Kishore Satsang Pravin
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KISHORE SATSANG PRAVIN A Textbook of the Satsang Examinations Series: 12 KISHORE SATSANG PRAVIN Gujarati Text: Sadhu Shriharidas Sadhu Siddeshwardas Translation: BAPS Sadhus Swaminarayan Aksharpith Ahmedabad Kishore Satsang Pravin (English Edition) (History, philosophy, traditions and rituals of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya) A textbook for the Satsang Examinations curriculum set by Bo- chasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha Inspirer: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj Previous Editions: 1977, 1984, 1993, 1999 5th Edition: April 2010 Copies: 3,000 (Total:8,000) Price: Rs. 00.00 ISBN: 978-81-7526-420-5 Copyright: © Swaminarayan Aksharpith All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, except for brief quotations embodied in reviews and articles. Published & Printed by Swaminarayan Aksharpith Shahibaug Road, Ahmedabad-4 Gujarat, India. Websites: www.swaminarayan.org kids.baps.org www.mandir.org www.akshardham.com BLESSINGS The youth movement established and nourished by Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj has been expanding at a very rapid pace. With a view to satisfying the aspirations and the thirst for knowledge of the youth joining the organization, and also to enable them to understand and imbibe the principles of Akshar and Purushottam expounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the publications division, Swaminarayan Aksharpith, organized under the auspices of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, has produced a series of books. Through these books, it is intended to impart systematic, sustained and pure knowledge in simple language on a scholastic basis to children and youth of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. It is hoped that this Sanstha, established by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj for implementing and propagating the Vedic ideals propounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, will, through this activity, spread the ideals and noble traditions of the Sampradaya and through it, the culture and heritage of the Hindu religion. It is the aim of this project to preach and spread the divine message of Bhagwan Swaminarayan to all corners of the world. We hope that all religious-minded truth-seekers of the Sampradaya, and those outside of it, will welcome this activity and be inspired by its universal principles and ideals. In order to encourage children and youths, annual examinations are held based on the curriculum presented in these books. Certificates are also awarded to successful candidates. We bless Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, Prof. Rameshbhai Dave, Kishoreebhai Dave, and all others who have cooperated in preparing these books. Vasant Panchmi Shastri Narayanswarupdasji Vikram Samvat 2028 (Pramukh Swami Maharaj) (1972 CE), Atladra Jai Swaminarayan PUBLISHER‘S NOTE The Swaminarayan Sampradaya has its unique tradition of worship rituals, festivals and observances. They are based on the Vedic Sanatan (Hindu) Dharma and have been revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan through his teachings and their practical application in his life. It is by following these conventions and commands that the lives of all satsangis can be properly moulded. By living according to these traditions devotees can protect themselves from bad company, become ideal satsangis and attain ultimate redemption in life. Daily worship rituals of satsang, prayers, mansi puja, chestha, brief life sketches of paramhansas and devotees, history, traditions and shastras are described in this book in a lucid language. This book will provide a greater understanding of and attachment to Satsang. This publication in English is a translation of the Gujarati book Kishore Satsang Pravin. This book has been designed to serve as part of the curriculum for the Satsang Examinations. More specifically, it is one of the textbooks for the fourth level examination, Satsang Pravin. It is our earnest prayer that all satsangis study this book carefully, pass the examinations with flying colours, and above all, derive immense spiritual benefits and please Bhagwan Swaminarayan and guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj. - Swaminarayan Aksharpith Shri Swaminarayano Vijayate *Ame sau Swãminã bãlak, marishu Swãmine mãte; Ame sau Shrijitanã yuvak, ladishu Shrijine mãte... Nathi dartã nathi kartã, amãrã jãnni parvã; Amãre dar nathi koino, ame janmyã chhie marvã...ame 1 Ame ã yagna ãrambhyo, balidãno ame daishu; Amãrã Akshar Purushottam, Gunãtit jnãnne gãishu...ame 2 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 1 * For meaning see page 113 CONTENTS 1. Shikshapatri ........................................................................1 1. Shikshapatri ........................................................................1 2. Prayer ..................................................................................9 3. Uka khachar ......................................................................10 4. Adbhutanand swami ..........................................................11 5. Sadhus and parshads .........................................................14 6. Morning bhajans ................................................................16 7. Obstinacy, egotism and jealousy ........................................18 8. Places of pilgrimage ..........................................................24 9. Shri dharmik stotram ........................................................26 10. Somla khachar ...................................................................30 11. The dancing girl of jetalpur ...............................................32 12. Scriptures of our sampradaya ............................................34 13. Dhyan (meditation) ...........................................................45 14. Mansi puja .........................................................................48 15. Janmangal stotram ............................................................50 16. Jetha mer ..........................................................................62 17. Krupanand swami ..............................................................63 18. Vachanamrut .....................................................................66 19. Rajabhai ............................................................................70 20. Swayamprakashanand swami ............................................73 21. Dhyan chintamani .............................................................75 22. Agna ..................................................................................78 23. Upasana .............................................................................81 24. Rambai ..............................................................................86 25. Sura khachar .....................................................................87 26. Fagva (prayer) ...................................................................90 27. Spiritual talks of gunatitanand swami ...............................91 28. Dosabhai of bandhia ..........................................................98 29. Mulji and krushnaji .........................................................100 30. Mahima (glory) ...............................................................103 31. Kalyan – ultimate liberation ............................................105 32. Spiritual verses ................................................................106 33. Bhaktaraj maganbhai .......................................................109 Glossary ...........................................................................113 Shikshapatri 1 1. SHIKSHAPATRI SPECIAL DUTIES OF HOUSEHOLDER DEVOTEES Householders should not touch widows who are not members of their own family. Householder disciples should never remain in the private company of their youthful mother, sisters, or daughters except in an emergency. Even when in danger they should remain with women only for as long as necessary to provide them protection. This precept is to be followed even by those who are scholarly and learned in the shastras. Padmãsanopi kãmena vyãkulãtmã nijãtmajãm; Drashtvã Saraswatim moham prãpa nindãm cha durdashãm. “The creator Brahma, who always remains seated in a lotus posture, was lured by the charms of his own daughter Saraswati and came to disrepute and public slander.” Householders should not give away their wives to others, since this violates the wife’s vow of fidelity. Those who indulge in such actions are condemned as sinners. Thus, Maharaj improved the status of women in society by teaching observance of chastity to his disciples and made them lead a sublime life. This earned women a special status in the society (135-137). Na vidyate tithirdvãdasyãdir niyatã yasyetyatithihi. Householders should serve guests who at ’s their home without any prior intimation with food according to one’s own means. They should perform the sacrificial rites according to the rules laid down by the shastras to propitiate gods and ancestors. This shows Shriji Maharaj’s insistence upon adherence to the ancient traditions of our religion and culture (138). Devotees should serve their parents, stepparents, guru and sick persons till one’s last breath. Great merit lies in such service. During his sojourns in the forests, Shriji Maharaj had served Sevakram sincerely. In the same spirit, Jhinabhai had served 2 Kishore Satsang Pravin Kamalshi Vanza who was ill. Therefore, when Jhinabhai passed away, Shriji