Q/A
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).
How is BAPS' darshan/philosophy unique from other Hindu darshans?
Gadhada Section III - 10: "From the Vedas, the Purāns, the Itihās and the Smrutis, I have formed the principle that jiva, māyā, ishwar, Brahma and Parabrahma are all eternal."
What is our goal in life?
Prakaran 4 - Vaat 99: "We are born to accomplish two things. One, to become aksharrup - in this, the body is a hindrance; and two, to join with God - in this, company (of worldly people) is a hindrance in many ways. These two faults must be removed."
Satsang Diksha Shlok 100: Clarity on Philosophy
Our ishtadev is the same, our guru is the same, and our siddhānt is also the same - thus, we are always united.
Āpnā ishtadev ekaj chhe, guru ekaj chhe ane siddhānt pan ekaj chhe em āpni sadā ektā chhe. (100)
Which are the five eternal entities?
Jiva (soul), ishwar (deities), maya (darkness/ignorance), Brahman and Parabrahman.
What is our Upasana?
Gadhada Section II - 3: "One should develop oneness with one's jivātmā and with that Brahma and worship Parabrahma while maintaining a master-servant relationship with Him."
Why is it important to understand Parabrahma's Swarup?
Prakaran 1 - Vaat 123: "One who has resolute faith in God (that he will grant liberation) has completed all endeavours. He has nothing more left to do."
Satsang Diksha Shlok 99: Pragat Aksharbrahma Guru
Sampradaymā Gunatitanand Swamithi ārambhāyel guru paramparāmā āvel pragat Aksharbrahma e ekaj āpnā guru chhe. (99)
In the Sampradaya’s tradition of gurus that began with Gunatitanand Swami, only the present form of Aksharbrahma is our guru. (99)
What are the four forms of Aksharbrahma?
1. He serves as the divine abode (Akshardham)
2. The personal servant in that abode
3. He is present in everything and everywhere. (Chidakash)
4. The manifest Guru on Earth.
Which Vachnamrut talks about Bhagwan Swaminarayan being Sarvopari?
Gadhada Section III - 38: "It is that same supreme Purushottam Bhagwān who manifests on this earth out of compassion - for the purpose of granting liberation to the jivas. He is presently visible before everyone; He is your Ishtadev; and He accepts your service."
How should we please Swaminarayan Bhagwan?
Prakaran 1 - Vaat 165: "Three things really please God. First, following his wishes; second, understanding the Sadhu's form; and third, understanding the form of God. Such a person is to be truly, truly, truly commended. Therefore, adopt these three methods."
Satsang Diksha Shlok 106: Prabrahma's Swarup
Bhagwan sadāy sarva-kartā, sākār, sarvopari chhe ane mumukshuoni mukti māte hammeshā pragat rahe chhe. (106)
Bhagwan is eternally the all-doer, with form, and supreme; he always remains manifest for the moksha of mumukshus. (106)
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).
Which Vachnamrut talks about Bhagwan Swaminarayan being Sakar and Divya?
Gadhada Section III - 32: "God, who possesses a definite form, forever resides in His luminous Akshardhām."
How should we understand the greatness of Bhagwan and his Ekantik Sant?
Prakaran 1 - Vaat 1: "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, pārshads, 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."
Satsang Diksha Shlok 108: Dradh Priti
Aksharbrahma gurune vishe dradh priti ane ātmabuddhi karvi. Temne vishe pratyaksha Bhagwanno bhāv lāvine bhaktie karine temni sevā tathā dhyān karvā. (108)
One should foster intense love and ātmabuddhi for the Aksharbrahma guru. Believing the guru as the manifest form of Bhagwan, one should serve him and meditate upon him with devotion. (108)
Why is it necessary to become "Brahmarup"?
- To become Brahmarup means to become free from the influence of the three gunas — sattva, rajas, and tamas — and firmly identify as the ātmā, separate from the body, mind, ego, and worldly attachments.
-Only after becoming Brahmarup can one offer pure and the highest level of bhakti to Purushottam Bhagwan.
Which Vachnamrut talks about Bhagwan Swaminarayan being Sarva Karta?
Gadhada Section II - 21: "I, Myself, have attentively listened to all of the scriptures which Vyāsji has written regarding the attainment of liberation. The main principle prevalent in all those scriptures and the only principle for the liberation of the jiva is simply this: The sole creator, sustainer, and destroyer of this entire cosmos is God."
What is the importance of following the Satpurush's agna?
Prakaran 2 - Vaat 57: "To do as the Sadhu says is best. To do as per one's own wish is worst. And one who does as per his own wish, even though he observes austerities, does the work of the whole mandir and introduces many people to Satsang, is still inferior and some day will face an obstacle... To do as per the instructions of the Sadhu is without blemishes, and to do as per one's own desire is full of blemishes."
Satsang Diksha Shlok 116: Akshar Purushottam Upasana
Tran dehthi vilakshan evā potānā ātmāne vishe brahmarupni vibhāvnā kari sadaiva Parabrahmani upāsanā karvi. (116)
Identify one’s ātmā, which is distinct from the three bodies, as brahmarup and always offer upāsanā to Parabrahma. (116) Aksharādhipati Paramatmani bha