The Swaminarayan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaminarayan) sect is a monotheistic faith in Vaishnava (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnava) Hinduism. The Swaminarayan sect itself is divided into many sub-sects. The two most prominent are BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (http://www.swaminarayan.org/) and the Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya (http://www.swaminarayan.info/). The Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya claims the "original" succession directly from Swaminarayan. They have two archaryas(leaders) and 2 Gadis(diocese) for North and South divisions.
Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya Sites
ISSO SEVA (http://www.swaminarayan.info/issoseva/)
Shri Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple (http://sksst.org/)
Swaminarayan Temple, Wheeling, IL. (http://www.swaminarayan.ws/)
Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul, USA (http://www.swaminarayan-gurukul.org/rajkot/index.asp)
Shree Swaminarayan Temple Oldham (http://www.swaminarayan-oldham.org/index.html)
Shree Swaminarayan Sampraday Willesden, London (http://www.shreeswaminarayan.org.uk/)
Shree Swaminarayan Temple Cardiff (http://www.swaminarayanwales.org.uk/)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a5/Hh01.jpg
Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shree_Koshalendraprasadji_Maharaj) (b. October 1971) is the current Acharya of the NarNarayan Dev Gadi of Swaminarayan Sampraday (15 October 2004–present) and the 7th Spiritual Successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the North Diocese (Amdavad NarNarayan Dev Gadi)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3d/Acharya_rakeshprasadji.jpgAcharya Shree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shree_Rakeshprasadji_Maharaj) (b. July 1966) is the current Acharya of the LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi of Swaminarayan Sampraday (30 January 2003–present) and the 9th Spiritual Successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the South Diocese (Vadtal LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi)
BAPS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAPS)
Spiritual Guru- Pramukh Swami Maharaj of BAPS Sect
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5f/Pramukhswami.JPG
Pramukh Swami Maharaj (http://www.swaminarayan.org/pramukhswami/index.htm) (born December 7, 1921 in the village of Chansad in Gujarat, India) is to be the third and current spiritual leader of BAPS and is believed to be the fifth spiritual successor to Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pramukh_Swami_Maharaj
It is important to note that BAPS vs. Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya divide is similar to the Protestant vs. Catholicism divide.
http://www.mandir.org/murtidarshan/photo/2007/hkm_93.jpg
Video on Swaminarayan Faith (http://www.godsbusiness.indians.co.uk/)
Bharatvarsha - India has been graced since time immemorial by incarnations, rishis and sadhus. Whenever evil elements stifle Dharma - righteousness, God incarnates on earth to re-establish Dharma. Lord Ramchandra in the age of Treta and Lord Krishna, at the end of Dwapar, are the two most notable.
Five thousand years after Lord Krishna passed away, into the age of Kali - darkness, the ogre of evil defiantly arose out of its banishment, once again darkening the minds and hearts of the people, its grip suffocating eighteenth century India. Severing vital nerves and arteries, it deprived the land of life-giving moral and spiritual nourishment; hindering healthy growth of the eternal values of Dharma, Satya - truth, Ahimsa - non-violence and Brahmacharya - celibacy.
Thus He incarnated as Ghanshyam on 3rd April 1781 (Chaitra Sud 9, Samvat 1837), in the rustic village of Chhapaiya, in northern India, to a Sarvaria brahmin pundit named Hariprasad Pande. He was the second of three sons; Rampratap, the elder brother and Ichharam, the younger. His mother, Premvati was lovingly known as Bhaktimata, and father Hariprasad as Dharmadev.
When Ghanshyam was three months old, a sage astrologer named Markandeya, studied His zodiac signs. He then revealed to Dharmadev,
"Since He is born in the Kark Rashi (sign of Cancer in the zodiac), His name will be Hari. His dark complexion will also confer the name Krishna and Ghanshyam. He has the virtues of tapas (austerity), detachment, yoga, Dharma, leadership, truth and vivek (power of discrimination). Therefore people will also call Him Neelkanth.
"He will establish Dharma on earth and remove pain and misery from people. He will be famed all over the land. He will also induce people with samadhi (a state of spiritual trance). He will lead people to the path of God."
About this time, Dharmadev decided to test Ghanshyam's innate instincts. He placed a gold coin, a scripture, and a sword on the floor. On all fours, Ghanshyam toddled towards these objects; trying to lift the scripture, avoiding the other two. Dharmadev jubilantly lifted and hugged Him, deducing that He would surely attain scriptural learning.
Ghanshyam's first encounter of animal slaughter for food occurred during His stay in Chhapaiya.
In a town named Ballampaddhari near Chhapaiya, the state king had recently camped with his army. Two of the soldiers were Dharmadeva's relatives. Therefore Dharmadev decided to visit them with Rampratap and Ghanshyam. When they reached the encampment, they heard goats causing a commotion in one of the tents. Dharmadev peeped inside. Horrified at what he saw, he quickly turned back. But Ghanshyam, observing Dharmadev's ashen face, also walked up to the tent in curiosity. He saw the king supervising the slaughter of the goats for food.
Ghanshyam walked away in pain. He then induced all the elephants and horses of the army to break tether and stampede towards the tent. The king bolted out first, and heard a mysterious and authoritative voice, which commanded him to beg forgivance for the killing, from the Lord who was standing in the form of a little boy nearby. The king saw Ghanshyam with Dharmadev and Rampratap. He bowed at Ghanshyam's feet, begging for reprieve from the maddened elephants. Ghanshyam not only made him promise to renounce animal slaughter but to propagate Ahimsa (non-injury in mind, action and speech for all living creatures) in his kingdom as well. The excited elephants and horses calmed down instantly, returning to their tethers.
On another occasion, Ghanshyam revived a basketful of dead fish in a lake. He then instructed the surprised fisherman not to commit such sin by changing his means of livelihood.
Having lived in Chhapaiya for a few years, the family moved to nearby Ayodhya, when Ghanshyam was five, to escape harassment from evil people.
With a marked inclination for devotion and a remarkable disinterest towards material pursuits, Ghanshyam loved to visit mandirs every morning and evening. After darshan (sight) of the murtis (icons), He would listen to the narration of divine episodes from the Ramayana, for this ancient sacred city is revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama.
Ghanshyam's divine disposition often startled but pleased the family. Engrossed in katha (scriptural exegesis) once, He forgot to return home. Rampratap, His elder brother searched for Him in the city's mandirs. On seeing Ghanshyam in one, he asked Him to return home with him. The katha nearly over, Ghanshyam suggested that Rampratap, in the meantime, have darshan in the neighbouring mandir while He Himself sat through to the end of the katha. Arriving at the nearest mandir, Rampratap, to his astonishment, saw Ghanshyam there as well. He then dashed from one mandir to the next. He saw his younger brother in each one!
Other miracles included: walking on water across a lake, and defeating adult wrestlers in contests.
At the age of seven He commenced Sanskrit studies under Dharmadev after being invested with the yagnopavit rite. By the age of ten, the child prodigy had mastered the Vedic scriptures.
Around this period, He accompanied Dharmadev, who was to chair a scholarly debate in Benares - the renowned centre of knowledge (Jnan) in India. When a tie arose, Ghanshyam, with Dharmadev's permission, gave a brilliant exposition, convincing the scholars of the soundness of the Vishishtadvait philosophy (qualified non-dualism).
Leaving Home
Soon after returning from Benares, both parents passed away. Ghanshyam then left Ayodhya, for the Himalayas, to begin His life work of establishing Ekantik Dharma, on 29th June 1792 (Ashadh Sud 10th, Samvat 1849). He was only eleven years old.
His mendicant garb consisted of only a loin cloth. He carried an icon of Bal Mukund (the Lord) and His miniature diary containing the gist of the scriptures, the result of His studies with Dharmadev.
BAPS is well know for building elaborate mandirs(temple). They're in Guinness Book of World Records for Neason Temple (http://www.mandir.org/) in London. And again for Chicago Mandir (http://www.swaminarayan.org/globalnetwork/america/chicagophoto.htm). But their biggest attraction is Akshardham Temple Complex (http://www.akshardham.com/). It's a big tourist destination.
Akshardham Temple Complex (http://www.akshardham.com/)
http://www.akshardham.com/photogallery/monument/photo/mood10f.jpg
Swaminarayan Info (http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/hindu/devot/swamin.html)
Chicago Mandir (http://www.swaminarayan.org/globalnetwork/america/chicagophoto.htm)
http://www.swaminarayan.org/globalnetwork/america/photo/chicago/moods004-f.jpg
The Main Swaminarayan Scripture
http://www.shikshapatri.org.uk/~shik/webgraphics/04-bag.jpg
Digital Shikshapatri Site (http://www.shikshapatri.org.uk/)
Religion, Migration and Wealth Creation in the Swaminarayan Movement
By Rohit Barot (http://www.shikshapatri.org.uk/~imagedb/content.php/rmwc)
celina
05-04-2007, 05:30 AM
Main Vaishnava Hindu Scripture
http://www.iskcon.com.au/IMAGES/PHILOSOPHY/BHAGAVAD_GITA/Gita_chariots.jpg
Bhagavad-Gita (http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/)
Bhagavad-gītā As It Is (http://www.bhagavadgitaasitis.com/)
Hinduism is a collection of religions, instead of one religion. Hinduism(or Sanatana Dharma, real name) has four major sects Vaishnavism, Saivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. Vaishnavism(most common), the worship of Lord Vishnu, or his avatars, being the biggest. Vaishnavas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavism) worship God in the form of Avatars i.e. Vishnu, Rama, Krishna etc...All Vaishnavas subscibe to the belief in a personal God, having form, having shape, and incarnate as a human being. Avatars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar) descend into human form during time of unrighteousness, moral decay, violence, and famine. In Hinduism Avatars are descibed in scripture and predicted. Vaishnavas also believe in Nirguna Brahman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirguna_Brahman) or attributeless Brahman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman)(God without form). And all Hindus in general believe in reincarnation, karma, vegetarianism, dharma, ahimsa(non-violence) and accept the Vedas as revealed scripture.
Vaishnavism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavism#The_Four_Vaishnava_sampradaya), (Vishnu worship[or any of the nine avatars]) majority in North India. Responsible for mainstream Hinduism. Bhagavat Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, Ramayana etc... In Vaishnavism there are dozens of sects Iskcon (http://www.iskcon.com/), BAPS Swaminarayan (http://www.swaminarayan.org/), Sri Vaishnava (http://www.srivaishnava.org/), Gaudiya Vaishnava (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaudiya_Vaishnava) being only some of many.
Personal God
In general Hinduism considers God not just as the Supreme All-powerful Gigantic One, Who commands the humanity to tread the way He/She/It says, but also a personal God Whom the individual can worship out of love and not necessarily out of fear ! The fear brings one only upto certain point and beyond that it repels, but love takes through to the point. Devotion or bhakti as often referred to is a very key concept in Hinduism, even for the philosophically inclined ones. While the shashtras - be it vedas, Agamas, purANas - describe the Glory of God, one finds abundance of stotras that praise the God in love.
God is Formless or with Form ?
For Hindus God, as is, is beyond any attributes of form, color, shapes ... That is, God does not have any specific form or name. In this state God is referred to as nirguNa brahman (attributeless god). However God takes forms as perceived by humans and this perceived form is called saguNa brahman (god with (good) attributes). These forms could range from calm to fierce to yogic (1). Each form has its significance. For example when one is depressed and sees the form of God Strong and Powerful, the seeker feels the moral boost that God would definitely be the support for the right thing. Similarly when in an auspicious ceremony would like the God to be the calm provider of boons. In a spiritually elevated state, the choice would be the yogic form of God. The forms provide a basis for the Hindu worshipper to easily pursue the otherwise incomprehensible Supreme. So Hinduism supports both form as well as formless worship of the God. Whether one worships in saguNa or nirguNa way, it is ultimately the same God.
http://www.shaivam.org/hipgodco.htm (saivism)
Bhagavat Gita-Most Important Vedic Scripture
Veda Base (http://vedabase.net/en/)
Hindus do not believe in Gods, in a plural sense. They believe in One Supreme God expressed in many forms. Hinduism is monotheistic! Vaishnavism, the largest Hindu denomination, subscribe to Vishnu as Supreme Brahman, and worship him alone. Also it is important to understand the difference between the Ultimate Supreme Godhead(Vishnu(in Avatar form)) or Brahman(formless God) and Devas. A Deva is the equivalent to an Angel in the Abrahamic tradition. Devas are subservient to the Supreme Lord Vishnu Brahman. Devas are gods, like Ganesha, Shiva, Durga, Indra, Hanuman etc... They are eternal servants to the Lord. But are not the Supreme Lord and Vedic scripture says that they shouldn't be worshipped. But of course people do anyways. That's why people view Hinduism as polytheistic. But Hinduism is purely Monotheistic at it's core.
Devas in Classical Hinduism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_%28Hinduism%29#Classical_Hinduism)
History of Vaishnavism (http://hinduism.iskcon.com/tradition/1201.htm)
Hinduism
In English, the Sanskrit word Deva is usually translated as "god" (though sometimes left as "Deva"), which certainly gives a polytheistic appearance to Hinduism. Many Hindus say that this is a poor practice, because the best word for God in Sanskrit is Ishvara (the Supreme Lord). The Devas may be better translated as angels or demigods. They are celestial beings with supernatural powers, but also weaknesses. They grant material benefits to humans upon praying and sacrificing to them, though they don't carry the message of Ishvara to the humans as in Abrahamic religions (a category of such beings also exist, called "devaduta" or "duta"). Examples of such devas are Indra, Mitra, Ashvins, Varuna, etc. Buddhism and Jainism also use the word "deva", but in different senses.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels#Hinduism
The other major sects in Hinduism, besides Vaishnavism, are Smartism, Shaivism, Shaktism. Shaivism(or Saivism) is followed mainly by South Indians. They worship Lord Shiva as supreme and have their own scripture, besides the most popular Bhagavat Gita.
Saivism (http://www.shaivam.org/index.html)
All Saivism (http://allsaivism.tripod.com/)
Swaminarayan sect falls under the sub-branch of Vedanta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedanta#Sub-schools_of_Vedanta), Swaminarayan Sampraday is VishishtAdvaita (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishishtadvaita) Vedanta. Vishishtadvaita was propounded by Ramanuja (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramanuja).
Swaminarayan Sampraday was the sect established by Bhagwan Swaminarayan (April 2, 1781 - 1830) Bhagwan Swaminarayan was handed the leadership of the Uddhav Sampraday (later known as Swaminarayan Sampraday) from his Guru Sadguru Ramanand Swami, to continue and to propagate the teachings and philosophy of Vishishtadvaita, which originates from the Ramanuja Sampraday.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaminarayan_Sampraday
celina
05-04-2007, 06:45 AM
Why the name Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS)?
Answer: The first mandir of the organization was established in Bochasan, a small town near Anand in the state of Gujarat in India hence the word Bochasanwasi, which means based in Bochasan. The words Akshar Purushottam signify our basic belief in worshiping God, Purushottam, along with his ideal devotee, Akshar. Shri is an adjective used as a prefix to a name to give respect, such as Shri Mohandas Gandhi. Bhagwan Swaminarayan is the God (Purushottam) worshipped by BAPS followers, and His name is part of the organization's name. Sanstha is the Sanskrit word for organization. Thus, the name Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).
(29) The main beliefs of our Sanatan Vedic Hindu Dharma.
Ans: 1. Sanatan Hindu Dharma is the oldest religion in the world.
2. Sanatan Hindu Dharma is based on the Vedas.
3. Our main incarnations and deities are: Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahadev, Ganapati, Hanuman, Surya. Main goddeses: Parvati (Durga), Sarasvati and Lakshmi.
4. The main beliefs are: Avatarvad: (Incarnation of God on Earth) Karmavad: (there are consequences of all actions good or bad) Punarjanmavad: (reincarnation of soul according to karma) murti-puja: (worship of idols.)
5. Our scriptures: Four Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan, Mahabharat, Purans, Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, Vachanamrut, etc.
What is Akshar Deri
http://www.swaminarayan.org/aksharderi/images/title2.jpg
Introduction
The symbol of Akshar Deri on the home page of www.swaminarayan.org (http://www.swaminarayan.org) is the trademark of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Sanstha. The Akshar Deri is a holy shrine that commemorates the cremation spot of Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami who was the choicest disciple and first successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. According to the Vedic principle of Bhakta and Bhagwan, Gunatitanand Swami is revered as the ideal Bhakta and Swaminarayan as Bhagwan. Akshar Deri is visited by hundreds of thousands of people from throughout the world. Devotees offer prayers, prostrations and perform circumambulations for spiritual elevation, fulfillment of mundane desires and relief from miseries. It is a divine and holy place of pilgrimage in the Swaminrayan Sampraday.
On 23-5-1934 Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj, the 3rd successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, built a beautiful 3-shikhar mandir above the Akshar Deri and consecrated the murtis of Akshar and Purushottam. The history of how the Akshar Deri and the mandir was built and its glory and significance in as follows.
http://www.swaminarayan.org/aksharderi/index.htm
celina
05-04-2007, 06:48 AM
Divinity of Akshar Deri
http://www.swaminarayan.org/aksharderi/photo/86-6f.jpghttp://www.swaminarayan.org/aksharderi/photo/163-21f.jpg
Holy charanarvind of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj and Guru Parampara in Akshar Deri
A poor Patel in Gondal earned his living by selling lemons. In the afternoon he would walk one mile from the town to rest in the serenity of the riverbank by the Akshar Deri. He was aware of the sanctity of Akshar Deri. The fact that the old Swaminarayan School had given it on hire to a person of the Khoja community who grew onions on it worried him. He wondered when would the divine place be developed. Once, while he was going towards Akshar Deri he saw a radiant 16-year-old ascetic. The Patel bowed at his feet and asked, "When will this place get developed?" The ascetic, who was Shriji Maharaj himself, replied, "Patel, don't worry. In a few years time there will be a three-shikhar mandir here. Thakorji will be offered thal and the mandir will have golden kalashas. This place will become divine and will inspire miracles." Then the ascetic disappeared. Patel was amazed and pacified by the incident.
A couple of years later when Shastriji Maharaj had started building the mandir the Patel narrated the incident of the divine ascetic.
There was a blacksmith in Gondal who went every evening for darshan at the Ashapuri Mata mandir. On returning home he would always see three balls of light descend upon Akshar Deri. A few years later when the excavation work for the mandir pillars was going on he told Shastriji Maharaj about his experience and asked him as to what the three balls of light were. Shastriji Maharaj replied that Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh came in the form of light to have darshan of Akshar Deri.
One night, during the mandir construction project in Gondal, Yogiji Maharaj was sleeping near Shastriji Maharaj. In the middle of the night a black cobra bit Yogiji Maharaj on his left index finger. Everybody in the room got up. Shastriji Maharaj immediately instructed, "Take Jogi to the Akshar Deri and chant the dhun." Yogiji Maharaj had become unconscious because of the powerful venom. While the dhun was being chanted Shastriji Maharaj placed his hand on Yogiji Maharaj's head. At 4.00 a.m. Gunatitanand Swami appeared to Mohan Bhagat, who got up from his sleep, and told him that nothing would happen to Jogi. Mohan Bhagat then went to Shastriji Maharaj and narrated what Gunatitanand Swami had told him.
When Bhagvatsinhji Maharaj came to know of this he sent word to Shastriji Maharaj that he was sending a doctor. Shastriji Maharaj said that there was no need because Jogi would get well by the power of the Swaminarayan dhun. After 12 hours Yogiji Maharaj became conscious. Yogiji Maharaj was saved by the divine power of Akshar Deri and blessings of Shastriji Maharaj.
Every year, during the monsoon months of Ashadh and Shravan (July - August) the mandirs in India and abroad are awash with devotion. The arrival of the Hindola Utsav during these months usher a new breeze of bhakti and festivity in the mandirs of India. For one whole month, the chal (mobile) murti of the Lord is placed in a hindola and pulled to and fro with a string. The sadhus and devotees sing the hindola bhajans with the accompaniment of the mrudang and cymbals. The mandir ambience is charged with the sound and fragrance of bhakti.
The festival finds its origin in the streets of Vrundavan 5000 years ago where the Gopis rocked Lord Krishna on a decorated swing. Ever since, to experience the divine joy of rocking the mighty Lord in a small swing, the hindola festival became the focus of devotion.
Even Lord Swaminarayan was revered and entertained by the devotees through their devotion. Once in Vartal, a decorative hindolo was tied to a couple of mango trees, and the devotees rocked the Lord to and fro. In response to their devotion, the Lord, while standing in the hindola, appeared in twelve divine forms and blessed the devotees. History also reveals that Lord Swaminarayan often sat on a swing tied between two tamarind trees at Laxmivadi in Gadhada.
Today, in memory of the Lord's divine sports, the hindola festival is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm at all Swaminarayan mandirs. It is an aesthetic experience of devotion to the Lord, requiring meticulous preparation by sadhus and devotees to produce hindolas of a variety of colors, shapes and forms. The hindolas are made of vegetables,leaves, flowers, earthen pots, fruits, dry fruits, beans, rakhis, chocolates, steel dishes and cups, etc.
Garden of India / Bharat Upvan
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/162/garden03fbo4.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=garden03fbo4.jpg)http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8547/garden02fmj1.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=garden02fmj1.jpg)http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1551/garden04frk5.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=garden04frk5.jpg)
In 1907 Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj built the first BAPS Mandir in Bochasan. To commemorate the completion of 100 years, a grand patotsav celebration was held in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
As stated in the Hindu Shastras, on completion of 100 years, the murtis of the mandir should be offered a special abhishek of 1001 kalashes using the extracts of special items. This ceremony is known as Sahastrakalash Abhishek.
So, on Thursday 26 April 2007 a grand Vedic yagna was held in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, in which over 1,500 devotees participated.
The patotsav was celebrated on Friday 27 April 2007. At 7.30 am, Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed the patotsav arti. Thereafter, over 1,500 devotees participated in the Vedic patotsav mahapuja ceremony. At the end of the mahapuja, Swamishri performed the special abhishek ritual of all the consecrated murtis: Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, Shri Harikrishna Maharaj, Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj and Shri Lakshami-Narayan Dev. The entire ceremony was relayed by CCTV to over 17,000 devotees seated in the mandir premises and assembly arena.
After these special Vedic rituals, Swamishri presided over the patotsav assembly. The assembly featured speeches by the senior sadhus and traditional dances by children and youths. Swamishri again performed the abhishek of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj on stage and then blessed the assembly, describing the glory of these Vedic rituals as well as the murtis of God. He also talked about the devotion and saintliness of the Guru Parampara as the reason for the growth of the BAPS over the past 100 years.
News of BAPS - Celebration of 100 years of Bochasan mandir (http://www.swaminarayan.org/news/2007/04/bochasanpatotsav/index.htm)
Through the grace of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Sadguru Tyagvallabh Swami and 41 sadhus visited BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London for Satsang programmes for two weeks in April 2007.
The sadhus arrived from India on Thursday 12 April. Prior to the Swagat Assembly on Saturday 14 April, Tyagvallabh Swami and sadhus participated in a grand Mahapooja organized by National Kishore-Kishori Mandal in which over 600 kishores and kishoris took part.
The following day, Tyagvallabh Swami and sadhus walked along with over 3,400 devotees across the country in the National Sponsored Walk on Sunday 15 April held across 10 centres in the UK.
From Monday 16 to Wednesday 18 April, the group visited Paris, where an amazing 450 people gathered for the Satsang Assembly on Tuesday 17 April.
From Friday 20 to Sunday 22 April, the group visited the various mandirs and centres for mandir darshan namely; Leicester, Ashton, Preston, Birmingham, Coventry, Loughborough, Nottingham, Wellingborough and Luton.
During the final week of the groups stay, sabhas were held at London Mandir every evening where 500 devotees daily listened to the discourses.
Finally, before departing for an extended Satsang tour of the USA on Saturday 28 April, Tyagvallabh Swami and sadhus performed abhishek of Shri Nilkanth Varni on Friday 27 April with 75 different liquids to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the image installation in Bochasan by Shastriji Maharaj. These events coupled with the knowledgeable discourses of the sadhus over the fortnight reinforced the satsang for the devotees in the UK.
Q.9 What is the relationship between BAPS and the Swaminarayan Sampraday?
A. Just as there are different branches in most religions, Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is an active socio-religious organization and the fastest growing branch of the Swaminarayan Sampraday.
Q10 How many followers does the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha have?
A. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has over one million followers, and 680 trained sadhus. Out of these devotees, more than 45,000 are registered as active volunteers. Generally, though, anyone that attends the weekly assemblies or daily arti at the nearest mandir and follows the precepts and codes of conduct prescribed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan is considered to be a follower of BAPS.
http://www.swaminarayan.org/faq/bapsgeneral.htm#9
http://img.youtube.com/vi/EQTdrSpYqtw/2.jpg
Al Jazeera God's Business Swaminarayan Hinduism 1/3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQTdrSpYqtw)
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Al Jazeera God's Business Swaminarayan Hinduism 2/3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEADi3O-dV8)
http://img.youtube.com/vi/tBVHKCzVSRQ/2.jpg
Al Jazeera God's Business Swaminarayan Hinduism 3/3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBVHKCzVSRQ)
celina
02-06-2007, 06:24 AM
Swaminarayan Mantras
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Om Swaminarayanay Namaha (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4RQjd7mX6o)
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Sabahi Baran Me Vo Hi Bade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA9w7Jn8inU)
celina
02-06-2007, 06:25 AM
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London Swaminarayan Mandir (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZpAjUBlX-0)
After many months of efforts by the devotees of Nottingham, a new mandir was inaugurated on Monday 28 May 2007. Regular Satsang sabhas started in Nottingham in 1988 and have progressed well since then.
With the blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, sadhus from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London started the rituals for the consecration of the murtis at 12 noon with the chanting of Vedic verses.
The murtis of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, Shri Radha-Krishna, Shri Ram-Sita-Hanumanji, Shri Shiv-Parvati-Ganpatiji and the Guru Parampara were consecrated at the new mandir.
After the rti, everyone had the opportunity of performing darshan of the murtis and the Annakut that was offered.
In the assembly that followed, Yogvivek Swami spoke of the importance of a mandir in shaping our lives. Chris and Richard Hawthorne who have supported the Sanstha in many ways were also present for the ceremonies and were thanked by the trustees.
The Centenary Celebrations of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha were celebrated with great fanfare on Tuesday 5 June at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden. The festival commemorated the 100th anniversary of the first mandir opened by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj in the village of Bochasan on 5 June 1907, where he had consecrated the murtis of Akshar-Purushottam in the central shrine of the Mandir.
Devotees from all over the UK flocked to the gates of the Neasden Mandir from early morning to behold the beautifully adorned deities in the sanctum sanctorum, replete with sumptuous offerings of vegetarian food. The Annakut offering included hundreds of items of food, snacks, sweets, fruits and juices devotionally prepared by volunteers.
On this auspicious occasion, devotees and visitors were provided with an opportunity to ceremoniously bathe the murti of Nilkanth Varni. The evening arti was followed by a shobha-yatra where devotees participated in a festive procession around the complex of the mandir as the fervour continued with colour and sounds.
Following prasadam, the evening programme opened at 8.30pm with special blessings by Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, broadcast live from Mombasa. He spoke of the untiring efforts of Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj in propagating the Vedic philosophy of Akshar-Purushottam. His inspiring words set the tone for a majestic evenings celebrations with reflection of the humble roots of the Sanstha in 1907 and remembrance of the great figures that had developed the organisation amidst immense hardship and challenges.
The event was interspersed with short sketches and video presentations before the grand finale with the united chanting of the Shaurya Geet. The auditorium echoed with the passionate voices of sadhus and devotees offering their personal contributions to the celebrations.
Holy Shikshapatri (http://www.shikshapatri.org.uk/) Part ONE
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Regular Recital
Read this Shikshapatri daily.
If that is not possible, ask someone to read it out to you,
and so listen to it with great reverence.
If that too is not possible, then adore and worship it daily
with great reverence.
Thus revere this Shikshapatri
as the very embodiment of My Divine Personality.
Shloka: 208, 209
Path of Righteousness
He who performs righteous deeds is happy. He who acts thoughtlessly or with a bad intention invites misery.
Shloka: 8
Perform duties appropriate to your station in life. Do not perform duties that are prescribed for others. Do not perform duties that are fictitious or imaginary.
Shloka: 24
Do not act thoughtlessly and without due deliberation. However, act promptly in matters pertaining to religious duties.
Shloka: 36
However beneficial or profitable it may be, do not perform unrighteous actions. Do not give up the path of righteousness out of greed or selfishness.
Shloka: 73
Follow only the righteous deeds of great men but do not follow examples of their unrighteous actions.
Shloka: 74
Ethical Life
Do not gamble.
Do not steal; not even for a religious or a benevolent cause. Do not take fuel, flowers, fruits and such things without the owner's permission - not even for a good cause, such as worship or making an offering to a deity.
Shloka: 17, 18
Do not use abusive language. For the sake of a selfish gain, do not lay a false accusation.
Shloka: 20
Do not accept bribes. Speak only the truth. But do not utter such words that may hurt others.
Shloka: 26
Do not trespass into prohibited areas belonging to others. Do not use the premises of others, without seeking the prior permission of its owners.
Shloka: 33
Do not commit a breach of trust.
Shloka: 37
Do not indulge in self-praise.
Shloka: 57
Non-Violence
Non-violence is the highest ethical code of behavior. Do not kill any living creature. Do not kill animals; not even for a sacrificial offering to a deity or to an ancestor.
Shloka: 11, 12
Do not kill a human being; not even for the acquisition of a woman, wealth or a kingdom.
Shloka: 13
Do not commit suicide; not even in a place of pilgrimage or a holy shrine. Whether in a fit of anger or out of guilt for a sinful act, do not commit suicide.
Shloka: 14
Do not mutilate any part of your body or that of others, either out of anger, excitement or as a punishment for misconduct.
Shloka: 16
Being Practical in Life
Keep away from the company of thieves, vicious persons, drug addicts, heretics, sex maniacs and deceivers.
Shloka: 27
When any serious trouble arises from natural calamities, fellow men or illness, act cautiously and carefully to protect your life and that of others.
Shloka: 119
In practical life, even with friends and relatives, do not carry out transactions of sale, purchase, transfer, borrowing, lending, payment, etc., without an appropriate document in writing, and the presence of witnesses.
Shloka: 143
Maintain a daily account of income and expenditure. Do not indulge in extravagant expenses. Let not your expenses exceed your income.
Shloka: 145, 146
Even if it be your native place or usual place of residence, leave it and migrate to a better place, especially when your prestige, property or life is in danger on account of acute famine, harassment from the wicked or the tyranny of the state authority.
Shloka: 153, 154
Diet and Ecology
Do not eat meat.
Shloka: 15
Do not consume tobacco, hemp or hashish nor consume wines, liquors, opium and other such alcoholic drinks and drugs.
Shloka: 18
Do not drink unfiltered water nor use water which contains germs; not even for bathing purposes.
Shloka: 30
Do not consume food, drink and medicine given by a doctor whose conduct and credentials are unknown to you.
Shloka: 31
Do not dirty public places such as mandir premises, holy shrines, lakes or river banks, highways, the ground around trees, farms with standing crops, by spitting, urinating, defecating and throwing garbage.
Shloka: 32
Social Ethics
Entrust tasks to a man for which he is best suited. Do not entrust him duties for which he is unfit.
Shloka: 66
Take good care of your servants in respect of their food, clothing and shelter, according to your means of subsistence.
Shloka: 67
Address honorably and deal respectfully with people in accordance with their social status
and prevalent social customs.
Shloka: 68
Spreading of knowledge and education is a great meritorious deed. If possible, either aid or establish an educational institution and appoint pious scholars as teachers therein to spread
the right knowledge on the earth.
Shloka: 132
Serve fellow beings in their illness and distress. Serve your parents in their old age and take good care of them, especially in their illness.
Shloka: 139
Pay the correct wages in cash or kind, according to the contract to the workers employed by you.
Shloka: 152
If you happen to be in power as the head of a state, then: live a righteous and religious life; treat your subjects like members of your own family; take good care of them; and make an honest attempt to consolidate morality and religion in your kingdom.
Shloka: 157
Continence
Do not commit adultery. Do not indulge in pre-marital, extra-marital or illicit sex relations.
Shloka: 18
But for sheer emergencies, avoid the company of the opposite sex in solitary places.
Shloka: 136
Holy Shikshapatri Part TWO
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Householders
Do not indulge in extra-marital relations.
Shloka: 18
Married men and women, should be loving, loyal and faithful to one another. Do not be harsh to one another.
Shloka: 159
Do not keep the company of licentious, lustful and loose persons.
Shloka: 161
Do not have an abortion and do not keep the company of those who encourage or assist in abortion.
Shloka: 170
Respect for All
Do not vilify deities, places of pilgrimage, priests, sadhus, chaste women and holy scriptures. Always see good in others.
Shloka: 21
Offer your salutations with respect to the deities in mandirs you happen to pass by on your way.
Shloka: 23
Be courteous and hospitable in the mandir. Welcome all visitors. Serve them food if they happen to be hungry. Take care of them in accordance with your means of subsistence.
Shloka: 131
Religious Life
Keep the company of sadhus and pious priests.
Shloka: 36
Be honest and regular in daily life. Wake up early in the morning. Remember God and offer your daily worship to the Lord.
Shloka: 49, 50, 51
Remember God, recite His name, sing His glory, say prayers, offer prostrations with reverence, and study scriptural texts daily.
Shloka: 54 - 58
Remember God in all your activities. Visit the mandir daily. Listen to religious discourses with great reverence.
Shloka: 63, 64
In the pilgrim places and the holy shrines, be charitable and serve food to the priests, sadhus and poor worshipers, according to your means of subsistence.
Shloka: 83
Do not believe in superstitions and black magic.
Shloka: 85
As per your capacity, donate 10% or 5% of your total income as an offering to God.
Shloka: 147
Celibate Sadhus
Observe the vow of celibacy strictly and sincerely.
Shloka: 178
Do not accept the command even of your Guru, if it happens to distract you from your vow of practising celibacy.
Shloka: 180
When your life, or that of a woman, is in danger, protect it by speaking to her or if necessary, by physically touching her.
Shloka: 182
Control your sense of taste. Neither hoard nor deposit money or property in any form.
Shloka: 189, 190
But for sheer exigency, do not travel alone, without the company of a fellow sadhu with you.
Shloka: 191
Do not waste your time in fruitless talks and activities. In all your activities and service unto humanity, keep your mind fixed on God devoutly.
Shloka: 193
Control anger and be compassionate and give up concern and attachment for your body and its relations.
Shloka: 201, 202
Even if someone attacks you with abuses, insults and beatings for no reason, do not be harsh to him. Bear and endure the insults. Forgive and bless your tormentors.
Shloka: 201
Expiation
In normal times, do not fall back upon the exemptions and relaxations in duties which are sanctioned for sheer exigencies.
Shloka: 48
Regulate and adjust conduct, dealings in life, and expiation for purification, as per your age, ability, wealth, time, place and community norms.
Shloka: 120
Worship and Devotion
Worship the Supreme Lord, while living a moral and pious life.
Shloka: 39
Do not give up faith and devotion to the Lord out of fear of slander by the unscrupulous and the ignorant.
Shloka: 39
One who keeps his mind fixed on God whilst doing all activities, divinizes all his actions.
Shloka: 59
Worship with devotion unto the Lord who alone is the redeemer from the bondage of Maya. Therefore, worship the Lord with undivided devotion.
Shloka: 113
Comprehension of the essential nature of individual self (Jiva), cosmic self (Ishwar), matter nescience (Maya), Akshar (Brahman) and the Supreme God (Parabrahman), is called Jnan -right knowledge.
Shloka: 104
Jiva means an individual soul. It is a spiritual substance. It is atomic in size. It is very subtle and imperceptible. It is indivisible and imperishable. It resides in every living being. It has knowability. Its consciousness pervades the whole body. Knowledge is its essential quality. Therefore, the Jiva is the real knower. Jivas are innumerable.
Shloka: 105
Maya means prakriti, the primary matter. It is the basic substance and the cause of all bondage. Its nature is of darkness and ignorance. Its constituents are the three gunas, namely, sattva, rajas and tamas. It is the inseparable power of the Supreme Lord. It is the cause of ego and attachment to the body and its relations.
Shloka: 106
Parmeshwar or Parabrahman means the Supreme God.
He resides in the heart of every Jiva.
He is the inner controller and the Supreme Ruler, and hence, is called Antaryami. He is immanent in everything, and yet beyond everything. He alone is the independent Supreme Being. He is the Moral Governor, for He rewards and punishes the Jivas according to their good and bad karmas.
Shloka: 107
When Lord Krishna is accompanied by Radha, know them as Radha-Krishna. When Lord Narayan is accompanied by Laxmi, know them as Laxmi-Narayan. When Lord Narayan is accompanied by Arjun, know them as Nar-Narayan. In the like manner, you should know and name the Lord with reference to the ideal devotee who is accompanying Him.
Shloka: 109, 110
Identify oneself with Brahman, separate from the three bodies, and eternally offer devotion to God.
Shloka: 116
Concluding Prayer
The Supreme Lord is the redeemer of all.
He alone is the destroyer of all pains and sufferings.
He is the protector and upholder of morality, religion and devotion on the earth. He is the Moral Governor, and the bestower of all desired happiness. O, Lord! Bless mankind with universal good and an auspicious life.
Shloka: 212
BAPS Toronto Portal (http://www.swaminarayan.org/news/usa/2007/07/toronto/index.htm)
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Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Toronto Visit 2007 1/2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMQuCNIXuE8)
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Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Toronto Visit 2007 2/2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haJOqhHjsWY)
celina
13-08-2007, 03:15 PM
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Lord Swaminarayan Artwork on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyes_manish/sets/72157594227657460/)