A Textbook of the Satsang Examinations Series: 5 NILKANTH CHARITRA (Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s pilgrimage of India as a young ascetic) Translation by: BAPS Sadhus Gujarati Text: Prof. Ramesh M. Dave SWAMINARAYAN AKSHARPITH Ahmedabad NILKANTH CHARITRA (English Edition) BLESSINGS (Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s pilgrimage of India as a young ascetic) A textbook for the examination prescribed under the curriculum set by The youth movement established and nourished by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj has been expanding at a very rapid pace. With a view to satisfying the aspirations and the thirst for Inspirer: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj knowledge of the youth joining the organisation, and also to enable them to understand and imbibe the principles of Akshar and Purushottam expounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the Previous Editions: 1977, 1983, 1987, 1994, 1997, 2002 publications division, Swaminarayan Aksharpith, organised under 6th Edition 1st Reprint: July 2007 the auspices of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, has produced a series of books. Copyright: © SWAMINARAYAN AKSHARPITH Through these books, it is intended to impart systematic, All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or sustained and pure knowledge in simple language on a scholastic by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, except for brief basis to children and youth of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It is quotations embodied in reviews and articles. hoped that this Sanstha, established by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj for implementing and propagating the Vedic ideals , , Copies: 5,000 (Total Copies: 20,000) propounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan will through this activity, spread the ideals and noble traditions of the Sampraday ISBN: 81-7526-196-X and through it, the culture and heritage of the Hindu religion. It is the aim of this project to preach and spread the divine Price: Rs. 40.00 message of Bhagwan Swaminarayan to all corners of the world. We hope that all religious-minded truth-seekers of the Sampraday 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 as worked out in these books. Certificates are also awarded to successful candidates. Published & Printed by We bless Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, Prof. Rameshbhai Dave, Swaminarayan Aksharpith Kishorebhai Dave, and all others who have cooperated in preparing Shahibaug, Ahmedabad-4, India these books. Websites: www.swaminarayan.org www.akshardham.com Shastri Narayanswarupdasji www.mandir.org Vasant Panchmi kids.baps.org V.S. 2028 (1972 CE) (Pramukh Swami Maharaj) Atladra Jai Swaminarayan NILKANTH CHARITRA (English Edition) BLESSINGS (Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s pilgrimage of India as a young ascetic) A textbook for the examination prescribed under the curriculum set by The youth movement established and nourished by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj has been expanding at a very rapid pace. With a view to satisfying the aspirations and the thirst for Inspirer: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj knowledge of the youth joining the organisation, and also to enable them to understand and imbibe the principles of Akshar and Purushottam expounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the Previous Editions: 1977, 1983, 1987, 1994, 1997, 2002 publications division, Swaminarayan Aksharpith, organised under 6th Edition 1st Reprint: July 2007 the auspices of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, has produced a series of books. Copyright: © SWAMINARAYAN AKSHARPITH Through these books, it is intended to impart systematic, All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or sustained and pure knowledge in simple language on a scholastic by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, except for brief basis to children and youth of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It is quotations embodied in reviews and articles. hoped that this Sanstha, established by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj for implementing and propagating the Vedic ideals , , Copies: 5,000 (Total Copies: 20,000) propounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan will through this activity, spread the ideals and noble traditions of the Sampraday ISBN: 81-7526-196-X and through it, the culture and heritage of the Hindu religion. It is the aim of this project to preach and spread the divine Price: Rs. 40.00 message of Bhagwan Swaminarayan to all corners of the world. We hope that all religious-minded truth-seekers of the Sampraday 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 as worked out in these books. Certificates are also awarded to successful candidates. Published & Printed by We bless Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, Prof. Rameshbhai Dave, Swaminarayan Aksharpith Kishorebhai Dave, and all others who have cooperated in preparing Shahibaug, Ahmedabad-4, India these books. Websites: www.swaminarayan.org www.akshardham.com Shastri Narayanswarupdasji www.mandir.org Vasant Panchmi kids.baps.org V.S. 2028 (1972 CE) (Pramukh Swami Maharaj) Atladra Jai Swaminarayan INTRODUCTION Shri Swaminarayano Vijayate We read in ‘Ghanshyam Charitra’ about Shriji Maharaj's divine and miraculous childhood sports. After that Ghanshyam Maharaj renounced the world and sojourned in the forests. He was then known as Nilkanth Varni. He travelled to various pilgrim places in India for seven years. He undertook severe austerities. Finally he met Ramanand Swami who initiated him into the sadhu- order and renamed him Sahajanand, and appointed him as his spiritual heir. The account of the extraordinary life of the Lord narrated in ‘Nilkanth Charitra’ is based on the established scriptures of the Swaminarayan Fellowship. For the convenience of readers, a map indicating Nilkanth's travels has also been incorporated. Many interesting anecdotes found in the various accounts of Nilkanth's life, which may awaken the varied interests of youths and inspire them to higher spiritual endeavour, are narrated here. The present publication is a translation, with slight modifications to suit the medium, of the Gujarati book ‘Nilkanth Charitra’. The book has been so designed as to serve part of the examination curriculum for youths. More specifically, it is offered as a textbook for the second of the examinations, ‘Satsang Pravesh’, in the series. *Ame sau Swãminã bãlak, marishu Swãmine mãte; It is our earnest prayer that children, youths and aspirants of Ame sau Shrijitanã yuvak, ladishu Shrijine mãte. knowledge will study these books carefully and pass the Nathi dartã nathi kartã, amãrã janni parvã; examinations with flying colours and, above all, derive immense Amãre dar nathi koino, ame janmyã chhie marvã. spiritual benefit and please Bhagwan Swaminarayan and our beloved Guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Ame ã yagna ãrambhyo, balidãno ame daishu; Amãrã Akshar Purushottam, Gunãtit gnãnne gaishu. Ame sau Shrijitanã putro, Akshare vãs amãro chhe; Swadharmi bhasma choli to, amãre kshobh shãno chhe. Juo sau Motinã Swãmi, na rãkhi kãi te khãmi; Pragat Purushottam pãmi, malyã Gunãtit Swãmi. * For meaning see page 124 vi INTRODUCTION Shri Swaminarayano Vijayate We read in ‘Ghanshyam Charitra’ about Shriji Maharaj's divine and miraculous childhood sports. After that Ghanshyam Maharaj renounced the world and sojourned in the forests. He was then known as Nilkanth Varni. He travelled to various pilgrim places in India for seven years. He undertook severe austerities. Finally he met Ramanand Swami who initiated him into the sadhu- order and renamed him Sahajanand, and appointed him as his spiritual heir. The account of the extraordinary life of the Lord narrated in ‘Nilkanth Charitra’ is based on the established scriptures of the Swaminarayan Fellowship. For the convenience of readers, a map indicating Nilkanth's travels has also been incorporated. Many interesting anecdotes found in the various accounts of Nilkanth's life, which may awaken the varied interests of youths and inspire them to higher spiritual endeavour, are narrated here. The present publication is a translation, with slight modifications to suit the medium, of the Gujarati book ‘Nilkanth Charitra’. The book has been so designed as to serve part of the examination curriculum for youths. More specifically, it is offered as a textbook for the second of the examinations, ‘Satsang Pravesh’, in the series. *Ame sau Swãminã bãlak, marishu Swãmine mãte; It is our earnest prayer that children, youths and aspirants of Ame sau Shrijitanã yuvak, ladishu Shrijine mãte. knowledge will study these books carefully and pass the Nathi dartã nathi kartã, amãrã janni parvã; examinations with flying colours and, above all, derive immense Amãre dar nathi koino, ame janmyã chhie marvã. spiritual benefit and please Bhagwan Swaminarayan and our beloved Guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Ame ã yagna ãrambhyo, balidãno ame daishu; Amãrã Akshar Purushottam, Gunãtit gnãnne gaishu. Ame sau Shrijitanã putro, Akshare vãs amãro chhe; Swadharmi bhasma choli to, amãre kshobh shãno chhe. Juo sau Motinã Swãmi, na rãkhi kãi te khãmi; Pragat Purushottam pãmi, malyã Gunãtit Swãmi. * For meaning see page 124 vi 31. Bhagwandas Has Darshan of Sacred Foot-Marks ................ 61 CONTENTS 32. Shiv-Parvati Come for Darshan