Let Sahajanand Smile for Krishna

[Guest guest]

Let Sahajanad Smile for Krishna

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

"I meditate in my heart on Shree Krishna, the divine player in Vrindavana, on whose left is Radha and in whose bosom dwells Laxmi", in such resounding reverence declares Swami Sahajanand (1781-1830) in the very first shloka of "Shikshapatri" which He composed for the Hindus of Gujarat of His era that was witnessing massive conversions of the Hindus to Islam. The "Shikshapatri" is replete with teachings of Bhagavat Geeta, as uttered by the Mighty Krishna. The great Master - Ghanshyam, to be later known as Swami Sahajanand, has propagated the teaching of Bhagavat Geeta throughout his "Shikshapatri".

 

"In India, certain Hindu tribes were converted by missionaries sent to them by my ancestors, Shah Islam Shah, and took the name of Khojas; a similar process of conversion occurred in Burma as recently as nineteenth century", admits the Aga Khan - Aga Sultan Muhammad Shah, in his Memoirs of the Aga Khan, World Enough and Time (Cassell and Company Ltd, 1954, pp 181).

 

In the prologue, the Aga Khan writes; "As I look back, there is one memory, one piece of self-knowledge, which gives me the utmost satisfaction. I was myself personally responsible for the conversation to Islam of some 30,000 to 40,000 caste Hindus."

 

The Aga Khan had every reason to have his 'utmost satisfaction' to convert those thousands of Hindus to Islam, for the process of deceitful conversion is now at least 600 years old according to the article, "History of The Khoja Shia Ithnaasheries" available at

http://www.tizzy.net/hic/articles/khoja_history.htm

 

According to the article, "Pir Sadruddin lived for some time amongst the rich Hindu landowners called Thakkers. He studied their way of life and of worship. The Thakkers believed that god Vishnu had lived through nine incarnations on this earth. They were waiting for the tenth incarnation. Pir Sadruddin managed to convince them that Hazrat Ali (AS.) WAS the Tenth

Incarnation (Dasmo Avtaar of Vishnu. He converted quite a number of the Thakkers into a faith called Satpanth (True Path) - a peculiar admixture of Sufic/Hindu ideas. The main book called Das Avtar was considered a primary text for the followers of the Aga Khan until very recently.

 

A little over two hundred years ago, in Loj near Magrol of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, Swami Ramanand was engaged in containing the deceitful conversion of the Hindus to Islam, using the Bhaktki tradition, having its theological and philosophical base from the Vishishta Advaita of

Ramanujacharya.

 

SWAMINARAYAN

 

It is at Loj, (1799/1800) that the young master Ghanshyam, also known as Nilkantha, while on his travels from Uttar Pradesh to Gujarat which lasted for seven years, encountered the ascetic Swami Muktanand, the chief disciple of Swami Ramanand. Nilkantha joined the movement of Swami Ramananda in eradicating the prevailing practices of Sati, female infanticide, superstitious beliefs, irreligion, violence, and, the conversion tactics of the ancestors of Pir Sadruddin. Swami Ramanand, beholding the potential divine powers of Nilkantha, initiated him in the Bhagavata Diksha and named him Swami Sahajanand, installing him in his place as the next Acharya and

retired into oblivion.

 

Due to prevailing political chaos and moral confusion, Swami Sahajanand's public ministry (1802 - 1830), together with his corps of disciplined ascetics brought about a change in the moral and religious climate, through his injunctions glorifying Lord Krishna, now found in the Shikshapatri. His teachings about classic questions of Indian religious philosophy form the parent stem in the tradition of Vishistadvaita Vedanta, characterizing certain particular doctrines.

 

The process transformed into an independent movement and Sahajanand was elevated as a Bhagwan Swaminarayan and came to be regarded as a manifestation of Lord Swaminarayan, with his image being installed in temples. Although no records exist to prove the exact date when Sahajanand was regarded as Bhagwan (God), it can be correctly concluded that Bhagwan Swaminarayan is less than two hundred years old. There is no mention of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in any of the ancient religious scriptures existing in India prior to the birth of Sahajanad. One can thus be concluded that that Bhagwan Swaminarayan is less than two hundred years old.

 

"Bhagwan Swaminarayan" later vested his divine authority in his two nephews who came to be known as "Acharyas". Two separate dynastic seats known as "Gaddis" were established at Ahmedabad and Vadtal. Today the descendants of these Acharyas continue their rule from their respective "Gaddi".

 

In 1906 mainly on account of doctrinal convictions and a particular theological interpretation of the teachings of Sahajanand, Sadhu Yagnapurushdas lead the first break away group from the Vadtal temple, later to crystallize as the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanshta (BAPS) - known

in the UK as Swaminarayan Hindu Mission, and in the US and elsewhere as "BAPS" short for Bochasanwasi Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. In its theological interpretation, the eternal entities, enumerated in the fashion of Ramanujachrya by Sahajanand, include "Purushottam" (the Supreme Person) and Akshar (the Abode of God), and these two are eternally and inseparable

connected. (http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/hindu/devot/swamin.html)

 

Although no reference can be found on when the term "Bhagwan Swaminarayan" got coined, there are some references on the first break away from Vadtal.

 

SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL

 

Sardar Vallbhbhai Patel was in his early 30s at the time practicing law in Borsad, the Charotar region of Gujarat. His father Jhaverbhai used to offer regular prayers in the Vadtal temple. Upon issuance of a warrant for arrest of a certain Maharaj, Jhaverbhai rushed from his native village Karamsad to Borsad, pleading with his son: "you must get the warrant cancelled. If he is

arrested, it will be a terrible blow to our honour”. Young Vallabhbhai shot back: "Why should it affect our honour? There may be a reason for the warrant. You ought to give up these sadhus. Those who intrigue and quarrel and rush to courts are not likely to help us in this world, even less in the next one". (Patel, A Life, by Rajmohan Gandhi. Navjivan Publishing House. 1991, pp 20)

 

Sardar was brought up in a family that had a strong religious background. “As Vallabhbhai grew up, he saw the evils which had crept into the actual practice of Hinduism. Greed and lust for power had captured many Hindu temples. The priests had discarded the way of simple living and high

thinking, and lived on the credulity of masses. He thoroughly disliked the commercial purveyors of religion and rarely visited a temple". (The Indomitable Sardar, by K L Punjabi, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, 1962, pp 267).

 

"Vallabhbhai often used to speak with great admiration of Sahajanand Swami and his disciples and generally the purity of life led by them and by the sadhus of former days". (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - From Civic to National Leadership, by Devavrat N Pathak & Pravin N Sheth, Navjivan Publishing House 1980, pp 24).

 

Here it's interesting to notice the author's reference to the 'sadhus of FORMER days'.

 

A dispute in 1940s between sadhu Muktajivan and the Ahmedabad Acharya led to the foundation of Swaminarayan Gaddi.

 

The departure of another sadhu from Vadtal in 1947 let to the formation of yet one more independent educational trust, The Swaminarayan Gurukul.

 

Was it yet another theological, philosophical or some other friction that led to Yogi Divine Society (based in Sokhada) in 1971 that broke away from BAPS? It claims it is "distinct from the other three Swaminarayan organizations, BAPS, GADDI and ISSO.

(http://www.pluralism.org/research/profiles/display.php?profile=70327)

 

 

On 31st October 2003, according to a published report in the Indian Express, yet one more group emerged from the Sokhada group, calling itself Swaminarayan Jyot Temple!!!

(http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=69136)

 

Few more breakaway groups such as Anupam Mission and Gunatit Jyot have been established in recent years, somehow due to some unknown reasons, from the same parent stem.

 

Whilst the efforts of these Swaminarayan and other non Swaminarayan groups in propagating Hindu values is commendable, it should be a matter of serious consideration when, in their silent but determined inter quarrel, they seem to be engaging in number games of having larger devote bases. If at all our so called custodians of culture & religion want to leave behind any thing for our youth to be proud of, then they must, responsibly ask themselves an honest and sincere question; if they are indeed engaging in correct way to worship Rama & Krishna, or, creating any confusion in the minds of our youth - all in the name of religion!!! At present, it seems that certain groups are engaged in very dishonest means to enlarge their narrow sectarian bases. I was aghast to hear from a young boy saying that Rama & Krishna was incarnation of Bhagwan Swaminarayan!!! Where are we heading? Who should we blame for such misguidance? Hindu Parents, be careful.

Are our children being brainwashed by self-enslaved sectarians?

 

It’s time to think for a very meaningful existence of all Hindus. Is it an over expectation?

 

SERIOUS QUESTIONS

 

Would it be too much to expect from various Swaminarayan groups the following?

 

- In their temples, the moorti of Lord Krishna to be placed in the centre, replacing Bhagwan Swaminarayan's moorti, and reinstall the original teachings of Krishna?

 

- To cohesively merge with all subgroups for the best of Sanatan Dharma?

 

-Install portraits of India's other Tirthankars, Gurus, Acharyas, and true Dharma-Rakshak like Guru Govind Singh Maharaj & Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, besides Bhagat Sigh, Veer Savarkar & Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, all of whom, like Sahajanand, gave their life for the cause of Dharma.

 

 

SAHAJANAND, PLEASE SMILE

 

If possible, it is our ardent desire to make the true devotees of Sahajanand smile for Krishna. Then and only then, through proper introspection, the Swaminarayanis will hopefully set their non-sectarian wheels in motion.

 

Failing which, we must ignore Sardar Patel and let Pir Sadruddin's progeny continue with their mission of conversion of the Hindus to Islam. Surely, it will add one more feather in the Aga's cap. At best it will give an added satisfaction to Aga Khan for his ancestors' movement of conversion will yield sufficient numbers to put a smile on his face.

 

Will then, Sahajanand smile for the Dharma of Krishna?

[Guest guest]

that Swaminarayan was not God, but an empowered personality who saw Krsna as source of all incarnations - simple as that...

[Guest guest]

Wow....I'm speechless. Not due to genius of the article/author. Or because I'm in awe...but because I can't believe people like this exist.

 

Let me clear up a few things:

 

Yes. Swaminarayan used to mention the fact that he bowed to Shri Krishna. But put yourselves in His shoes. You can't just go around telling people you're God in the 17th Century. Once the faith of his followers was established it was common knowledge. He had over 2 million people believing him to be God in his lifetime. Now whilst I concede that numbers don't mean everything, I think you'll find that not many Hindu deities have had this honour.

 

Sahajanand Swami may not have gone around Gujarat performing miracles here there and everywhere, slaying demons left right and centre, but he did something much more profound. Instead of battling physical demons, he battles the inner demons within ones soul. Kam, krodh, lobh, moh, man, irsha, swadh...all the things that hold one back on the path of God. He inspired 5000 men to give up the clutches of the world and devote their entire lives to God. Surely that's commendable.

 

You have to remember that religion isn't religion if it stays stagnant. Religion has to move with the people, because its not the people that make a religion. Its Dharma, and the following of it.

 

Shri Krishna Bhagwan has said in the Bhagwat Gita that whenever immorality prevails on earth, God will come down to save his bhaktas. This is exactly what Swaminarayan did. The fact that he wasn't prophesised by the scriptures means nothing. Shri Krishna wasn't prophesised. Shri Ramchandra wasn't prophesised.

 

At the end of the day, we know that God is God. If some call him 'Swaminarayan', some call him 'Krishna' and some call him 'Allah' it doesn't matter. Thats one of the principle beliefs of Hinduism! Live and let live...

 

As Hindus we shouldnt be working to divide ourselves! Just as the unity of our followers makes our religion strong and protected, the unity of all faiths will make our common future strong and protected… True progress of any religion lies not in growth by numbers but by the quality of life and purity and the spiritual awakening in the adherents. Thus every Hindu should become a better Hindu, every Jew a better Jew, every Christian a better Christian and every Muslim a better Muslim and every follower should become a better follower… Religious leaders should not dream of establishing their religion as the one religion of the world, but dream of a world where all religions are united. Unity in diversity is the first lesson of life. Flourishing together by working together is the secret behind peace. From Rigvedic times, the Hindus have professed this global broadmindedness of a Beautiful Borderless World.

 

Stop trying to divide us and make us vulnerable. Instead, join together...Unity in diversity...the basis of Hinduism.

 

I hope the author thinks about some of the points I've raised

[Guest guest]

"Yes. Swaminarayan used to mention the fact that he bowed to Shri Krishna. But put yourselves in His shoes. You can't just go around telling people you're God in the 17th Century. Once the faith of his followers was established it was common knowledge. He had over 2 million people believing him to be God in his lifetime. Now whilst I concede that numbers don't mean everything, I think you'll find that not many Hindu deities have had this honour."

 

 

They 'believed' he was God. On what basis? Certainly not from what Sahjanand said himself. Do not confuse guru and God. And to say that he 'couldn't go round telling everyone he was God'. That is your opinion and pure mental speculation. In any case there is no reason why he couldn't say he was God. The men-god of India are doing so today, and unfortunately with much success. Sahajanand never said he was God because he wasn't God.

 

 

"He inspired 5000 men to give up the clutches of the world and devote their entire lives to God. Surely that's commendable."

 

That is very nice, and Sahajanand was a great guru.

 

 

 

"You have to remember that religion isn't religion if it stays stagnant. Religion has to move with the people, because its not the people that make a religion. Its Dharma, and the following of it. "

 

 

This is all rubbish. What has this got to do with Swaminarayan?

 

"Shri Krishna Bhagwan has said in the Bhagwat Gita that whenever immorality prevails on earth, God will come down to save his bhaktas. This is exactly what Swaminarayan did. The fact that he wasn't prophesised by the scriptures means nothing. Shri Krishna wasn't prophesised. Shri Ramchandra wasn't prophesised."

 

 

In the Upanishads (much before the time of Krishna) there are plenty of references to both Rama and Krishna. Rama appeared before the writing of the scriptures, and at that time it was spread through aural reception. As for descending, yes Krsna has the freedom to descend whenever there is irreligion. But how can a Lord who is so merciful make things so vague? He guides by scripture, and it is by that we know whether one is God or not. In your estimation then anyone could just say he was God and the poor fallen souls would follow him. You think God would be so cruel that he would not give us a clear-cut way of knowing who God is?

 

 

"At the end of the day, we know that God is God. If some call him 'Swaminarayan', some call him 'Krishna' and some call him 'Allah' it doesn't matter. Thats one of the principle beliefs of Hinduism! Live and let live..."

 

 

God has millions of names - but to call him by one name that is not even written anywhere in a scripture is pure ignorance. Allah is from bona fide scripture. Krishna is from bona fide scripture. Swaminarayan himself says he isn't God. That may be the belief of Hinduism, but it certainly isn't the belief of the written Vedas.

 

 

 

"Thus every Hindu should become a better Hindu"

 

So follow Bhagavad Gita:

 

BG 9.23: Those who are devotees of other gods actually worship only Me, O son of Kunti, but they do so IN A WRONG WAY.

 

[Guest guest]

"They 'believed' he was God. On what basis? Certainly not from what Sahjanand said himself. Do not confuse guru and God. And to say that he 'couldn't go round telling everyone he was God'. That is your opinion and pure mental speculation. In any case there is no reason why he couldn't say he was God. The men-god of India are doing so today, and unfortunately with much success. Sahajanand never said he was God because he wasn't God."

 

On what basis? On the basis that he proclaimed it himself in his latter years. On the basis that he installed his own murti in a Mandir. On the basis that numerous people received visions/dreams telling them so. On the basis that he reformed gujarat and its people in ways no ordinary person could have.

 

"This is all rubbish. What has this got to do with Swaminarayan?"

 

Its relevance is that fact that people claim the Swaminarayan movement is moot because it is only 200 years old. Or people claim is moot because it wasn't prophesised in the scriptures. The Swaminarayan movement was born out of the need to re-establish ekantik dharma on this earth. Only God can do this, and Bhagwan Swaminarayan did.

 

"He guides by scripture, and it is by that we know whether one is God or not. In your estimation then anyone could just say he was God and the poor fallen souls would follow him. You think God would be so cruel that he would not give us a clear-cut way of knowing who God is?"

 

He doesn't guide by scripture. He guides by Guru. Yes, scripture is another means for him to guide by, but Guru comes before Scripture.

 

Yes, anyone *could* claim he was God, and some would follow him...but isn't it possible that maybe Swaminarayan was right...maybe he *was* God? That maybe out of the thousands proclaiming it, maybe he was telling the truth?

 

Swaminarayan *did* give a clear cut way of knowing who God is...if he didn't, he wouldnt have millions of followers all around the world. Don't forget, nobody is the same. All have different opinions and views...and not all can comprehend God's message. If they could, we'd all be following one God.

 

"God has millions of names - but to call him by one name that is not even written anywhere in a scripture is pure ignorance. Allah is from bona fide scripture. Krishna is from bona fide scripture. Swaminarayan himself says he isn't God. That may be the belief of Hinduism, but it certainly isn't the belief of the written Vedas."

 

That depends on what you define as 'scripture'

 

If you define is as a guide to life, an answers to many of the questions man has, a path to God...then Swaminatayan's name has come up. In a scripture called the 'Vachanamrut'. It contains discourses given by Swaminarayan with exact date, time of day, and locations of where each one was given. You may not count it as a scripture because it isn't thousands of years old...but what did people who lives during the times of the Vedas think of this new emerging scripture? Its an idle persuit to discredit Swaminarayan because of the fact that he was around only 200 years ago.

[Pankaja_Dasa]

 

 

I saw this programme on Television {SABTV} they had Sri Sahajanad and somebody else {sorry I do not know}.

 

And thier pictures were very significantly larger than those of Radha-Krishna.

[Guest guest]

your simple thoughts reflect on your simple self

[Guest guest]

That son of Dasharatha will be known as Brahman is foretold in Rig Veda.

[maadhav]

guest,

 

jai sahajanan swami.

Please pick a good user name. that helps.

else it is not possible to figure who talks to whom.

 

<< every Christian a better Christian and every Muslim a better Muslim and every follower should become a better follower… >>

 

A better christian (per bible and the pope) does everything to wipe out any other religion from the face of earth.

 

A better muslim has to do jihad and terrorism in all non-muslim commuities. A few such better muslims did attack with grandes and guns on the akshrdham temple in amdavad.

such muslims are better muslims per koran and per the mullas.

 

xians or muslims do not care what gita says or sikhsaparti says.

 

so, there is no need to say xianity or islam are good religions when they are up to killig us and our dharma right in our own vedic land. the need is that ll the hindus and gurus unite, and get these two invaded ideologies out of Bharat.

 

<< Religious leaders should not dream of establishing their religion as the one religion of the world, but dream of a world where all religions are united. >>

 

All religions cannot be united, because the teachings of their books are not same. the cultures they create are totally different. doves cannot tolerate hawks, and hawks canot be trained to live in peace with doves. What is possible is that each culture/ideology followers just live in their own land. For this reason we gave pak to the muslims. After that, there ws no reason to allow the muslims to live in Bharat. So, now we need to really press the muslims of india to either give up islam or go to pak.

 

Now, sure here are some good muslims in india (but good in our eyes, not in the eyes of koran), but you never know when they or their generation will go agains us. They just wait for a right oppertunity to strike against us. So, the best way is to help them give up islam.

 

<< Unity in diversity is the first lesson of life. >>

 

This idea is in the Vedas, but the diversity mentioned there is the divesity of the vedic paths and yogas. xianity and islam cannot be included in there because they are anti-vedic. That is why, just a charity begins at home, unity begins at home, that is, first within the Hindus.

 

and gita unites all the hindu paths. We need to understand all the different yogas, and paths and deva/devis, as krishna tells us in gita. and Krishna gives us freedom to practice any yoga or worship any deva.

 

non-hindu religons's aim is to destroy the diversity.

they cannot stand hinduism around them. and they will never listen to you or me or gita. so, we need to get them out of bharat. I know that now the swaminarayan temples are keeping the terrorists out of their premises by surveilance and detectors. so, why not keep them and their ideologies out of bharat?

 

<< Flourishing together by working together is the secret behind peace. >>

 

yes, but within the hindus first.

any attempt to unite the hindus with the enemy ideologies' followers is a sure way to suffer and loose.

 

<< From Rigvedic times, the Hindus have professed this global broadmindedness of a Beautiful Borderless World. >>

 

This is possible when all follow the vedic paths, not anti-vedic paths. The vedas never says to unite with the asuras and please asuras. asuras must be killed or chased out, or forced them to purge their asuric ideologies.

 

remember that sahajanda also used to keep a sword,

even when he was incarnated as an ideal sadhu.

 

unarmed hindus will not be able to keep hinduism alive in hindustan. we need to think globally to solve the problems of bharat and dharma.

 

[Guest guest]

Jai Shree Swaminarayan! Jai Shree Krishna!

 

With all due respect - It seems that people are trying to claim the 'ownership' of the worldly things that Bhagwan Krishna asked to denounce, signifying the morality of all worldly things.

 

In 'Vachnamrut' - the great saints of Bhagvan Swaminarayan described all the questions-answers among Bhagwan Swaminarayan, and the Saints (tyagis) and Haribhaktas (sansaris) - with the place, date-time and setup clearly mentioned. Also, Bhagwan Swaminarayan clearly announced Himself as God in the Vachnamrut. Atheists question the validity of Geeta; specifically they argue that Maharshi Vyas wrote Geeta, even as he was not present at the War-field. (Atheists even argue the existence of Bhagwan Krishna - God Bless Them - they need more births before be lucky to destined to meet Parmatmas, or attain Moksha.) Probably that was the reason that Bhagwan Swaminarayan had have Vachnamrut stamped for the time and place, so that the atheist, spiritually infant would not have one more reason to disrespect the spiritual treasure's validity!

 

People, with their 'profound logic & knowledge of many flavors of adwaitya / dwiatya and vishishtha dwaitya waads', can go on debating and making the the 'scholarly' issue, and subsequently creating more 'philosophies' than strengthening the human bonds or the 'unity'. It is this lack of Unity, which unfortunately, is the Weakest part of Hindus. Bhagwan Swaminarayan responded very clearly to this Weak aspect of Hinduism, and even instructed 'His Followers' (Shikshapatri) to Respect all other Bhagwans.

 

Bhagwan Swaminarayan showed very precise ways, of 'observing correctly' (as in 'Shikshapatri'), then distorted and misimplemented Hindu philosophies. Remember the 'hut' and 'palace' theory - easy to manage hut, but not the palace; Hindu philosophy - the horsepower of the oldest civilized culture - was like 'disarrayed palace' when Bhagwan Swaminarayan started His activities on his Pragatya on the Earth. He not only recognized Bhagwan Krishna's philosophy of Atma and Parmatma but further clarified it, and also showed the ways to implement that in one's life. In due course, He emphasized the importance of 'Dharma, Bhakti, Gyan and Vairagya'. In fact in Shikshapatri He clearly stated all good principles of major religions (e.g., ahinsa in Jainism, compassion in Buddhism, unity in Islam etc...), while emphasizing that this was in fact the extract of 360+ Hindu shastras. Any and All Hindus should be proud of that!

 

I guess that's what is important rather than debating on who owned what centuries back, and who should be where in particular temple (there are temples where 'Lord Surya' is placed in middle with all other deities in sides!).

 

The Great India - where our Gods chose to take Avatar - is indignified, despite the heritage of such great Hindu philosophies; the reason being - We 'still' quarrel who is the Greatest God. Religion and Gods are to experience 'bliss from within' rather than to debate (using our 'Sthool Buddhi') the Greatness of Gods.

 

PS: If somebody is really interested in knowing how Bhagwan Swaminarayan recognized and dignified the philosphies given by previous Avatars and by Acharyas, please read the 'Vachnamrut' thoroughly.

[Guest guest]

Shri Narnarayan Dev ni Jay

 

 

In Vachanamrut Bhagwan Swaminarayan said Shri Krishna Bhagwan is avatari of Me. Bhagwan Swaminarayan said in Vachanamrut Gadhada 18 He stated Shri Narnarayan Dev is Me and I am Shri Narnarayan Dev. Bhagwan Swaminarayan built six mandir in India.

1 Amdavad-Shri Nar-Narayan Dev murti install by Swaminarayan Bhagwan,

2 Bhuj-Shri Nar-Narayan Dev with Bhagwan Swaminarayan also install by Shri Hari,

3 Vadtal-Laxmi-Narayan Dev murti also install by Shri Hari

4 Dholera, Shree Madan-Mohanji Maharaj murti also install by Shri Hari

5 Junagadh, Shree Radha-Raman Dev also install by Shri Hari

6 Gadhada, Shree Gopinaathji Maharaj also install by Shri Hari

Bhagawan Swaminarayan created two gadi -Shri Nar-Narayan Dev Amdavad Gadi & Laxmi Narayan Dev Vadtal Gadi and also created Satpurush Sadhu -known as Gunatitanand Swami.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan created over 500 sadhus durning when he was on earth. Bhagwan Swaminarayan said never insult anybody no matter that person is older or young then you. Bhagwan Swaminarayan said the only to go Akshardham is live in true form of me and only me.

 

Shri Nar-Narayan Dev ni Jay

Shri Nar NARAYAN DEV NI JAY

SHRI NAR NARAYAN DEV NI JAY

SHRI NAR NARAYAN DEV NI JAY

[Guest guest]

'Bhagawan Swaminarayan created two gadi -Shri Nar-Narayan Dev Amdavad Gadi & Laxmi Narayan Dev Vadtal Gadi and also created Satpurush Sadhu -known as Gunatitanand Swami.'

 

I Agree with first part of the statement, however second part seems confusing.

 

Swaminarayan Bhagwan initiated many satpurush saints. The most significant and mentioned in scriptures were the following - Muktanand Swami, Gopalanand Swami, Brahmanand Swami etc. Don't get me wrong i am not disputing the greatness of Gunatitanand Swami, it's just that the saints i have mentioned above were regarded to be higher in status.

[Guest guest]

Bhagwan Swaminarayan said in Vachanamrut the form Satpurush (Askarbrahma Sadhu) This Askarbrahma Sadhu will never have 5 types of Maya or 1-Taste 2-Smell 3- See 4-Hear (Listen) 5-Lust (Love). Recently conflict in Vadtal believe that sadhus and acharya have forgetten true form Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Bhagwan Swaminarayan said times after times all sadhus can not look or talk to women. Bhagwan Swaminarayan said all sadhus can not have anytype of money. As for Acharya Bhagwan Swaminarayan NarNarayan Gadi Acharya and LaxmiNarayan Gadi Acharya will follow and listen to Askarbrahma sadhus. Many Swaminarayan believer have argue each other about who is right and who is wrong. We must remember that Bhagwan Swaminarayan is almight supreme Bhagwan. Such as conflict in Vadtal Swaminarayan.

[Guest guest]

 

Wow....I'm speechless. Not due to genius of the article/author. Or because I'm in awe...but because I can't believe people like this exist.

 

Let me clear up a few things:

 

Yes. Swaminarayan used to mention the fact that he bowed to Shri Krishna. But put yourselves in His shoes. You can't just go around telling people you're God in the 17th Century. Once the faith of his followers was established it was common knowledge. He had over 2 million people believing him to be God in his lifetime. Now whilst I concede that numbers don't mean everything, I think you'll find that not many Hindu deities have had this honour.

 

Sahajanand Swami may not have gone around Gujarat performing miracles here there and everywhere, slaying demons left right and centre, but he did something much more profound. Instead of battling physical demons, he battles the inner demons within ones soul. Kam, krodh, lobh, moh, man, irsha, swadh...all the things that hold one back on the path of God. He inspired 5000 men to give up the clutches of the world and devote their entire lives to God. Surely that's commendable.

 

You have to remember that religion isn't religion if it stays stagnant. Religion has to move with the people, because its not the people that make a religion. Its Dharma, and the following of it.

 

Shri Krishna Bhagwan has said in the Bhagwat Gita that whenever immorality prevails on earth, God will come down to save his bhaktas. This is exactly what Swaminarayan did. The fact that he wasn't prophesised by the scriptures means nothing. Shri Krishna wasn't prophesised. Shri Ramchandra wasn't prophesised.

 

At the end of the day, we know that God is God. If some call him 'Swaminarayan', some call him 'Krishna' and some call him 'Allah' it doesn't matter. Thats one of the principle beliefs of Hinduism! Live and let live...

 

As Hindus we shouldnt be working to divide ourselves! Just as the unity of our followers makes our religion strong and protected, the unity of all faiths will make our common future strong and protected… True progress of any religion lies not in growth by numbers but by the quality of life and purity and the spiritual awakening in the adherents. Thus every Hindu should become a better Hindu, every Jew a better Jew, every Christian a better Christian and every Muslim a better Muslim and every follower should become a better follower… Religious leaders should not dream of establishing their religion as the one religion of the world, but dream of a world where all religions are united. Unity in diversity is the first lesson of life. Flourishing together by working together is the secret behind peace. From Rigvedic times, the Hindus have professed this global broadmindedness of a Beautiful Borderless World.

 

Stop trying to divide us and make us vulnerable. Instead, join together...Unity in diversity...the basis of Hinduism.

 

I hope the author thinks about some of the points I've raised

 

 

Perfectly said...couldnt of said it any better hope everyone who reads that will understand !!!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

 

Perfectly said...couldnt of said it any better hope everyone who reads that will understand !!!!!!!!

 

Umm...I think there are other dieties who have more honor than that of Sajananda Swami, and the majority rules argument nor the number of followers prove someone is God.

 

Sajananda Swami was only active in India, he didnt go left right and centre, he went to certain places around India. These are the facts.

 

Even a great devotee can help materialistic men give up worldly pursuits on a large scale, again this doesnt prove someone is God. Not to say devotees are less commendable

 

We have to be careful here, if the scriptures say this is God and a particular personality is not mentioned, if we have to take it as it is. To say the scriptures have no bearing means that God doesnt really know everything and his words mean nothing. Scriptures and the word of God are non-different, it has to be mentioned in the scriptures if he is to come down or not, because people in kali yuga will start worshipping anyone that makes a large impact in society be he a guru, if there is nothing mentioned in the Scriptures and God being all-knowing, will certainly know that! Krishna bhagavan, Kalki, Buddha and Rama bhagavan were both prophesised in the puranas. This is another fact, God has be listed in the scriptures, otherwise we have the tendancy to worship anyone we feel makes an impact on our lives on an emotional and psychological level.

 

 

 

For the record Sajananda Swami has been mentioned as the supreme lord in the Skanda Puruna (Vasudeva Mahatmya section). So we accept him as the Supreme Lord.

 

The verse talks about His mother and father, the place of birth, the time of birth (kali yuga):

 

43

dharma-devaat tadaa bhaktaad

aham naaraayano munih

janisye kosale dese

bhuumau hi saamago dvijah

44

muni-saapaan nrtaam praaptaan

rsiims taata tathoddhavam

tato 'vitaasurebhyo 'ham

sad-dharmam sthaapayann aja

 

 

The scriptures are the only way we can know if someone is God or not. The above proves Sajananda Swami is God. And this is Vedvyas' authorised work, incase you argue that the vachnamrta is not authorised because it wasnt written by Vedvyasji.

 

 

God is God is not decided on name alone, if I call my son Narayan doesnt make him the supreme God. I understand this is a discussion and we are not going out there to convert people, we are living and let living. But we have to be shastra jnani, not whimisical when we present arguments to prove Sajananda Swami is God or not. Most arguments are full of fallacy if not backed up by the word of God himself, he is perfect and man is imperfect.

 

I dont think whoever opposes us Swaminarayans are trying to divide us, our aim is not unity, unity is a side effect of our belief, if we all believe in God and we have sound reasons based on shastra to believe in a particular deity, then by all means this should be respected. Only then unity will come about, unity is not our aim, Bhagavan Bhakti is the aim and everything will come after that.

 

- Madhava Priya das