Definition of a Scripture

Scriptures are religious texts which are sacred to a Sampraday. They are considered to be of great importance and guide us towards a righteous path, showing us how to live life. They are usually written, spoken and recited by pious and very great souls. On some occasions God Himself will have written a scripture (Shikshapatri) and other times He may have recited the scripture (Bhagwat Gita).

Shikshapatri

Author: Sahajanand Swami

Date written: Vasant Panchmi, VS 1882 (1826 AD)

Number of chapters: 212 shloks

Overview:The Shikshapatri was written in Vadtal by Almighty Supreme Lord Swaminarayan. He wrote this Shikshapatri in the form of a letter, explaining the rules that all satsangis should follow to be happy in this life; as well as the next. The Shikshapatri has been intricately divided up into sections for the different satsangis. The Shikshapatri has been divided into the following sections:

General rules for everyoneAcharayasAcharaya’s wivesHouseholders (Grahastas)RulersMarried womenWidowsCommon duties of womenNaishtik BrahmcharisSadhus

Why it was written:Just like we use an instruction manual to operate a piece of machinery, similarly, the Shikshapatri is a manual for the soul. If at any time one goes against this manual, hardships are likely to occur in life.

Swaminarayan Bhagwan created a scripture that took the essence of all our different scriptures into account as He knew many would not have the time to read each and every scripture. He compiled this small scripture to give His satsangis a criterion to follow if one wishes to attain the 4 purush arths.

Benefits of reading:There is no scripture in the world where a guarantee of Dharma, Arth, Kaam and Moksha has been given in a simple and straight forward manner.

Satsangi Jeevan(covering Shatanand Swami Jeevan Chaitra)

Author: Shatanand Swami

Date written:Maghsar Sud 6, VS 1885 was the day Swami started writing this scripture. He would write each prakran and then go to Akshar Ordi in Gadhada and to read the scripture in front of Maharaj.

Number of chapters:5 prakrans, 319 chapters.

Overview:Muktanand Swami has written in the mahatmya of this scripture that the 5 prakrans represent different parts of Maharaj’s swaroop.

1st Prakran = mukh (face)2nd Prakran = hrday (heart)3rd Prakran = udar (naval)4th Prakran = dhichan (knees)5th Prakran = charan (feet)

This is scripture is also known as a Dharma Shastra

Why it was written:Shatanand Swami was a born in Mithilanagri and his father’s name was Vishnudatt. From a young age he wanted to attain God and loved reading the Bhagwat. Once he read a story about Nar-Narayan Dev living in Badrikashram and that he was still present that day. After hearing this, he wanted to meet Nar-Narayan Dev and asked his parents if he could leave in search of God. His parents refused.

He had heard that there was a group of people going for yatra to Badrikashram. He then asked his father if he could go for yatra, who agreed as long as he did not become a sadhu. Swami saw this as the perfect opportunity to leave and when they reached Badrikashram they all did darshan. When it was time to return, Swami explained that he had not gone all the way there just to return home again. Shatanand Swami stayed and decided to do tap (penance) for 6 months. On the day of Chaitra Sud Ekadashi he started to wonder whether God will give him darshan. Just by thinking this, Nar-Narayan Dev gave darshan to Swami and Swami fell at His feet. Nar-Narayan Dev was very happy and told him to ask for anything he wanted. Swami then replied that he wanted nothing but to remember the Lord always in his heart and be able to write the charitra (past times) of the Lord. Nar-Narayan Dev agreed but explained that he would not be able to write any scriptures in such a cold place.

He advised him to Gadhpur, in Gujarat. Swami then went to Gujarat and it was in Ahmedabad that he heard Brahmins talking about the big yagna taking place in Dabhan. On hearing this, Swami decided to go to Dabhan, where he met Maharaj and performed by doing danvat pranam. He then

told Maharaj to make him His sadhu and hence received his diksha in Dabhan. Later, after the installation of Gopinathji Maharaj at Gadhada, Shatanand Swami began writing the Satsangi Jeevan.Benefits of reading:All the important qualities required to be a true Satsangi is in this scripture. A true Satsangi is one that associates with Sat-Bhagwan, Sat-Dharma, Sat-Shastra and Sat-Sant. The Satsangi Jeevan shows how to keep in the association with these entities.

Volume 1 narrates the birth of the Almighty to Dharmadev and Bhaktimata in Chhapaiya. After this, Shatanand Swami explains the childhood pastimes of Maharaj. The gruelling pilgrimage all over India as well as Nilkanth Varni’s arrival in Gujarat is then described.

Volume 2 describes Sahajanand Swami’s social uplifting of many souls. He describes the spiritual, religious and social guidance for the bhaktos and their well-being as Maharaj continues to visit followers, moving through various villages, towns and cities.

Volume 3 continues the narrations of Shreeji Maharaj’s movements and also teachedthe depths of devotion when accompanied with true observance of Dharma. We learnof numerous acts of selfless devotion depicted by Shatanand Swami and of the temple construction era.

Volume 4 begins with narrations of the recitals of various scriptures by the instruction of Sahajanand Swami. However, this volume is primarily revered for its intricate explanation of the Shikshaptri, the establishing of the Acharya-ships and teachings specifically to His adopted sons, the Acharyas.

The final volume is dedicated to minute details of personal religious activities, for the spiritual benevolence of the soul. It concludes with heart-wrenching descriptions of Shreeji Maharaj’s departure of the mortal realm. Here, he promises to always to remain on earth in the constituent parts of the Sampraday: Murti(s), Acharyas, Saints and Scriptures.

Mahabharat(covering Vyasji Jeevan Charitra)

Author:Ved Vyas

Date written:Approximately 3000 BC (over 5000 years ago)

Number of chapters:18

Overview:The Mahabharat is one of the greatest epic histories ever witnessed together with the Ramayan. It contains the story of the greatest battle between the Pandavs and Kauravas.

Ved Vyas was the author of this authentic scripture. He was the first and greatest acharya of Sanatan Dharma. He is responsible for classifying the four Vedas, writing the 18 Puranas and reciting the great Mahabharat. The most important and the most glorified section is the Bhagwad Gita, the lesson recited to Arjun by Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Some 5000 years ago, Ved Vyas was born on an island on the holy river Yamuna. His father was Parashar Rishi, and his mother was Satyavati. He taught the Vedas to his disciples with ardent devotion and dedication. It is said that Mahabharat is the 18th Puran that was written by Ved Vyas. He fathered four famous sons, Pandu, Dhritarashtra, Vidur and Sukhdev. He described that the most important goal in one's life is to attain Narayan, the Divine Supreme Being. The life of Ved Vyas is an example to all in the modern times on how to be selfless and devote oneself entirely to the Lord who will grant eternal bliss.

Vyasji is as an important character in the Mahabharat. His mother later married the king of Hastinapura, and had two sons. Both sons died and taking recourse to an ancient practice called Niyoga, where a chosen man can father sons with the widow of a person who dies issueless, she requested Vyas to produce sons on behalf of her dead son Vichitravirya.

Vyas fathered the Princes Dhritarashtra and Pandu by Ambika and Ambalika, the wives of the dead King Vichitravirya. Vyas told them that they should come alone near him. First Ambika went, but because of her shyness and fear, she closed her eyes. Vyas told Satyavati that her child would be blind. Later this child was named Dhritarashtra. Thus Satyavati sent Ambalika and warned her that she should remain calm, but Ambalika's face became pale from fear. Vyas told her that her child would suffer from anaemia, and he would not be fit enough to rule the kingdom. Later this child was known as Pandu. Then Vyas told Satyavati to send one of them again so that a healthy child could be born. This time Ambika and Ambalika sent a maid in the place of themselves. The maid was calm and composed, and she bore a healthy child later named as Vidura. While these were his sons, another son Sukh, born of his wife, sage Jabali's daughter Pinjala (Vatika) is considered his true spiritual heir.

He was thus the grandfather of both the warring parties of the Mahabharat, the Kauravas and the Pāndavas. He makes occasional appearances in the story as a spiritual guide to the young Princes.

In the first book of the Mahabharat, it is described that Vyas asked Ganesh to aid him in writing the text, however Ganesh imposed a condition that he would only do so if Vyas narrated the story without pausing. To this, Vyas then made a counter-condition that Ganesh must understand the verse before he transcribed it. Thus Ved Vyas narrated the whole Mahabharat, all the Upanishads and the 18 Puranas, while Lord Ganesh wrote.

Ramayan(covering Valmiki Jeevan Charitra)

Author:Valmiki

Date written:Approximately 5000 years ago

Number of chapters:7 khand (books), 24000 verses.

Overview:Valmiki is the author of the great epic Ramayan, consisting of 24,000 verses. Maharishi Valmiki was born as Ratnakara to sage Prachetasa. At a very young age, Ratnakara went into the forest and got lost. A hunter, who was passing by, saw Ratnakara and took him under his own care. Under the love and care of his foster parents, Ratnakara forgot his original parents. From the guidance of his foster father he became an excellent hunter. As he approached marriageable age, Ratnakara was married to a beautiful girl from another hunter's family. As his family grew larger, Ratnakara found it impossible to feed them. As a result, he took to robbery and began looting people passing from one village to another.

One day, the great sage Narad, while passing through the jungle, was attacked by Ratnakara. As Narad played his veena and sang praises of the Lord, he saw a transformation coming over Ratnakara. Then, he asked Ratnakara whether the family, for whom he was robbing others, would partake in his sins also. Ratnakara went to ask the same question to his family and on being refused by his entire family, he went back to sage Narad. Narad taught him the sacred name of Rama and asked him to sit in meditation, chanting the name of Rama, till the time Narad came back.

Ratnakara followed the instructions and continued to meditate for several years, during which his body became completely covered by an ant-hill. One day, Narad came to see him and removed all the anthills from his body. Then, he told Ratnakara that his tapasya (meditation) had paid off and Lord Rama was pleased with him. Ratnakara was bestowed with the honour of a Brahmrushi and given the name of Valmiki because he was reborn from the Valmika (ant-hill). Sage Valmiki founded his ashram at the banks of River Ganga.

One day, Valmiki had the fortuity of receiving Lord Rama, His wife Sita and brother Lakshman at his ashram. On Valmiki's suggestion, Lord Rama built his hut on Chitrakuta hill, near the ashram. Narad visited Maharishi Valmiki in his ashram once and there, he narrated the story of Lord Rama. Thereafter he received a vision from Brahma in which the Lord instructed him to write Ramayan in shlokas, which the sage readily followed.

Vachnamrut

Author:Muktanand Swami, Gopalanand Swami, Nityanand Swami, Shukanand Swami and Brahmanand Swami

Date written:From 1819 to 1829 CE

Number of chapters:273spiritual discourses

Overview:The Vachanamrut is a dialogue of questions and answers between Maharaj and various Santos/bhaktos. This dialogue was written in detail by the above named Swamis. Later they all came together to compile a concise version of all the dialogues of Maharaj. The name Vachanamrut (Vachan roopi amrut), translates to be the sweet nectar-like words of Maharaj that were showered upon all the devotees who came into contact with Him. Any discrepancies and wrong understandings are cleared in this scripture.

The Vachanamrut was presented to Maharaj by Nityanand Swami and other saints in Loya’s 7 Vachanamrut, where Maharaj witnessed the manuscript and was very pleased.

Why it was written:Many people do not have the time to read and research all the scriptures present. A particular point in one scripture can be understood and portrayed better than in another hence the reason for having many scriptures to help us with our different problems. Just like a broken car needs to be seen by a specialist, our body and soul needs a specialist but if we go searching for the particular problem our lives may be wasted. This is why the Vachanamrut can be thought of as the one specialist we need as it takes different aspects from all the true scriptures. In essence, its existence means that devotees do not have to waste time looking in many areas for answers. All our questions in life regarding the soul are guaranteed to be answered within the Vachanamrut.

Benefits of reading:The Vachanamrut focuses on training the mind so stay affixed upon Maharaj’s Murti 24 hours a day. There are many small things that can be done to achieve this and is hence the topis of the first discourse. The rest of the Vachanamrut then teaches one many methods effective in centring the mind on God. To do this one should start to understand who they are, where one wants to go and how one should get there. Once one can realise these things, the questions raised in the Vachanamrut start to unravel and help us focus our minds completely upon Maharaj.

Nishkulanand KavyaNishkulanand Swami Biography:Birth place: Shekhpat (Saurastra State) near JamnagarBirth date: VasantPanchmi 1822Birth Name: LaljiFather: RambhaiMother: AmrutbaGuru: Ramanand SwamiWife: KankubaTwo Sons: Madhavji- Born Savant 1856 (Govindanand Swami) and Kanji - Born Savant1859Caste: GurjarSuthar (Carpenter)Diksha: 1843Left his mortal frame: 1904 (82 years of age)

Achievements:Nishkulanand swami composed the following 23 scriptures:

1) Yamdand2) Saar Siddhi3) Vachanvidhi4) Bhakti Chintamani5) Haribar Gita6) Dhiraj Akhyan7) Sneh Gita8) Purushpottam Prakash9) Bhakti Nidhi10) RadayPrakash11) Kalyan Nirnay12) Man Gunjan

13) Gun Grahayak14) Chosatpadi15) Hari Vicharan16) HariSmruti17) Arjivinay18) Avtar Chintamini19) Cheen Chintamini20) Pushpa Chintamini21) Lagna Shakunavali22) Vruti Vivah23) Shikshapatri Padrupa

Swami was a fine craftsman, which is evident from the dome arches and temple doors at Dholera Mandir. He also constructed the AksharOradi at Gadhada, but his masterpiece was the swing at Vadtal made for the FuldolUtsav. The swing had twelve entries all intrinsically engraved. At each entry Maharaj gave divine darshan in different forms.Swami was famed as the very embodiment of vairagya (detachment from worldly objects) and hene is often referred to as Vairagyani murti.

Bhakti Chintamani

Author:Niskulanand Swami

Date written:The last day of recitation of the scripture was on Thursday, Aso Sud 13, 1887.

Number of chapters:164 prakran

Overview:All other scriptures by Nishkulanand Swami talk about Vairagya (non-attachment) or ways of attaining ultimate knowledge, but this scripture is all about Maharaj’s leelas which helps one attain salvation.The meaning of the title is based on the content of the scripture. “Chintamni” means fulfil desired wishes, which would occur if a bhakt remembers leelas about Maharaj.

At the end, Nishkulanand Swami says explains that whoever sings or hears this scripture whole-heartedly, will have his minds’ desires fulfilled by the Lord.

Prakran 1 – 100: Leelas in detail performed by Shreeji Maharaj while on earth Prakran 101 – 105: Talks about the greatness and strength of the Lord.Prakran 106 – 112: Detailed explanation of the vartmans of Santos and Sankhyogibaios.Prakran 113 – 127: Details of backgrounds of Haribhaktos including Place, Surname, caste etc.Prakran 128–158: Leelas performed by Shree Hari towards His followers and non-followers showing them that He is God Himself.Prakran 159 – 164: Shree Hari plans to leave for Akshardham. There are leelas of haribhaktos who endured pain when separating but were consoled. It ends with the summary of the scripture and highlighting of its greatness. This scripture has been given the same status and valuation as the respected Satsangi Jeevan.

YamdundAuthor:Nishkulanand Swami

Date written:

Number of chapters:20 Kadvas (chapters) and 1,111 quart verses

Overview:Yamdund is the first scripture to be written in the Swaminarayan Sampraday and was written in Aadhoi. In this scripture, Swami explains in great detail, the misery that the soul suffers in hell. The scripture speaks of about 28 different types of hell and how a bad person receives punishments in accordance with the types of sins he/she has committed when living on earth. There is no other scripture which gives a detailed heart-rending supernatural account of a soul’s journey towards and within hell. Yamdund portrays the reality of hell in a very direct manner which is why many will not be found reading or listening to this scripture. However, Swami acknowledges the fact that truth remains truth, irrespective of how harsh it may be.

Swami describes the miseries the soul encounters in the mother’s womb, in its youth and as it grows old committing sins and disregarding Lord. The sinful soul is then walked to hell, a distance of 1,035,636km, and passes through 16 towns which have increasing amounts of torture to offer on its journey. Once the soul reaches hell, the demons of hell throw him into 28 different pools of hell where it is punished for the different sins carried out.

Finally Swami describes that after suffering these pools of hell, the soul is born into one of the 8.4 million species of life and is born from the four classes of pools. Thus the soul suffers the same process over and over again. Swami says that to attain peace, the soul has to find the shelter of the almighty Lord and fully dedicate itself to God to avoid the perilous journey of 8.4 million species. He then describes the greatness of Lord and clarifies that we no longer will have to fear the demons of hell after attaining God and his saints.

Saar SiddhiAuthor:Nishkulanand Swami

Number of chapters:11 subsections, 48 stanzas

Overview:Saar Siddhi is presented in the form of a poem. From the title, “Saar” means essence or nectar, and “Siddhi” meaning to attain or achieve. Saar refers to Shreeji Maharaj Himself and thus the scripture contains the ways and means to attain Lord Hari. Swami explains that to attain the divine image of the Lord, one needs both detachment and devotion. The scripture also answers many questions which arise within the soul when doing devotion. It helps one form a bond with the Lord rather than worldly pleasures.

Swami points out that devotion should be done without desires for worldly happiness or Nishkam Bhakti as it is more commonly known. One who is detached from worldly pleasures is regarded asa saintly soul and is not even touched my illusion (Maya). Swami also makes it clear that worldly pleasure and sufferingis related to the body and has no effect on souls that have detached themselves from the worldly desires. These are also regarded as the happiest of all souls as they have no wants except Shree Hari. Pleasing saints of Shree Hari helps bringpeace to the mind.

Swami then goes ahead to describe the splendour of a true saint and explains that they are the only true relative of the soul. He then narrates the various incarnations of the Lord and advises us to always remember these leelas of Lord.

Haribar GitaAuthor:Nishkulanand Swami

Number of chapters:44 kadvas, 11 pads

Overview:Haribar Gita is one of the poems sung by Nishkulanand Swami and is part of Nishkulanand Kavya.The scripture starts by explaining the importance of the name “Narayan”. The name has so much happiness in it that people like Putthu Raja asked for 10,000 ears so that he could hear the name Narayan. Hiranyakashipu also spoke the Narayan name by mistake, and a great devotee, Prahlad, was born to their demon clan.

Chanting the Lord’s name is the only way the soul can free itself and attain salvation.In all the 14 loks, the only pure names are those of the Lord. Later Swami speaks of the love a wife has for her husband and what she will do to make him happy. Also the pain that parents go through to make sure that their children are happy is mentioned. Nishkulanand Swami says that this love is the same love that one should have towards Shreeji Maharaj.

Benefits of reading:Reading/listening to this scripture helps to diminish the doubts one has towards God. Also, fully understanding the poem will help reduce the sins committed by making one more self-aware. It explains that one should have unfaltering faith in the Lord and be forever loyal to the one you believe in (pati vrata).

Dhiraj AkhyanAuthor:Nishkulanand Swami

Overview:This scripture is a compilation of stories of various disciples that showed admireable amounts of patience. To have a proper understanding of the importance of tolerance (dhiraj), Nishkulanand Swami wrote the leelas of 21 true (satyanishth) disciples. Swami explains that that these devotees had surrendered completely to the Lord and that was why they have been remembered here.

Nishkulanand Swami describes that Maharaj will take care of all the worries of His disciples, who have complete faith in Him and surrendering to Him is the only way to achieve true happiness. Swami gives details regarding the merciful nature of Maharaj, who is ever ready to protect His disciples.

Nishkulanand Swami goes on to teach one how to live life in grahasthashram and tyaag ashram. Swami speaks of warriors that must fight in battle; similarly, saints and disciples of Maharaj must learn how to fight their bad habits. Swami explains that there have been many devotees who have faced trouble in their lives, however they did not cry or lose their patience, they moved forward on the path of dharma, bhajan bhakti and overcame their troubles. Swami explains that this life is full of troubles and happiness but a devotee should learn how to deal with both and digest them equally.

Finally Nishkulanand Swami says that happiness found in Maharaj’s murti, association with His santo and Hari bhakto is true happiness, and is eternal. The happiness derived from worldly affairs is temporary.

Why it was written:The main aim of this scripture is to teach us that whenever a disciple faces trouble he should always have patience as Maharaj sometimes testshis devotees. Thus in order to pass the test, one should never fail in having patience.

Sneh Gita

SadguruNishkulanand swami wrote 23 scriptures in NishkulanandKavya and SnehGeeta is one of them. The scripture contains 44 Kadavun and 11 padas. The title Sneh means Love. Swami starts off by saying that Sneh Geeta develops and strengthens ones Love and affection for God. This scripture is like water pool that satisfies the thirst of mankind. But this can only be attained if one has real thirst for God. This scripture sings with love the praise of Lord Shree Hari. Swami mentions that SnehGeeta has two wings; Shraddha (faith) and Bhavna (devotional thoughts). Where shraddha raises true knowledge in our intellect and Bhavna purifies our mind and destroys sins. If there is no devotional love, it is like Vegetable meal cooked with no salt and flowers with no fragrances. He moved ahead and mentions that one gets devotional love for Lord Shree Hari from satsang, Katha and Kirtans.The scripture talks about Love toward Shree Krishna by the people of Gokul that is Gopas, Gopis and His relatives. The Gopis did all their household duties by evoking Lord Krishna. For the Gopas, Gopis and the cows of Gokul, Lord Krishna was dearer to them than their own souls. They were attached eternally to Lord Krishna with a strong tie of devotional love. The Gopis were never happy without the darshan of Shree Krishna and they thought that there is no peace without His darshan. He is the heart, soul and life.Swami mentions that Gopis had devotional love toward Lord Krishna as they had perfect knowledge, devotion, detachment and practice of ethical duties. Swami also insists that one to have devotional love and love for God.

Purushottam PrakashNishkulanand Kavya is a great scripture containing 23 scriptures. Purushottam Prakash is part of this amazing scripture. Literally the title means Purushottam meaning Lord Swaminarayan Himself, and Prakash means bright light, luminosity. It contains 55 short chapters (prakars) consisting of doha and chopais.Swami writes that Lord Swaminarayan’s main aim was to grant His Akshardham to as many souls as possible, thus he devised several different schemes by which a noble soul can get closer to Lord and be granted access to Akshardham. Initially Swami describes the greatness of Lord Swaminarayan and his abode Akshardham, its location, beauty and several names it is referred to as. He then describes the jewelries and body parts of Lord. Lord Swaminarayan’s life history starting from curse of Sage Durvasa in Bakrikashram, his childhood leelas, Lord Swaminarayan giving clear coincide guide lines on what to do etc. and Lord’s various avatars are also briefly described. Swami thereby says that remembering Lord Swaminarayan and his leelas while doing all activities opens the doors to Akshardham. He also adds that by taking guuns of the 500 Paramhans of Lord Swaminarayan, being loyal to them, listening to them etc gives access to Akshardham. Listening to the description of utsavs done by Lord Swaminarayan, or acknowledging the places visited by him or always chanting his holy name, Swaminarayan gives access to Akshardham. It is a divine scripture helping one to be granted access to Lord Swaminarayan’s heavenly abode Akshardham.

BhaktinidhiSadguruNishkulanand Swami was a great saint. He had written several scriptures for the beneficial of the human kind. He wrote the NishkulanandKavya which contains 23 scriptures. Bhakti Nidhi is one of the scripture. It contains 44 stanzas and as the name suggests, it describes the forms and attributes of devotion (Bhakti), how devotion should be done with the various steps to the path of devotion.SadguruNishkulanand Swami mentions that acting as per Lord Swaminarayan’s will is the key principle of devotion. Devotion should be done without any desires and with absolute love and pure heart. Devotion can be done by 9 different ways and a 10th way of absolutely loving Lord Swaminarayan (prem-lakshana bhakti).Swami also mentions the several flaws in doing devotion. Some of them include looking at faults of fellow satsangis, ego or fearing sinful people while doing devotion. Devotion to Lord Swaminarayan should be as steady as a rock and one should have full faith in Lord to maintain it. In order to develop love and affection towards devotion, one should have the holy company of Lord’s saints and have faith in them.Swami also suggests that out of the 4 attainments of salvation, devotion is the best. Devotion protects purity and holiness of the soul. The scripture also warns us not to waste this precious human birth and make it fruitful by doing absolute devotion towards Lord Swaminarayan.

Kalyan Nirnay

Nishkulanand Swami has written Nishkulanand Kavya which contains 23 scriptures. Kalyan Nirnay is one of the amazing scripture in it. The title says it all, that is, means to salvation (Kalyan). The scripture has 18 means of attaining salvation with the 18th one the final one. The scripture portrays a teacher student discussion on the means of salvation and the frequent questions which comes across one’s mind in thinking about salvation.Sadguru Shree Nishkulanand Swami says in the scripture that the only means of ultimate salvation is by association with God, his fellow saints or his relevant divine scriptures. Other than these 3 ways, one cannot get salvation.

In the teacher student discussion, the student asks questions which arise in the mind of a modern individual and the teacher answers them appropriately with relevant examples. Some of the questions like can devoting the various avatars of Lord grant salvation, or can the descendants of Lord grant salvation etc. are asked by the student. The scripture is a very interesting means of learning how to answers questions augmented by atheists or people who have left the Sampraday (vimukhs). The scripture mainly helps one understand the greatness of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and the greatness of true saints. Swami says that a true saint is one who takes an individual close to God and not close to worldly things. Thus, he advises us to be careful when choosing a saint teacher (guru) as they could potentially make one fall from the path of salvation if not chosen carefully, however, it gets hard for one to walk on the path of salvation without a guru.

Man GanjanMaanganjan is one of the 23 scriptures of Nishkulanand Kavya. It was written on Samvat 1871 Shravan Sud 7. The scripture was written to help devotees in winning their soul (jeev) over mind (maan) in their fierce fight. The title means “maan” meaning mind and “ganjan” meaning killing proudness. Thus Maanganjan helps one to kill the proudness that is filled in their mind. Reading the scripture helps cleanse the heart and make it pure. It also helps one open the inner eyes and thus follow the right path to salvation, which is getting attached to Lord (vairagya). Some of the ways to make the soul win over the mind is by seeking help from God and his saints; praying to Lord and keeping the words of saints in the heart; and removing worldly desires out of mind. However, the main aim is to keep the mind busy in the “leelacharitras” of the Lord and continuously remembering and thinking about them. This is mainly achieved by performing any of the 9 types of bhakti (Navdha Bhakti).Sadguru Nishkulanand Swami also says that when the mind is left wandering and not engaged in Lord, it goes to attaching to worldly desires. Controlling the sense of sight and looking at Lord only, helps conquer the mind. Inner enemies like anger dirties the mind and makes it unclean, thus one should also learn how to control it. Finally swami says that one who have conquered the mind has conquered this world and is called a saint.

Chosatthpadi

As all the other scriptures and poems, Chosatthpadi is one of the 23 scriptures narrated by Nishkulanand Swami in a poetic form. Its understanding cannot be understood by the mind but by strong deep belief.The essence of the scripture cannot be gained by millions of money. It helps one to be relieved from the circle of life and death. Nishkulanand swami writes the scripture in simple words and is useful and understandable to both young and elder people.Chosatthpadi is a poem of how a soul (Aatma) can meet God (Parmatma). It shows us the right ways to follow so as to meet him.It shows us that one has to love satsang and have vairagya (attachment) towards the Lord. Also, maya (Illusion) is one problem most lives have on earth as it attaches the people to worldly things. The scripture helps one relieves himself from Maya.Towards the end, Nishkulanand Swami says whoever reads, does its katha, hears it, sings it, will surely go to Akshardham in the end.A lifes main richness is having Dharma, Bhakti, gnan and Vairagya. Main phrases:Those who can fight the inner enemies are the ones who can reach Akshardham and meet the Lord.Swami tells us to do seva of REAL saints. By doing that, it’s like doing the same seva for the whole world.Satsang is a school to attain the Lord.Hearing out REAL saints every day and acting as per their words helps one control the indrias.Human life is a staircase to attaining salvation.A human or saint whether he is rich or a knowledgeable person or a tricky person, if his actions are not right, then he has no value.To realize saints, one has to have the right choices.People can be known from their speech. Therefore learn speak words which are nice and sweet.Think wisely before speaking anything.Those who clean their tongue (speech) are able to clean their life from worldly things.To leave according to God’s will is a hard task but that is the way to make him happy.To help the soul (Aatma) to attain salvation, he has to deeply love satsang.Eating simple food helps the body be pure, healthy and free from diseases.If you don’t want to be beaten by Maya (Illusion), then you have to be on side with Sahajanand.Those who want to go near God, has to live life of a servants servant to Him.Life is a donation by God, so use it wisely.If vairagya (attachment) lives in your heart, then maya (illusion) walks far away.

Hari Smruti

Hari Smriti means to remember Hari. In this shashtra Nishkulanand Swami’s main goal is for us to have Maharaj’s murti firmly placed in our hearts so that Maharaj becomes a prominent aspect of our lives and all else becomes secondary. The shashtra has 7 chintaminis and each chintamini consists of 50 kadhis.

In the 1st Chintamini Nishkulanand Swami describes Maharaj’s beautiful feet and in particular the 16 cheens. He goes on to describe the out of this world happiness which can be experienced as a result of doing dhyan on these cheens. The sant then describe Maharaj’s beautiful body, working upwards from the feet to the tips of His sikha. The names of the different angs are mentioned together with the unmeasurable happiness which can be achieved as a result of doing dhyan to Maharaj’s angs.

In the second Chintamini Nishkulanand Swami describes all the different foods that he has seen Maharaj eat. These range from rotlas of different grains, many different shaaks, different daals, mithais, fruits etc. This is followed with a description of all the different types of dishes which have been used when jamading Maharaj. These range from just using His hand to eat, eating in Patrawalas to elegant thaam vasans made from silver and gold.

In the third Chintamini Nishkulanand Swami describes all the different vaghas, jewellery and haars which he has seen Maharaj adorn. These range from the finest silks with golden threads, to the simple dhoti made of cotton. All the different types of clothing, paags and jewellery have been described. Nishkulanand Swami then says that he has seen Maharaj wearing haars made of rare and beautiful flowers, nuts, grains and even leaves. He then goes on to describe all the places where he has seen Maharaj sitting, this ranges from singhasens, beds made of string, horse carts, on an elephant, riding a camel and all different types of palhkis.

In the fourth Chintamini Nishkulanand Swami provides a description of all the utsavs he has seen Maharaj taking part in, including rang utsavs. Where using a pichkari Maharaj injects different colours on santos, Hari bhakto and has great fun in doing so. When bathing Maharaj plays with the water and splashes santo and Hari bhakto. Next there is a description of Maharaj doing vichran in all weathers and carrying bricks to help the construction of mandirs. This is followed by Maharaj giving Samadhi to Hari bhakto, visiting the ill and basically doing what ever it takes to bring sukh into duki people’s lives.

In the 5th Chintamini Nishkulanand Swami describes the greatness of Maharaj. How He is raja dhiraj, the all knower, controller of all, and how devtas as wells as Sheshji have tried to describe His greatness and were unable to do so. in the end they finished by saying neti neti…Nishkulanand Swami describes that due to the fear of Maharaj the sun, moon and the stars etc.. Remain in their maryada and act in accordance to His instructions. This is followed by the immense amount of krupa Maharaj has done on jeevs. The result of which is that they recognise Maharaj and know that they are not worthy of the blessings showered up on them. Yet Maharaj, You smile up on them and in the end grant them Your Akshardham.

In the 6th chintamini Nishkulanand Swami describes the sukh that can be achieved as a result of taking shelter at Maharaj’s feet. He goes on to describe the mayma of His charan, the touch of which freed Ahalya, and where Tulsiji resides permanently and the charan ruj, the mayma of which was fully realised by Udhavji and Akrurji. This is followed by a description of the huge amount of sukh which can be achieved by nirakhing all the different angs of Pragat Maharaj’s murti.

In the 7th chintamini Nishkulanand Swami continues the mayma of Maharaj and His murti. He says there is no other quite like Maharaj, and goes on to describe the parachas Maharaj has shown. This starts with Santdas arriving in Badrikasham when he dived into the Hamir sarovar in Bhuj, Satchitanand Swami escaping from a room with locked doors without the lock being opened, Vyapkanand Swami bringing a dead horse to life to Swamroopanand Swami emptying yamlock of all jeevs. All these things and many more where all achieved, as a result of the santo/Hari bhakto’s association and deep love for Maharaj.

Vrutti VivahSadguru Nishkulanand Swami has written several scriptures. He wrote the Nishkulanand Kavya which contains 23 other scriptures. Vrutti Vivah is one of them. The scripture contains 20 pads and as the name suggests, it helps ones soul’s (Vrutti) thought and fluctuations get attached to God (Vivah). Swami describes the marriage of the Soul with God, making the Groom, Lord Narayan himself and Bride being soul’s thoughts and fluctuations (Vrutti). Swami starts off by briefly describing how the bride (Vrutti) searches everywhere for the right person to marry and chooses Narayan, the Groom. Lord Narayan then sends renunciation (Vairagya) in the form of coconut to confirm the marriage. The bride, Vrutti then tells her friends how great her husband Lord Narayan is and talks about his good qualities. The bride and groom go round the fire 4 times the same way worldly wedding happen with each round signifying the attainment of Dahrma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.A brief description on various devotees who have got same kind of (Vairagya) renunciation coconut is also described. Swami also says that it’s not hard for the soul to reach God but all one has to do is express oneself; ones thoughts and qualities the way they are without hiding anything. Finally, Swami reminds at the end of the scripture that only Lord Narayan is the Groom and all of us are the Brides. We have to act and be like a female to marry with Lord Narayan.

Shree Hari DigvijayWritten by Nityanand Swami while in Durgapur.Has a total of 49 chapters each with paragraphs of different leelas performed by Shree Hari.It was written after SatsangiJeevan. When SatsangiJeevan was written, Shree Hari emphasized that SatsangiJeevan does not bring out in depth the greatness of UddhavSampraday. Also, some leelas where he got victory in knowledge, teachings to and debates with great scholars which brought the name of the sampraday at a high position are not explained well in SatsangiJeevan.Thus, he wanted someone to write such a scripture which explains in depth the greatness of UddhavSampraday and the victories gained by Shree Hari while on earth.Nityanand Swami took the priviledge of obeying this order and wrote the scripture. After completion, Nityanand Swami showed it to Shree Hari, who became so happy that he garlanded Nityanand Swami and patted him on his head. He was given another task to make sure that UddhavSampraday does not diminish and remains healthy.It starts by some leelas in Krishna Avtar. Then in second chapter comes the introduction of Uddhavji and the attainment of eternal knowledge. Later, comes the Durvasa curse in Badrikashram which was used as an excuse for Uddhavji to be born on earth so that he can pass on the eternal knowledge to others. Then continues with the birth of GhanshyamMahraj, his leelas while he was young, his departure to the forest for penance, victorious leelas in the forest against other pilgrims, reaching Loj, getting Diksha, meeting with Ramanand Swami in Piplana, continuing effectively the UddhavSamraday throne, building temples etc….Reading or hearing the scripture helps in fighting the inner enemies and keeping thesampraday healthy and strong.

Satsangi Bhushan

Author:Vasudevanand Brahmchari

Number of chapters:5

Overview:Vasudevanand Brahmchari was born in VS 1855 in Malapur town in Gujarat. He was a Trivedi Movada Brahmin and obtained diksha in Jetalpur. He was initially named Gopalanand Brahmchari then later Vasudevanand.Once at Loya village he was asked to do a katha by the Lord. The assembly was overcome by his performance and Lord was very pleased. It was at this time the Lord gave him the new name of Vasudevanand Brahmchari. He went to Akshardham in VS 1920 in Ahmedabad.

Benefits of reading:This Satsangi jeevan is known as a dharma shastra but this scripture is a bhakti shastra where the whole scripture is full of detailed leelas of Maharaj during His time on this earth. It is said by listening to any leelas of Maharaj it brings joy, peace and tranquillity to the heart. Vachanamrut Madhya prakran 29 states, if a person is really tired after walking a long distance and he is not even able to stand. What can he do to get rid of this tiredness? Maharaj has replied and said if he listens to a talk about the Lord all this tiredness is got rid of. Hence the reason for reading scriptures like this.

Hari Leelamrut

The author of this amazing scripture is H.H.AcharyaVihariLaljiMaharaj. KavirajDalpatram then converted into a poem.

H.H.AcharyaVihariLaljiMaharaj was born at Dubolima in SarvarDesh on ChaitraVad 1, 1908. His parents were KrushnaPrasadji and Chanurashi. AdiAcharyaRaguvirjiMaharaj, Gopalanand Swami and various saints were pleased on hearing his birth.VihariLaljiMaharaj got his YagnaPavit from RaghuvirjiMaharaj at the age of 8. He studied various types of scriptures and became knowledgeable. He was in constant touch with RaghuvirjiMaharaj and Sadguru saints and hence he got the devisadgunos (qualities) like vivek (manners/good behaviours), bhakti (devotion), and more.

KavirajNanalalDalpatram is the poet who quotes the famous saying about the camel, “UtakaheAasabhama, vakaaangvadabhunda……., dakheDalpatram, “Anyanu to Ekvaku, ApnaAdharchhe”.” Even though his poems were heard and are written down in books around India, his picture in the books would contain his picture with the tilak and chandlo fully visible in the image. This is who he was really proud of, Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He can be stated as a true nirmaani devotee of ShrijiMaharaj, as the whole Harileelamrut scripture has been converted into poem by KavirajDalpatram and still his name does not appear once in the whole printed version of the scripture. This shows the Nirmaanipanu of the poet. Dalpatram had once seen Shriji Maharaj at age of 5, when his uncle (mama) took him for darshan to Gadhada. At that time, Shriji Maharaj was arriving to Dada’sDharbar and was letting loose Manki Godi to graze. Maharaj’s style, Latko, was of such a distinct nature that Dalpatram remembered it untill his last breath.

The scripture has 10 Kalash (chapters), or so called Prakrans. It contains the leelacharitras of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. As the name of the scripture suggests, by listening to the leela charitras of Bhagwan, which are like amrut (nectar), one is freed from the cycle of birth and death. As one would drink amrut (nectar) and it would be stored in a kalash, in this analogy, a haribhatka (devotee) would take a break and memorize the leela charitra, hence it’s called a vishram, instead of Adhyay. Many vishrams makes one prakran, but prakran has been named as kalash in this scripture.

After being instigated as the VadtalGadi’sAcharya by H.H Shree BhagwadPrasadji Maharaj, many staunch haribhaktos (devotees) told Maharajshri, “There are scriptures in Sanskrit, VrajBhasha and Gujarati about Shriji Maharaj’sleelacharitras, but still Elder santos and haribhaktos talk about leela charitras that are not stated in scriptures. Hence it is Acharya Maharaj’s primary duty to write scriptures in ordinary language.” From history, he did not see any dosh(wrong) in writing a scripture in ordinary language as Shriji Maharaj’svani, Vachnamrut, is also in written in simple language. Besides, Shriji Maharaj has also advised saints to write scriptures in simple language so that a normal person would be able to understand the essence. Thus, Acharya VihariLalji Maharaj after this thought decided to write this scripture.

Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj and Dalpatram Kavi put together the scripture in Vadtal and Dalpatram used to move around thinking on Vadtal temple’s foyers, trying to create musical pads from the leela charitras of Shriji Maharaj.

The divinity of the scripture is that one who reads or listens with purity and without bias (no pakshpaat), then one would realize in their mind that Swaminarayan Bhagwan is Purna Purshottam. Shriji Maharaj’s leelas are divine and one who listens and memorizes them becomes divine.

FAITH IN SCRIPTURES/HOW TO LISTEN

Maharaj has said in Vachanamrut Gadhada Antim 2, as well as many other places that any good qualities that a soul has from previous lives or will gain in this life will be as a result of doing samagam of a sat purush.

We are very fortunate as in doing samagam is readily available to us. Living in Bharat, fantastic! Go to the mandir every day, listen to kathas/kirtans there and do samagam of santo. Living over seas we have numerous kathas/kirtans and shashtras available to us. All of these can now be found on line making the treasure accessible to all, and can be down loaded on to MP3 Players, phones etc. Further more santo are always out and about visiting all over the world giving us labh of their amrut vaani. For those living over seas samagam can be done by telephone, emails, skype, or by listening/reading shashtras, kathas and kirtan books. The trick here is to understand how to listen? How to sing? We have to have bhaav, shradha and whole heartedly believe that the shashtras written by Maharaj or His beloved santos, are written for our benefit. The sants who lived with Maharaj day in and day out, they knew His swabhavs; they witnessed the leelas performed first hand. They had akhand vruti with Maharaj and could see what Maharaj was doing even though they themselves were thousands of miles away.

When listening to katha/reading scriptures, we have to believe that all that is heard/read is the absolute truth. It is Maharaj ni vaani or the vaani of the sant that has written the scripture. When the sant speaks/writes a leela or gives a drashtant, think, how is this relevant to me? Do I have the dosh that the sant is talking/writing about? What can I do to get rid of this? The changes will not happen over night and it will not be easy, but it is well worth it, when you look at the fact that you will be pleasing Maharaj. This is the goal we have to set for ourselves, we have to please Maharaj. This is also where we went wrong previously and thus have had to take thousands of births. Let’s not make the same mistake this time round. Having ruchhi in katha varta is the only way that the jeev can realise all the doshes it has, and finds the strength to change. Keep company of people who take their religion seriously/do sant samagam. Their good qualities will rub off on us and help us to move forward.

Look at Santos in Maharaj’s time, Nityanand Swami, Bhramanand Swami, Nishkulanand Swami. These santos were top notch in their field. These were intelligent people, for whom there was nothing missing in their lives that they had to devote their lives to Maharaj. Yet they chose to do this! What did they see in Maharaj ni murti, which we are failing to see? Not even this look at the santos of today, Santjivan Dasji of Bhuj dham, truly amazing sant, and is know as Doctor swami due to his intellect and his academic achievements in the sampraday. Bhajanprakash Dasji of Dhangdhra, extremely talented singer who could be making millions singing for the public, yet he has chosen to sing to and about Maharaj. In his purva ashram he has connections with the royal family, why did he give all that up? These souls as well as hundreds of others have realised that it is time to move forward.

For example if some one works for a company for 10 years, his wages and his position with in the company remains the same as the day he started, he needs to do something if he wants things to change. We have all taken so many births and yet remain in the same position every time. We need

to do something different! That something is to realise that “I have done this so many times, it’s now time to do something different so that I never have to do this again”. This is what the santos above have realised, this is what they have seen in Maharaj’s murti, this is what we need to see!

Science vs Scriptures

Lets first start by defining each of the terms and what they mean.

Science is the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

Scriptures are the sacred writings of the word of God.

It need to be pointed out that the scientists who are working and publishing the results might do it for the money involved in it or for the status, however the scriptures were written by ancient Rushi muni who lived a very simple life and to spread knowledge but not to gain materialistic items such as money or status. Their food intake, the way of life and the motive of the actions had a substantial difference between today’s researchers and the ancient Rushi muni. It could be said that their work was not biased towards achieving personal gains but only to spread the truth about how the natural and the spiritual world works only for the gain of the community.

Furthermore it needs to be stated that the scriptures are not only concerned with life on earth but also life after death and thereafter. Below are some findings of ancient Indian scriptures that the science within the scriptures was advanced than the one currently promoted.

It is a true fact that since the ancient age Indian people possessed great scientific acquaintance. The Vedic sciences are considered as the richest and most comprehensive science of ancient India. The Vedic sciences comprise various branches such as medicine, space science, astronomy, mathematics and there were several Indian scientists who studied and enhanced Vedic sciences. Aryabhatta (Mathematician), Charaka (Astronomer) , Sushruta (Surgery),Panini (Linguistics and Communication) and Jagdish Bose (Electromagnetics and wireless) were some of the eminent scientists of the ancient era. While Aryabhatta defined the shape of Earth to be round in 499 A.D., Charaka and Sushruta chiefly contributed in the development of Ayurveda. On the other hand, Panini discovered the methodical linguistic analysis during the 4th century B.C. The ancient Indian scientists have also given many mathematical and scientific explanations that can be proved using the current methods. Sanskrit is the only natural human language, which has its 4000 rules of grammar predefined. No other language has this.

The ancient Indian scientists and scholars developed the geometric theorems many years before Pythagoras did in the 6th century B.C. They also used advanced methods for determining the number of mathematical combinations by the second century B.C. The Indian scientists used ten numerals by the 5th century A.D. and by the 7th century; they started treating zero as a number. They had figured out the concepts of Infinity and ways to represent extremely large numbers. There are also several other technological discoveries made by the ancient Indian scientists. The discoveries were made connecting to physical science, pharmacology, medicine, artificial colours and glazes, metallurgy, re-crystallisation, chemistry, geometry, astronomy, the decimal system and language and linguistics, etc. Other significant mathematical inventions like the conceptualisation of rectangles, circles, triangles, squares, fractions; algebraic formulas, the ability to express the number

ten to the twelfth power, and astronomy had also been described in Vedic sciences. The concepts of astronomy, metaphysics and perennial movement were described in the Rig Veda.

Individuals such as Mahatma Gandhi who made major advances in the field of politics that led to the de-colonization of many countries from the grasp of British. He showed the world how to fight a war for truth without violence but only disregard for the status quo.

Great scientists such Sir Enstein, Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Carl Sagan and many others have all noted in their works in one way or another that everyone who is involved in the serious pursuit of true science becomes convinced that there is supernatural spirit that is manifest in the laws of universe. There is something vastly superior to man to which we must feel truly humbled. The size and complexity of the universe to the tiniest atoms that run life are so immense for our tiny human brain to understand. Even with the latest progesses in computing technology it feels like we are children playing on the shore of the ocean waiting to explore the truth that lies in the ocean.

In summary ones greatness is just not dependent upon one’s Intelligent Quotient alone. The Bhagwad Gita states “Of all form of knowledge spiritual knowledge is the highest”.

Nityanand SwamiNityanand Swami was born in 1812 in Dantiya Village of Lakhnau District in Gaur State. Fathers name was Vishnu Sharma and mothers name was Virjadevi. He had an elder brother named Govindharma who was learned in Yajurveda. Vishnusharma being a great learned person was the kings’ minister. His childhood name was Dinmanisharma.The family was rich and had the money to eat in golden utensils. Dinmani though was interested in studies and thus his father sent him to Kashi to gain more knowledge. There he learnt that only those saints who have the 4 qualities are the only ones who can help a person attain salvation.Dinmani made up his mind to find such a saint and left to search thee. He went to Badrinarayan, Jagannath, Rameshwar, and other great holy places but in vain. Then he started his journey towards Dwarika. He reached Vishnagar where he heard the greatness of Shahajanand Swami. He made up his mind once again that now he must find Shahajanand Swami. From the followers, he came to know that God is in Faneni. At once he started advancing towards Faneni. Upon reaching there he met with Shatanand Swami who advised that God is now in Siddhpur but in some days he will go to Inja village. Shatanand Swami also said that in few days they will be meeting with God in Inja village and Dinmani can accompany them. Dinmani at first agreed, so stayed with the saints for around two days where he heard lots of great stories of God. Now he couldn’t wait any longer, and thus took permission from Shatanand Swami and went to Inja.There he met with the supreme Lord Shahajand Swami. He stayed with him for some time and accompanied God while he moved from place to place preaching. One time they reached Meghpur where Dinmani was given diksha and named Nityanand Swami.Although Nityanand Swami as learned , Shree Hari Still sent him for further studies to Purusottam Bhatt of Nandol. After finishing studies and being tested on the knowledge gained, Shree Hari was so happy to hear the knowledge gained by Nityanand Swami. He became happy that he gave wishes that Nityanand Swami will always be a winner in all battles, be it knowledge fights etc. and that even if he has won, Nityanand Swami will never feel proud of himself.He had challenged Sayajirav of Vadodra and won against him. Sayajirav accepted defeat and became a great devotee.Another great incidence occurred when Shree Hari had left for Akshardham and enemies of SwaminarayanSampraday in Ahmedabad decided to come together and falsify the religion.Nityanand Swami hearing this, immediately got 40 saints and three carts ready to advance towards Ahmedabad; Two for his scriptures and one for himself. Reaching Ahmedabad, Ayodhyaprasad who was the Acharya at that time arranged for a welcoming ceremony for Nityanand Swami and the carts were purposely driven near Gosaji’s place (was an enemy of Swaminarayansampraday).Gosajisaw Nityanand Swami and started sweating even before saying anything.During the session to discuss whether SwaminarayanSampraday is true or just a fiction, everyone kept quiet. No one dared to speak against Nityanand Swami as they feared him since he was a great learned saint. Nityanand swami pledged with the opposers to ask and not be afraid, but none talked. Once again Victory was with SWAMINARAYAN SAMPRADAY even without any fight.

Nityanand Swami wrote Scriptures such as:1) Translated Gujrati version of

Shikshapatri2) Shree HariDigvijay3) Shandilya Sutra4) Shree HariKavach5) Shree Hanuman Kavach

6) BhagwatDasamSkand7) BhagwatPanchamSkand8) Vachnamrut (one of the five writers)9) Vidurneeti10) Bhagwad Gita11) Kapil Gita

12) GuunVibhaghVaikunthDarshanAvtarCharitra

13) Nishkaamsuddhi

Shreemad Bhagwad Gita

Bhagwad Gita is found inside Mahabharat and contains 18 chapters and 700 verses. As Lord Vyas is the author of Mahabharat, he is also said to be author of this scripture. Bhagwad Gita is the conversation of Lord Krishna and Prince Arjun at the battlefield of Kurukshetra before the start of the great war in Hastinapur (now Delhi). When both the warriors were facing each other, Arjun thought how he can kill this cousins and relatives on the opposing side. Lord Krishna then took him in the centre of both the armies, and started to explain him. Bhagwad Gita is that conversation which Lord Krishna had with Arjun.

Lord Krishna explains to Arjun various things. Many of these are: the duties of human beings, spiritual knowledge, the concepts of action with detachment and renunciation, process of practicing yoga, knowledge of absolute reality where he explains what jeev (soul) and maya are and the difference between the physical body and the soul. Lord Krishna also explains the importance of what one remembers at the end of one’s life and emphasizes on the science of yoga. The creation, maintenance and destruction of entire universe are also explained in deep. Lord Krishna reveals that he is the cause of all causes and tells Prince Arjun the various glories of Lord.

In chapter 11, Lord Krishna reveals his universal form to Arjun (virat svarup). The qualities of devotees dear to him are also described including the divine qualities of Lord. In the end, after Arjun gets the divine knowledge from Lord, he accepts that fighting with his cousins and relatives is his duty to uphold the human race.

Ghanshyam Leelammrut SaagarGhanshyam Leelamrut sagar is a library of charitras performed by Swaminarayan Bhagwan while on earth and known by names such as Ghanshyam, Neelkanth Varni, Shahajanand Swami, Shreeji Maharaj etc.Once Ayodhya Prasad (Son of Ghanshyam’s elder brother Rampratap) visited Chaapaiya and was sitted with other mukta bhaktos and saints at the bank of Narayan Sarovar.For the welfare of followers, Ramsharan, a mukta Jiva and a prime devotee of Swaminarayan Bhagwan, pleaded to AyodhyaPrasadji Mahraj to narrate to him charitra of the Lord while on earth.Thus the recitation of scripture started and Vakta (Narrator) is Ayodhya Prasadji Mahraj and Shrota (main Listener) is Ramsharan together with the other muktas and saints.Also present in the sabha was a saint who was known for writing books in simple language. It was Bhumanand Swami. He wrote the the stories narrated by Ayodhya Prasad and named it as GHANHYAM LEELA-MRUT SAGAR.Ghanshyam Leela-Mrut sagar is divided into two divisions:1. Ghanshyam Leela Purvardha2. Ghanshyam Leela Uttaradharma

Ghanshyam Leela PurvardhContains 110 Paragraphs with leela charitras in each paragraph.It begins with the word known to Jivrani bai (grandmother of Bhakti mata) that God himself will be born on earth to Bhakti and Dharma in Chhapaiya.Then, continues with the curse of Durvasa in Badrikashram and Narayan revealing that he will be born on earth to Dharma and Mukti.After that, Ghanshyam Maharaj is born and it continues with the Baal charitra and leelas performed by Ghanshyam while he was at his young age. Towards the end paragraphs, Ghanshyam Maharaj recited Hari Gita to Bhakti mata. Then after, took his parents to akshardham and did their cremational ceremony. After the parents gone, Ghanshyam decided to go to the forest and do penance for his devotees. He left his home early one morning without letting anyone know. This is where and how the Ghanshyam Leela-Mrut Sagar Purvardh ends.

Ghanshyam Leela UttaradharmaContains 101 paragraphs with leelas played while in the forest till he leaves the earth and goes back to Akshardham.Starts just where the Purvardh stops where Ghanshyam is leaving his home and walking fast such that Rampratap should not get hold of him, as if he did, then he would take Ghanshyam back to his home.It is followed by many other leelas such as:Kaushik pushing Ghanshyam in Saryu RiverShowing kings, tyagis, devotees on their way attain salvationPenance in Pulhashram and darshan of SuryaNarayanAshtang yoga from Gopal Yogi and his salvationSalvation to 900,000 yogis and darshan of KapiljiReaching Lojpur and asking 5 questionsGetting diksha and Swaminarayan Sampraday throneSamadhi parchasVisiting different villages to please devotees and doing manly leelasMurti pratistha in temples and initiating saintsTil and Chin descriptionShikshapatri writingMeeting of the three brothers (Rampratap, Iccharam and Ghanshyam) in Loya etc.Towards the end of the Uttaradharma, Shahajanad Swami prepares to go to Akshardham. He preaches to his devotees his last words and calms them down from the loss, as he is present in the murtis he installed in temples.

Importance of Ghanshyam Leela-Mrut SagarIt is a library of leelas performed by Shree Hari on earth and as per Vachnamrut Gadhda Pratham Prakran 3, if the leelas or saints or satsangis are remembered in one’s last moments, then together with them, Gods murti is remembered which is a good thing since Shri Hari will personally come to take one to Akshardham with his Mukta saints and devotees.

Bhumanand SwamiBhumanand Swami was named ROOPJI at birth. He was born to RamjibhaiRathodKadia and Kuvarbai in a village named Keshia, near Jamnagar on Sunday,VaisakhSud 7, 1852.Roopji was attached (vairagya) to God since he was a little boy and used to correct those who did wrong actions.He was interested in Krushna murti darshan and listening to Katha-varta.He disliked going to sabhas where the male and female sabha was one. Once he even talked to his father about what he thought about the joint sabha. Ramjibhai at that instance connected his son’s story to the SwaminarayanSampraday. That is the moment Roopji realised the God within his heart.After some time, Ramjibhai left the earthly abode and Shreeji Maharaj Himself with His muktas came to take him. Roopji had the opportunity to see this moment of darshan. Days were hard for Roopji when his father died and soon after he started working for a merchant in the village of Targhadi. He worked for him for three years but the merchant never paid him. Not only that, the merchant claimed that he had paid him. Roopji consulted the elders about his lack of payment but they sided with the merchant. Cheekily and making fun of the soft hearted Roopji, they said, “ If Roopji can wear a chain heated in fire around his neck, then his story would be true, if not, then he would be punished.”Having faith in Shriji Maharaj, Roopji wore the heated chain, and everyone was astonished, as nothing happened to him. Villagers started respecting Roopjibhai from then onwards. The merchant was forces to pay Roopji all his salary.Then Roopji went to Kutch and met Gangaram-mal. There Roopji built a great bond with Gangaram-mal and strong belief towards Shriji Maharaj.Then to meet ShrijiMahraj, Roopji started his journey to Gadhda. On reaching there, he saw Shriji Maharaj advancing towards LaxmiVadi on MarkiGodi. Seeing this, Roopji sung the kirtan “SARVE SAKHI JEEVAN JOVA NE CHALORE....” Shriji Maharaj called Roopji at the end of the kirtan and happy with Rooji’s Vairagya , he initiated Roopji as “BHUDHRANAND SWAMI”. The name did not fit the kirtans well so later named him as “BHUMANAND SWAMI”.Bhumanand Swami did ekantik bhakti and continued preaching about Maharaj. Bhumanand Swami was also learned in Gujarati and Hindi. He wrote scriptures and did translations. Main ones are outlined below.In simple language which can be understood, he wrote:1. ShriVasudevMahatmya2. PanchamSkanda3. DasamSkandaIn Gujarati language, he wrote:1. GhanshyamLeela-MrutSagar2. KirtanKavya

One of the leelas played by Bhumanand swami is that he awoke Uda Gadhvi from unconsciousness after he was bitten by a snake. He just prayed to God and whispered “SWAMINARAYAN” in Uda’s ears and he awoke.He is also the composers of one of the well knownThaal; “JamoThaalJeevanJauVari.......”Bhumanand Swami prophesized his death and before the time came he told his disciple Purani Swami BaalKrushnadaasji. He prepared his chariot to depart to akshardham. On Sunday Mahavad 8, 1924, Shrijimaharaj came to his place and he fed him “DudhpakPuri”. Exactly two in the afternoon, Bhumanand swami left for akshardham with Shrijimaharaj.

Vasudev MahatmyaVasudevMahatmya is one of the 8 scriptures Lord Swaminarayan has instructed devotees to read and study and it’s his favorite scripture. Its main narrator is Lord Narayan himself and Narad is the listener. It was written by Lord Vyas, as it found in the 4thKhand of SkhandPurana and contains 32 chapters. The secondary narrator is Kartik Swami and Sage Saavarni, the listener. The main aim of the scripture is as the title states, to help one understand the greatness of Lord Vasudev and it mainly focuses on non-killing of animals (ahimsa). Initially, there is description of Shwet-deep and its miraculous and marvelous features. Then Lord Narayan describes the rise and fall of one of the great devotee of Lord Vasudev, King Upricharavasu. Then he goes on to describe how killing of animals started due to wealth (Goddess Laxmi) going into the oceans by Sage Durvasa’s curse, and how non-killing of animals started again after the churning of the ocean and acquiring wealth from the ocean. The duties and responsibilities of the 4 classes of people is also decribed in detail here. The general and special principles of men and women at different stages of life are also described in detail. Finally the method of worship of Lord is described in precise details and the procedure of performing ‘Ashtang Yoga’.Lord Swaminarayan had won several debates on non-killing of animals (ahimsa) by referencing from this scripture. Lord also prescribed the method of worship in the Shikshapatri etc. based on this part of the Purana.

VidurnitiThis scripture consists of all the phrases that Vidurji told Dhritrashtra for having peace and happiness. Vidurji tried alot to make Dhritrashtra understand but he could not free himself from his love towards Duryodhan and in the end there was a huge battle in which all the Kaurava’s died.If they had agreed to the words of Vidurniti, there would be fame in this world and they would have attained moksha in the end.Vidurniti was the best scripture out of the eight which Shreeji Maharaj loved. Shreeji Maharaj has thus praised this scripture Vidurniti as it has alot of teachings that everyone should learn from.

Life History of VidurjiVidurji was an avatar of yamraja (dharma). He was born from a womb of a maid. Vidurji was a brother to King Dhritrashtra and King Pandu. Vidurji became the minister when King Pandu had to go to the forest and Dhritrashtra became the king. Vidurji was taking care of the whole kingdom. He always took the side of righteousness (Dharma) and opposed the unrighteousness (Adharma).He always tried to explain to Dhritrashtra that whatever is happening to the pandav’s is injustice. He was always in opposition with the bad deeds of Duryodhan. He had to suffer alot by the pain of evil people because he was always on the side of truthfulness as this was his character.Vidur did not have to support either Kaurav or Pandav’s in the battle, therefore he left for pilgrimage. He did pilgrimage for 36 years. In the end he met Uddhav from whom he got the news of Mahabharat battle, the royal family destruction and the departing to svadhaam of Shri Krishna. Shri Krishna at the time of his departing to svadhaam (Goloka), instructed Maitrey rushi to command Vidurji, hearing these news from Udhhavji, he then went to Haridwar. There achieving the knowledge from Maitrey rushi he then went to Hastinapur again. He went there to only exhibit the knowledge of self consciousness to his elder brother Dhritrashtra. By his preachings, Dhritrashtra and Gandhari became free from attractions and became dispassionate and then left to the forest. Vidurji was already dispassionate. He went to the forest and and focused his mind on God and abandoned his body like the yogi’s.

Yagnavalkya SmritiYagnavalkya Smriti has been called the best composed and most homogeneous text of “Dharma Shastra”. It is one of the eight scriptures mentioned in Shikshapatri which is a true authority on our philosophy and religion. This scripture has been written by Yagnavalkya Rushi of Mithila. He was the son of Bhramrath and Sunanda. Bhramrath had a very good knowledge of Vedas and Shastras. Sunanda was the daughter of Rushi Sakala. She gave birth to Yagnavalkya on the 12 th day of Kartik Sud Dwadasi Thithi. Yagnavalkya had 2 wives; Maitreyi & Katyayani. Before the start of the 4th ashram, Yagnavalkya rishi divided his property between the two wives. Maitreyi asked Yagnavalkya rishi for her to become immortal through wealth but in return Yagnavalkya Rishi taught her the sole greatness of the Absolute Self, the nature of ‘Its’ existence and the way of attaining infinite immortality etc. This conversation between the two is recorded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. Through the other wife Katyayani, Yagnavalkya had 3 sons named Chandrakant, Mahamegh & Vijay. Yagnavalkya’s other scriptures include Yagnavalkya Smriti,Yagnavalkya Shakha, Pratijna Sutra, Satapatha Brahmana and Yoga-Yagnavalkya.This scripture consists of 1,010 slokas (verses) and is divided into 3 subtopics:Achaar (proper conduct)Vyavahar (judicial procedures)Praayschitt (penance)

ACHAAR- (proper conduct)Manu, Atri, Vishnu, Hareet, Yagnavalkya, Ushnasu, Adikra, Yam, Aapsatamb, Sanvarta, Katyayan, Bhrahaspati, Parasar, Vyas, Sankh, Likheet, Daksh, Gautam, Saatatap & Vashisth; these Rushis are the founders (praneta) of this dharma Shastra.It teaches us how we have to do Yagna, Sadacharan, Indriyo nu daman, Ahinsa, Daan, Veda-dhyayan & punya to overcome ourselves away from the worldy affairs and look at ourselves as an ‘ATMA’.It then briefly describes on the proper conduct of various stages that we face in our life and how they should be strictly followed. Bhramchari Prakram- Talks about the four caste; bhraman, kshatriya, vaishya and sudra. There is a brief description on the sanskars of when and how each caste should follow it. Every caste has different types of sanskars they have to follow and at different ages.Vivah Prakram- describes the characteristics that the bride and groom should have before their marriage is fixed. Talks about how the newly wedded couples should follow their dharma accordingly.Grashta dharma Prakram- the 5 types of Yagna we should do every day. (Balikarma, swadha, hom, swadhyay & atithi satkar) plus bhoot yagna, pitru yagna, dev yagna & manushya yagna add upto 5 types of Mahayagna. There are other types of prakrans including Daan dharma, Shradh dharma, Ganpati kalpa, Grah shanti &Raaj Dharma included in this section of the Yagnavalkya Smriti.VYAVAHAR- (judicial procedures)Under this topic Yagnavalkya Rishi has described the hierarchical and the five types of ordeal.PRAAYSCHITT- (penance)Hermits and renouncers have been described within this section of the Smriti regarding the penance.

8 ScripturesThe 8 main scriptures which Lord Shree Swaminarayan has stated in Shikshapatri shloks 93-95 are: the 4 Vedas, Vyaas-Sutras, Shrimad Bhagwat Purana, Vishnusahastranama of Mahabharat, Shrimad Bhagwad Gita, Vidur Niti, Vasudev Mahatmya and Yagnavalka Smruti. These 8 scriptures are the essence of our Hindu Sanatan Dharma and bring about the greatest devotion to God. Lord cherishes them as they are for the betterment of man. The Vedas – are the most important scripture as they are said to have originated from the four faces of Brahma and is the knowledge of truth revealed to rishis by God.Vyaas Sutra – it is written by Lord Vyaas and discusses the essence of the Upanishads in the first chapter, the Vedantic systems in the second, the spiritual pathway to the supreme goal of life in the third, and the nature of God in the fourth. Shrimad Bhagwat Purana – written by Lord Vyaas and explains Bhakti as the greatest means of attaining God. It has 12 chapters and contains 18,000 shloks. The purana describes the avatar leelas of the twenty-four incarnations of God, of which the story of Shree Krishna is wonderfully documented in the largest of the twelve Skands, the 10th skhand.Vishnusahastanama – is written by Lord Vyaas and contains the thousand names of Lord. It was composed by Sanaka, one of the 4 kumaras and was recited by Bhisma as the response to Yudhishtira’s question of who the supreme Lord of all is?Bhagwat Gita – is from Mahabharat and has 18 chapters. It contains the teachings of Lord Krishna to his foremost friend and disciple Arjuna. Lord Krishna explains and covers all manner of subjects inciting Karma Yoga, Yoga, Dharma, Bhakti Yoga, nature of body and self etc. to persuade Arjuna that his duty was to fight during the Mahabharat war. Vidur Niti – contains 9 adhyays and is the code of conduct for Kings. It is the code of ethics enunciated by Vidura to Dhritashtra in Mahabharat.Vasudev Mahatmya – is written by Lord Vyaas and found in the Skhand Purana. It contains 32 chapters and describes the teachings of Lord Narayan to Narad. It is a great scripture shadowing Bhagwat Purana as it propounds Dharma, Gnaan, Vairagya and Bhakti as well as Ahimsa like no other scripture. Yagnavalka Smruti – describes the various Dharma during various situations, thus Lord Swaminarayan chose this Smruti as one of the Dharma scripture.