The Swaminarayan Faith

JaiHind · January 9, 2008

Das na das and Celina12

I would like to ask you that the GOD you both believe in is different?. To me it seems that. Both of you are fighting like to wild cats. Mr DAS na DAS let me ask you does your GURU in bhuj allow you of writing whatever you are writing here. AND to celina does your GURU allow you to fight. Both of you come under the banner of SWAMINARAYAN.

DAS na DAS you are taking avgun here. If you think you are just saying the truth then why dont you talk to everyone rather then just BAPS people. Why dont you post about what you think is right and about your belief in other threads. That is the problem with Hindus.

Talking about akshardham mandir and other mandirs in general. Das na Das you have been to India. I am sure you have seen small mandirs of Hanuman, Ram, Krishna etc on every street in cities in India. And I have noticed that in the evening they even do aarti there. Are you saying that there is no GOD in there?. If you are saying that in BAPS temples swaminarayan is not present because it was not oppened by acharya then you are wrong. I believe that when one goes to a temple if you pray with faith GOD will be there. If God can come out from a Pillar listening to Prahalads prayers then I think GOD can be present In those temples. I am also sure that in one of the books from which you have gained this knowledge it mentions that whoever takes the name of SWAMINARAYAN even by mistake shall go to his abode.

In the Posts earlier you said that you met a swami in bhuj who is ekantik and talks to maharaj. Well go and ask him that arguing against another sanstha is correct?. You have alot of knowledge, and have read alot of scriptures then act like that. Do not be childish. Delhi Akshardham is a wonderful place and is a mark not only of BAPS or of SWAMINARAYAN but of Hinduism. It resembles our culture, our life, what we as Hindus have contributed to the world. The last thing you should do is criticise it. Dont forget that in Akshardham There is a Huge MURTI of not Pramukhswami or any of the acharyas BUT of LORD SWAMINARAYAN. the same GOD you believe in. Lord Swaminarayan in his time had followers who were Parsis, Muslim, and other castes. This showed he accepted everyone and everyone was equall. All of you who are arguing about each others sansthas being better then the other are insulting him. Why dont you think that when two brothers or sisters fight amongst each other the most pain is felt to the FATHER and MOTHER of the children. By arguing like this you are hurting Lord Swaminarayan. Try to realise wake up.

Das na Das your name is [deleted]. meaning you are a kutchi. I am a staunch Hindu and In my uni one kutchi girl got converted to Islam, and another Hindu girl accepted christianity. This is on the rise. The reason being arguing and fighting between hindus. Das na das you just explained what was in the scriptures with references. Well if you think you know so much then why dont you pass this knowledge to other people in your Sampraday. We are hindus It doesnt matter if you believe in Ram, Krishna, or Swaminarayan, what matters is how much do you believe in them and do you follow the rules stated by the Gods you believe in. What I believe if when you gain knowledge, first apply it to your self then giv it to others. Das na Das your Guru in Bhuj probably did this that is the reason why he has become ekantic and gets to meet Swaminarayan. I think you should go to him and learn what he knows rather then arguing on this thread. I think In the Shikshapatri it states that the ultimate thing is to become Brahmroop and do Parabrahma ni Bhakti. Well I think you should all do that rather then argue and fight. Swaminarayan was called great because he killed anger, Vasna, greed, etc which resulted in people becoming demonic. When you read what celina wrote you got angry and she got angry whith what you wrote. Both of you wrote something that involves Lord Swaminarayan. You are suppose to control anger and get rid of it. not entice it.

Instead of fighting and arguing about the differences of both your sansthas why dont you talk about the simmilarities. Both of you read Vachnamrut. Then talk about it, discuss various vachnamruts and other scriptures, rather then fighting.

I think any place of worship should not be criticised be it Church, Mosques, or Temples and specifically be it Swaminarayan temples. You say that Lord swaminarayan is only present in temples consecrated by acharyas. Then why do Kutchi friends i know of come to neasden temple. they are not of BAPS. If Pramukh swami is building temples all around the world, They are not known as pramukhswami temples are they. They are all Swaminarayan temples. They all have the Murti of Lord Swaminarayan in them. You should be proud of it that a Grand Temple of Lord Swaminarayan is built. You should be proud that a Grand HINDU temple is being built. So please Das no Das and celina stop arguing and fighting. I am sure Lord Swaminarayan and both your Gurus will not be happy if you continue fighting. Jai HIND.

nav · January 9, 2008

You have put a great post. Very useful and very good efforts.

Better to do such work then to keep on commenting about each other and try to prove that what we say is only the right thing.

SWaminarayan bahgwan have done the great social work. and i think baps is doing the same at a great level. Of course all others also doing the same but baps appears to be more systematic and leadership of pramukh swami is great. he is a very genuine, simple, transperant, reliable and what not type of man.

what is shastra and scripturs? so far as hindus are concerned all ends with vedas. god will be with you only if you have love for him in your within.

i want to get more clarification about the akshar purshottam sidhant. some one may please presnet it in a nice way so that even layman can understand it.

jai swaminarayan.

Hi there,

Please feel free to ask anything about Akshar Purushottam Upasana, Can help you clarify with references. If possible you can read some of my old posts.

Cheers

Jai Swaminarayan

January 9, 2008

The God is both the same but following what HE said for His followers to follow is different. We are not fighting. We are just portraying the word of God as it is so people may find the right path. Trust me many people have emailed me asking me what they should read in order to follow what Swaminarayan Bhagwan requires for His followers to follow. First of all Gunatitanand Swami wasn’t even Akshar. So the whole philosophy is wrong.

First of all you are biased. So you cannot possibly tell me what I am or am not doing. You yourself are taking avgun by telling me that I am then, are you not? I am posting a lot more on other forums and threads. But you do not know me to know this.

First of all the Sikshapatri clearly states that those murtis that are not consecrated by the Dharmvanshi Acharyas within the Swaminarayan Sampraday should not be worshipped. So how can you call Akshardham Delhi Monument a Mandir of the Swaminarayan Sampraday? This is about the Swaminarayan Sampraday. Not Hanumanji diocese or ISKON or Ram Mandirs or Shiv Mandirs etc. All is fine there. But it’s about within the Swaminarayan Sampraday. Are you stating that Shriji Maharaj was wrong in stating such? So what is you theory behind it? Maybe you should also read the Sikshapatri Bhasya by Sadguru Nand Sant Shatanand Swami. Prahlad worshipped Bhagwan in the way Bhagwan wanted to be worshipped this is the reason why Bhagwan came out of a pillar for him. Also to gain Akshardham from the name of Bhagwan you have to follow Bhagwans word and relaise the Mahima of Bhagwan. Just by stating the name you can get rid of Paap to help your Prarabdh Karma but you cannot attain Akshardham like that. Maybe its time you guys read some scriptures instead of blindly following what you do. Without knowing how, why or when it was created from biased views.

From what I have read I have learnt from my guru I have come to a conclusion that to show the true path to another mumukshu (divine soul in search of God) is also another way to make Shriji Maharaj happy. Swami has clearly told me that showing the true way to another is great. I have done this and will continue to do so all my life. Truth is have also shown at least 15 people already. The yhave studied what they should like they should and then followed it AS THEY SHOULD according to Shriji Maharaj. Delhi Akshardham may be pretty but it is definitely not a Swaminarayan Mandir within the Swaminarayan Sampraday according to Swaminarayan Bhagwan. Truth of the fact is that this will not change no matter what you state. Shriji Maharaj accepted all as they all followed His word. They all followed his agna. If you followed His agna then SHRIJI MAHARAJ. If BAPS do then he will surely reside within THAT BIG MURTI OF SHRIJI MAHARAJ in AKSHARDHAM DELHI MONUMENT. Swaminarayan Bhagwan is hurting more that you are not following his word than anything. For example here is a letter wrote by Shuk Muni while Shriji Maharaj dictated it….

29. Our command to all Sadhus and all Brahmcharis and all Palas and all our followers (satsangi) is, that no one at any time deviate from, or cause others to deviate from, what we have here written; they shall always remain obedient to their spiritual Dharmvanshi Acharyas. They shall not let quarrels arise between the two. He who, misrepresenting matters, brings about quarrels and strife between them, and disobeys our commands, betrays our word and betrays his Guru. He is not Ours. Regard him as an outcast (chaandaal),

30. Written in the Darbar of Khachar Dada Ebhal at the auspicious place of Gadhada on Margashirsh Sudi 15th, Samvat 1883.

Whether I am a Kutchi or not does not mean anything. None of us are Kutchi, Surati, Kathiawadi, Hindu, Muslim or Christian. We are all souls (Jivas). We have to do what Swaminarayan Bhagwan wanted us to do. Not how we feel or what we think is right. I am passing a lot of stuff in my Sampraday, how do you know that I am not? We have not met yet. How do you know then what I do in my life for myself? You think I should go with my Guru? LOL how do you know if I have or wont go to where my guru is? HAHA. You can be a saint in sansaar too. Like Parvatbhai of Agatrai and Jeenabhai of Panchala. You think we are arguing and fighting? I don’t see it this way. When two people debate the third and fourth who are watching understand what is what. So do you follow the rules that Bhagwan set for us to follow or what you think or are told what to follow? In the Vachnamrut Bhagwan has clearly stated that when one talks of Ekantik Acharyas, Ekantik Santos and Ekantik bhakts, Shastras and Bhagwan Himself then we should not sit still. We should fire back like Sharp arrows at them. You do not seem to understand this. I will never in my life see this happen and sit quiet. It should be the same for all true bhakts of the true Sampraday.

Just because Kutchis come to BAPS mandirs does not mean they are right. Many Kutchis go to the pub and clubbing too haha. This does not prove anything. I know many BAPS families who eat eggs. For example a Jayeshbhai Parekh who goes BAPS mandir regularly. He owns a shop and sells meat and eats eggs. Also he came to do darshan of the Acharya when the Acharya came for padrami at my house. What does that prove? It just proves that he is not doing as he is meant to according to Swaminarayan Bhagwan. Hence I do not follow his way. I would if he did. Still God bless him. Same with these kutchis who attend BAPS Mandir. Doesn’t prove anything just that they do not have Nischay in the words of Bhagwan and His form. Pramukh swami has his murtis worshipped. Performed abhishek on, sits on golden thrones and much more.He may be a very nice person but according to the Swaminarayan Sampraday as a saint he should not be soing many things which he does as a saint. For example read Sadguru nand Sant Gunatitanand swamis vato. The vairagya can clearly be seen and the importance of Agna is also stated clearly by Him.

My dandavats at your feet. You are a mumukshu but with gyaan you could go much further and realise truth as it is.

Jai Swaminarayan.

January 9, 2008

Hi there,

Please feel free to ask anything about Akshar Purushottam Upasana, Can help you clarify with references. If possible you can read some of my old posts.

Cheers

Jai Swaminarayan

Please could you tell me with reference where Gunatit parampara is within the scriptures of Swaminarayan Sampraday? Also how saints get their diksa with in scriptures, where Gunatitanand Swami is stated as Akshar clearly. Just as clear as Gopalanand Swami is stated as Akshar in the scriptures bh Swaminarayan Bhagwan.

nav · January 11, 2008

Please could you tell me with reference where Gunatit parampara is within the scriptures of Swaminarayan Sampraday? Also how saints get their diksa with in scriptures, where Gunatitanand Swami is stated as Akshar clearly. Just as clear as Gopalanand Swami is stated as Akshar in the scriptures bh Swaminarayan Bhagwan.

Hello Daas ka Daas,

You were the one who wrote previously that you were in BAPS since child hood and you left BAPS just because the senior saints of BAPS were not able to answer your questions. I think you should go back and look at the answer to your post and your questions. I made it very clear to you with refernces. You didnt relply back to my post after that. I dont understand how many times will you go round and round, I have no idea why are you doing this.

Any ways I will answer it again,

Firstly About Gunatitanand Swami,

Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj wrote in Kirtan Kaustubhmala

His exact words in it are:

"Aksharmurti Gunatitanand Swami, Tene Aapya vartman,

Pote paline pachi palavya, Janne dai ghanu Gnan....."

Here when he says Aksharmurti Gunatitanand Swami then it means Akshar Murtimaan and not a Brahmswarup Saint but Brahman himself. This book abt maharaj written by Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj was printed by Kothari Hathibhai Nanajibhai in 1912 AD at Mumbai by your Management. Please do refer it, If I am wrong pease state what is written in there.

Now in Harililakalpataru, Achintyanand Brahmachari (Who was not from BAPS) does the Stuti of Gunatitanand Swami as Akshar:

Here what it states

"Yadromavivare leena Andanam kotayah Pruthak|

Tadhaksharam Gunatitam Gunatitam Namamyaham||"

In Brief it means: In whose every pore Infinite Brahmands stay different from each other, that Akshar who is Gunatit(above three Gunas), I bow down to that Gunatit(Gunatitanand Swami) .

When Maharaj gave diksha to Gunatitanand Swami in Dabhan, that description in Harililakalpataru as follows:

"Muljisharma Dikshaam Dadanasya prajayate|

Bhuyonmetra Samanando Tato Dhamaksharam Sa Me||

Mukteyranantayha saakam Me Yatrakhandtayoshyate|

Urdhvobhagarhitam Tanmulam Dhaam Chaksharam||

Harileelakalpataru: 7th Skand, 17th Adhyaya

It means: Mulji Akshar who is my murtimaan Akshardhaam, which is dimensionless, Where I stay with my infinite Muktas, I am very happy to give him diksha today.

If this sholka means something else then please do give me the real meaning. You say Nishkulanand Swami stated Gopalanand Swami as Akshar, Please do provide the reference???. Look at the Junagadh Mandir -Sabha Gruh and Bhandar has Akshar Purushottam murtis. Jetpur Swaminarayan Mandir, Panchala Swaminarayan Mandir, Faneni Swaminarayan Mandir, Mendarda, Vekri, Kaalsari, Bhundari, Rajkot,Verawad, Manavadar and Gondal Swaminarayan Mandirs, all under the Jurisdiction of Acharya has Akshar Purushottam murtis (or say photo or painting).Now you cant say that this doesnt exist or BAPS went into the Mandirs and installed it. I have sited them my self and have the pictures as well. I dont know the process to upload the pics on this forum. All of them and a few other mandirs state clearly beneath the Photos as Mul Akshar Gunatitanand Swami.

Maharaj in Vadtal 5 clearly states that "If you spend 5 rupees for god then you should spend 5 rupees for his Uttam Bhakta as well......" He also said-"Jetlu Raja nu rajya etluj Rani nu Raj..." It doesnt mean that Queen replaces the King. Gadhada-I-68 states:"Eight types of Murtis where god resides and the ninth is the Sant" Gunanatitanand Swami is such Sant and Uttam Bhakta. Akshar is Akshar since Anadi but the Akshar mukts have done the Bhakti of ParaBrahman and attained such State. So, Akshar is the Devotee since Anadi i.e., Time immemorial. Read Loya 12, Maharaj Clearly says that Uttam NIrvikalp Nishachay is attained only by reaching a state equvivalent to that of Aksharbrahman. It clearly means that Akshar's Bhakti and NIshachay is not comparable with any of the Jivas including Acharya Maharaj.

Now Maharaj said in Shikshapatri that Laxmi with narayan is called Laxminarayan, Nar and Narayan is called Narnarayan etc..And in Shikshapatri Shlok 111, Maharaj clearly states that Radha, Laxmi etc.. are Bhagwan's Bhaktas who somtimes are next to him or sometimes reside in the body. Now at that time every one knew abt Laxminarayan, Narnarayan etc He was trying to hint something else. In shloka 203 Mahraj says that he has written this shikshapatri in brief and for more knowledge refer to the Sampraday Scriptures.

The Most Authentic Scripture after Shikshapatri(Written by Maharaj) is Vachanamrut(Words Spoken by Maharaj). From Vachanamrut Gad-I-41, Maharaj clearly states that he doesnt reside in Prakrutipurush as much as he resides in Akshar. Prakrutipurush is the first Tatva for creation (Khagol Bhugol, Gad-I-41, Gad-II-31 etc..), It means it is only Purushottam Narayan above AksharBrahman and nobody else and also Akshar is above Maya with ParaBrahman since Anadi. Therefore Akshar is the Sarva Sreshta and Uttam Bhakta Of Maharaj. It means all the Muktas, Prakrutipurush, Pradhanpurush, Viratpurush,all Avatars and gods, and Jivas do not Understand the Swarup of Maharaj as much as Akshar does. There for to know the Paripurna Mahima and possess complete Swarup Nishta, Akshar or Mahraj himself is required (loya12). Thus from Shikshapatri when Maharaj says abt Knowing the Avatars along with their Uttambhaktas, He means to say to himself along with his Uttam Bhakta. And also in Vachanamrut Gad -III-38,Maharaj says that we should bow down to Avatars but Upasana should be done only of the Pragat Bhagwan and also in Loya-11 he says that we shouldnt do the Dhyan of Paroksh Avatars. Now in Shikshapatri he says to sing the glory of Radha Krishna but in Vachanamrut he stresses on not doing the Upasana of Paroksh Avatars. So, It is clear that Maharaj doesn't want us to do the Bhakti of Radha Krishna or Narnarayan but he wants us to his bhakti along with his Uttam Bhakta as people have done in past of Laxminarayan etc..

Talking about Guru Parampara, the gurus are no different but Akshar Brahman himself. Its just the outer appearance is changing but the entity remains Akshar, because in order to attain Brahmic State one requires Brahman himself. How do we know that? well his vartan, his qualities and his Bhakti are just not comparable to any body. It was Gunatitanand Swami who introduced Bhagatji Maharaj, and it was Bhagatji Maharaj who introduced Shastriji Maharaj ....etc.

You talk about Guru Parampara being in Scriptures, Where in Scriptures does it say about that Moksha is through Acharya Maharaj. Maharaj in Vachanamrut always uses Sant or Bhakta or Satpurush (Gad I-27, Gad-II-51..) to be the door for Liberation. The Guru of BAPS is that Satpurush or Sant or Bhakta.

I will definitely answer more, But before that you now state Where does Nishkulanand Swami State Gopalanand Swami as Akshar?????

If he says Gopalanand Swami to be Akshar then why dont you guys install Gopalanand Swami beside Maharaj just like Laxmi Narayan or Nar Narayan????

I think you yourself are confused, First answer these questions??

Jai Swaminarayan

January 11, 2008

Jay Swaminarayan. I have every single one of your posts. Please paste the one I did not answer. You are wrong as if you look within the Harililamrut which is also a scripture written by Viharilalji maharaj, you will see that he refers to Muktanand Swami as Akshar Murti as well. When Muktanand Swami beats the sabha in Vadodra, Viharilalji Maharaj states Muktanand Swami as Aksharmurti. Just because of this we shouldn’t believe Muktananad Swami as Akshar Moortimaan. Aksharmurti means a Mukt of Akshar! So think of what you state.

Achintyanand swami was a nand sant. You are wrong once again. In Harililakalpatru, Achintyanand Brahmchari does not do any stuti of Gunatitanand Swami at all. He is doing stutui of Purshottam bhagvaan who is beyond the attributes of Maha. If you look at the meaning of Gunatit it means beyond the attributes of Maya. So you are wrong once again. You cannot assume my friend this is a very bad mistake. This is like stating Aksharanand Swami as Akshar because his name is of ‘Akshar’.

If you know someone who knows Sanskrit then please do visit him. As you have this Shloka translated wrong:

"Muljisharma Dikshaam Dadanasya prajayate|

Bhuyonmetra Samanando Tato Dhamaksharam Sa Me||

Mukteyranantayha saakam Me Yatrakhandtayoshyate|

Urdhvobhagarhitam Tanmulam Dhaam Chaksharam||

Bhagwan is statting that This Mulji Sharma is FROM my Akshardham – “Tato Dhamaksharam Sa Me” Not that he IS my dham!

The only reason why there is image of Gunatitanand Swami in Junagadh is because that swami was Mahant there. If you go to bhuj Mandir then it is the same with brahmanand swami there. If you go to Muli Mandir there is Manubhavanand Swamis images there. Same with the other mandirs.

Also yo uare wrong to state that there are images of Akshar Purshottam in the mandirs. Show me proof. I have been everywhere Jetpur Swaminarayan Mandir, Panchala Swaminarayan Mandir, Faneni Swaminarayan Mandir, Mendarda, Vekri, Kaalsari, Bhundari, Rajkot,Verawad, Manavadar and Gondal Swaminarayan Mandirs. There is no murti of Gunatitanand Swami here that are under the original Sampraday. I know already but show those who do not know woth proof of photographs of the actual mandirs.

All Mandirs also have images and idols out of the main alter (main sinhasan) of the Nand Padvi santos. This is custom. But you people see just Gunatitanand Swami and think “oh look Gunatitanand Swami, he must be there as he is Akshar”. But what about all the images of Gopalanand Swami that are constant within all the sampraday?

Param Chaitanyanand Swami states himself that Nishkulanand Swami heard and witnessed Mool Akshar as Gopalanand Swami. This can be seen within the Gopalanand swamis Vato clearly.

Stop making up your own words about the Vachnamrut. You cant assume things. Where in the Vachnamrut is it clearly mentioned that Gunatitanand Swami is mool Akshar? Also where is this Gunatit Parampara mentioned? You state Vadtal 5 but have you read Vadtal 18? By the way Vadtal 5 does not state anything to do with Akshar being Gunatitanand Swami neither does Gadhada I-68. We also believe God resides in a Sant.

I also know Akshar is Anadi and also serve Bhagwan in four ways. We also know that we have to become one with Brahm and worship Parbrahm. But how does that mean Gunatitanand Swami is Akshar? Where does it state worship Aksharbrahm along with Parbrahm? It states become Brahmrrop. Not do Upasna of Brahm.

We do not hero worship the Acharya. We just follow what Bhagwan wanted us to. We have santos to teach us Gyaan. Shriji Maharaj was not hinting anything at all in the Sikshapoatri. This whole BAPS is about hinting. They assume things as though Shriji Maharaj’s work is all secretive and as though He has hinted things.

The Acharya alone can initiate a person as a follower by a simple ceremony. Only those saints initiated by the Acharya are the real saints of Swaminarayan Sampraday. (Shikshapatri Slok No. 128)

The wife of the Acharya initiates the ladies in Swaminarayan Sampraday. (Shikshapatri Slok No. 133) In Swaminarayan Sampraday all the saints have equal status and no particular saint is elected, selected or appointed as the head of all saints or the Holy Fellowship.

The Satsangi Jivan states: Shree Hari commanded that the Acharyas were to be the final arbitrators of all rules about restrictions and observances and the final authority in all religious disputes.

Sikshapatri Shlok 123

The Acharyas, sons of My elder and younger brothers AND THEIR SUCESSORS, shall never initiate or preach to females who are not closely related to them. This clearly shows that their successors should also be treated as heads.

Sikshapatri Shlok 128

I have enthroned the two Acharyas as spiritual leaders in order to preserve the religion of all my disciples. They shall initiate to my faith, those male aspirants who are desirous of salvation.

This clearly shows that the Acharyas are the heads. They are to preserve the religion of ALL DISCIPLES. They are to initiate those who are desirous of salvation.

Sikshapatri 131

The wives of the Acharyas, with the permission of their husbands shall initiate, preach and give Shree Krishna Mantra to females only. This is how females get Moksh. Just like Bhaktimata did the wives of Gadiwala is the wife of the Acharya.

Sikshapatri 62

They shall worship only those idols of Shree Krishna, which have been given to them by the Acharya (of Dharma Kul) or installed by Him. Other idols shall be respectfully bowed before, but not worshipped. So that’s why we do not believe your mandirs as of the Sampraday. As they cannot be worshipped in.

The Desh Vibhaag Lekh states: 29. Our command to all Sadhus and all Brahmcharis and all Palas and all our followers (satsangi) is, that no one at any time deviate from, or cause others to deviate from, what we have here written; they shall always remain obedient to their spiritual preceptors. They shall not let quarrels arise between the two ruling preceptors. He who, misrepresenting matters, brings about quarrels and strife between them, and disobeys our commands, betrays our word and betrays his Guru. He is not Ours. Regard him as an outcast (chaandaal), 30. Written in the Darbar of Khachar Dada Ebhal at the auspicious place of Gadhada on Margashirsh Sudi 15th, Samvat 1883. Writer Sadhu ShukMuni. True translation, Geo. P Taylor M.A. D, D.

In shloka 203 Mahraj says that he has written this Sikshapatri in brief and for more knowledge refer to the Sampraday Scriptures. Yet why is it that you are disregarding all of them? How hypocritical of you to state such!! Have you read Satsangi Jivan? Nishkulanand Kavya? Bhaktchintaman? Harililamrut? Hari Digvijay etc? Obviously not. Otherwise you wouldn’t state what you do. What about all this? You probably think Shriji Maharaj has hinted in this too? That is wrong of you.

We know that Maharaj resides in Akshar more than Prakruti Purush., We agree with every single word of the Vachnamrut. This does not mean Gunatitanand swami is Akshar.

By the way where has Shirji Maharaj stated that His avatars do not understand Him~? This is blasphemous of you to state such. That the Avtaars do not realise Shriji Maharaj’s greatness. Your gyaan is devoid if you think like this. Mahraj is Sarva Avtaari yes this is true. But how can you state that the Avtaars do not know their Mool Swaroop? That is wrong to even suggest this never mind believe this. Akshar may well be above all but you believe him as God and more than the avatars of Bhagwan. This even Mool Akshar would not like.

LOYA 12:

Whereas, in the case of Uttam Nirvikalpa knowledge of God, the devotee has realized that millions of macrocosms, each by eight spheres, look like atoms before the infinite greatness of Akshar. The Akshar is the divine abode of Purushottam Narayan. One such devotee attains oneness with this Akshar and with this Aksharbrahm to offer worship to Lord Purushottam. This talks of attaining the oneness of Akshar. Not believe Gunatitanand Swami as Akshar or worshipping Akshar.

In terms of Upasna you are not right. You cannot do dhyaan of a Bhrahmveta even if he is Aksharmukt. This is wrong.

This remark of yours is not wise at all. If this was the case then why did Shriji Maharaj consecrate the murtis of the paroksh avatars? If you read the Satsangi Jivan Prakran where Shriji Maharaj consecrates the Murtis of Nar narayan, Lakshminarayan etc he clearly states that I will live within these murtis and do kalyaan of all. Do you not understand this? And any murti, which the Acharya installs and consecrates, Bhagwan comes and resides in them and carries out the Kalyaan of the worshipper. The Murtis of BAPS cannot even be worshipped as the Sikshapatri states. What do you have to state about this?

You have no reference to the scriptures about a guru Parampara. So your point is not valid. What we need is a true Ekantik saint who has become one with Brahm. These give us moksh. These exist in the holy Sampraday of Shriji Maharaj in great majority.

Clearly you have no gyaan from the scriptures. Have you read the Satsangi Jivan or any other granth at all? The Acharyas mahima is clearly stated. If you read the Purshottam Prakash it clearly states that the Acharya is the fourth way to Moksh. As a satpurush doesn’t go against the words of God or change artis etc. He remains in accordance with every single agna.

This is the thing you see. We know clearly Gopalanand swami is Akshar. But we do not install his murtis as Shriji Maharaj has not prescribed such Upasna. If He had wanted such he would have done it Himself. Before He left back for Akshardham, He clearly stated that what He had come to do was accomplished. So nothing more remained. So who are we to think that something more remains to be done and put Swamis Murtis in the Alters? This is false and should not be done. Even Gopalanand Swami wouldn’t want such.

You’re the confused and brain washed one.

January 11, 2008

Here is proof from Scriptures of Gopalanand Swami being Mool akshar. Also why do you think BAPS put up murti of Gopalanand Swami later on? Because you guys think he is Mukt only? Dham, Dhaami and Mukt huh? Well what about Muktanand Swamis murti? HE was mother of Satsang and much older then Gopalanand Swami as well as beiung treated by Shriji Mahraj with guru bhaav. So why not his murti? As trut his BAPS realised but its too late now. So they just put murto there as Mukt. Also do find out for yourself when the first murti of Gopalanand Swami went in you so called mandirs. You will be surprised. As Yagnapurush Swami didnt do it.

In Sadguru Nirgun Swami vaato 60.

Shriji Maharaj Shri Gadhpur madhe viraajman hata. Potani aaghar sadhu harijan ni sabha bethi hati. Eh samay Shriji raaji thay ne Gunatitanand Swami pratye bolya ke “aah haar pehro ane aajthi tame jirangadh (Junagadh) na Mahant”. Gunatitanand Swami kahe “nah Maharaj mare mahantay noh haar pehrvo nathi”. Chahta Maharaj kahe “pehro”.

Maharaj no gano agrah joi ne Gunatitanand Swami bolya ke “ah Gopalanand Swami prativarsh ek maas mane bhagvad katha kehva jirangadh padhaare toh haar pehrvu”. Eh saambhri Maharaj Gopalanand Swami ne puchyu “Kem Gopalanand Swami, Gunatitanand Swami ne bhagvad katha prativarsh tame Junagadh jasho?” Gopalanand Swami kahe “Maharaj, aap jem agna karsho tem karish”. Etle Maharaje Gunatitanand Swamine kahyu ke “Gopalanand Swami Junagadh avvani haa pade che. Maate tame haar pehro”.

Pachi Gunatitanand Swami haar pehryo ne mahant thaya. Tyathi Gopalanand swami pan pote pruthvi upar rahya sudhi Bhagwanni vato kehva prativarsh Junagadh Padharta hata; ane koi varas na javaay to bije varase jaine beh maas rehta hata.

108-109 it states:

Potane deh mukva aada paanch divas rahya hata tyare Shriji Maharaj ardhi raatre bolya ke "amari pase kaun che?" etle kahyu ke "Mulji Brahmchari, Shukmuni, tatha Ratanjibhai tran jan che". Sambhri Shriji Maharaj Bolya ke "Ek Muktanand Swami pan bolvavi laavo pan bija koi nahi".

Pachi Ratanjibhai Muktanand Swami ne bolaavi lavya ane teh avi ne Maharaj paase betha. Maharaje temne puchyu ke "amaro vishvaas che?" temre kahyu ke "amare tamro sampurna vishvaas che". Pachi Shriji Maharaj kahyu ke "Tame sarvo Gopalanand Swami ni agna ma rehjo, Akshardhaam ma pan teh sarvane vartaave che. Ane Jeh Mool Akshar che tej eh che".

Muktanand Swami bolya ke "Maharaj, eh toh mota che!" Pan atla divas eh vaat amne kem na kahi?" tyare shriji bolya ke "atla divas na kahi, teh toh ketlak juna ne theek na pade teh mate na kahi pan have emni agna mah rehjo". Etle Muktanand Swami bolya ke, Maharaj ame nischay emni agna mah rehshu". Em kahi ne vandan karya.

There is much more about Gopalanand Swamis talks about teaching Gunatitanand Swami about his Bahayvrutti being siddh hence he has vikshep in samadhi. So Gopalanand swami taught Gunatitanand Swami over the how to meditate without being troubled by Vikshep.

From the scripture of Nirgun Swami vaat number 60.

Shriji Maharaj was residing in Gadhpur. There was an assembly of followers and saints before Him. After this Shriji Maharaj happily asked Gunatitanand swami “ Wear this garland of flowers and as of to9day you shall be the Mahant (head) of the Junagadh Temple”. Gunatitanand Swami replied “No Maharaj, I do not wish to wear become a mahant”. Yet Swaminarayan Bhagwan insisted.

After seeing this Gunatitanand swami spoke “Only if Gopalanand Swami comes to Junagadh every year and if he does Katha, I will wear the garland and accept your decision”. So Maharaj asked Gopalanand swami “ oh Gopalanand Swami, will you go every year to give him your divine talks?” Gopalanand swami replied” I will do as you order Maharaj”.

So Shriji Maharaj told Gunatitanand swami “ Swami now Gopalanand swami has agreed now wear the garland”.

So then Gunatitanand Swami was garlanded and made the head of Junagadh temple. From then onwards Gopalanand Swami used to go every year. When he couldn’t make it one year then he would stay for two months the year after. He did this till he stayed upon the Earth.

108-109 it states:

When there was only five days left for Shriji Maharaj to depart to Akshardham he awoke in the middle of the night and asked “who is here at the moment?” So he was told that Mulji Brahmchari, Shukmuni and Ratanjibhai are here Maharaj.” So Shriji Maharaj replied “call upon Muktanand swami, I wish to speak to him alone.”

Then Ratanjibhai called upon Muktanand Swami. He came and sat beside Shriji Maharaj. Shriji maharaj spoke “ Swami do you have full trust upon me?” So Muktanand Swami replied “ I have full trust upon you Maharaj.” Then Shriji Maharaj spoke “All you live and abide by Gopalanand Swamis orders, all abide in him even in Akshardham. And Mool Akshar is none but him.”

Muktanand swmai replied “ Oh Maharaj, He is a very great saint then! But why did you not ytell us earlier?” Then Shriji maharaj spoke “ If I would have told you all earlier many other elder sainst would not like it, but from now you should all live in His commands.” Hence Muktanand Swami replied “Oh Maharaj, we will with firm faith remain in his commands,” Swami then bowed down.

January 11, 2008

True Acharya’s!

The Acharya's of the Sampraday are more than mere administrative heads. They are the spiritual leaders and the Guru through whom the path to atyantik kalyan (ultimate redemption) is opened.

Sahajanand Swami (Swaminarayan) adopted Ayodhyaprasadji from His elder brother Rampratapji and adopted Raghuvirji from His younger brother Ichcharamji. He accepted the two as His own sons and handed the Northern- NarNarayan Dev Desh (diocese) to Ayodhyaprasadji and the Southern- LakshmiNarayan Dev Desh to Raghuvirji in Vadtal on VS 1882 (1826 AD) Kartik Sud 11 - Prabodhini Ekadashi (ironically on the very same day He was given the Acharya-pad by Ramanand Swami).

The NarNarayan Desh is based in Amdavad (Ahmedabad) and LakshmiNarayan Desh in Vadtal. Though known as NarNarayan Dev and Lakshminarayan Dev Gadi, both are the Swaminarayan Gadis as they are the only authentic gadis established by Lord Swaminarayan Himself.

The Acharyas are householders and their respective wives (Gadiwala) stand as the females’ Guru. The Gadi is passed on to the most capable of the Sons from their family.

The Acharya’s role is to:

• initiate followers into the Sampraday with a Samanya Diksha by giving the special guru-mantra

• initiate sadhus (monks, ascetics) by giving them the Maha-Bhagwadi Diksha

• perform murti-pratishtha, install deities in the temples

• authenticate scriptures of the Sampraday

• act as the Guru and leader of the entire Sampraday.

These responsibilities have been prescribed in the Shikshapatri, Satsangijeevan and Desh Vibhag no Lekh, and according to these shastras no other individual other than the Dharmavanshi Acharyas are permitted to carry out the above duties. Therefore, the sole authority of the above lies with the two Acharyas.

“My Bhramin, Kshatriya and Vaishya followers who have received Shri Krshna Diksha (initiation) from the Dharmavanshi (descendants of Dharmadev) Acharyas, shall wear a double tulsi kanthi (rosary) around their neck and shall wear a U-shaped tilak on their forehead, chest, and both harms.” (Shikshapatri Shlok 41)

Therefore, a Swaminarayan follower is only a genuine Swaminarayan follower once he has received diksha from the respective Acharya. A Swaminarayan sadhu is only a genuine Swaminarayan sadhu once he has been given diksha by the Acharyas.

In the Shikshapatri (62), Swaminarayan Bhagwan clearly states:

“And the form of Shri Krshna that has been given by your Acharya for the purpose of your worship and the forms that the Acharya has installed (i.e. in the mandirs) are the only forms of God worthy of worship. The rest are worthy of respect but not worthy of worship”

Therefore, the only murtis (deities) worthy of worship are those installed by the Acharyas.

In the Shikshapatri, Swaminarayan Bhagwan has placed a lot of importance on the Acharyas.

Shlok 71:

“All my followers shall never enter into debate with their Acharyas and shall serve the Acharyas with food, clothing, money etc according to their capacity.”

Shlok 72:

“Upon hearing of their coming, my followers should immediately go to greet and welcome the arrival of their Acharyas, and when the Acharya returns from the town my followers shall see them off to the outskirts of the town.”

In the scripture Purushottam Prakash, the writer Nishkulanand Swami describes the instance when Swaminarayan Bhagwan established the Dharmavanshi Acharya’s.

Sahajanand Swami felt that now that He had established the grand temples and splendid Sampraday, He wanted to keep His sadhus free from the affairs dealing with wealth, power etc. He therefore decided that He would create leaders for each and every sadhu and householder, who will subsequently be responsible for the Sampraday.

This was in accordance with one of His three resolves; i.e. to establish the leaders of the Sampraday from His own family - Dharmakul.

Before declaring His intention to select His own family, Lord Shree Swaminarayan first gathered the senior sadhus/saints and followers and revealed His intention to install successors to the leadership.

The gathering that included seniors such as S.G. Muktanand Swami, S.G. Gopalanand Swami, S.G. Brahmanand Swami etc. as well as householders such as Dada- Uttam Khachar, unanimously recommended to Lord Shree Swaminarayan that He retain the leadership in His own Dharmakul and select Ayodhyaprasadji or Raghuvirji.

Lord Shree Swaminarayan was very pleased with this suggestion, for this was His own thinking as well. Since there was no room for discussion or further consideration, it was concluded that Lord Shree Swaminaryan's successors will be from His own Dharmakul and will be householders.

Sahajanand Swami then adopted Ayodhyaprasadji and Raghuvirprasadji as His own sons and made them the Acharyas – the Gurus of the Swaminarayan Sampraday.

He then declared, “Those who serve these Acharyas with food, jewellery, vehicles, animals, flowers etc shall be worthy of Akshardham…………. I shall emancipate those who serve and respect these Acharyas. Through these Acharyas I shall give kalyaan (give Akshardham) to all souls………." (Purushottam Prakash Chapter 37, Verse 6-20)

“…After a lot of thought and consideration I have decided to give the Gadi to them…” (Chapter 39 Verse 8)

“Therefore all of you shall obey the Dharamkul and serve them. They are not ordinary beings; they are great Devtas (Gods). As well as being my Sons they are Brahmin and my Bhaktas and by serving them you shall earn immense happiness. All your wishes will be fulfilled, this is my command that is to remain permanently.”

“So both householders and sadhus obey their (Acharyas’) commands, and not the fancies of the mind. Do not take any actions without their consent…..do not enter into debates with them even if you are greater in knowledge or wisdom…you shall regard the Acharyas as faultless – you shall obey their commands. If you keep them pleased then I will be pleased with you because they are in place of Myself….. I am forever residing in them. I am in them, and they are in Me. I am never far from them and I give darshan (divine sightings) residing in them……….”

“I am forever residing in the Dharmavanshi Acharyas. After seeing such followers I have decided to remain here (in the satsang), therefore those who worship the Acharyas have worshipped Me.”

(Purushottam Prakash Chapter 40)

The establishment of the Dharmavanshi Acharyas was therefore immensely important for both administrative and spiritual purposes.

The constitution of the Sampraday is laid out in Desh Vibhag no Lekh, which describes in detail the functions of the Acharyas.

“….it is my command to all sadhus, bhramcharis and all satsangi's, that for the purpose of your kalyaan (emancipation) you must obey and follow the two Acharyas of Dharmavansh, and obey their commands by thought, action and speech. If this is compromised and whoever turns elsewhere (rejecting the Acharyas) will find that they will never find sukh (happiness) in this world or the worlds beyond and will experience immense distress…” (Desh Vibhag no Lekh)

Furthermore, in one of the most authoritative scriptures the Vachamanamrut, Swaminarayan Bhagwan clearly states one of the prerequisites for attaining Akshardham

“…The devotee who is aashrit of Dharmakul (i.e. he who has received initiation from Dharmavanshi Acharya and remains loyal to the Acharya) gets a divine Brahm-state body by God’s wish…” (Vachanamrut, Gadhada Pratham Chapter 1)

So it is imperative to be a humble loyal follower of the Dharmavanshi Acharya once receiving the diksha (guru mantra) in order to be qualified to achieve a Brahm form.

Even Gunatitanand Swami, one of the main sadhus of Swaminarayan Bhagwan states “He who insults the temples, Acharyas, sadhus and satsangi’s will find his roots being destroyed and will inevitably fall from the satsang.” (Swami ni Vato Prakran 5, Vat 104)

Sahajanand Swami has decided to remain on this earth in His Acharyas. They are a version of Him. Being Purushottam Narayan Bhagwan, Sahajanand Swami kept an eternal method of attaining Akshardham by first requiring followers to obtain gurumantra or diksha and obey and respect the Dharmavanshi Acharyas. This is a system, which He has established for each and every follower. It was not a system that was to be changed or altered in the future in any way.

In S.G. Nityanand Swami's Shree Hari-Digvijay (endorsed by Lord Shree Swaminarayan) a debate between many great Vedic pundit- scholars and Lord Shree Swaminarayan is well documented.

The pundits challenge Lord Shree Swaminarayan's establishment of the Dharmavanshi Acharyas. It was argued that a householder being a leader of renunciates (sadhus etc.) was anti-Vedic and had no firm basis in the scriptures of the Sanatan Dharma.

Lord Shree Swaminarayan explained in detail how it is in fact preferable to have householders leading a fellowship that consists of male and female renunciates and grihastha - householders.

He provided scriptural evidence for this and stated examples such Vyasji, the founder of the 4 Vedas and 18 Purans and considered the 'Universal Guru' in whose memory we have 'Guru-Poornima'.

Rishi Vyas was in fact a householder. Similarly, Rishis Vasishta and Yagyavalkya were also householders as was Brahmarshi Vishwamitra. A more distinct example is of Shukadevji, who recited the Srimad Bhagwat to King Parikshit, was a shishya (disciple) of King Janaka.

Therefore, the gathering of pandits and scholars agreed that the setup of Dharmavanshi Acharyas was more than coherent with the Vedic Dharmas and was worthy of honour and admiration.

Today there exist many sects that claim they are following the philosophies of Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan, where in fact nothing could be further from the truth. As Swaminarayan Bhagwan has emphasised, there is no Akshardham for those who do not honour, obey, respect and serve the Dharmavanshi Acharyas, no matter how great a devotee they are.

It has now become necessary to question ‘Swaminarayan Temples’ whether they are in fact Swaminarayan Temples since the deities appear not to have been installed by the Dharmavanshi Acharyas, which is an outright breach of Swaminarayan Bhagwan’s likings (refer Shikshapatri Shlok 10 and then Shlok 62).

It has also become necessary to question the authenticity of ‘Swaminarayan’ sadhus. According to the scriptures mentioned, a Swaminarayan Sadhu is he who has received the initiation (maha-bhagwati diksha) from Dharmavanshi Acharya- no one else.

Once this has been appreciated, one can realise the true grandeur of the Dharmavanshi Acharyas. They are another form of Swaminarayan Bhagwan and though they appear as humans, they are at a status even higher than Akshar-Muktas. Therefore all Swaminarayan Satsangis should obtain initiation from one of the two Dharmavanshi Acharyas and remain under their instructions and always honour and respect them as they would Swaminarayan Bhagwan Himself.

January 11, 2008

The Acharyas of the Sampraday are more than mere administrative heads. They are the spiritual leaders and the Guru through whom the path to atyantik kalyan (ultimate redemption) is opened.

Sahajanand Swami adopted Ayodhyaprasadji from His elder brother Rampratapji and adopted Raghuvirji from His younger brother Ichcharamji. He accepted the two as His own sons and handed the Northern- NarNarayan Dev Desh (diocese) to Ayodhyaprasadji and the Southern- LakshmiNarayan Dev Desh to Raghuvirji in Vadtal on VS 1882 (1826 AD) Kartik Sud 11 - Prabodhini Ekadashi (ironically on the very same day He was given the Acharya-pad by Ramanand Swami).