Gadhadã I 1

Constantly Engaging The Mind On The SvarupSvarupA physical form.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 →

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 1876, on the night of MãgsharMãgsharSixth month of the Ãshãdhi Samvat year, normally falling between November and December.Tap to open in glossary → sudsudBright half of a Hindu lunar month in which the moon is in its waxing phase. The days between Amãs up to and including Punam. Also called shukla paksh.Tap to open in glossary → 4 [20th November, 1819], Shreeji Mahãrãj had come to the residential hall of the sãdhus, in Dãdã KhãcharDãdã KhãcharA devotee in whose residential darbar in Gadhada Swaminarayan Bhagwan stayed for extended periods; the great majority of the Vachanamrut's Gadhada-section discourses (Gadhada I, II, and III) were given there, as the text itself repeatedly records ("in Dada Khachar's darbar in Gadhada").Tap to open in glossary →’s darbãrdarbãrCourt of residence belonging to a king or ruler, traditionally with a central courtyard surrounded by rooms with balconies.Tap to open in glossary → in Gadhadã. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. A sabhãsabhãAssembly. A group of satsangis listening to kathã or singing kirtans.Tap to open in glossary → of sãdhus, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him.

Shreeji Mahãrãj then asked, “What is the most difficult of all spiritual activities?”

The brahmbrahm1) The dhãm of Bhagvãn. It is eternal, complete with all gun, luminous, and flawless. Also called Akshar, or Akshar-Brahm, or Akshardhãm. 2) Fourth of the five eternal entities, which transcends everything except Purushottam (jeev, ishvar, Mãyã, and Brahm, and Parbrahm).Tap to open in glossary →-chãris, sãdhus, and grahasthas, answered according to their understanding, but no one could give a satisfactory reply.

Shreeji Mahãrãj then said, “Allow me to answer. There is no spiritual activity more difficult than to continuously engage the mind on the svarupsvarupA physical form.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 →. The shãstras state that there is no greater achievement for a person whose mind’s vruttivruttiConcentration. Focus. The jeev’s vrutti can be thought of as the jeev’s focus of attention. The jeev can experience the physical world (Virãt-Purush) through the indriyas. Similarly the jeev can think about, or have a desire about the world through the antah-karans. When the jeev’s attention is focused on a physical object through the indriyas, it can be said that the vruttis of the indriyas are focused on that object. Similarly, when the jeev’s attention is focused on an object via the antah-karans, it can be said that the vruttis of the antah-karans are focused on that object. Also, like the focus of attention, the vrutti can be focused on many things at once with different levels of intensity. Also, just as the jeev can focus its vrutti outwards, it can also focus it inwards on itself or on Paramãtmã residing within.Tap to open in glossary → is constantly focused on 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 →. This is because 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 → is like a chintãmanichintãmaniA divine gemstone that fulfils all of the wishes of whomever posses it.Tap to open in glossary →. Just as a person who possesses a chintãmanichintãmaniA divine gemstone that fulfils all of the wishes of whomever posses it.Tap to open in glossary → attains whatever he desires, a person whose mind’s vruttivruttiConcentration. Focus. The jeev’s vrutti can be thought of as the jeev’s focus of attention. The jeev can experience the physical world (Virãt-Purush) through the indriyas. Similarly the jeev can think about, or have a desire about the world through the antah-karans. When the jeev’s attention is focused on a physical object through the indriyas, it can be said that the vruttis of the indriyas are focused on that object. Similarly, when the jeev’s attention is focused on an object via the antah-karans, it can be said that the vruttis of the antah-karans are focused on that object. Also, like the focus of attention, the vrutti can be focused on many things at once with different levels of intensity. Also, just as the jeev can focus its vrutti outwards, it can also focus it inwards on itself or on Paramãtmã residing within.Tap to open in glossary → is constantly focused on 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 → can instantly see, if he so wishes, the svarups of 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 →, ishvarishvarSee Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →, 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 →, and BrahmBrahm1) The dhãm of Bhagvãn. It is eternal, complete with all gun, luminous, and flawless. Also called Akshar, or Akshar-Brahm, or Akshardhãm. 2) Fourth of the five eternal entities, which transcends everything except Purushottam (jeev, ishvar, Mãyã, and Brahm, and Parbrahm).Tap to open in glossary →. He can also see VaikunthVaikunthThe dhãm of Vishnu, and Rãm Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →, GolokGolok1) The dhãm of Shree Krishna Bhagvãn. 2) Also means Akshardhãm. The prefix ‘go’ means light; therefore, meaning the ‘lok of light’ – Akshardhãm.Tap to open in glossary →, Brahm-MaholBrahm-MaholSee Akshardhãm.Tap to open in glossary →, and other dhãms 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 →. Therefore, there is no spiritual activity more difficult, nor is there any greater achievement, than to continuously engage the mind’s vruttivruttiConcentration. Focus. The jeev’s vrutti can be thought of as the jeev’s focus of attention. The jeev can experience the physical world (Virãt-Purush) through the indriyas. Similarly the jeev can think about, or have a desire about the world through the antah-karans. When the jeev’s attention is focused on a physical object through the indriyas, it can be said that the vruttis of the indriyas are focused on that object. Similarly, when the jeev’s attention is focused on an object via the antah-karans, it can be said that the vruttis of the antah-karans are focused on that object. Also, like the focus of attention, the vrutti can be focused on many things at once with different levels of intensity. Also, just as the jeev can focus its vrutti outwards, it can also focus it inwards on itself or on Paramãtmã residing within.Tap to open in glossary → on 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 →.”

Then, Sheth Govardhan-Bhãi asked Shreeji Mahãrãj, “What is the nature 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 →’s 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 →?”

Shreeji Mahãrãj replied, “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 → is anything that obstructs 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 →, while he is 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 → 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 →’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 →.”

Then, 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 → enquired, “When a bhaktabhaktaDevotee of Bhagvãn. A follower of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → leaves his physical body, which is composed of the five bhuts, and goes to AkshardhãmAkshardhãm1) The highest dhãm of Bhagvãn. The divine dhãm of Purushottam Bhagvãn Swãminãrãyan, where He is forever seated before the countless muktas who have attained qualities similar to those of Akshar. 2) The formless svarup form of Akshar.Tap to open in glossary →, what type of body does he attain?”

Shreeji Mahãrãj answered, “A bhaktabhaktaDevotee of Bhagvãn. A follower of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → who has sought refuge in the Dharma-KulDharma-KulFamily of Dharma-Dev (Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn’s father). Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn’s family. The Ãchãrya of our sampradãy are decedents Dharma-Dev, and are therefore the family of Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → will attain a brahmay body by the wish 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 →. When such bhaktas leave their body and go to AkshardhãmAkshardhãm1) The highest dhãm of Bhagvãn. The divine dhãm of Purushottam Bhagvãn Swãminãrãyan, where He is forever seated before the countless muktas who have attained qualities similar to those of Akshar. 2) The formless svarup form of Akshar.Tap to open in glossary →, some go by sitting on GarudGarudAn eagle. The vehicle of Vishnu.Tap to open in glossary →, some go by sitting on a rathrathChariot.Tap to open in glossary →, and others go by sitting on a vimãnvimãnFlying vehicle.Tap to open in glossary →. This is how they reach the dhãmdhãmThe divine home of Bhagvãn. Wherever Bhagvãn resides is called dhãm.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 →. Those who have mastered yog-samãdhiyog-samãdhiSamãdhi attained as a result of perform yog.Tap to open in glossary →, can actually witness these events.”

Then, Harji Thakkar asked Shreeji Mahãrãj, “Some have been practising 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 → for quite some time, yet they do not have the intense love 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 → as they do for their own body and their relatives. What is the reason for this?”

Shreeji Mahãrãj explained, “Such a person has not fully realised 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 →. When a santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary →, by whose association 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 → can be fully realised, talks to him about his svabhãvsvabhãv1) Nature. 2) Flaw. Negative characteristic. A person’s vicious natures, such as kãm, krodh, lobh, and moh. Also used to refer to a person’s natures in the form of habits formed after repeated actions, in this birth or in the past lives. A svabhãv must be eradicated in order to attain kalyãn, which is achieved by listening to the advice of Bhagvãn and His sant.Tap to open in glossary →, the person is not able to change his behaviour. Instead, he develops hatred towards the santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary → that has advised him. It is due to this sinful act that he does not develop intense love 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 →. After all, sins committed elsewhere, are washed away by association with a santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary →. But sins committed against a santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary →, are washed away only by the grace of the santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary → himself, not by any other means. The shãstras also state: anya-kshetre krutam pãpam tirthtirthA place of pilgrimage.Tap to open in glossary →-kshetre vina-shyati tirthtirthA place of pilgrimage.Tap to open in glossary →-kshetre krutam pãpam vajravajraThe vajra is a weapon that is as long as a trident carried by Indra. A chihn on Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn’s right foot. Performing dhyãn on this chihn helps a bhakta overcome his inner enemies, and removes the desires for material pleasures, which enables the mind to focus on Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →-lepo bhavi-shyati Sins committed elsewhere are destroyed at a place of pilgrimage, but sins committed at a place of pilgrimage are as though etched in iron.

“Therefore, if a person does not have hatred towards the santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary →, he develops intense love 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 →.” || 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 → Gadhadã I || 1 || 1 ||