Q & A
Which are the Five eternal entities?
Jiva(Soul),Ishwar (Deities),Maya (Darkness/ignorance),Brahman, Parabrahman
Which of the 5 eternal entities identified in Gadhada III -10 acts as the cause of ignorance and bondage for the Jiva and Ishwar?
Maya
According to Swamini Vato 1.1, what happens to the jiva if it does not understand that it has already attained the supreme destination in this very life?
The jiva remains weak (Durbal).
Who is Swaminarayan Bhagwan according to shlok 96?
Swāminārāyaṇah sākṣhād-Akṣharādhipatir-Harihi | Paramātmā Parabrahma Bhagavān Puruṣhottamaha
Swaminarayan Bhagwan, the sovereign of Akshar, is the manifest form of Paramatma Parabrahman Purushottam Hari.
Aksharādhipati Swāminārāyaṇ Bhagwān sākshāt Paramātmā Parabrahma Purushottam Hari chhe. Shlok 96
What is Upasana?
“Swami refers to Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami, and “Narayan refers to Parabrahman Purushottam Sahajanand Swami. Upasana means becoming aksharrup (brahmarup) and offering devotion to Purushottam with the relationship and spirit of master and servant (Swami sevak bhav).
When Bhagwan Swaminrayan descends on Earth to grant liberation, what divine entity does He bring along with Him as His residence according to Gadhada I-71.
His Akshardham (His supreme abode)
What meditation or remembrance (bhajan) does Gunatitanand Swami instruct us to practice 24 hours a day in Swamini Vato 1.341?
That I am not the body, but I am the atma, Brahma, Akshar and Paramatma is eternally within me.
Who is Gunatitanand Swami according to Shlok 98?
Sākṣhād Brahmā'kṣharam Swāmī Guṇātītaḥ sanātanam. Tasya paramparā'dyā'pi Brahmā'kṣharasya rājate
Gunatitanand Swami is the manifest form of the eternal Aksharbrahman. This Aksharbrahman Parampara is manifest even today.
Guṇātitānand Swāmi sākshāt sanātan Aksharbrahma chhe. E Aksharbrahmani paramparā āje paṇ virājamān chhe. Shlok 98
How should we understand Parabrahma’s Swarup?
Sarvopari (Supreme),Divya Sakar (has an eternally divine form), Sarva - Karta (the All-Doer), Pragat (Present today on Earth through the Ekantik Satpurush)
Which Vachanamrut identifies the knowledge of Bhagwan's form and greatness as the extraordinary means of liberation?
Gadhada Section I - 57.
Why is it important to understand Parabrahma”s Swarup?
“One who has resolute faith in God (that he will grant liberation) has completed all endeavours. He has nothing more left to do.” (Prakaran 1 – Vaat 123)
What is Shlok 99: Hint: Pragat Aksharbrahma Guru
Guṇātīta-samārabdha-paramparā-pratiṣṭhitaḥ | Prakaṭā'kṣarabrahmaikaḥ sampradāye'sti no guruḥ
In the Sampraday’s tradition of gurus that began with Gunatitanand Swami, only the present form of Aksharbrahman is our guru.
Sampradāymā Guṇātitānand Swāmithi ārambhāyel guru-paramparāmā āvel pragat Aksharbrahma e ek ja āpaṇā guru chhe. Shlok 99
Why is the presence of the Pragat Satpurush necessary in our spiritual life, even when scriptures, murtis, and sacred pilgrimage places exist?
The Role of the Pragat Satpurush:
1. To establish firm conviction in God.
2. To help the jiva become Brahmarup.
3. To enable the experience of the bliss of the manifest God.
4. To grant ultimate liberation (moksha).
From which scriptures did Bhagwan Swaminarayan extract the principle of the five eternal entities in Gadhada III - 10.
Vedas, Purans, Itihas and Smrutis.
How should we please Swaminarayan Bhagwan?
“Three things really please God: Following his wishes, Understanding the Sadhu’s form, Understanding the Form of God.
Such a person is to be truly, truly, truly commended. Therefore, adopt these three methods.” (Prakaran 1 – Vaat 165)
What is shlok 100? Hint: Clarity on Philosophy
Eka eveshta-devo nah eka eva gurustathā | Ekaśh-chaivā’pi siddhānta evaṃ nah ekatā sadā
Our ishtadev is the same, our guru is the same and our siddhant is also the same – thus, we are always united.
Āpaṇā ishtadev ek ja chhe, guru ek ja chhe ane siddhānt paṇ ek ja chhe em āpaṇi sadā ekatā chhe. Shlok 100
What does the manifest Satpurush help the Jiva (Soul) become, in order to offer true devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan?
Brahmarup (Pure like Brahman)
Whose scriptures did Bhagwan Swaminarayan listen to attentively before summarizing the principle of Sarva-Karta in Gadhada II-21?
Vyasji's
How should we understand the greatness of Bhagwan and his Ekantik Sant?
“One should continuously engage in delivering and listening to talks on the glory of God and his Sadhu. Maharaj has come here (to earth) with his Akshardham, parshads and all his powers. He is exactly the same (today). He whom we wish to attain after death, we have attained during this life; there is nothing more left to attain. If this truth is not understood properly, the jiva remains weak.” (Prakaran 1 – Vaat 1)
What is shlok 97. Hint: Parabrahma's Bhakti
Sa ekah paramopāsya ishta-devo hi nah sadā । Tasyaiva sarvadā bhaktih kartavyā’nanya-bhāvataha॥
He alone is forever our ishtadev worthy of supreme upāsanā. One should always offer singular devotion to him only.
E ek ja āpaṇā sadā param upāsya ishtadev chhe. Temani ja ananya bhāve sadā bhakti karavi. shlok 97