Gunatitanand Swami
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A Textbook of the Satsang Examinations Series: 14 AKSHARBRAHMA GUNATITANAND SWAMI Gujarati Text: Sadhu Ishwarcharandas Translation: BAPS Sadhus SWAMINARAYAN A KSHARPITH Amdavad PREFACE Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami (A short biography of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami) The youth movement (BAPS Yuvak Mandal) established and nourished by Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj has been expanding at a very rapid pace. To satisfy the aspirations and thirst for A textbook for the Satsang Examinations under the curriculum set by knowledge of the youth joining the movement, and also to enable Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha them to understand and imbibe the principles of Akshar and Purushottam expounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the Inspirer: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj publication division of Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Yuvak Mandal, organized under the auspices of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), has prepared a series of books. Previous Editions: 1979, 1985, 1993 Through these books, it is intended to impart systematic, Fourth Edition: March 2007 sustained and pure knowledge in a simple language on a scholastic basis to the children and youth of the Satsang. It is hoped that this Sanstha, established by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj for implementing and propagating the ideals propounded ISBN: 81-7526-302-4 by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, will, through this activity, teach the ideals and noble traditions of the Sampraday and through it, the culture of the Hindu religion. Copyright: © SWAMINARAYAN AKSHARPITH It is planned to bring out these books in different languages. We hope that all religious-minded truth-seekers of the Sampraday, All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced and those outside it, will welcome this activity. in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, except for brief quotations embodied in reviews and In order to encourage children and young men, annual articles. examinations are held based on the curriculum as worked out in these books. Certificates are also awarded to successful candidates. We bless Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, Prof. Rameshbhai Dave, Kishorebhai Dave, and all others who have co-operated in the Published & Printed by: preparation of these books. Swaminarayan Aksharpith Shahibaug Road, Amdavad-4 Shastri Narayanswarupdasji Gujarat, India Jai Swaminarayan Websites: www.swaminarayan.org www.akshardham.com Vasant Panchmi www.mandir.org Vikram Samvat 2028 kids.baps.org (1972 CE), Atladra PREFACE Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami (A short biography of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami) The youth movement (BAPS Yuvak Mandal) established and nourished by Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj has been expanding at a very rapid pace. To satisfy the aspirations and thirst for A textbook for the Satsang Examinations under the curriculum set by knowledge of the youth joining the movement, and also to enable Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha them to understand and imbibe the principles of Akshar and Purushottam expounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the Inspirer: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj publication division of Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Yuvak Mandal, organized under the auspices of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), has prepared a series of books. Previous Editions: 1979, 1985, 1993 Through these books, it is intended to impart systematic, Fourth Edition: March 2007 sustained and pure knowledge in a simple language on a scholastic basis to the children and youth of the Satsang. It is hoped that this Sanstha, established by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj for implementing and propagating the ideals propounded ISBN: 81-7526-302-4 by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, will, through this activity, teach the ideals and noble traditions of the Sampraday and through it, the culture of the Hindu religion. Copyright: © SWAMINARAYAN AKSHARPITH It is planned to bring out these books in different languages. We hope that all religious-minded truth-seekers of the Sampraday, All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced and those outside it, will welcome this activity. in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, except for brief quotations embodied in reviews and In order to encourage children and young men, annual articles. examinations are held based on the curriculum as worked out in these books. Certificates are also awarded to successful candidates. We bless Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, Prof. Rameshbhai Dave, Kishorebhai Dave, and all others who have co-operated in the Published & Printed by: preparation of these books. Swaminarayan Aksharpith Shahibaug Road, Amdavad-4 Shastri Narayanswarupdasji Gujarat, India Jai Swaminarayan Websites: www.swaminarayan.org www.akshardham.com Vasant Panchmi www.mandir.org Vikram Samvat 2028 kids.baps.org (1972 CE), Atladra INTRODUCTION Shri Swaminarayano Vijayate Bhagwan Swaminarayan has revealed in the Vachanamrut, “When God incarnates for the purpose of granting liberation to the jivas, He is always accompanied by His Akshardham, His attendants... and all of His divine powers... Therefore, a devotee of God should realize that the form of God along with His Akshardham is present on this earth, and he should also explain this fact to others.” (Vachanamrut Gadhada I-71.) According to these words, Bhagwan Swaminarayan incarnated on earth, bringing with him his divine abode, Akshardham, in human form as Sadguru Gunatitanand Swami. He revealed him as Aksharbrahma, and taught the principle of offering devotion to Bhagwan Purushottam by attaining the brahmarup state. Gunatitanand Swami holds a unique place among the five hundred paramhansas of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The life of Gunatitanand Swami is the very embodiment of pure divinity, hence he is revered as an ideal sadhu and guru. Gunatitanand Swami was among the first to reveal and spread the supremacy of Bhagwan Swaminarayan on this earth. Gunatitanand Swami’s life confirmed the fact that Bhagwan Swaminarayan is ever manifest on this earth through Aksharbrahma and has kept the door of redemption for jivas open through a God-realized Sadhu. This book is an overview of the divine life of Gunatitanand Swami highlighting his devotion, spirit of service, spiritual understanding and the impact he had in *Ame sau Swãminã bãlak, marishu Swãmine mãte; transforming and inspiring the lives of others. It is based on the Ame sau Shrijitanã yuvak, ladishu Shrijine mãte... comprehensive biography Anadi Mul Aksharmurti Sadguru Shri Nathi dartã nathi kartã, amãrã jãnni parvã; Gunatitanand Swami by Shri Harshadbhai Dave. Amãre dar nathi koino, ame janmyã chhie marvã...ame 1 The present publication is a translation, with slight Ame ã yagna ãrambhyo, balidãno ame daishu; modifications to suit the medium, of the Gujarati book Gunatitanand Amãrã Akshar Purushottam, gunãtit gnãnne gãishu...ame 2 Swami. Ame sau Shriji tanã putro, akshare vãs amãro chhe; Svadharmi bhasma choli to, amãre kshobh shãno chhe...ame 3 Juo sau motinã Swãmi, na rãkhi kai te khãmi; Pragat Purushottam pãmi, malyã Gunãtit Swãmi...ame 4 * See Glossary INTRODUCTION Shri Swaminarayano Vijayate Bhagwan Swaminarayan has revealed in the Vachanamrut, “When God incarnates for the purpose of granting liberation to the jivas, He is always accompanied by His Akshardham, His attendants... and all of His divine powers... Therefore, a devotee of God should realize that the form of God along with His Akshardham is present on this earth, and he should also explain this fact to others.” (Vachanamrut Gadhada I-71.) According to these words, Bhagwan Swaminarayan incarnated on earth, bringing with him his divine abode, Akshardham, in human form as Sadguru Gunatitanand Swami. He revealed him as Aksharbrahma, and taught the principle of offering devotion to Bhagwan Purushottam by attaining the brahmarup state. Gunatitanand Swami holds a unique place among the five hundred paramhansas of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The life of Gunatitanand Swami is the very embodiment of pure divinity, hence he is revered as an ideal sadhu and guru. Gunatitanand Swami was among the first to reveal and spread the supremacy of Bhagwan Swaminarayan on this earth. Gunatitanand Swami’s life confirmed the fact that Bhagwan Swaminarayan is ever manifest on this earth through Aksharbrahma and has kept the door of redemption for jivas open through a God-realized Sadhu. This book is an overview of the divine life of Gunatitanand Swami highlighting his devotion, spirit of service, spiritual understanding and the impact he had in *Ame sau Swãminã bãlak, marishu Swãmine mãte; transforming and inspiring the lives of others. It is based on the Ame sau Shrijitanã yuvak, ladishu Shrijine mãte... comprehensive biography Anadi Mul Aksharmurti Sadguru Shri Nathi dartã nathi kartã, amãrã jãnni parvã; Gunatitanand Swami by Shri Harshadbhai Dave. Amãre dar nathi koino, ame janmyã chhie marvã...ame 1 The present publication is a translation, with slight Ame ã yagna ãrambhyo, balidãno ame daishu; modifications to suit the medium, of the Gujarati book Gunatitanand Amãrã Akshar Purushottam, gunãtit gnãnne gãishu...ame 2 Swami. Ame sau Shriji tanã putro, akshare vãs amãro chhe; Svadharmi bhasma choli to, amãre kshobh shãno chhe...ame 3 Juo sau motinã Swãmi, na rãkhi kai te khãmi; Pragat Purushottam pãmi, malyã Gunãtit Swãmi...ame 4 * See Glossary vii 33. Humility .................................................................................. 67 434. Swami in a Trance