Shree Nishkulanand Swami asking all to respect the words of Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa and even the Lord's own expressed will that both the Dharmavanshi Acharyas should be governed by Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa mean that the welfare of the sampradaya is safe in the hands of the sants who are devoted to the Lord and are above petty selflessness. Their words also tell us that those who enjoy social status must pay due homage to the selflessness of the sants. The holy and pious lineage (Guruparampara) starting from Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa and presently represented through our beloved Acharya Swamishree derives its direct heritage directly from Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan. This Guruparampara is very important. Lord Swaminarayan Himself in the Vachnamrit (Vadtal 18) states that it is vital that everyone should know their guruparampara.This lineage :· Has kept and is keeping its followers on the path of righteousness.· Immensely respects all sants.· Ardently makes provision for the learning of the holy scriptures.This is looking after the dharma (religion), protecting the dharma. For this protection of dharma (dharmarakshan) there exists the Acharya. The Acharya is bestowed the title Dharmadhurandhar (chief or head of dharma) - meaning that he will protect dharma. If the Acharya does not do so, this title loses its
From a early age, each child is given his own set of murti of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa for his daily morning pooja (worship).Scriptures state that the Lord accepts the worship of a devotee after he has become a pure as the Lord, both spiritually and physically. Hence prior to the pooja each devotee must bathe.Verses 50 to 57 of the Shikshapatri state the main stages of this pooja.After the ritual cleansing, the devotee should sit cross legged facing North or East and perform mansipooja (mentally contemplate) to the glory of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa. Once the tilak chandlo has been done, he should place the murtis of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa in front of him and recite the aavhan (welcoming) mantra.

ABJIBAPA

The Swaminarayan Faith is a branch of Hinduism, which was founded by Lord Shree Swaminarayan Himself, at the end of the eighteenth century in Northern India.Lord Shree Swaminarayan instilled into people the ideology of high morals, love and compassion for all, irrespective of caste, creed, colour or gender. His sole intention was to rejuvenate the principles of true religion, which were being disintegrated by irreligious and evil practices.Lord Shree Swaminarayan taught by example; He encouraged the donating of charity and welfare to the unfortunate, poor and hungry, and personally attending to their needs. Compassion and tolerance for all living beings are His most essential teachings. The only means that Lord Swaminarayan used to inspire the masses to follow Him was His immenselove and care for them all.By holding public assemblies and magnificent festivals, Lord Shree Swaminarayan’s preaching swiftly spread through all facets of society; instigating social, cultural, moral and spiritual reformation. He gave strength and encouragement to the oppressed; removed mental barriers and prejudice; and brought about a renaissance in their faith, morality and spirituality. Countless people became free from their addictions to drugs, intoxicants and other vices.Vile practices that had become prevalent in society such has doodh-piti, the killing of a newborn female baby by drowning her in milk, and sati, the burning of a wife on her husband’s funeral pyre, were abolished from society. Lord Shree Swaminarayan advocated learning for people of all sectors of society, not only the higher castes. He even provided education for women, which was totally unheard of at the time.
Bapashree Lord Swaminarayan promised to all the muktas that He would give darshan on this earth for 125 years. Yet He withdrew His human sport within 50 years. At the time Lord Swaminarayan explained to Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa and the great Sadgurus, of His intention to re-manifest when the lost souls could fully appreciate His true glory.Despite the divine prowess and powers of Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamibapa and Sadguru Shree Nirgundasji Swamibapa in explaining the true tenets and preaching of Lord Swaminarayan, many still had not and could not realise the immense glory of Lord Swaminarayan.In order to fulfil His promise to remain on this earth for 125 years and to explain further His own principles and to preach His glory to the lost souls, Lord Swaminarayan re-manifested as Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree, fifteen years after He had initially withdrawn His human form.Jeevanpran Abji Bapashree is Lord Swaminarayan Himself.

BhagwanSwaminarayan

BhagwanSwaminarayan (April 3, 1781 - 1830) was born as Ghanshyam Pande to a brahmin family in the village of Chhapaiya, U.P., India. His father's name was Hariprasad Pande (also known as Dharmadev) and his mother's name was Premvati (also known as Bhaktimata).
After serving his parents, he left home at the age of 11 to travel over 8,000 miles throughout India on a holy pilgrimage for over 7 years.
On completion of the 7 years’ sojourn of India, the Lord met up with Ramanand Swami, and established the purest and unadulterated form of religion, based on ultimate devotion to God only, with total observance of non-violent dharma. Shreeji Maharaj re-introduced the non-violent yagnas, on a grand scale. He instructed numerous acts of social welfare; alms-houses, digging of village wells / lakes, explained in detail why it is important to worship Satvic deities. Shreeji Maharaj discredited the act of enforced Sati & female infanticide.

The Origin ~ Bhagwan Swaminarayan

The Origin ~ Bhagwan Swaminarayan
Bhagwan Swaminarayan (April 2, 1781 - 1830) was born to a samvedi brahmin family in the village of Chhapaiya, Uttar Pradesh, India. His father's name was Dharmadev and his mother's name was Bhaktimata. After serving his parents, he left home at the age of 11 to travel over 8,000 miles throughout India on a holy pilgrimage for 7 years, 1 month, and 11 days. During his travels, Ghanshyam was given the name Neelkanth Varni for his fearless acts against nature's most ferocious animals. He eventually settled in Gujarat.
At age 21, he established Swaminarayan Sampraday, with the blessings of his Guru Sadguru Ramanand Swami. He initiated more than 1500 saints to spread the pious Sampraday. To achieve ultimate redemption he taught the “Swaminarayan” mahamantra.
To preserve the purity in the religion, he devised five basic Codes of Conducts for Haribhakt (Devotee) like not to steal, not to eat meat, not to drink, not to commit adultery, not to follow impurity and for Tyagi (Saints) like, Nishkam (Lust-less), Nirlobh (Greed-less), Nissenh (Attachment-less), Nisswad (Taste-less) and Nirman (Ego-less).
He established beautiful temples at Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Vadtal, Dholera, Junagadh, Gadhpur for Upasana – worshipping God in all His greatness & glory and Bhakti – Devotion. With all these, he gave a small but huge Code of Conducts with only 212 verses, The Shikshapatri. And the nectar of spiritual discourses performed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, The Vachnamrutam.
Thus, in a short span of 49 years He revived Hinduism, glorified spiritual values and founded the Swaminarayan Faith and left for His Divine Abode, Akshardham.
The Swaminarayan Sampraday
The Swaminarayan Sampraday was established by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in early 18th Century. Founded on the pillars of practical spirituality, it reaches out far and wide to clear the confusions and questions that crowd the moral, social and material world of today.
Its strength lies in the purity of its nature and purpose. The Sect strives to better the world by consolidating character in societies, families and individuals. This is done not just by mottos and slogans but by mass motivation and individual attention, through elevating projects for all, irrespective of class, creed, color and country.
The Sect's global network comprises of Mandirs, Children's forums, Youth forums, Women's forum and character-building centers are perennial sources of moral, social, cultural and spiritual activities.Such moral purity and spiritual surety add a deeper brilliance to all the hundreds of social services performed for Better Life through its 6 basic organs, namely Deity, Mandir, Aacharya, Scripture, Saint and Disciple.

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