Panch Vartmaan - Five vows

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Panch Vartmaan - Five vows

All Swaminarayan Devotees abide by the Panch vartmaan - Five vows. Lord Swaminarayan set five simple and straight forward commands for whoever wanted to embrace the Religion. These Moral commands must be followed by all devotees of Lord Swaminarayan and followed lovingly and whole heartedly to live a happy life and one who is not a follower of the religion would also see benefit in adopting this lifestyle.

1. No Alcohol. (Dharu Vartman)

 

The followers of Swaminarayan are forbidden to consume Alcohol, Tobacco, cigarettes, Drugs anything that is addictive. A persons nature is transformed after being intoxicated. Alcohol transforms a calm and virtuous person into a demon like person. Alcohol wrecks lives, so many people are killed in Alcohol related accidents. Alcohol destroys people kidneys and liver and not only shortens the life expectancy of a person but costs millions in Health care to governments around the world.

 

Bars, Pubs and illegal drinking houses are springing up at a faster pace not only in the western world but also in India. The need is now far greater, for the government and individuals to take the necessary steps, to ensure that the younger generation are not left with drinking with friends as the only source of entertainment.

 

2. No Meat. (Maati Vartman)

Lord Swaminarayan has said one should not eat meat, fish, eggs and any products that contain these foods, including onion, garlic, hing, and any food grains that has not been sieved or cleaned properly. You could be consuming small mites in grains that have not been cleaned properly. It is said in the Shikshapatri that if one’s diet consists of pure food, one’s inner beings also attains purity and God only dwells in purity. The slaughter of innocent animals for their food is strictly prohibited.

 

The people in the western world have been brain washed to believe that the only source of protein is meat. It is true that meat does provide protein, too much protein in fact. There is evidence that too much meat protein is linked to health problems such as cancer and kidney disease. As long as you eat enough calories and your diet is based on real vegetarian food and not junk food you will get enough protein.

 

3. No Theft. (chori Vartman)

One should neither steal for himself, nor for religious purpose. If one sees lovely flowers or ripe fruits on a tree which one takes without the owners permission, with an idea for making an offering to God, this is stealing. Lord Swaminarayan will never be happy with this offering.

 

Not paying your tax dues on your earnings, carrying out unnecessary work during working hours, taking stationary from work for personal use, using the telephone at work for personal use, not going to work and saying you are sick when you are not, is also theft.

 

4. No Adultery. (Averi Vartman)

One should not have an affair witha women who is not his wife. Lord Swaminarayan has clearly mentioned in the Shikshapatri that you should never engage in adultery. In this day and age the media is responsible for encouraging adverse effect on people’s intentions.

 

The need today is even greater to make sure the young generations abstain from those deeds and follow the path of worship and spirituality.

 

5. No Association with Sinners nor encouraging the comittance. (vatalvun nahi ne vatlavavun nahi)

In the Present day and age, specially in the western world this is a difficult one to follow, there will be people who in one way or the another you will come into contact who do not follow the principles of the Swaminarayan religion.

 

We should let anyone who comes in contact with us know about our religion and the principals that we observe. Every religion preaches the importance of not committing sins. Lord Swaminarayan has said that we too become sinners if we take part in a sin, even if we have not actually carried it out.