The Art Of Ruling
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 1878, on ShrãvanShrãvanSecond month of the Ãshãdhi Samvat year, normally falling between July and August.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 → 6 [19th August 1821], 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 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 → on the veranda outside the west-facing rooms of 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 paramhansparamhans1) Supreme swan. A male sãdhu of the highest order,Tap to open in glossary →, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him.
Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “I wish to talk to you, so please listen. In the talk I am about to deliver, I shall describe only one spiritual activity for attaining 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 →, but it is so powerful that all other spiritual activities are incorporated within it. It is as follows:
“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 →, which resides in the body, feels, ‘KãmKãm1) Lust. Passion. Desire. [Gadhadã I – 73] 2) One of the four purushãrths, allowing for the fulfilment of a person's personal and social desires.Tap to open in glossary →, krodhkrodhAnger. [Loyã – 1]Tap to open in glossary →, and other vicious natures are attached to my 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 →’. In this way, depending on which of the vicious natures is predominant in a person, he believes his 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 → to be full of that nature due to his association with it. However, not a single one of these vicious natures lies within 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 →; 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 → has merely believed itself to possess them out of its own foolishness.
“Therefore, a person who wishes to attain 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 → should make an effort, but he should not relax or lose courage. Also, he should think, ‘Just as the four antah-karans, the ten 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 →, and the five prãns reside in this body, similarly, I am the jeevãtmãjeevãtmãSee jeev. jhãnjh Pair of small, cymbals – slightly larger than manjirãs - used in the accompaniment of other percussionTap to open in glossary →, and I also reside in this body. However, I am greater than all of them, and I am their controller’. But, he should not think, ‘I am insignificant, whereas the antah-karans and 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 strong’. For example, if a king were to possess little or no intelligence, then even the members of his own family would not obey his orders. When the people in the village hear about this, no one in the village would obey his orders. Also, when the people throughout the kingdom hear about this, no one in the kingdom would obey his orders. As a result, the king would become depressed and powerless. He would sit idly and would not attempt to enforce his rule over anyone.
“In this analogy, the king symbolises 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 →, the members of the household symbolise the antah-karans, and the people of the village and kingdom symbolise 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 →. So, if 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 → becomes discouraged and relaxes its authority, then when it wishes to use its power over the antah-karans and adjust them towards 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 antah-karans will not follow. Also, if it wishes to control 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 →, even 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 → will not comply. Then, even though 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 the king of the kingdom (body), it becomes helpless like a beggar. When a king becomes discouraged, his subjects who live in his kingdom assume power and do not allow him to use his authority at all. Likewise, in the kingdom (body) of 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 →, the vicious natures – who are not the king – take control. Then, they do not allow 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 → to have any power.
“Therefore, a person who aspires to attain 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 → should never become timid, and should employ whatever measures are necessary to force 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 → and antah-karans to accept his authority – like a king who studies books about the art of ruling and then uses authority over his kingdom, but is not suppressed by his subjects. However, if the king did not know the art of ruling, the people would not obey his orders. Instead, they would become unhappy, or he himself would behave miserably because no one would obey his rule. In this way, not knowing the art of ruling results in two unfortunate consequences. Similarly, if 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 → were to attempt to rule the kingdom (body) without understanding the art of ruling, then it would never become happy.”
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 Shreeji Mahãrãj, “How should a person, who wishes to attain 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 →, learn the art of ruling?”
Shreeji Mahãrãj replied, “The art of ruling should be learnt in the following way: First of all, a person should thoroughly realise 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 →. Then, he should conquer his mind 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 → on 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 →. He should conquer his ears by listening to talks related 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 →, but he should not allow worldly talks to be heard by the ears. In the same way, the skin should only be allowed to touch 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 the bhaktas 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 eyes should only be allowed to do 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 His bhaktas. The tongue should forever sing the praises 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 taste only the prasãdprasãdFood that has been blessed and sanctified after offering it to 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 →. The nose should only be allowed to smell the fragrance of flowers and other objects that have been blessed by 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 →. None of 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 → should be allowed to follow the unrighteous path. When a person behaves in this way, no one can overthrow his authority in the kingdom (body).
“Only a person who makes an effort in this way and totally discards timidity is said to be walking on the path of 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 →. This is an extremely great method for overcoming his svabhãvs. If this method of personal effort is practiced vigilantly, then all spiritual activities for attaining 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 → are incorporated within the one activity. Therefore, personal effort itself is the greatest of all spiritual activities for attaining 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 →.” || 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 II || 12 || 145 ||