The Branch Of A Banyan Tree / The UpshamUpshamWhen a person becomes absolutely unaware of the world while meditating Bhagvãn or his ãtmã. When his indriyas are presented with attractive objects, he focuses his attention within, and forgets about the attractive objects. As a result, he becomes tranquil and peaceful.Tap to open in glossary → State
In the SamvatSamvatThe calendar established by Indian emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain following his victory 56 BCE. It is a lunar calendar based on ancient Hindu tradition. The Vikram Samvat calendar is 56.7 years ahead of the solar Gregorian calendar. The calendar most commonly used is the Kãrtiki Samvat, which begins on the first day of Kãrtik. However, the Vachanãmrut is written using the Ashãdhi Samvat, which begins on the first day of Ãshãdh.Tap to open in glossary → year 1882, on FãganFãganNinth month of the Ãshãdhi Samvat year, normally falling between February and March.Tap to open in glossary → vadvadDark half of a Hindu lunar month in which the moon is in its waning phase. The days falling between the day after Punam up to and including Amãs. Also called krishna paksh.Tap to open in glossary → 2 [25th March 1826], Swãmi ShreeShree1) Name of Lakshmi. 2) Used before the names of Bhagvãn and devs to signify their high status.Tap to open in glossary → Sahajãnandji Mahãrãj was sitting on a decorated bedstead that had been placed on the platform facing the mandirmandirTemple. Sacred Hindu place of worship.Tap to open in glossary → of ShreeShree1) Name of Lakshmi. 2) Used before the names of Bhagvãn and devs to signify their high status.Tap to open in glossary → Nar- NãrãyanNãrãyanThe four-armed svarup of Bhagvãn. See Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → in Amdãvãd. A pink pãghpãghTurban. Long, thin piece of cloth tied around the head.Tap to open in glossary →, decorated with garlands of roses and chamelichameliA flower of the jasmine genus called Jasminum grandiflorum or Spanish jasmine. It has a white colour and extremely sweet fragrance. Usually found to blossom during the month of Shrãvan. The chameli plant is a vine, whereas mogrã and dolariyã (also part of the jasmine genus) are shrubs.Tap to open in glossary → flowers, adorned His head. A sabhãsabhãAssembly. A group of satsangis listening to kathã or singing kirtans.Tap to open in glossary → of munis, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him.
Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj asked the entire muni-mandalmuni-mandalGroup or assembly of munis.Tap to open in glossary →, “All jeevs are dependent upon the panchpanchFive.Tap to open in glossary →-vishays. Either they physically indulge in them, or if physical association is not possible, they think of them within the antah-karans – but the jeevjeev1) That which is living. Infinite in number. Individual, embodied ãtmã still bound by Mãyã and consequently undergoing the cycle of births and deaths. The jeev is not separate the three bodies (sthul, sukshma, and kãran) and the three mental states (jãgrat, svapna, and sushupti), whereas the ãtmã is distinct from everything. 2) First of the five eternal entities (jeev, ishvar, Mãyã, and Akshar, and Parbrahm). 3) Sometimes used to mean the same as ãtmã.Tap to open in glossary → is unable to remain for even a moment without thinking about or indulging in the panchpanchFive.Tap to open in glossary →-vishays.
“Now, take the example of a banyan tree. Everyone knows that the roots of a banyan tree keep the tree green. Even if all of its roots, except for a few minor roots, are uprooted, the banyan tree will still remain green. In the same way, a person may have outwardly abandoned the panchpanchFive.Tap to open in glossary →-vishays, but if thoughts of them still remain, then those thoughts become a cause of births and deaths. The question is how can these panchpanchFive.Tap to open in glossary →-vishays not become a cause of births and deaths for a bhaktabhaktaDevotee of Bhagvãn. A follower of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → of BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →?”
Muktãnand SwãmiMuktãnand SwãmiOne of the five principal paramhansas -- along with Gopalanand Swami, Nityanand Swami, Brahmanand Swami, and Shukanand Swami -- who recorded Swaminarayan Bhagwan's discourses word for word, compiling them into the Vachanamrut. Originally a shishya of Ramanand Swami; Nilkanth Brahmachari first met him at Lojpur.Tap to open in glossary → attempted to answer the question, but was unable to offer a satisfactory reply.
So, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “Here, I shall answer the question. When a bhaktabhaktaDevotee of Bhagvãn. A follower of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → thinks about the murtimurti1) Sacred idol of Bhagvãn used to offer worship. There are eight types of murtis that can be worshipped: stone, wood, metal, earth, engraved or drawn, sand, gems, and mental. 2) The form of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → of BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → while behaving as the ãtmããtmã1) The pure jeev, which is distinct from the three bodies and three mental states, and distinct from the indriyas, the antah-karans, worldly desires, or any other traces of Mãyã. It is imperishable and eternal, does not undergo births or deaths, and it leaves a physical body after that body dies and assumes another physical body. Infinite in number. 2) That which pervades, inspires, and controls.Tap to open in glossary → – independent of the qualities of the three bodies, which are engulfed in mãyãmãyã1) Power of Bhagvãn used as the fundamental 'substance' of creation. It is composed of the three gun, is both jad and chaitanya, eternal, nirvishesh, and in its dormant state (before the time of creation) – it houses all jeevs and ishvars, and all the tattvas. It is inspired by, controlled by, and dependent on Bhagvãn. The jeevs and ishvars must go beyond Mãyã (eradicate it within themselves) in order to attain Akshardhãm. Everything in the world is produced from the products of Mãyã. Also called Prakruti. 2) Third of the five eternal entities (jeev, ishvar, Mãyã, and Brahm, and Parbrahm).Tap to open in glossary → – then by the power of those thoughts of BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →, he behaves in a state of upshamupshamWhen a person becomes absolutely unaware of the world while meditating Bhagvãn or his ãtmã. When his indriyas are presented with attractive objects, he focuses his attention within, and forgets about the attractive objects. As a result, he becomes tranquil and peaceful.Tap to open in glossary →. Then, due to the power of that upshamupshamWhen a person becomes absolutely unaware of the world while meditating Bhagvãn or his ãtmã. When his indriyas are presented with attractive objects, he focuses his attention within, and forgets about the attractive objects. As a result, he becomes tranquil and peaceful.Tap to open in glossary →, the panchpanchFive.Tap to open in glossary →-vishays do not become a cause of births and deaths.
“Consider the following analogy: When rivers like the Mahi or the Sãbarmati are in full flow between their two banks, even elephants, horses, and trees are all carried away; nothing is able to remain stationary. Similarly, for a person in the upshamupshamWhen a person becomes absolutely unaware of the world while meditating Bhagvãn or his ãtmã. When his indriyas are presented with attractive objects, he focuses his attention within, and forgets about the attractive objects. As a result, he becomes tranquil and peaceful.Tap to open in glossary → state, regardless of how attractive the objects presented before the indriyasindriyasA sense, through which a person can ‘know’ and ‘perform actions’. There are ten indriyas in total - the five gnãn- indriyas (cognitive senses) and the five karma-indriyas (conative senses), with the mind often taken to be the eleventh indriya. They engage themselves in their respective vishays and have the complete knowledge of that vishay. The sense organs are not to be confused with the indriyas (the senses). The sense organs are part of the physical body, whereas the indriyas (senses) are distinct from the physical body. five gnãn-indriyas: hearing (ears/shrotra), touch (skin/tvak), sight (eyes/chakshu), taste (tongue/rasnã) and smell (grahn) five karma-indriyas: speech (voice/vãk), handling (hands/pãni), walking (feet/pãd), excretion (anus/pãyu) and procreation (genitals/upastha)Tap to open in glossary → are, when he focuses his attention within, they are forgotten, just as those vishays seen in past lives are forgotten in this life. Such behaviour of a bhaktabhaktaDevotee of Bhagvãn. A follower of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → is known as upshamupshamWhen a person becomes absolutely unaware of the world while meditating Bhagvãn or his ãtmã. When his indriyas are presented with attractive objects, he focuses his attention within, and forgets about the attractive objects. As a result, he becomes tranquil and peaceful.Tap to open in glossary →.
“Such upshamupshamWhen a person becomes absolutely unaware of the world while meditating Bhagvãn or his ãtmã. When his indriyas are presented with attractive objects, he focuses his attention within, and forgets about the attractive objects. As a result, he becomes tranquil and peaceful.Tap to open in glossary → is indeed extremely important. Suppose an ignorant manmanMind. One of the four antah-karans, with the function of (pronounced mun) generating thoughts and desires, and governing all of the indriyas.Tap to open in glossary → and woman, who are engaged in worldly life and who have intense love for each other before marriage, are then married and made to stay awake and walk continuously for three days and nights. Then, when they are united, due to their fatigue, they will be incapable of enjoying the pleasure of each other’s beauty or touch. Even if they embrace each other, they would sleep like logs tied together, but would not experience any enjoyment from the panchpanchFive.Tap to open in glossary →- vishays. So, if they have no awareness of the vishays due to upshamupshamWhen a person becomes absolutely unaware of the world while meditating Bhagvãn or his ãtmã. When his indriyas are presented with attractive objects, he focuses his attention within, and forgets about the attractive objects. As a result, he becomes tranquil and peaceful.Tap to open in glossary → attained ignorance during sushuptisushuptiUnconscious. Deep sleep. One of the three mental states. The sushupti state is the result of the destruction state of ishvar. It is full of tamo-gun and is located in the region of the heart. In the sushupti state, the jeevãtmã is known as prãgna, and is conscious of its kãran body. [Sãrangpur – 6].Tap to open in glossary →, then how can the panchpanchFive.Tap to open in glossary →-vishays bind a person with siddh-dashãsiddh-dashãElevated state. No differentiation is made between objects and pleasant and unpleasant vishays. Attained by those who have become yogis. A person with siddh-dashã has the ability to see for thousands of miles while remaining in one place, and hear talks from thousands of miles away, and he has the ability to obtain any object with his own hands, even from other loks.Tap to open in glossary → who attains the state of upshamupshamWhen a person becomes absolutely unaware of the world while meditating Bhagvãn or his ãtmã. When his indriyas are presented with attractive objects, he focuses his attention within, and forgets about the attractive objects. As a result, he becomes tranquil and peaceful.Tap to open in glossary → by performing dhyãndhyãnMeditation. The seventh step of ashtãng-yog, which involves sustaining a concentrated state where the mind is clear and calm.Tap to open in glossary → upon BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →’s murtimurti1) Sacred idol of Bhagvãn used to offer worship. There are eight types of murtis that can be worshipped: stone, wood, metal, earth, engraved or drawn, sand, gems, and mental. 2) The form of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →? They certainly do not bind him. Therefore, the panchpanchFive.Tap to open in glossary →-vishays are not a cause of births and deaths for a person who has attained upshamupshamWhen a person becomes absolutely unaware of the world while meditating Bhagvãn or his ãtmã. When his indriyas are presented with attractive objects, he focuses his attention within, and forgets about the attractive objects. As a result, he becomes tranquil and peaceful.Tap to open in glossary →.”
Then, Nityãnand SwãmiNityãnand SwãmiOne of the five principal paramhansas who recorded Swaminarayan Bhagwan's discourses word for word, compiling them into the Vachanamrut.Tap to open in glossary → commented, “The method you have described for attaining the state of upshamupshamWhen a person becomes absolutely unaware of the world while meditating Bhagvãn or his ãtmã. When his indriyas are presented with attractive objects, he focuses his attention within, and forgets about the attractive objects. As a result, he becomes tranquil and peaceful.Tap to open in glossary → (performing dhyãndhyãnMeditation. The seventh step of ashtãng-yog, which involves sustaining a concentrated state where the mind is clear and calm.Tap to open in glossary → upon BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → after ãtmã-nishthããtmã-nishthãKnowledge of the jeev. The belief that a person is an ãtmã, which is imperishable and eternal.Tap to open in glossary →) is very difficult. Please tell us if there is another, easier method apart from that.”
Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “A bhaktabhaktaDevotee of Bhagvãn. A follower of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → of BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → who deeply understands the greatness of BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →, and performs darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary → of BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →, and serves Him and His bhaktas with extremely intense shraddhãshraddhãThe quality that incorporates determination, faith, trust, hope, patience, and persistence.Tap to open in glossary →, attains that upshamupshamWhen a person becomes absolutely unaware of the world while meditating Bhagvãn or his ãtmã. When his indriyas are presented with attractive objects, he focuses his attention within, and forgets about the attractive objects. As a result, he becomes tranquil and peaceful.Tap to open in glossary → state.
“However, it appears to me that a servant with mãnmãnPride. When a person wants someone else to acknowledge them as superior.Tap to open in glossary → will not be liked by anyone. To have a servant with mãnmãnPride. When a person wants someone else to acknowledge them as superior.Tap to open in glossary → serve a person is like when even the rich survive by eating kodrãkodrãLow quality of grain lacking in nutrition. Similar in size and shape to mustard seeds, but white in colour. Stored in times of famine because of its resilience against extreme weather conditions and time, but generally eaten only by the poor.Tap to open in glossary → during a famine; having a servant with mãnmãnPride. When a person wants someone else to acknowledge them as superior.Tap to open in glossary → to serve a person is similar to this. The master is not as pleased with a servant with mãnmãnPride. When a person wants someone else to acknowledge them as superior.Tap to open in glossary → as much as he is with a humble servant. Therefore, a person who does whatever pleases the master is a true servant.”
Shuk MuniMuniSãdhu.Tap to open in glossary → then asked, “How can a person without wisdom and understanding please his master?”
Shreeji Mahãrãj replied, “Even though Mulji Brahm-ChãriBrahm-Chãri1) A brãhman who has been initiated as a tyãgi into the Swãminãrãyan sampradãy. Such brahm-chãris were given special priestly authority, such as personal sevaks to the murtis within mandirs, and as the performers of other religious ceremonies. 2) A person who observes brahm-chãrya; leads a life of celibacy. 3) A person who is in the first stage of life, brahm-chãrya ãshram.Tap to open in glossary → and Ratanji are not extremely intelligent, they have an intense yearning for kalyãnkalyãn1) Liberation. Freedom from the cycle of births and deaths. 2) To take birth as a higher life-form, or to take birth in a higher lok.Tap to open in glossary →. So, they do indeed know how to do whatever pleases BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →.
“Also, currently, even the paramhansparamhans1) Supreme swan. A male sãdhu of the highest order,Tap to open in glossary → and the sãnkhya-yogisãnkhya-yogiA yogi who has abandoned activities. Term used for a bhakta who has abandoned his/her worldly duties – as opposed to a karma-yogi – and is sincerely striving for kalyãn. Refers to a tyãgi who is totally dedicated and committed to satsang. In the time of Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn, many widows and widowers chose to become sãnkhya-yogis after their spouse passed away. They dedicated their lives to Bhagvãn rather than any other family members. Often refers to female tyãgis.Tap to open in glossary → and karma-yogikarma-yogiA person is striving for karma-yog (yog through activities). Term used for a grahastha bhakta who has not renounced his/her worldly duties completely – as opposed to a sãnkhya-yogi – but is nevertheless sincerely striving for yog or kalyãn. Refers to the many grahasthas in the time of Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn who chose to totally commit and dedicate their lives to satsang.Tap to open in glossary → satsangis do not behave in a way that pleases me, like the bhaktas of Ayodhyã men and women. This is because the bhaktas of Ayodhyã have totally dedicated their lives for satsangsatsang1) True company. The practice of associating with Bhagvãn’s sant, other satsangis, the ãtmã, and the sacred shãstras, and also observing vartmãns and niyams. 2) Also refers to the sampradãy, which is the presence of good company.Tap to open in glossary →. Therefore, nobody knows how to please BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → like the bhaktas of Ayodhyã. Moreover, these bhaktas of Ayodhyã are extremely trusting; a cunning person can cheat them. Therefore, if they wish to begin any activity, they should be allowed to do so only after consulting the senior paramhansparamhans1) Supreme swan. A male sãdhu of the highest order,Tap to open in glossary → and senior satsangisatsangiA person who practises satsang.Tap to open in glossary → grahasthas. However, they should not be allowed to do that activity based on the word of a single person. In this way, the tyãgis and grahasthagrahasthaHouseholder. A person who is married. A person who is in the second stage of life, the grahastha ãshram.Tap to open in glossary → satsangis should look after the bhaktas of Ayodhyã. This is my ãgnããgnãA command.Tap to open in glossary →.” || End of VachanãmrutVachanãmrutAmrut in the form of words. A collection of 273 spiritual talks delivered by Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn, that were carefully noted and collated by His senior sãdhus in His presence, and were authenticated by Him. Central philosophical shãstra of the Swãminãrãyan Sampradãy that summarises the essence of all Hindu shãstras.Tap to open in glossary → Amdãvãd || 3 || 223 ||