Faith, Sect and Religion are terms that are always associated with the spiritual journey leading to the Supreme Godhead.
Although seemingly different in practice, all religions advocate similar principles for revival if the spirit towards divinity.
The Swaminarayan Faith is a remarkable blend of the spiritual essence of Hinduism with universal principles of other religions of the world.
Lord Swaminarayan, Founder of the faith has propagated a code of conduct based on universal spiritual principles in a unique creed that cultivates the mind and moulds the spirit towards divinity.
During the manifestation of Lord Swaminarayan, He consecrated the entire humankind with Four boons to His followers in the form of blessings from His Guru Ramanand Swami: (1) Let me suffer a million times but not my devotee even a bit (2) My devotee shall never go hungry even if he is the victim of seven famines (3) I shall take my devotee to the abode of God – Akshardham at the end of his mortal life and (4) I shall be present on this earth eternally through the God-Ordained Saint who has renounced women, wealth and fame.
He always said, “The objective of My manifestation in this world is to cultivate Service and Devotion.”
Service unto Humanity and Devotion unto God are the two goals, which every follower of Lord Swaminarayan observed.
In a nutshell, He was the propagator of Nishkam-Dharma, the spirituality of desirelessness.
He initiated 500 Paramhansas (saints) in one night at the age of 21.
He was the mentor of millions of persons who had never visualised the happiness that was to be their domain. Most of them were uneducated warriors and farmers. He conquered sword-wielding warriors not by wielding sword but immersing them in His divine love.
The legacy of this tradition started with the first ascetic saint by manifestation of Mool Akshar Murti Gunatitanand Swami, the man unbound by three physical bodies, the personality beyond material world and virtues. He was the incarnation of ‘Akshar Brahm’ where Lord Swaminarayan Himself declared that He was the embodiment of Parbrahm.
He was the absolute aide of Lord Swaminarayan.
Guruhari Shastriji Maharaj was the second ascetic saint in the legacy, who initiated dual worship of Shri Akshar Purushottam doctrine, the essence of Swaminarayan sect.
This dual worship helps mankind to understand the intricacies of spirituality of pleasing Parbrahm with help of Akshar.
A pupil needs a teacher to accomplish the academic goals. Similarly, any disciple needs Akshar as his guide to realise his spiritual goal.
Shastriji Maharaj built five great temples during the period of His manifestation on earth. These five temples are the pinnacles of accomplishments in the history of Shri Akshar Purushottam upasana.
At the end of His mortal life, He initiated Guruhari Yogiji Maharaj as His successor, the manifestation of Sakar Brahm.
Guruhari Yogiji Maharaj was the ultimate model of devotion and humility. Inspite of being head of Akshar Mandir at Gondal, He was found in the kitchen in the wee hours of morning, noon and night.
For Yogiji Maharaj, tolerance was the synonym and devotion was intrinsic. Insults were His eulogy and treated one as the offering from the Lord.
In the legacy of this prophecy, Yogiji Maharaj initiated Prabhudasbhai as HDH Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj.
The present and fifth spiritual successor of Aksharpurushottam Upasana is widely known as the most secular saint in the contemporary world.
Guruhari Swamiji identifies all with Yogiji Maharaj and for that reason, he is acclaimed as a universal saint who strives to cultivate humanity, devotion and harmony in an individual, in the family, in the society, nation and world.
His dictum is, “O Lord, whether the other person becomes Atmiya (Spiritually Harmonious) or not, but please make me Atmiya” Thus cultivating the concept of Suhradbhaav within the society.
Under His constant guidance and divine prowess, today there are hundreds of thousands devotees leading a pious life, free of addiction and vices, proving to be models for generations to come. His life and work could be more justified when we navigate through the activities inspired by Him.
HDH Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj is coming to bless the community of New Zealand in February at a function arranged at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre on February 11, 2012.
On this auspicious occasion, Yogi Divine Society (NZ) Inc is privileged to invite you, your family and friends to meet Him in person, listen to His divine discourses and feel His blessings, thus inspiring us all to lead a prosperous and happy life.
-Material supplied by Yogi Divine Society (NZ) Inc
