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10 - Bliss October 2010
10 - Bliss October 2010
60 October 2010
Prime Minister of New Zealand Visits BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir
5 September 2010, Auckland
With the blessings and guidance of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS conducts a variety of socio-spiritual activities
from its mandir in Auckland, New Zealand. On 5 September 2010, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Rt. Hon.
John Key visited the mandir and witnessed the varied activities for children, teenagers, youths and seniors that are
conducted regularly. After addressing an assembly the BAPS also presented the Prime Minister with a contribution to
the Christchurch earthquake fund.
October 2010, Vol. 33 No. 10
I turn the mala of my devotees will ask me, ‘Shall I come?’ I will permit her, ‘Yes,
Shri Hari then sat in the lobby of Vasudev you may’. Only thereafter I will lie down to sleep.
Narayan’s room and addressed the sadhus, “Devji But you have come a long way by foot and so you
Bhagat of Nenpur has lost his teenage son. His must be tired. Please retire for the night.’ ”
soul has been liberated to the divine abode of Shri Hari and the entire assembly listened
Akshardham. To celebrate his departure Devji with rapt attention. Maharaj then recalled, “Once
Bhagat’s wife has brought a pot of ghee and in Adhoi village, Ladhaji asked me, ‘For whom are
sponsored a meal for us.” you turning the mala?’ I replied, ‘I chant the name
“O Maharaj, it is tragic that Devji Bhagat has of my genuine devotees.’ Devji Bhakta is one such
met with such a calamity at this age,” Niskulanand devotee. I chant his name while turning a bead of
Swami sympathized. my mala.” The sadhus realized the greatness of a
“What calamity? It was he who had wished true devotee like Devji Bhagat and that Maharaj
that I liberate his son’s soul and bless it with offers devotion to such pious followers. This was
Akshardham. So I had to do it,” Maharaj revealed. the greatness of Shri Hari.
All the sadhus were listening with amazement as In the evening assembly at Dada’s darbar
Maharaj narrated the incident in detail. Maharaj told Ramdas Swami, “The root of our
Nishkulanand Swami praised, “Devji Bhagat is Satsang comes from the Brahmin tradition. When
truly a realized soul (mukta). Once I and other the root of any sampradaya is the best, then
sadhus were walking with Krupanand Swami from that sampradaya is known to be the best. But
one village to another. By the time we reached the ignorant have no faith in the source of our
Nenpur it was night-time. Sampradaya. So, whatever you know of it reveal
“On arriving at Devji Bhagat’s house he it now.”
started making arrangements for our dinner. Ramdas Swami was a senior paramhansa from
Krupanand Swami restrained him, ‘Bhagat, there the time of Ramanand Swami. He had come to
is no need for dinner. Come here and listen to know the guru parampara of the Sampradaya
our discourses.’ Then, by the wish of Krupanand from Ramanand Swami himself. It was because of
Swami, Gunatitanand Swami began his fluent this reason that Shri Hari told him to narrate the
and soulful discourse. Devji Bhagat sat focused, root of the tradition.
listening to Swami’s preaching. Within no time it
was midnight. Our eyes were heavy with sleep. ATMANAND SWAMI
So I said, ‘Bhagat, you must be tired. Go and rest Ramdas Swami said, “Maharaj, your guru was
for the night.’ Then Devji Bhagat replied, ‘Swami, Ramanand Swami, who established the Uddhav
I will go to my farm now and turn 300 malas Sampradaya. He was born of the Kashyap gotra
chanting the Swaminarayan mahamantra. By then (lineage), his Veda was the Rig Veda and the
sleep will have arrived, waiting for my order. She branch was Ashwalayan.
Glory of Aksharbrahman
in the Hindu Shastras
October 2010 u Swaminarayan Bliss 7
Ò°ÌSØ ßæ ¥ÿæÚUSØ ÂýàææâÙð »æí»! âêØæü¿‹¼ý×âõ çßÏëÌõ çÌcÆUÌÑÐ Indeed, Shri Krishna knows Òâßðü ßðÎæ ؈ÂÎ×æ×Ùç‹ÌÓ
°ÌSØ ßæ ¥ÿæÚUSØ ÂýàææâÙð »æí»! læßæÂëçÍÃØõ çßÏëÌð çÌcÆUÌÑÐ °ÌSØ – ‘Sarve Vedã yatpadmãmananti’ – ‘Even the Vedas
ßæ ¥ÿæÚUSØ ÂýàææâÙð »æí»! çÙ×ðáæ ×éãêUÌæü ¥ãUôÚUæ˜ææ‡ØÏü×æâæ ×æâæ «¤ÌßÑ sing his glory’ (Kathopanishad 2.15) and ‘Ò°ÌhKðßæÿæÚ¢U
â¢ßˆâÚUæ §çÌ çßÏëÌæçSÌçcÆUç‹ÌÐÓ – ‘Etasya vã Aksharasya ÕýræïÓ – ‘Etadhyevãksharam Brahma’ – ‘This Akshar is
prashãsane Gãrgi! Sooryãchandramasau vidhrutau itself Brahman’ (Kathopanishad 2.16). Thus, as if
tishthataha; Etasya vã ‘O Gargi! Aksharasya echoing the words of the Mundak Upanishad from
prashãsane Gãrgi! Dyãvãpruthivyau vidhrute the Atharva Veda, Shri Krishna says emphatically
tishthataha; Etasya vã Aksharasya prashãsane ‘ú §ˆØð·¤æÿæÚ¢U Õýræï’ – ‘Om ityevãksharam Brahma’
Gãrgi! Nimeshã muhoortã ahorãtrãnyardhamãsã – ‘That which is called Om is Aksharbrahman’
mãsã rutavaha samvatsarã iti vidhrutãstishanti’ (Bhagavad Gita 8.13).
– ‘This Aksharbrahman rules over the sun, the
moon and the people of the earth and in the Aksharbrahman – An Integral Part
region between heaven and earth. Even the day of Brahmavidya
and night, the months, and the years and the ‘çßlØæù×ëÌ×àÙéÌð’ – ‘Vidyayã’mrutamashnute’, ‘çßlØæ
season, all the fractions of time, are caused by çß‹ÎÌðù×ëÌ×÷’ – ‘Vidyayã vindate’mrutam’ and other
Aksharbrahman’ (Bruhadaranyaka Upanishad shloks show that brahmavidya (knowledge of
3.8.9). Brahman) is required for ultimate liberation. But
Therefore, Aksharbrahman rules over and what is brahmavidya really? Sage Angira throws
governs everything. light on this in the Mundak Upanishad, ‘ØðÙ ¥ÿæÚ¢U
These are the words spoken thousands of ÂéL¤á¢ ßðÎ âˆØ¢ Âýôßæ¿ Ìæ¢ ÌžßÌô Õýræïçßlæ×÷’ – ‘Yena Aksharam
years ago by the learned Sage Yagnavalkya in the Purusham veda satyam provãcha tãm tattvato
Bruhadaranyaka Upanishad, revealing the nature brahmavidyãm’ ‘Aksharam’ is Aksharbrahman
of Aksharbrahman to the learned Gargi in a debate and ‘Paramam’ is Parabrahman Purushottam. So,
in the court of King Janak. knowing Akshar and Purushottam as they are is
This article will present the glory of brahmavidya.
Aksharbrahman described in the Upanishads, In the Prashnopanishad Sage Pipplad says the
Bhagavad Gita and Brahmasutras. same. Explaining that contemplation on the sound
of Om is a means to the highest liberation, he
What Is That Brahman? says, ‘°ÌÎ÷ ßñ âˆØ·¤æ× ÂÚ¢U ¿ ¥ÂÚ¢U ¿ Õýræï ØÎ÷ ú·¤æÚUÑ’ – ‘Etad
Arjun asks this question, which also arises in vai Satyakãma param cha aparam cha Brahma
our minds, to Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. Omkãraha’ – (Prashna Upanishad 5.2). Thus,
Shri Krishna replies, Ò¥ÿæÚ¢U Õýræï ÂÚU××÷ÐÓ – ‘Aksharam he explains, ‘O Satyakam! This sound of Om has
Brahma Paramam’ – ‘Dear Arjun! Akshar, which incorporated the whole of brahmavidya in itself. So
transcends the three worldly qualities (sattva, first its meaning should be known. Satyakam! Om
rajas and tamas), is that Brahman’ (Bhagavad has two meanings. One, ÒÂÚ¢U ÕýræïÓ – ‘Param Brahma’,
Gita 8.3). Combining the two words, it is also that is, Parabrahman Purushottam Narayan and
called Aksharbrahman. the other is Ò¥ÂÚ¢U ÕýræïÓ – ‘Aparam Brahma’, that is,
Detailing what that Aksharbrahman is like, Aksharbrahman.’
Shri Krishna says, ÒØÎ÷ ¥ÿæÚ¢U ßðÎçßÎô ßÎç‹ÌÐÓ – ‘Yad Thus, while reciting Om, if one refers to it
Aksharam vedvido vadanti!’ – ‘O Arjun! Even as meaning Akshar and Purushottam, then ‘â
those who know the Vedas have been singing the âæ×çÖL¤‹ÙèØÌð ÕýræïÜô·¢¤ â °ÌS×æ…Áè߃æÙæÌ÷ ÂÚUæˆÂÚ¢U ÂéçÚUàæØ¢
glory of the virtues and form of Aksharbrahman’ ÂéL¤á×èÿæÌðÐ’ – ‘Sa sãmabhiroonniyate Brahmaloke
(Bhagavad Gita 8.11). From this we can simply sa etasmãjjeevadhanãt parãtparam purishyam
deduce that Akshar is eternal. purushmeekshate’ – ‘One attains Brahmalok, that
“I Tell You
on Oath That…”
- Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj
To this Shastriji Maharaj said, “If Balmukund Ingorala village in the Gadhada region was
Swami asks me to do that, I will. At that time sanctified by the visits of Gunatitanand Swami.
Balmukund Swami also said that he would be A satsangi called Kunvarji Patel used to live there.
very pleased if the golden murtis of Gunatitanand Whenever he visited Gadhada, he used to sit with
Swami and Maharaj were consecrated” Nrusinhanand Swami for spiritual talks. Once,
(Swaminarayan Prakash, Nov.-Dec. 1977 pp 462- Nrusinhanand Swami told Kunvarji Patel, “Patel,
463). how many sculpted small arched stones hem the
aaa wall of Gadhada mandir?” Patel replied, “Many.”
Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj often used to Then Swami said, “If it is wrong to say that
recount this episode: “Once, Shastriji Maharaj Gunatitanand Swami is himself Akshardham, I
took me to Bhoyka to meet Gopalanand Swami’s invite the sin of destroying one universe for every
disciple, Malji Soni, who told us, ‘Gopalanand arched stone.”
Swami addressed Gunatitanand Swami as Shastriji Maharaj often recollected this and
Akshardham and told me, “You wanted to see said, “Kunvarji Patel used to narrate this incident
Akshardham, right? Now, see for yourself. The one and I have myself heard it from him.”
seated fourth on the mattress is himself Gunatit Shastriji Maharaj collected further proofs from
Aksharbrahman. Know him.” ’ ” Dahyabhai, brother of Vanthali’s Kalyanbhai, who
Shastriji Maharaj also wrote about this incident was a disciple of Gunatitanand Swami.
in his letter to the devotees of Africa. He wrote, “I Once, Dahyabhai told Shastriji Maharaj, “Once
had heard it from Malji Soni in Bhoyka in Samvat Hariharyanand Swami came to our orchard all of
1967 (1911 CE). At that time Jogi – Jnanji a sudden and told Kalyanbhai, ‘I have to explain to
Maharaj, Nirgundas Swami, Vignandas Swami, you a very important matter.’ So Kalyanbhai said,
Bhagvatswarupdasji and others were present.” ‘Tell me only if it is anything other than the fact
In a recording of a speech by Shastriji Maharaj that Gunatitanand Swami is Akshar and Maharaj
he narrates this incident at length, “When we is Purushotam.’ Then Swami told him, ‘It is that
visited Bhoyka, Malji Soni narrated the whole very thing I wanted to speak to you about, but
episode to us. Mahapurush Swami and Nirgundas since you know it already I have nothing more to
Swami were with us. Addressing us, Malji Soni say.’”
Inscriptions Identifying
Aksharbrahman
In Vachanamrut, Gadhada I 71, Bhagwan Bhagwan Swaminrayan consolidated
Swaminarayan clearly states, “When God this understanding and so many devotees
incarnates for the purpose of granting and sadhus spent some time every year
liberation to the jivas, he is always in Junagadh in the spiritual company of
accompanied by his Akshardham, his Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami.
attendants – who are formed of chaitanya – In the shastras of the Swaminarayan
and all of his divine powers.” And at the Sampradaya, senior sadhus, acharyas,
conclusion of this Vachanamrut, he poets and others have described Gu-
instructs, “A devotee of God should natitanand Swami as Akshar-
realize that the form of God brahman: Viharilalji Ma-
along with his Akshardham haraj in his Kirtan Kaus-
is present on this earth, tubhamala, Purushottam
and he should also Charitra commissioned by
explain this fact to Abhesinhji of Lodhika, the
others.” kirtans of Jagdishanand
For spiritual Brahmachari of Juna-
aspirants Akshar- gadh, in the Ratnamala
brahman is the orig- (collection of bhajans)
inal guru, since he and Kusumanjali (vers-
guides all to overcome es describing the murti-
maya and attain the brahmarup state. Thus, Para- pratishtha at Jetpur) by Sadguru Bhaktipriya
matma Bhagwan Swaminarayan is the supreme Swami of Junagadh.
deity to whom devotion is offered and Akshar- In their discourses and personal sessions
brahman is the guru who leads all to Paramatma. with devotees, senior sadhus, such as, Sadguru
Bhagwan Swaminarayan identified Gunati- Balmukund Swami, Madhavcharan Swami,
tanand Swami as the manifestation of Akshar- Krishnacharan Swami and others, identified
brahman. There is much documented evidence Gunatitanand Swami as Aksharbrahman.
which supports this. This widespread understanding is also
documented in the form of inscriptions.
Gunatitanand Swami Is At places sanctified by Bhagwan Swaminarayan
Aksharbrahman and Gunatitanand Swami there are engravings
The shastras of the Swaminarayan Samprada- describing the incidents in which Gunatitanand
ya note that the parents of Gunatitanand Swami Swami is referred to as Aksharbrahman, Brahma-
were followers of Ramanand Swami and his guru, avatar, Aksharmurti, Anadi Mul Aksharmurti and
Atmanand Swami. Both these gurus revealed other synonymous words.
many times to Gunatitanand Swami’s parents that In shikharbaddh mandirs, where the murti of
Aksharbrahman would be born to them. Gunatitanand Swami is placed in the mandover,
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Vekri (Gondal) Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadiya Chadiya village
October 2010 u Swaminarayan Bliss 25
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Phatsar (Una)
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. John Key at the youth centre The Prime Minister in the assembly
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rt. Hon. assembly, “Namaste. Can I thank you firstly for
John Key, attended the Janmashtami celebration the invitation to your most beautiful temple and
at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Avondale, an opportunity to come and see so many of you,
Auckland, on Sunday 5 September 2010. and the boys and girls that are here this evening.
On his arrival, the Prime Minister first visited the Thank you for the extraordinary generosity, your
Pramukh Swami Youth Centre where youngsters gift of $11,000, which I will give to the earthquake
presented some of the regular weekly activities, relief fund tomorrow morning. It is good to be here
such as classical Indian music and dance, karate, to celebrate the birth of Krishna and to support
Gujarati learning and satsang classes. The Prime you and your faith. New Zealand is very lucky. We
Minister was amazed to see so many young have now over 100,000 New Zealanders of Indian
people active in preserving their culture and ethnicity. I had an opportunity earlier to visit your
heritage. Next, he had darshan in the mandir youth centre, and can I say how impressive it was.
where he learnt about the life and teachings of It was wonderful to see the opportunities you
Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Finally, he attended the are providing for your young people. One of the
Janmashtami celebration in the assembly hall where reasons that the Indian community is so strong
the youths had earlier performed a drama entitled and so successful in New Zealand is because
‘Paksh’, depicting a scene from the Mahabharat. of its beliefs in families and to the respect that
Children greeted the Prime Minister with a welcome the children show for their parents and their
dance. Following a short video presentation grandparents, and for the wider family community.
of Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, Thank you for inviting me here this evening.
Jnanpurush Swami formally welcomed the Prime Next year I am going to go to India. It is a
Minister and then read a letter of condolence remarkable country. I have been there before a
from Pramukh Swami Maharaj for the victims couple of times. Finally, I think it is great to see
of the devastating earthquake in Christchurch. a community that cares so much for its families
In the letter Swamishri offered prayers for the and is so ambitious, that works so hard and
affected and conveyed his deepest sympathy to believes in all the very best of New Zealand.”
all. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha presented Accompanying the Prime Minister on
the Prime Minister with a cheque of $11,000 his visit was Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi,
towards the earthquake relief fund and BAPS MP, representing Manukau East.
volunteers pledged to continue their support. The Prime Minister and his delegation departed
The Prime Minister then addressed the after spending 75 minutes at the mandir. u
To mark its fifteenth anniversary, BAPS Shri Commonwealth 400m gold medallist commented,
Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London, organized “I saw some amazing monuments in China [during
Community Open Days on the weekend of 11 and the Beijing Olympics] – but the Temple is the most
12 September 2010. Many members of the public beautiful building I have seen.”
as well as invited guests visited the Mandir. The Community Open Days event was based on
The event was launched in the presence of the theme of “One World – One Community” and
Brent’s Borough Commander, Chief Superinten- other activities available throughout the weekend
dent Matt Gardner, and the England Common- included blood donation awareness, free health
wealth team. screening by experienced medical professionals,
Youths guided members of Team England and guided tours and interactive informative exhibits.
explained the various social, cultural and spiritual The interactive exhibits consisted of eight zones
activities that are promoted at the Mandir. Former covering art, values, volunteering, festivals,
Olympic javelin gold medallist Tessa Sanderson welfare, music and lifestyle whilst promoting the
CBE also came to visit with the group. ‘International Year of Youth’ initiative led by the
Christine Ohuruogu, current Olympic and United Nations. u
have died and many have also suffered serious head injuries.
n While riding a motorbike/scooter, do not spit. To avoid the saliva, the rider behind has to change
traffic rules.
n Stop to allow children, the elderly or women to cross the road. Do not horn unnecessarily.
n These [and other such safety guidelines] should be highlighted by sadhus and volunteers once or twice