The Characteristics Of BhaktiBhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → And UpãsanãUpãsanã1) Literally means ‘sitting near’. It is the philosophical understanding of the nature of Bhagvãn – What is He like? How do we worship Him? This allows a bhakta to become closer to Bhagvãn.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, in the early hours of MahãMahãEighth month of the Ãshãdhi Samvat year, normally falling between January and February.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 [19th January, 1820], Shreeji Mahãrãj was sitting on a decorated bedstead under the neem tree in front of 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 → VãsudevVãsudevOne of the four forms of Bhagvãn’s Vishvarup svarup. His Vãsudev-Nãrãyan role is to be worshipped by the jeevs in the brahmãnd (Virãt-Purush). The four-armed svarup of Bhagvãn. He holds four different weapons: gadã, padma, shankh, and chakra.Tap to open in glossary →-NãrãyanNãrãyanThe four-armed svarup of Bhagvãn. See Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → 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 wearing a white kheskhesPiece of cloth that can be worn as a shawl to cover the upper body, or worn as a dhoti to cover the lower body.Tap to open in glossary → and had covered Himself with a white chãdarchãdarA thin blanket. Was used by Shreeji Mahãrãj during the cooler months.Tap to open in glossary →. He had tied a white pãghpãghTurban. Long, thin piece of cloth tied around the head.Tap to open in glossary → around His head, with a tassel of yellow flowers hanging from it. He was wearing a garland of yellow flowers around His neck. 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.
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 → then asked Shreeji Mahãrãj, “What is savikalp samãdhisavikalp samãdhiA state of realisation, in which a person sees Bhagvãn but doubts or distinctions still remain – in contrast to nirvikalp samãdhi, in which no distinctions remain and a person sees only Bhagvãn. [Gadhadã I – 39].Tap to open in glossary →, and what is nirvikalp samãdhinirvikalp samãdhi1) Highest state of realisation, in which a person sees only Bhagvãn – no doubts or distinctions remain. [Gadhadã I – 39]. 2) The eighth and final stage of ashtãng-yog.Tap to open in glossary →?”
Shreeji Mahãrãj answered, “If a person who has sthitisthiti1) The level of the spiritual state of a bhakta. 2) Sustenance of the world.Tap to open in glossary → in 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 → does not have any impure desires, but does have some pure desires. For example, ‘I wish to become like NãradNãradAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a travelling rushi. Nãrad showed that bhakti is the best way of attaining moksh. He was also a great bhakta of Bhagvãn and has guided many souls on the path of kalyãn by travelling all over the brahmãnd.Tap to open in glossary →, the SanakãdikSanakãdikAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of the four sons of Brahmã: Sanak, Sanãtan, Sanandan, and Sanat-Kumãr. Born from Brahmã's mind, the four sons are described as great rushis who undertook lifelong vows of brahm-chãrya against the wishes of their father. From the Sanakãdik, the brãhmans got the inspiration regarding the values and importance of tap and brahm-chãrya. Although they are eternally liberated souls from birth, they still became attracted to the devotional service of Bhagvãn. Despite being very senior in age, the Sanakãdik are said to wander the universe in the forms of small children. Also called Chãtur Kumãr or Kumãr San.Tap to open in glossary → and Shukji’, or ‘I wish to go to the ãshram of Nar-NãrãyanNar-NãrãyanAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of twin brothers to kill a demon named Kunchi. Nar incarnated as Arjun, and Nãrãyan incarnated as Shree Krishna. Nar- Nãrãyan Bhagvãn forever performs tap in Badrikãshram for His bhaktas.Tap to open in glossary → and stay with the munis there to perform taptapPhysical strictness. Penance. Enduring harsh weather (pronounced tup) conditions.Tap to open in glossary →’, or ‘I wish to go to Shvet-DvipShvet-DvipThe dhãm of Vãsudev Bhagvãn. The muktas of Shvet-Dvip are called niranna-muktas, as they do not consume water (nir) or food (ann). Also, they are free from the shad-urmi (six physical and emotional feelings). The muktas that reside in this dhãm are ãtmãs who have been freed from the cycle of births and deaths, but have not yet attained Akshardhãm. So, they perform continuous tap, in order to attain ultimate moksh.Tap to open in glossary → and become like a muktamuktaFree. Released. A liberated soul. A resident of any dhãm of Bhagvãn who has been freed from life in the lower loks to a more spiritually elevated state. There are varying levels of muktas: the muktas of Badrikãshram, Shvet-Dvip, Vaikunth, and Golok. The highest level of mukta, akshar- mukta, has attained ultimate kalyãn and is free from the bondage of Mãyã and the cycle of births and deaths. [Sãrangpur – 17].Tap to open in glossary → of Shvet-DvipShvet-DvipThe dhãm of Vãsudev Bhagvãn. The muktas of Shvet-Dvip are called niranna-muktas, as they do not consume water (nir) or food (ann). Also, they are free from the shad-urmi (six physical and emotional feelings). The muktas that reside in this dhãm are ãtmãs who have been freed from the cycle of births and deaths, but have not yet attained Akshardhãm. So, they perform continuous tap, in order to attain ultimate moksh.Tap to open in glossary → by performing taptapPhysical strictness. Penance. Enduring harsh weather (pronounced tup) conditions.Tap to open in glossary →’ – then such a person is said to be in savikalp samãdhisavikalp samãdhiA state of realisation, in which a person sees Bhagvãn but doubts or distinctions still remain – in contrast to nirvikalp samãdhi, in which no distinctions remain and a person sees only Bhagvãn. [Gadhadã I – 39].Tap to open in glossary →. On the other hand, a person who does not have such thoughts, has attained the characteristics of AksharAkshar1) Imperishable. In his personal form, Akshar serves Bhagvãn in Akshardhãm, and takes birth on earth as His ideal bhakta (sat-purush). Both forms are human in appearance. In his impersonal form, Akshar is the dhãm of Bhagvãn called Akshardhãm. In his all- pervading anvay form, Akshar is called Chidãkãsh.Tap to open in glossary →- 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 →, and remains engaged only in 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 said to be in nirvikalp samãdhinirvikalp samãdhi1) Highest state of realisation, in which a person sees only Bhagvãn – no doubts or distinctions remain. [Gadhadã I – 39]. 2) The eighth and final stage of ashtãng-yog.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 → asked again, “Mahãrãj, what is the difference between bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → and upãsanãupãsanã1) Literally means ‘sitting near’. It is the philosophical understanding of the nature of Bhagvãn – What is He like? How do we worship Him? This allows a bhakta to become closer to Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →?”
Shreeji Mahãrãj replied: shravanam kirtanam vishnoha smaranam pãdpãdFeet. Physical organ of walking (one of the indriyas).Tap to open in glossary →-sevanam archanam vandanam dãsyam sakhyam ãtma-nivedanam Nine ways of offering bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → to 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 →: shravanshravan1) To listen to talks of Bhagvãn through the ears. 2) The term also means the initial intake of gnãn from any of the outer indriyas. In this sense, darshan, intake of gnãn through the eyes, is also considered a form of shravan. However, the intake of gnãn through the process of shravan (listening) must be strengthened with manan (thinking) and nididhyãs (remember) if it is to lead to the sãkshãtkãr (realisation) of that gnãn.Tap to open in glossary →, kirtankirtanDivine songs about Bhagvãn and His charitras, usually sung to the accompaniment of musical instruments.Tap to open in glossary →, smaransmaranRemembrance. To remember.Tap to open in glossary → , pãdpãdFeet. Physical organ of walking (one of the indriyas).Tap to open in glossary → sevan, archan, vandan, dãsya, sakhya, ãtma-nivedan. “To worship 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 these nine ways is known as bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary →.
“UpãsanãUpãsanã1) Literally means ‘sitting near’. It is the philosophical understanding of the nature of Bhagvãn – What is He like? How do we worship Him? This allows a bhakta to become closer to Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → can be defined as having a firm belief that 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 svarupsvarupA physical form.Tap to open in glossary → is sãkãr. Even if a person becomes brahm-rupbrahm-rup1) Like the form of Brahm. 2) Possessing qualities similar to those of Brahm. Same as akshar-rup.Tap to open in glossary →, that belief never disappears. Moreover, even if he happens to listen to shãstras proposing the view that 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 nirãkãrnirãkãrFormless. No svarup.Tap to open in glossary →, he would still understand 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 → to always be sãkãr. Regardless of what is mentioned in the shãstras, he would only promote 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 svarupsvarupA physical form.Tap to open in glossary → as sãkãr, never allowing his own upãsanãupãsanã1) Literally means ‘sitting near’. It is the philosophical understanding of the nature of Bhagvãn – What is He like? How do we worship Him? This allows a bhakta to become closer to Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → to be disproved. A person who has such a firm understanding is considered to possess upãsanãupãsanã1) Literally means ‘sitting near’. It is the philosophical understanding of the nature of Bhagvãn – What is He like? How do we worship Him? This allows a bhakta to become closer to Bhagvãn.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 || 40 || 40 ||