Eternal Virtues Spiritual Attributes of Pramukh Swami Maharaj Eternal Virtues Spiritual Attributes of Pramukh Swami Maharaj Gujarati Text: Sadhu Aksharvatsaldas Translation by: Yogi Trivedi Swaminarayan Aksharpith, Ahmedabad Eternal Virtues Spiritual Attributes of Pramukh Swami Maharaj 1st Edition: December 2008 1st Reprint: December 2008 Copies: 4,000 (Total: 7,000) Price: Rs. 100/- (Reduced from Rs. 160/- by courtesy of Swaminarayan Aksharpith) ISBN: 81-7526-395-4 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. Websites: www.swaminarayan.org www.akshardham.com www.mandir.org kids.baps.org Dedication Dedicated at the lotus feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami, Brahmaswarup Bhagatji Maharaj, Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj and Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj who exemplify these eternal, divine virtues, and for gifting us with Guruhari Pramukh Swami Maharaj, an ideal disciple, sadhu and guru… Glory of a Sadhu by Premanand Swami Eva Santni balihãri re, jene gune rijhyã Girdhãri re… Kãm, krodh, lobh manmã na ãne, sonu ne dhul te samm kari jãne; Hã re jene Gitãji gãy chhe pukãri re...1 Hari vinã bijo ghãt na lãge, lobh laharno lesh na lãge; Hã re nãri na shake nayan bãn mãri re...2 Brahmavidyã jene dradh kari sãdhi, pind brahmãndni taji re upãdhi; Hã re bhutprãni tanã hitkãri re...3 Brahmaswarupmã rahe nitya nahãyã, pragat Hari gunmã chittada harãyã; Hã re Premsakhi evã Sant upar vãri re...4 I repeatedly praise such a Sadhu, by whose virtues God is pleased… He never entertains thoughts of lust, anger, greed in his mind, and regards gold and dust as equal; The Gita sings his praises profoundly… 1 He thinks of nothing except God, and remains untouched by greed; A female cannot throw her enticing gaze upon him…2 He has firmly attained brahmavidya, and has shed the burdens and attachments of the body and universe; He does good for all forms of life…3 He believes himself to be Brahmaswarup, and his mind is constantly focused on the virtues of God; Premanand is overwhelmed by such a Sadhu…4 6 Eternal Virtues ‚àÿ¢ ‡Êıø¢ ŒÿÊ ˇÊÊÁãÃSàÿʪ— ‚ãÃÙ· •Ê¡¸fl◊˜– ‡Ê◊Ù Œ◊Sì— ‚Êêÿ¢ ÁÃÁÃˇÊÙ¬⁄UÁ× üÊÈÃ◊˜ –– ôÊÊŸ¢ Áfl⁄UÁÄÃ⁄ÒUEÿZ ‡ÊıÿZ á٠’‹¢ S◊ÎÁ×– SflÊâòÿ¢ ∑§ı‡Ê‹¢ ∑§ÊÁãÜҸÿZ ◊ÊŒ¸fl◊fl ø –– ¬˝ÊªÀèÿ¢ ¬˝üÊÿ— ‡ÊË‹¢ ‚„U •Ù¡Ù ’‹¢ ÷ª—– ªÊê÷ËÿZ SÕÒÿ¸◊ÊÁSÃÄÿ¢ ∑§ËÁø◊ʸŸÙ˘Ÿ„¢U∑ΧÁ× –– Satyam shaucham dayã kshãntistyãgaha santosha ãrjavam – Shamo damastapaha sãmyam titikshoparatihi shrutam –– Jnãnam viraktiraishvaryam shauryam tejo balam smrutihi – Svãtantryam kaushalam kãntirdhairyam mãrdavameva cha –– Prãgalbhyam prashrayaha shilam saha ojo balam bhagaha – Gãmbhiryam sthairyamãstikyam kirtirmãnonahamkrutihi –– Truth, purity, compassion, forgiveness, renunciation, contentment, simplicity; Mental control, sensory control, austerity, equality, tolerance, worldly disinterest, scriptural obedience. Experiential knowledge, detachment, power, courage, illustrious personality, vigour, remembrance; Independence, skill, beauty, patience, kindheartedness. Maturity, love, integrity, endurance, radiance, strength, lordship; Profundity, mental stability, faith in God, fame, worthy of reverence, humility. - Shrimad Bhagvat 1:16:26-28 Contents 8 8 Tyagaha Introduction 12 Renunciation 54 8 8 Santoshaha Contentment Satyam Arjavam Truth 18 Simplicity 60 8 8 Shaucham Samyam Purity 28 Equality 74 8 8 Daya Titiksha Compassion 34 Tolerance 84 8 8 Uparatihi Worldly Disinterest Kshantihi Viraktihi Forgiveness 44 Detachment 96 8 Dhairyam Patience 8 Shrutam Sthairyam Scriptural Obedience Mental Stability Pragalbhyam Jnanam Maturity Experiential Sahaha Knowledge 106Endurance 190 Shilam Integrity 8 Shamaha 8 Mental Control Kantihi Damaha Beauty Sensory Control Tapaha Ojaha Austerity 120 Radiance 208 Aishvaryam 8 Power 8 Balam Mardavam Vigour Kindheartedness Bhagaha Prashrayaha Lordship 128 Love 214 Svatantryam Independence Kirtihi 8 Shauryam 8 Fame Courage Tejaha Manaha Illustrious Worthy of Personality 148 Reverence 226 8 8 Smrutihi Astikyam Remembrance 158 Faith in God 236 8 8 Kaushalam Anahamkrutihi Skill 178 Humility 250 9 Preface With the passage of time you come to appreciate what you had previously overlooked. I have heard that many times before, and now, I have come to understand it. It was in 1988 that I first experienced the saintliness of Pramukh Swami Maharaj (Swamishri). Though I didn’t make much of it then, that small incident has been a guiding light in my life. Swamishri was having dinner in a modest white-coloured house behind the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Flushing, New York. A few sadhus and devotees were seated around him enjoying his dar- shan. I started reciting a story about Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s child- hood. Swamishri was listening attentively. In the middle of my story, Swamishri received a phone call from India. The sadhus and devotees broke into a series of smaller conversations. I was heartbroken. No one was listening to my story. I left the dining room and ran to a smaller room at the front of the house. A five-year-old carries his emo- tions on his face! I was no different. Anandmuni Swami was the first to notice. He followed me to the room and asked me what was wrong. I told him that I was being ignored, and I started crying hys- terically. Anandmuni Swami took me to Swamishri, whose request was short and unimaginable, “Sorry! I am sorry I didn’t listen to you. Continue. I promise to pay attention this time…” And Swamishri listened to me while he finished his meal. I was overjoyed. I had won! I made Swamishri realize his ‘mistake’ and apologize! Little did I know then that this apology had secured his place in my heart forever. Though I was too young to understand the extent of Swamishri’s humility, this incident changed my life. Swamishri’s selfless persona humbled me. This was only one of his liberating virtues. As the years passed, I was fortunate enough to appreciate and experience many of his virtues firsthand. Based on Pujya Aksharvatsal Swami’s original Gujarati, Jena Gune Rijhya Girdhari, this publication is a humble attempt to bring forth 10 the 39 liberating qualities of God and the Gunatit Sadhu described in the Shrimad Bhagvat. It provides a deeper understanding of a true Sadhu and his communion with God. This book does not claim that Pramukh Swami Maharaj is God. It does not compare him to God, nor does it equate him to God. It merely describes the life of a true sadhu – in 39 virtues. With Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s blessings and Pujya Ishwarcha- ran Swami’s guidance I was able to complete this book in less than a month. Their constant support and motivation have helped me achieve new heights. It has forever changed my understanding of God and his Gunatit Sadhu – truly a blessing in disguise. Translating a language is more than translating words. It is trans- lating a culture, traditions, rituals, a lifestyle and a thought process. There are many parts of the book that are nothing more than a direct translation. Others are completely rewritten to address the mindset of its English readers. The greatest challenge was finding English equivalents for the Gujarati and Sanskrit words. It is rarely possible to use only one Eng- lish word to fully define or describe its Sanskrit counterpart. There- fore, I have defined the Gujarati and Sanskrit words using a set of English words. Also, I have kept important Sanskrit or Gujarati words in the text for authenticity and relevance. These words are de- fined in the glossary. The chapter titles are formed using the Sanskrit word for each of the virtues. However, in the text, the popularly used Gujarati words for each are used. For guidance on how to pronounce the Sanskrit words see the Appendix. The text takes a detailed look at Swamishri’s life. The incidents are not in chronological order, but have been classified with reference to the 39 virtues of God and his holy Sadhu described in the shastras. His life and work seem beyond human comprehension. It would be a grave error to call Pramukh Swami Maharaj God. However, the failure to understand his constant communion with God would be nothing less. He is not God, but God lives and works through him. Every individual involved in the incidents mentioned in this book has experienced this through his selfless love, understanding and tol- erant ways. I hope every individual who reads this book will feel the same way. Yogi Trivedi BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto, Ontario, Canada 11 Introduction In every aspect of life there is an ideal set of parameters to strive for. Whether the subject is animate or inanimate, it is these ideals which set the standard. Such ideals can be applied to the whole spec- trum of life in pursuit of perfection, from common everyday objects to the rare: potato chips, medicines, cars, houses, and so on. This principle is equally, if not more, relevant in the realm of living objects. We often hear about the characteristics of an ideal child, ideal parent, ideal teacher, ideal doctor, ideal entrepreneur, ideal footballer, ideal leader… the list is endless. The ideals which define a particular object may change as man’s knowledge develops. However, the ideals of the spiritual sphere have long been comprehensively established. The only task remaining is to understand and apply them to attain spiritual perfection. In the Shrimad Bhagvat, written by Veda Vyasji, the 39 virtues of God are described by Mother Earth in a conversation with Dharma (1:16:26-8). The shastras also specify that a sadhu whose life exem- plifies these virtues is an ideal sadhu, worthy of reverence on par with God. Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830 CE) incarnated on this earth and was worshipped as Purna Purushottam Narayan, Supreme God.