Shikshapatri - vadtal swaminarayan sanstha charlotte, nc

January 2015—Year 3, Issue 2
Shikshapatri
The Shikshapatri, containing 212 verses in its final
form, was written by Bhagwan
Swaminarayan in 1826 (Maha
sud 5, Vasant Panchmi,
Samvat year 1882) at Akshar
Bhuvan at Vadtal, India.
Having observed the decline
in morality and social harmony, Bhagwan Swaminarayan
worked for many years to improve the situation. His methods were highly successful
and the Shikshapatri is a distil-
by Ramanbhai Patel, Downey, CA
lation of His experience.
It is one of the primary
scriptures of Swaminarayan Sampraday and
provides a sound framework on which moral,
social and spiritual integration of society can
be
achieved.
The codes are
applicable to devotees
of all stages and walks
of life – young or old;
men or women; married, unmarried or widowed;
householder or sadhu. So that
devotees remain constantly
aware
of
their
duties,
Bhagwan Swaminarayan has
instructed them to read it daily.
Thus, even today, thousands
throughout the world sincerely
live by the injunctions of the
Shikshapatri.
Shikshapatri
guages
in
29
lan-
Written originally in Sanskrit
verse, early manuscripts of the
scripture were accompanied
by commentaries in Gujarati.
The first English translation
was published by Professor
Monier-Williams, Boden Professor of Sanskrit at Oxford
University. Today the Shikshapatri has been published in
29 languages:
Indian Languages: 1. Bengali, 2. Gujarati, 3. Hindi,4. Marathi, 5. Sanskrit, 6. Tamil, 7.
Telugu, 8. Udiya, . 9.Urdu, 10.
Vraj
Other Languages: 1. Afrikaans, 2. Arabic, 3. Chinese,
4. Dutch,5. English, 6. Finnish,
7. French,
8.German, 9.
Greek, 10. Italian, 11. Modern
Hebrew, 12. North Sotho, 13.
Portuguese, 14. Russian, 15.
South Sotho, 16. Spanish, 17.
Swahili, 18. Xhosa,19. Zulu.
(continued on Page 5)
The Importance of Acharya Maharaj
2
Shree Kashtabhanjan Dev—Kamiyala
6
Prime Hindu Sampradayas
3
Question /Answer
8
The Auxiliary Scriptures
4
Word Find
8
Shikshapatri (continued)
5
Meaning of Aarti
9
Winter Shibir (Dallas)
5
Vadtaldham Community Services
10
ISSSV VISION
Page 2
The Importance of Acharya Maharaj
Translated from Gyan Sarita
(Purshottam Prakash — Chapter 40)
Raag - “Doha”
Maate sahu dharma kool manajo, sahu karajo Ani sev;
Anya jan jeva nahi, A’chhe janajo mota dev (1)
Ek Brahman ne jaano bhakt ati, vali kaave amaaru kool;
A ne sevata sau jan tamo, paamasho such atul (2)
Manchhit vaat malashe, vali sevata A’na charan;
A’chhe amaari agnya, sarve kaalmaa sukhkaran (3)
Man karma vachane maanajo, A’ma nathi sanshay lagaar;
A’ha dware mare anekano, aaj karavo chhe udhdhaar (4)
Translation/Meaning:
A thi ame alaga na raiye re, A’ma rahine darshan daiye re (14)
Je je janane thaay samas re, te to ame kari kahya vaas re;
Sher paatane sanmaan jade re, teto aamaari samarthi vade re (15)
Desh pardeshe pujaye aap re, te to jaano amaro pratap re;
Jiya jaay tiya jay jit re, to to ame rahya roodi reet re (16)
A’m samajo sahu sujan re, am vina na hoy kalyan re;
Dharmavanchi aacharaj maanya re, sada rahyo chhu maari
ichchhaay re (17)
Ati dharmavaala joi jan re, reva maani gayu maaru man re;
Maate a’ne puje hu pujano re, te to jaroor jan man jaano re (18)
A’nu jene karyu sanman re, tene maaru karyu chhe nidan re;
A’m jaani lejo sahu jan re, a’m bolya shri Bhagvan re (19)
Pachhi sahu a aacharaj sevya re, te to mota sukhane lewa re (20)
Translation/Meaning:
Therefore, all my followers, do
the service of the Acharyas respectfully. They are great like
God; so don’t consider them ordinary people. They are Brahmin,
devotee and from my family, so
by serving their feet you will get
whatever you want. This is my
order. Worship them by mind,
actions and words; by being in
them I want to do the salvation of
so many souls.
Raag - “Chopai”
By: Purani Brahmaswarupdasji Swami
H.H. Acharyashree
Raghuvirji Maharaj—Vadtal
Maate sau rejo a’ne vachane re, tyagi
gruhi sahu ekmane re;
Rejo Dharmavanchi ne gamete re,
vartasho ma koye man maate re (5)
A’ha kahe tem sahu karajo re,
puchhya vina to pag na bharajo re;
Haath jodine rejo hajoor re, kari
daapan potanu door re (6)
Vidhya goon budhdhine bal re, a’ne
dabavava nahi koi pal re;
Tyagi raagine kavi koy hoy re, toy
tene manajo sahu koy re (7)
Vaad vivad kari vadane re, a shu
bolasho ma koy dane re;
A’ni vaat upar vaat aani re, kedi vaH.H. Acharyashree
dasho ma mukhe vaani re (8)
Rakeshprasadji Maharaj—Vadtal Gadi
A’ne hodye hathavi haravi re, potani
sarasai na karavi re;
Pote samaji potane pravin re, a’ne samajhasho ma gune hina re (9)
Jem a vaale tem valajo re, a na kaamkaajma bhalajo re;
A’ni manajyo sahu aagnya re, vartasho ma koye vachan vina re (10)
A’ne raaji rakhasho jo tame re, to tam par raaji chhia ame re;
A’ne raaji rakhashe je jan re, tene amane karya parsan re (11)
Kaanje amaare thekane a chhe re, te to pravin hoy te pichhe re;
Beeja jan a marma na lahe re, bhola manushyane bhola rahe re (12)
Pan samajavi vaat sudhi re, ati mati na rakhavi undhi re;
Ame a’ma a chhe amamaai re, a’m samajo sahu baai bhai re;
So, all my devotees, saints and
householders, live your life in
their liking. Don’t act the way
you want. By keeping your intelligence away, do whatever they
tell you to do. Never try to argue
with them by using your power of
education, strength or intelligence, whether you are a saint or
a poet. Don’t argue with them.
Never try to defeat them. Do
H.H. Acharyashree
Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj
whatever they say, always help
Amdavad
them with whatever they are doing.
Everyone follow their orders;
don’t act against their orders. If
you will keep them happy, then I
will be pleased with you. Because they are in My place. I am
residing in them. If they tell you
something, that means I am telling you that. Don’t consider Me
separate from them. I am not
away from them; I am giving my
darshan to all of you by being in
H.H. Acharyashree
Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj
them. By My strength, they will
Amdavad Gadi
be worshipped everywhere inside
the country and in the foreign countries, wherever they go.
Without Me, salvation is not possible, and I am always residing in those Acharyas of Dharmakul, because they are very
religious. So, when you will worship them, I will be worshiped. If someone honors them, that means I am honored.
Thus our God, Shreeji Maharaj, said this. Then the devotees
became very happy and started worshipping them and started
being very happy.
YEAR 3, ISSUE 2
Page 3
Our Spiritual Lineage
Shree Ramanujacharyaji
by Manubhai Malavia, Denver, CO
Shree Ramanand
Swami
Shree Sahajanand
Swami
ISSSV VISION
Page 4
The Auxiliary Scriptures
by Arjunbhai Malavia, Chicago, IL
VEDAS
As the Vedas are considered principles and basic scriptures of Hindu religion, they are often an abstract and difficult to understand
for ordinary people. As the time
passed by, seers introduced simplified scriptures for masses...easy to understand and comprehend. These all auxiliary scriptures recognized the authority of Vedas.
PURANS
Purans are eighteen in volumes. The
most popular one is Bhagavatam. It is
regarded as one of the most authoritative after Vedas and Gita. Throughout ages, Bhagvatam has remained
the popular scripture for saptah
(seven days seminar of religious literature) throughout India.
The eighteen Purans are as follows:
1. Matsya Puran, 2. Markanday Puran, 3. Bhavishya Puran, 4. Bhagwat
Puran, 5. Brahmand Puran, 6. Brahmvaivarta Puran, 7. Brahm Puran, 8. Vaman Puran, 9.
Varah Puran, 10. Vishnu Puran, 11. Vayu Puran, 12. Agni Puran, 13. Narad Puran, 14.
Padma Puran, 15. Ling Puran, 16. Garud Puran, 17. Karma Puran, and 18. Skand Puran.
RAMAYANA & MAHABHARAT
They are the two main epics
(Long Poem) of India and by far
the most popular than any other
religious Literature of the world.
They are true history and well
known to every Indian person.
Ramayana and Mahabharata
has become way of life to every
Indian being.
YEAR 3, ISSUE 2
Page 5
Shikshapatri
(continued from Page 1)
Its
212
verses provide a summary
of
duties for
one and all
and
are
both rational and progressive. It reveals
that devotion to God, righteous
living, detachment from worldly
pleasures and a knowledge of
one’s true form as the atma
(soul) is vital for spiritual pro-
by Ramanbhai Patel, Downey, CA
gress. Bhagwan Swaminarayan
has instructed His devotees in
matters of health, hygiene,
dress, diet, etiquette, diplomacy,
finance, education, friendships,
morality, habits, penance, religious duties, celebrations and
other areas.
On 26th February 1830,
an historic meeting took place
between Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Sir John Malcolm, Governor of Bombay. This copy of
the Shikshapatri presented by
Bhagwan Swaminarayan to Sir
John Malcolm is presently preserved in the Bodleian Library at
Oxford University, London.
Sir John Malcolm
Shree Swaminarayan Mandir—Grand Prairie (Dallas), TX
Winter Youth Shibir—January 1st to 4th, 2015
A very memorable winter youth shibir was organized by Shree Swaminarayan
Mandir. There were more than 40 youths participating in the shibir. Shastri
Nirlepswarupdasji Swami educated the youths on Importance of Puja, Shree Sahajanand Swami—Reformer of Society, and Shree Sahajanand Swami—Why is
He Bhagwan? In addition, devotees, Harshadbhai Amin introduced the youths to
different Yoga exercises and Prakashbhai Patel presented on the ―Power of
Prayer.‖
The high school youths were challenged in a debate on the topic of Shikshapatri—should we follow it strictly or liberally? College youths gave informative
presentations on topics such as, a) Utsavs and Samaiyas, b) Pros and Cons of
Mobile phones and Television, c) Kusangi vs Satsangi, d) Divine Perspective, e)
Healthy Habits, and f) Benefits of attending Temple and Sabha regularly throughout College.
All of the youth divided in 6 groups conducted research on the six original temples built by Bhagwan Swaminarayan and presented their temples during
satsang sabha on Sunday evening.
Due to the cold weather outside, the participants were taken to a nearby recreation center where they enjoyed playing basketball, volleyball, and soccer.
The volunteer parents provided delicious meals throughout the shibir such as
potato pizza, pasta, quesadillas, pancakes, etc. Thanks to a devotee,
Saileshbhai Patel who provided Subway Sandwiches from his restaurant.
Pramodbhai Patel fought the icy weather and traveled all the way from New Orleans, Louisiana to bring his two kids, Drima and Dillon, to attend the shibir.
Thank you to all who helped make this shibir a great success.
ISSSV VISION
Page 6
Shree Kashtabhanjan Dev of Kamiyala
A Historical Significance
Compiled By: Ankur Desai-Austin
Bhagwan Swaminarayan visited 32 times during his
life time to a village called Kamiyala in Bhal region
of Gujarat state of India. Shreeji Maharaj celebrated
festivals like Ram Navmi in this village. He sat under a mango tree near a water bank and accepted
prasad many times. Sadguru Yogi Gopalanand
Swami visited the water bank in Vikram Samvat
1891. At that time, devotees such as Sohnsa Vanaar and Nathu Gadhavi prayed to Gopalanand
Swami and told that people of Kamiyala are dying
due to diseases. They asked Gopalanand Swami to
bless the people of Kamiyala. Gopalanand Swami
said Shreeji Maharaj will give his blessings. He further said that he will establish a powerful Hanumanji
Maharaj near the water bank that has become a pious because Lord Swaminarayan’s lotus feet have touched that
soil. Then Sadguru Yogi Gopalanand Swami installed Hanumanji’s idol and named as Shree
Kashtabhanjan Dev. Swami told
Shree Kashtabhanjan to remove
the problems & miseries and to
fulfill all good wishes of the devotees who pray to Him. Even today, Shree Kashtabhanjan Dev
of Kamiyala village fulfills wishes
of thousands of devotees. A
beautiful Temple will be built
soon from pink stones for this
powerful Hanumanji Maharaj..
Shree Haricharitra
Chintamani, Bhakta
Chintamani etc.
Shreeji Maharaj, Saints and
devotees. All of them ate food
near the bank of water where
currently Kashtabhanjan Dev’s
idol is present.
1. Shreemad Satsangi Jivan
Chapter 4, Paragraph 45 narrates that Lord Swaminarayan
arrived at Kamiyala on Chaitra
Sud eight. At that time, Sohnsa 3. In Vikram Samvat 1871,
Vanaar Hathibhai, Vahabhai,
Shreeji Maharaj drank milk &
Khemraj Gadhavi and Jijiba and ate yogurt at Sinha Vanaar’s
other devotees welcomed
residence. Shreeji Maharaj
Shreeji Maharaj and celebrated
spent one night and then went
Ram Navmi festival. Swaminato Rojka village at Kakabhai’s
rayan Bhagwan stayed there
residence. (Bhumanand Swauntil the full-moon day of
mini Vato – 71 ni leela)
Chaitra with saints and devo4. Bhagwan Swaminarayan ate
Reference Scriptures for Katees. Swaminarayan Bhagwan
Puri and Kantola shak at Sinha
had many gatherings at the
miyala’s Significance
Vanaar’s residence. Then all
same place where Shree
There are many scriptures of
devotees went to Godha river
Kastabhanjan Dev’s idol was
Swaminarayan Sampraday
and Shreeji Maharaj gave his
installed later by Gopalanand
where we can find reference of
charnarvind on devotees’ chest.
Swami.
devotees of Kamiyala village, e.g.
(Bhumanand Swami Vato –72
Shreemad Satsangi Jivan,
2. Once when Shreeji Maharaj
ni Leela)
Adbhutanand Swamini Vato,
arrived Kamiyala, Dada Vanaar,
5.
When Muktanand Swami
Bhumanand Swamini Vato, PraHathi Vanaar, Sinha Vanaar
fell down from horse and broke
sadanand Swamini Vato,
and other devotees. prepared
his hand, Shreeji Maharaj
Aksharanand Swamini Vato,
food with love and affection for
YEAR 3, ISSUE 2
stayed two nights at Kamiyala
on his way to Vadtal. When
Shreeji Maharaj returned to Kamiyala, he stayed at Sinha Vanaar’s residence, ate Thal and
took Muktanand Swami with
him to Gadhda. (Bhumanand
Swamini Vato – 80 ni Leela)
Page 7
there is a water problem.
(Adbhutanand Swamini Vato –
195).
and as per His wish, she will
observe celibacy all throughout
her life and live as Sankhya Yogi. (Aksharanand Swamini Vato—307)
8. Shreeji Maharaj went from
Pipli to Kamiyala and stayed at
Sohnsa Vanaar’s residence
13. In Kamiyala village, there
with Saints and ate Sheero and
were two mango trees near
asked for yogurt from female
banks of water. Shree Hari sat
6. When Shreeji Maharaj was
devotees who were standing far in the swing under that tree and
going to Vadtal to celebrate
away. (Bhumanand Swami ni
devotees enjoyed a lot with
Ram Navmi Festival, he passed Vato – 84 ni leela).
Shree Hari during festival of
through Kamiyala near the umRam Navmi.
9. While going to Vadtal from
brella-monument where Shree
village Sonsara, he arrived at
14. There is a great significance
Hanumanji is situated presently.
umbrella-monument where curof Narayan Kui – a water well
He spent night there by burning
rently Hanumanji Dada’s idol is
near the Hanumanji Mandir.
fire with thick wooden sticks
present. Devotees brought
People who take bath with Naand did Aarti and Dhun. Also,
sheets, mats, grass etc. Zirayan Kui’s water, their nonearlier when Muktanand Swami
nabhai assisted Maharaj in
curable disease will get cured.
fell down from horse in Kamiyabathing and then Maharaj ate
15 Shreeji Maharaj also sat
la, one devotee covered SwaThal. (Prasadanand Swamini
near this Narayan Kui – water
mi’s scars using his cloth.
Vato – Vishram 78)
well and had his hair cut which
Shreeji Maharaj gave that devo10. He asked devotees to bring
was adorable darshan.
tee very precious cloth but
raw materials to prepare food
when that devotee refused to
16 Shreeji Maharaj gave prathere. Then he went to Khimraj
take such an expensive cloth,
sadi’s Khesh (Cloth) and a proShreeji Maharaj gave that devo- Gadhvi’s residence and ate
tective Dhal (a type of weapon
food there and later addressed
tee another white cloth which
for protection) to the ancestors
assembly and then slept there.
he later on donated to Dholera
of Rajbhai Vanaar and AudhadMandir so that other devotees
11. ―Jami Jakhde thi Kamiyale –
bhai Patel respectively.
can have darshan of it. This is
Didha Darshan jan ne dayale,
mentioned in book called Prarahi raat chalya tyathi naath, lai
sadanand Swamini Vato – Vish- Muktanand sath ( Bhakta Chinram 74.
tamani – chapter 90)
7. When Shreeji Maharaj arrived at Kamiyala village, Dada
Vanaar gave a mad bullock to
Shreeji Maharaj. At that time,
12. Once when Shreeji Maharaj
gathered assembly for katha
near water bank between Kamiyala and Pachh village, ModNityanand Swami told Adbhubhai , his mother and sister Jijitanand Swami that this bullock
ba came for darshan. At that
was from his region
time, Bhagawan Swaminaraand that he should get it from
yan told Vishudhatmanand
Shreeji Maharaj. When they
Swami that when his Rambha
reached at village called Gaanf,
left home, she was as small as
Shreeji Maharaj was pleased
Jijiba in age. Then Swami said
and gave that bullock and one
that she was 9 years old. After
farmer named Valji to Adbhulistening this, Jijiba told her
tanand Swami and told him that
mother that she will not get
this bullock will be useful to
married because Shreeji Mahabring water for him since he
raj looked at her and gave hint
lives in Dholera region where
ISSSV VISION
Page 8
Question/Answer
Dear Readers,
We are pleased to announce that we are adding a ―Question/Answer‖
section. Please provide answers to the questions. The name of the person who answers all questions correctly will be published in our next
newsletter.
Q1. Name the idol which represent exact replica of Swaminarayan Bhagwan, that was installed by Himself.
Q2. Name the Kuldev of Dharmkul.
Q3. Name the three buddies of Ghanshyam Maharaj.
Q4. What day Swaminarayan Bhagwan was born?
Q5. Ghanshyam Maharaj got hurt and got permanent scar on his right thigh while playing at
this place. Name the place.
WORD FIND
There are Twelve Names of Lord Swaminarayan hidden in this puzzle. Find and Circle them.
Example: One name ―SAHAJANAND‖ shown in shaded area for your
information. Each name will carry eight points. Minimum 64 points required for passing.
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YEAR 3, ISSUE 2
Meaning of Aarti
Page 9
by Manubhai Malavia, Denver, CO
Jay Sadguru Swami, Prabhu Jai Sadguru Swami
Sahajananda Dayalu, Balavant Bahu Nami – Jay
Charan Saroj Tamara Vandu Kar Jodi,
Prabhu Vandu Kar Jodi
Charane Sheesh Dharya thi ....(2)
I respectfully salute to Sahajananda
Swami who has many names.
I fold my hands together and respect at
your lotus feet, I bow down to your feet
and all my miseries have been disappeared
Dukh Nakhya Todi .....Jay
Narayan Nar Bhraata, Dwij kul tanu dhaari
Prabhau dwij kul tanu dhari
Pamar patit udharya ….(2)
Aganit Nar Nari .....Jay
Nitya Nitya Nautam leela karata avinashi
Prabhu Karata avinashi
Adasath tirath charane …(2)
Koti gaya kashi .....Jay
Purushotam pragat nu je darshan karashe
Prabhu je darshan karashe
Kal karam thi chhooti ….(2)
O Lord Narayana, you were born in
Brahmin family; You have liberated innumerable souls (Jivatma)
Everyday you perform new act and you
are eternal. All sixty eight pilgrimageholy places rest at your feet. Bow down
to your feet provides the results far
greater than visiting Kaashi a thousand
times.
Those who visualize you will be relieved
from the cycle of birth and death.
They along with their family will be relieved from the cycle of birth and death.
Kutumb sahit tarashe .....Jay
Aa avasar karuna nidhi, karuna bahu kidhi
Vahale karuna bahu kidhi
Muktanand kahe mukti ….(2)
Sugam kari siddhi .....Jay
O Lord you are very gracious and kind.
You have shown us an easy path of liberation and to achieve your dham
(abode)
ISSSV VISION Newsletter
Vadtaldham Community Services
3011 Markham Rd, Unit 4 and 5
Scarborough, (TORONTO) ONTARIO
M1X1L7, CANADA
SENIORS ACTIVITY (Age 60 and UP)
Please Register at least one day prior to Activity Day—No ENTRY WITHOUT REGISTRATION
Dear Devotees of Vadtal Dioecese
As you know ISSSV is publishing a quarterly newsletter trying to provide you the information about
original Sampraday. We need your help. We request you to provide articles related to original sampraday. We also ask responsible persons of each ISSSV Temple and Chapter to provide articles so
that we can publish in ISSSV newsletter.
Now we are publishing electronic version of newsletter. It is important that each Temple and Chapter provide e-mail addresses of their members so that we can reach out them and send newsletter.
Please announce in weekly satsang sabha and ask members to provide articles for publication. The
article must be authentic and related to original sampraday. It must be in word format. Submit your
articles to:
Manu Malavia
[email protected]
(303)993-5709