FAITH IN DHARMA NATURALLY DEVELOPS IN A PERSON, WHO POSSESSES FAITH IN BHAGWAN. DHARMA TAKES REFUGE ONLY IN BHAGWAN. (Vachanamrut, Swaminarayan)
The period 1750-1950 CE witnessed exponential expansion & growth of Dharma and Ethical practices. One of the reason may be the thrust in development of languages, better systems of documentation/ preservation and growth in overall communication systems. We shall cover the learnings on the current theme in around 6 to 8 blogs, beginning with a spiritual preacher cum social reformer Swaminarayan ( also known as Sahjanand Swami) of the period 1781-1830 CE.
Born in 1781 CE as Ghanshyam Pande, he took pilgrimage at the age of 11 years, interacting with several learned scholars & saints and undertook welfare activities for the benefit of masses. Named as Sahjanand Swami by his Guru Swami Ramanand, he led a large Uddhav community from 1802 CE onward as its leader. He undertook several reforms for women and poor. He mastered spiritual scriptures namely Vedas, Purana, Ramayana, Upanishads and Bhagwat Gita. In 1826, he wrote Shikshapatri, a book of social reforms and ethical practices. Vachnamrut is another compilation of spiritual, Dharmik as well as Ethical concerns, generated by Swaminarayan Sampradaya, based on interactions of Swaminarayan with his prominent Paramhansas and Swamis of the sect. A curious personality in childhood itself, he asked the following 5 questions to his Gurus and sought answers from leading saints and philosophers of that era for strengthening & internalizing his own spiritual knowledge;
- WHAT IS JIVA?
- WHAT IS ISHVARA?
- WHAT IS MAYA?
- WHAT IS BRAHMAN?
- WHAT IS PARA-BRAHMAN?
Let me share the interpretation of some of his messages conveyed in his scriptures supporting his Dharmik and Ethical orientation.
Shikshapatri, shloka 12; My followers shall never kill goats and/or other living beings in sacrifice performed for the propitiation of deities & ancestors, for non violence is declared as the highest Dharma.
Shikshapatri, shloka 17; No stealing should be resorted to even for religious purposes.
Shikshapatri, shloka 18; None of my followers shall indulge in adultery; they shall neither practice gambling and similar vices, nor indulge in inhaling intoxicants.
Shikshapatri, shloka 20; Neither shall false accusations ever be made against anybody for serving one's own selfish ends, nor shall anybody be abused.
Shikshapatri, shloka 24; None shall abandon one's own Dharma as ordained by one's own Varna and Ashrams.
Shikshapatri, shloka 73; None shall undertake an activity devoid of Dharma. Dharma shall not be abandoned out of attachment to the desired objects.
As per him, Dharma is RIGHT CONDUCT, authenticated by Shruti and Smriti, while Bhakti is extreme profound love for God coupled with the knowledge of magnificence of Lord. Swaminarayan advocated the philosophy called " Vishishtadvaita", which conveys that God is supreme, has a divine form, is the all doer and is completely independent. He further stressed that one should work towards realization of Ekantik Dharma,comprising of Righteousness, Right knowledge, Detachment and Devotion to that God. He gave his followers Swaminarayan mantra, which implies the relationship of a devotee with his supreme Lord and helps in concentration, meditation and attainment of ecstatic bliss of divine as well as liberation of all sins.
Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan.
Vachnamrut, a compilation of spiritual discussions between Swaminarayan and his Paramhansas & other prominent followers, covers several Dharmik and Ethical subjects focusing on specific issues discussed in 273 assembly gatherings conducted during the period 1876 CE-1886 CE. Quoting a few relevant lessons from this compilation; " Never think cruelty of others" ( Gadhada I 69) ie there is no place for non violence in life. Another one" Having an aggressive personality is the Dharma of a wicked person and behaving in a calm manner is the Dharma of a Sadhu", stresses on co- relation of Dharma with negative and positive traits of personality.
" People, who follow the path of honesty( Dharma) abandon stealing, adultery, slander and other sins. They fear Bhagwan. People in the world trust them and accept whatever they say as truth."--- Vachnamrut Sarangpur 10 on Dharma & Adharma.
" A person, who follows the path of Adharma is engrossed in evil deeds like stealing, adultery, eating meat, drinking alcohol, changing someone's varna & ashrams by force and alike."
In a similar context, while discussing qualities of a Sat Purush in Gadhada I 67, it says Sat Purush has no love at all for the pleasures of this world. He has desires only for the abode of Bhagwan and His Swarup ( form). Emphasizing the importance of TRUTH in ethical living, one of the discussion summarizes as " Sattvam yad-Brahma-darshanam" ie Sattva guna ( truth as an attribute) leads to the vision of Bhagwan.
Swaminarayan sect, with more than two million followers around the globe and places of worship in five continents has been engaged in spreading the roots of Dharmik and Ethical living by its activities, scriptures and discourses. Faith in divinity and value based living have been its landmarks. I shall end the blog with a powerful verse from Vachnamrut Panchala Prakaran 2.18, giving attributes of a spiritually enlightened person ie such persons remain joyful, grieve nothing, desire nothing, behave equally with all beings and attain His supreme Bhakti.
" People, who follow the path of honesty( Dharma) abandon stealing, adultery, slander and other sins. They fear Bhagwan. People in the world trust them and accept whatever they say as truth."--- Vachnamrut Sarangpur 10 on Dharma & Adharma.
" A person, who follows the path of Adharma is engrossed in evil deeds like stealing, adultery, eating meat, drinking alcohol, changing someone's varna & ashrams by force and alike."
In a similar context, while discussing qualities of a Sat Purush in Gadhada I 67, it says Sat Purush has no love at all for the pleasures of this world. He has desires only for the abode of Bhagwan and His Swarup ( form). Emphasizing the importance of TRUTH in ethical living, one of the discussion summarizes as " Sattvam yad-Brahma-darshanam" ie Sattva guna ( truth as an attribute) leads to the vision of Bhagwan.
Swaminarayan sect, with more than two million followers around the globe and places of worship in five continents has been engaged in spreading the roots of Dharmik and Ethical living by its activities, scriptures and discourses. Faith in divinity and value based living have been its landmarks. I shall end the blog with a powerful verse from Vachnamrut Panchala Prakaran 2.18, giving attributes of a spiritually enlightened person ie such persons remain joyful, grieve nothing, desire nothing, behave equally with all beings and attain His supreme Bhakti.
" Brahma-bhutaha prasannatma na shochati na kankshati;
Samaha Sarveshu bhuteshu mad- bhaktim labhate param."
