DOCSLIB.ORG

Bhagwan Swaminarayan's Spiritual Lineage

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bhagwan Swaminarayan's Spiritual Lineage Bhagwan Swaminarayan's Spiritual Lineage Hinduism has an ancient guru-shishya tradition. The genuine guru propagates the philosophical principles, moral values and ritual tradition to his disciples. He also spiritually grooms his disciples out of which he selects one as his successor to continue his spiritual heritage. By seeing the living guru, his actions and teachings, the disciples are inspired to live a moral and spiritual life. The Swaminarayan Sampradaya, founded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, is a bhakti sampradaya that belongs to the Vishnav tradition in Hinduism. The Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) has its roots in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and continues the bhakti tradition and philosophy propagated by Bhagwan Swaminarayan through a succession of Gunatit gurus. Each guru declared his successor to the Satsang Fellowship prior to his earthly departure. A brief introduction to the guru parampara in the BAPS is as follows. BHAGWAN SWAMINARAYAN Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830 CE) lived for only 49 years, but left an enduring legacy that has enabled countless people to experience the bliss of God. Ramanand Swami appointed the 21-year-old Sahajanand Swami in his place. Sahajanand Swami initiated many spiritual and social projects to remedy and revive society’s ailing conditions and fading spirituality. Among other activities, he operated almshouses, built and recharged wells, and introduced education for women. Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s practical spirituality appealed to and attracted people from all strata of society, helping them to regain their lost piety. Such was his divine magnetism that over 3,000 youths accepted initiation from him into the sadhu-fold to lead a life of devotion and service to society. Bhagwan Swaminarayan built six magnificent mandirs to serve as centres of spirituality and service. In his own lifetime, countless revered Bhagwan Swaminarayan as the avatar of Purushottam – the supreme God. His exemplary life still serves as an inspiration for all. But of all the various aspects of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s legacy, the most important was his promise to remain ever-present on earth through the manifest form of Akshar, the God-realized Sadhu. He declared the greatness of Gunatitanand Swami as his divine abode and ideal devotee on many occasions. It is this lineage that has sustained the original ideals of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in their pristine form. (To know more about Bhagwan Swaminarayan, click here.) GUNATITANAND SWAMI The first in Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s spiritual lineage of God-realized Sadhus was Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami (1785-1867 CE), the manifest form of Akshar. Gunatitanand Swami’s discipline, devotion and service were exemplary, inspiring all who came into his contact. On numerous occasions, Bhagwan Swaminarayan identified Gunatitanand Swami as the manifest form of Akshar (also called Aksharbrahman), his divine abode and ideal devotee – Akshardham. Thus, many developed an understanding of Gunatitanand Swami’s true glory. Gunatitanand Swami toured relentlessly to the villages, teaching the glory and philosophy of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, and encouraging a moral and spiritual way of life. Through their association with Gunatitanand Swami, many sadhus and householders attained the state of brahmarup and experienced the bliss of God. His foremost disciple was Bhagatji Maharaj (To know more about Gunatitanand Swami, click here.) BHAGATJI MAHARAJ Bhagatji Maharaj (1829-1897 CE) was the second spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in his lineage of Gunatit Gurus. Bhagatji Maharaj served Gunatitanand Swami with tireless enthusiasm and without concern for his physical needs. His spirit of service embodied the ideal manner in which one should serve one’s guru; he eagerly fulfilled tasks which others avoided. Bhagatji Maharaj also discoursed on the Akshar-Purushottam doctrine, clarifying to devotees that Bhagwan Swaminarayan was Purushottam and Gunatitanand Swami was the manifest form of Akshar. Although he was a householder, sadhus and other householder devotees revered him as their guru. Foremost among his disciples was Shastriji Maharaj, whom he revealed as his successor. (To know more about Bhagatji Maharaj, click here.) SHASTRIJI MAHARAJ Shastriji Maharaj (1865-1951 CE) was the third spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and founded the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in 1907. From Bhagatji Maharaj he learnt the Akshar-Purushottam philosophy as revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the Vachanamrut. In November 1905 he separated from the Vartal mandir, with only five sadhus and a few devotees. In June 1907 he built a mandir in Bochasan and consecrated the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam in the central shrine. This marked the beginning of BAPS. He continued to preach the Akshar-Purushottam philosophy in his extensive travels through all terrains and climates. He also built mandirs in Sarangpur, Gondal, Atladra and Gadhada. Through his efforts Satsang spread to East Africa where a hari mandir was inaugurated in Nairobi. In 1950, Shastriji Maharaj appointed Pramukh Swami Maharaj as the administrative President of BAPS, instructing him to serve under Yogiji Maharaj, whom he proclaimed as his successor. (To know more about Shastriji Maharaj, click here.) YOGIJI MAHARAJ Yogiji Maharaj (1892-1971 CE) was the fourth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. In 1934, Shastriji Maharaj appointed him as the mahant of the newly built BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Gondal. From here he travelled to the villages, encouraging all to pursue a moral and spiritual life. He established separate weekly satsang assemblies for children, youths and elders, enabling them to receive spiritual guidance appropriate for their level. He especially focused on youths and developed such a bond with them that many renounced and became sadhus. He encouraged them to excel in studies and to develop other talents. Yogiji Maharaj undertook overseas Satsang Tours to Africa and England, where he consecrated mandirs. He also sowed the seeds of Satsang in America. In 20 years, from 1951 to 1971, he undertook over 4,000 city, town and village visits, consecrated over 60 mandirs, sanctified over 170,000 homes and wrote over 545,000 letters. His credo in life was “O Lord! Do good of all.” Yogiji Maharaj identified Pramukh Swami Maharaj as his spiritual successor. (To know more about Yogiji Maharaj, click here.) PRAMUKH SWAMI MAHARAJ Pramukh Swami Maharaj (born 1921 CE), the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Guru Shastriji Maharaj spotted his innate spirituality, and so in 1940, initiated him into the sadhu-fold, naming him Narayanswarupdas Swami. At first, Narayanswarupdas Swami studied Sanskrit and the shastras. Then, Shastriji Maharaj appointed him kothari of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur. In 1950, when Narayanswarupdas Swami was only 28 years old, Shastriji Maharaj instated him as the administrative President (Pramukh) of BAPS in his place. Since then he has been fondly known as ‘Pramukh Swami’. From 1951 to 1971, Pramukh Swami served under the spiritual guidance of Yogiji Maharaj with the same dedication he had served Shastriji Maharaj. Since 1971, after the passing away of Yogiji Maharaj, he has built upon the foundations laid by his gurus and spread the message and activities of BAPS worldwide. Pramukh Swami Maharaj has sustained the tradition of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Gunatit Gurus by continually touring in India and abroad to strengthen satsang in the lives of devotees. Much of his time is spent in guiding and inspiring devotees by personal counselling, letters or telephone. Amid all these responsibilities and despite his frail health, he continues to offer personal devotion to God. His greatest strength is his absolute faith in God. And it is this spirituality that has been felt by countless people. He has built over 1100 mandirs in India, North America, UK, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. They serve as perennial sources of spiritual inspiration and social harmony. Fulfilling the wish of Yogiji Maharaj, he has created the magnificent Swaminarayan Akshardham complexes in Gandhinagar and New Delhi, enlightening them on India’s ancient culture, traditions and spirituality. His unique bond with the youths has inspired over 900 to become sadhus, renouncing all worldly ambitions to serve God and society. He has directed the energies of youths to serve as volunteers in the Sanstha’s various spiritual, social, cultural, educational, environmental, health, disaster relief, tribal uplift and other humanitarian activities. His selfless work has been applauded by revered spiritual leaders, national leaders and other dignitaries. (To know more about Pramukh Swami Maharaj, click here.) .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Invaluable Books of Brahmvidya
    INVALUABLE BOOKS OF BRAHMVIDYA VACHANAMRUT AND SWAMI NI VAATO 1 Table of Contents PART 1 - BRAHMVIDYA ......................................................................................................... 6 1.1 The capacity of the human-brain to learn several kinds of knowledge ............................................... 6 1.2 The importance of Brahmvidya (Knowledge of atma) .......................................................................... 7 1.3 The Imporance and the necessity of Brahmvidya .................................................................................. 8 PART 2 - VACHANAMRUT…………..…………………………………...………..…………14 2.1 The aspects of Vachanamrut and the subjects explained therein ....................................................... 15 2.1.1 The aspects of Vachanamrut ......................................................................................................... 15 2.1.2 The topics covered in the Vachanamrut are spiritual, not mundane or worldly………………………………………………………………..………………16 2.2 Essence, secrets, and principle of all the scriptures in Vachanamrut ......................................... 18 2.3 Opinions About The Vachanamrut ................................................................................................. 21 2.3.1 The opinions of the Gunatit Gurus .............................................................................................. 21 2.3.2 The opinions of prominent learned personalities ....................................................................... 22 2.4 The
    [Show full text]
  • Kirtan Leelaarth Amrutdhaara
    KIRTAN LEELAARTH AMRUTDHAARA INSPIRERS Param Pujya Dharma Dhurandhar 1008 Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj Ahmedabad Diocese Aksharnivasi Param Pujya Mahant Sadguru Purani Swami Hariswaroopdasji Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bhuj (Kutch) Param Pujya Mahant Sadguru Purani Swami Dharmanandandasji Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bhuj (Kutch) PUBLISHER Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple (Kenton-Harrow) (Affiliated to Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bhuj – Kutch) PUBLISHED 4th May 2008 (Chaitra Vad 14, Samvat 2064) Produced by: Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple - Kenton Harrow All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. © Copyright 2008 Artwork designed by: SKSS Temple I.T. Centre © Copyright 2008 Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple - Kenton, Harrow Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple Westfield Lane, Kenton, Harrow Middlesex, HA3 9EA, UK Tel: 020 8909 9899 Fax: 020 8909 9897 www.sksst.org [email protected] Registered Charity Number: 271034 i ii Forword Jay Shree Swaminarayan, The Swaminarayan Sampraday (faith) is supported by its four pillars; Mandir (Temple), Shastra (Holy Books), Acharya (Guru) and Santos (Holy Saints & Devotees). The growth, strength and inter- supportiveness of these four pillars are key to spreading of the Swaminarayan Faith. Lord Shree Swaminarayan has acknowledged these pillars and laid down the key responsibilities for each of the pillars. He instructed his Nand-Santos to write Shastras which helped the devotees to perform devotion (Bhakti), acquire true knowledge (Gnan), practice righteous living (Dharma) and develop non- attachment to every thing material except Supreme God, Lord Shree Swaminarayan (Vairagya). There are nine types of bhakti, of which, Lord Shree Swaminarayan has singled out Kirtan Bhakti as one of the most important and fundamental in our devotion to God.
    [Show full text]
  • AN INTRODUCTION to SWAMINARAYAN HINDUISM Third
    Cambridge University Press 978-1-108-42114-0 — An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism Raymond Brady Williams Frontmatter More Information AN INTRODUCTION TO SWAMINARAYAN HINDUISM Third Edition An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism, Third Edition,offers a comprehensive study of a contemporary form of Hinduism. Begun as a revival and reform movement in India two hundred years ago, it has now become one of the fastest growing and most prominent forms of Hinduism. The Swaminarayan Hindu transnational network of temples and institutions is expanding in India, East Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australasia, and in other African and Asian countries. The devotion, rituals, and discipline taught by its founder, Sahajanand Swami (–), and elaborated by current leaders in major festivals, diverse media, and over the Internet, help preserve ethnic and religious identity in many modern cultural and political contexts. Swaminarayan Hinduism, here described through its history, divisions, leaders, theology, and practices, provides valu- able case studies of contemporary Hinduism, religion, migrants, and transnationalism. This new edition includes up-to-date information about growth, geographic expansion, leadership transitions, and impact of Swaminarayan institutions in India and abroad. is LaFollette Distinguished Professor in the Humanities Emeritus and Professor of Religion (Chair) Emeritus of Wabash College. He began research on Swaminarayan Hinduism in for books, including A New Face of Hinduism (), An Intro- duction to Swaminarayan Hinduism (), and Swaminarayan Hindu- ism (editor, ). Research on immigrants was published as Religions of Immigrants from India and Pakistan: New Threads in the American Tapestry ()andChristian Pluralism in the United States: The Indian Immigrant Experience (). He is the founder of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion and the journal Teaching Theology and Religion.
    [Show full text]
  • Pramukh Swami's Work
    Pramukh Swami's Work “In the good of others lies our own...” This maxim by Pramukh Swami Maharaj is not only an inspiring call for all humanity, but also reflects the spirit of his services to man and society. Acclaimed as a unique and rare holy soul of India, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was born on 7 December 1921 in the village of Chansad, Gujarat. He is the fifth successor in the illustrious spiritual tradition of Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830) who established the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was born in the village of Chansad, 12 km from Vadodara in Gujarat on 7 December, 1921. Known as Shantilal in his childhood, he was wedded to devotion from a young age. His parents, Motibhai and Diwaliben Patel, were adherents of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. Shastriji Maharaj had discerned the potential of young Shantilal from the very day he initiated him as a disciple. While studying in 6th grade, Shantilal received the call from guru Shastriji Maharaj to renounce his home. With the blessings of his parents, he left home at the age of 18 and was initiated by Shastriji Maharaj in January 1940 and was renamed as Sadhu Narayanswarupdas. For 11 years, Narayanswarupdas served under guru Shastriji Maharaj. During the initial years, he toured with him and studied Sanskrit and the shastras. He excelled in studies but had to discontinue them to serve in the mandir-building activities. In 1943, he played an important role in the construction work of the mandir in Atladra. From 1946-1950, he was given the responsibility of Kothari of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Sarangpur.
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents Aashirvād Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5
    || Swami Shreeji || Table of Contents 1 Aashirvād 2 Week 1 3 Week 2 8 Week 3 13 Week 4 17 Week 5 22 Week 6 27 U S A Y OUTH S ABHA GUNATITANAND SWAMI MAHARAJ SEMESTER P ART I || Swami Shreeji || My dear dikrāo, Jai Swaminarayan! As you know, Yogi Bapa started this weekly sabha, and he also stressed that all children should attend every weekly sabha. Yogi Bapa and Guruvarya Param Pujya Sahebdada shower their blessings upon all of you ‘akshar muktos.’ Do you know what you are getting from attending sabha? Let me tell you… 1. You can find your identity—who you are & why Maharaj has sent you here on Earth. 2. You have the company of good people, and you can learn discipline. 3. You learn to do pooja, you practice every day, and you do it with concentration. 4. You get good grades because you learn the art of concentration. 5. You learn to love, respect, and follow your leaders, which enhances your personal development. 6. You learn humility, how to speak respectfully, and how to perform your duties, which adds to your maturity. 7. You learn the quality of leadership by learning to follow your leader. 8. You make like-minded, good friends. 9. You learn how to maintain a friendship, and you learn that friendliness is Godliness. 10. You never feel lonely, bored or depressed because you are always within a group, and by working together with many more like-minded friends you develop creativity. 11. You can be a good devotee, a good person (human being), and a good citizen.
    [Show full text]
  • Swaroop Sampradaya 1 ______
    The Swaroop Sampradaya 1 _______________________________________________________________________________________ The Swaroop Sampradaya Akkalkot Niwasi Shree Swami Samarth “This book attempts to showcase the life of the exalted masters of the Swaroop Sampradaya and gives a brief outlook of the tremendous humanitarian work undertaken by the followers of this sect for the spiritual and material upliftment of the common man” The Swaroop Sampradaya 2 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Copyright 2003 Shree Vitthalrao Joshi charities Trust First Edition All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or transmitted by any means - electronic or otherwise -- including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the express permission in writing from: Shree Vitthalrao Joshi Charities Trust, C-28, 'Suyash'/ 'Parijat', 2nd Floor, Near Amar Hind Mandal, Gokhale Road (North), Dadar (West), Mumbai, Pin Code: 400 028, Maharashtra State, INDIA. Shree Vitthalrao Joshi Charities Trust The Swaroop Sampradaya 3 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Table of Contents Swaroop-Sampradaya........................................................................................................... 5 Lord Dattatreya..................................................................................................................... 6 Shrimad Nrusimha Saraswati - Incarnation of Lord Dattareya ..........................................
    [Show full text]
  • Devotional Practices (Part -1)
    Devotional Practices (Part -1) Hare Krishna Sunday School International Society for Krishna Consciousness Founder Acarya : His Divine Grace AC. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Price : $4 Name _ Class _ Devotional Practices ( Part - 1) Compiled By : Tapasvini devi dasi Vasantaranjani devi dasi Vishnu das Art Work By: Mahahari das & Jay Baldeva das Hare Krishna Sunday School , , ,-:: . :', . • '> ,'';- ',' "j",.v'. "'.~~ " ""'... ,. A." \'" , ."" ~ .. This book is dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder acarya ofthe Hare Krishna Movement. He taught /IS how to perform pure devotional service unto the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha & Krishna. Contents Lesson Page No. l. Chanting Hare Krishna 1 2. Wearing Tilak 13 3. Vaisnava Dress and Appearance 28 4. Deity Worship 32 5. Offering Arati 41 6. Offering Obeisances 46 Lesson 1 Chanting Hare Krishna A. Introduction Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, an incarnation ofKrishna who appeared 500 years ago, taught the easiest method for self-realization - chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna '. Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rams Rams Rama Hare Hare if' ,. These sixteen words make up the Maha-mantra. Maha means "great." Mantra means "a sound vibration that relieves the mind of all anxieties". We chant this mantra every day, but why? B. Chanting is the recommended process for this age. As you know, there are four different ages: Satya-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga and Kali-yuga. People in Satya­ yuga lived for almost 100,000 years whereas in Kali-yuga they live for 100 years at best. In each age there is a different process for self­ realization or understanding God .
    [Show full text]
  • Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha Bal Satsang Examinations
    BAPS SWAMINARAYAN SANSTHA BAL SATSANG EXAMINATIONS SATSANG VIHAR - 1 : PRACTICE PAPER - 3 Time: 2 hrs. ANSWER PAPER - 3 Total Marks : 100 Q.1 Write the lett er of the correct answer in the appropriate box. [50] 1. Gunati tand Swami wished for Satsang to spread to ________in the world? (1) every leaf of every tree (2) every conti nent (3) every house 1. 2. Which shatras were given by Bhagwan Swaminarayan ? (1) Vachanamrut (2) Shikshapatri (3) Both of them 2. 3. What did rishis experience in the jungles, caves or on mountains? (1) devoti on (2) moksha (3) inner peace 3. 4. ‘Akshar vat’ means Shriji Maharaj is ever present on Earth through whom? (1) gunati t guru parampara (2) dharma parampara 4. (3) vansh parampara 5. Who said, “God is the giver of names to all things”? (1) Muktanand Swami (2) Brahmanand Swami (3) Shriji Maharaj 5. 6. What is disservice? (1) improper service (2) service as per our wish 6. (3) to perceive faults in others 7. ‘Gunati tam Gurum prapya…’- When should we sing this shloka? (1) for puja (2) before meals (3) for dhyey mantra and purnahuti 7. 8. How many sadhus did Bhagwan Swaminarayan initi ate as Paramhansas? (1) 500 (2) 1000 (3) 3000 8. 9. Who is the leader of BAPS Sanstha? (1) Shastriji Maharaj (2) Yogiji Maharaj (3) Pramukh Swami Maharaj 9. 10. Which are the main shastras of BAPS Sanstha? (1) Vachanamrut, Swami ni Vato (2) Vachanamrut, Shikshapatri 10. (3) Vachanamrut, Swami ni Vato, Shikshapatri 11. Where was the arti writt en? A.
    [Show full text]
  • Bym Test 04/03/09
    BYM TEST 04/03/09 No Question How many years, months and days did Shreeji Maharaj 1 stay on earth in His established Satsang? 30 years, 9 months and 19 days 2 Who composed Ram Krushna Govind Jai Jai Govind? Muktanand Swami Which FIVE Devs' has Shreeji Maharaj asked His followers 3 to pay respect to? Vishnu, Shiv, Ganpati, Parvati & Suryanarayan What were the names of Lord Shree Swaminarayan's Bal Sharma, Bhagyawati & Krushna Sharma, 4 grand parents? Bhavani How many Devtas came to have Ghansham Maharaj's 5 darshan at the time he was born? 330 million Which are the FOUR Varna Ashrams mentioned in the 6 Shikshapatri? Bhramin, Kshatriyas, vaishyas and sudhras 7 Which gaam was Sagram Vagri from? Limdi 8 Who is our Kul (Kur) Dev? Hanumanji Magniram of Mangrol, the worshipper of Sharda Devi, eventually became a saint of Swaminarayan Bhagwan. 9 What name was he then given? Adwaitanand Swami 10 Who are the brothers of Nar & Narayan? Hari & Krishna 11 How many children did Rampratapji have? 4 In the Jan Mangal Namavali, what is the 17th name of 12 Bhagwan? Om shree Marut Sut Priyaay namah. What mantra is chanted while doing tilak on the 13 forehead? Om Shree Vasudevaay namah Who else was born when the 900,000 Yogis meditating on 14 Navlakha Parvat had been born? Shukmuni How old was Ghansham Maharaj when he got His ear 15 pierced on the day of Sharad Purnima? 7 Months old 16 Satsangi Jeevan is composed of how many chapters? 319 17 Who is Bharatkhand na raajaa? Nar‐Narayan dev.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Causal Body (Karana Sarira)?
    VEDANTA CONCEPTS Sarada Cottage Cedar Rapids July 9, 2017 Peace Chanting (ShAnti PAtha) Sanskrit Transliteration Meaning ॐ गु셁땍यो नमः हरी ओम ्। Om Gurubhyo Namah Hari Om | Salutations to the Guru. सह नाववतु । Saha Nau-Avatu | May God Protect us Both, सह नौ भुन啍तु । Saha Nau Bhunaktu | May God Nourish us Both, सह वीयं करवावहै । Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai| May we Work Together तेजस्वव नावधीतमवतु मा Tejasvi Nau-Adhiitam-Astu Maa with Energy and Vigour, वव饍ववषावहै । Vidvissaavahai | May our Study be ॐ शास््तः शास््तः शास््तः । Om Shaantih Shaantih Enlightening and not give हरी ओम ्॥ Shaantih | Hari Om || rise to Hostility Om, Peace, Peace, Peace. Salutations to the Lord. Our Quest Goal: Eternal Happiness End of All Sufferings Transcending Birth & Death Problem: Fleeting Happiness Endless Suffering Cycle of Birth & Death 3 Vedanta - Introduction Definition: Veda = Knowledge, Anta = End End of Vedas Culmination or Essence of Vedas Leads to God (Truth) Realization Truth: Never changes; beyond Time-Space-Causation Is One Is Beneficial Transforms us Leads from Truth Speaking-> Truth Seeking-> Truth Seeing 4 Vedantic Solution To Our Quest Our Quest: Vedantic Solution: Goal: Cause of Problem: Ignorance (avidyA) of our Real Eternal Happiness Nature End of All Sufferings Attachment (ragah, sangah) to fleeting Objects & Relations Transcending Birth & Death Problem: Remedy: Fleeting Happiness Intense Spiritual Practice (sadhana) Endless Suffering Liberation (mukti/moksha) Cycle of Birth & Death IdentificationIdentification &&
    [Show full text]
  • The Star of Yoga Guidance from the Light
    The Star of Yoga Guidance from the Light (From an upcoming book “Meditation For the Monkey Mind”) By Mas Vidal As we look up to the night sky we get a spectacular glimpse of the vast galaxy we see from earth. Stars abound through out the sky like mini suns each creating their own distinct light, some forming clusters and interesting configurations. There is an inherent quality in humanity to feel an attraction to light, be it sunlight or open spaces. It makes sense as we have come to understand the science behind energy we know that like attracts like. We realize there is great value that comes from being in the light, which breeds an optimism and greater awareness. In general people feel a kinship towards one another when they share something in common. A star’s light is symbolic of the highest ideal of every human being to live in love, light and harmony (sat, chit andanda) with nature and all aspects of life. The ancients have always looked to the stars for guidance, healing and understanding the cycles of nature. A star’s five points symbolize a connection to the five great elements (pancha maha bhutas) and reflects the gradation of energy from gross (earth) to subtle (sky). The mystical star of yoga provides guidance on the journey towards enlightenment as various pathways, with each empowering us to reach the culmination or purna as the true yogic ideal of living a fully integrated lifestyle. Such integration is based on a balance between spirit and ecology thus reminding us of the importance of responsibility in our thoughts, words and actions that can either connect us or create greater divide from the Divine.
    [Show full text]
  • A Religiohistorical Study Davraj Kamal Master Of
    SWAMINARAYAN AND ETHICS; A RELIGIOHISTORICAL STUDY by DAVRAJ KAMAL submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the subject RELIGIOUS STUDIES at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR C DU P LE ROUX NOVEMBER 1994 SUMMARY As part of the Phenomenological Method used in this dissertation, the research work applied the hermeneutical concepts of bhakti, karma and moksha. Focus was on the role played by the guru, the sadhus and devotees of the Swaminarayan Movement and how they related t~ their religious, ethical and social obligations. Their responses to ethical scriptures were evaluated, especially with a view to determining the extent to which ethical injunctions permeates, enhances, uplifts and shapes the adherents spiritually,morally and socially. Swaminarayan ethics was also placed within the context of Classical Hindu Texts and in particular, the work of Ramanuja and his Vishistadvaita philosophy. Further, it has been observed that the quest for the Ultimate Reality (Purushottam) is through their relationship with Akshar, Guru Pramukh Swami, the model of ethical excellence whose charisma binds the fibre of the Movement and his role serves both the ethical and transcendental plane of the Movement. TITLE OF DISSERTATION: SWAMINARA Y AN AND ETHICS; A RELIGIOHISTORICAL STUDY KEY TERMS: SAMPRADAYA; AKSHAR; PURUSHOTTAM; DHARMA; BHAKTI; MOKSHA; KARMA; SADHU; JNAN; VAIRAGYA; VISISHTHADVAITA; ATMAN-BRAHMAN; VARNASIIRAMA; ASIIRAMA. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are a number of people without whom the completion of this dissertation would not have been possible. Firstly, I wish to thank Sagie and Vino Moodley fo~ typing the dissertation with efficiency and pride. I am also immensely grateful to Pranesh Sewpershad and Ray Naguran for assisting with the correction of errors.
    [Show full text]