Life of Lord Swaminarayan

Lord Krishna speaking to Arjun Says, "When Dharma (righteous) is suppressed and Adharma (non-righteous) prevails,
I incarnate upon this Earth. I come in order to offer salvation to mankind, destroy that which is evil and also to establish Bhagwad Dharma (religion practice in accordance with Vedas and Purans), upon this Earth. I become incarnated in all four Yugas (epochs of time) i.e Satya, Treta, Dwapara and Kali."

In accordance with this there came a time about 200 years ago for God to descent upon this Earth. God incarnated Himself in Kaliyuga as Lord Swaminarayan - Destroyer of misery in order to uplift the people of India from terrible conditions they were having to endure and establish Bhagwat Dharma

The story of the coming of Lord Swaminarayan begins in Badrikashram. The sages Nar and Narayan who preside here, were together with foremost Bhaktas (devoteed) deep in conversion in a Sabha (assembly). As a result, the sage Durvasa, famous for his anger, was not welcomed properly when he arrived at Badrikashram. The sage caused deites and the Bhaktas present to be born upon Earth. Saying this he returned to Kailash. Everyone in the assembly was shocked, however Bhagwan Narayan explained that this happened because of His wish and that He had already decided that it was time to return to Earth and save Prithvi (Earth) from the endeavours she was having to cope with.

And so the story of the coming of Bhagwan Narayan: In a village named "Chapaiya" near Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Rama, there lived Hariprasad who was also known as Dharma-Dev. He belonged to a family of Saravariya Brahmins. His wife was Premvati also known as Bhakti-Devi. These were the holy parents of our Lord. The Lord was the second son - first was Rampratapji and last was Ichharamji.

The Lord was born on the holy day of Ram-Navmi Vikram Samvat (V.S.) year 1837 (1780 A.D). He was give the name Ghanshyam and Hari-Krishna.

Ghanshyam began His studies at the end of His third year. In His early life He enjoyed reading various books about religion such as Shrimad Bhagwat and also attending religious Sabhas with his father.

At the age of eight, He was initiated into the Vedic Scriptures by His father. He began studying of the Vedas and completed the course within three years. He was truly a child prodigy. At the time of the initiation he was named 'Neelkanth'.

When the Lord was eleven, His parents died. At his parents death beds the Lord showed them his true self- his divine form - (Divya Gati) and fixing their eyes on the Supreme one, they departed to the Lord's Dham (heaven).

Neelkanth immediately left home and set off on a pilgrimage. He left home forever without telling anybody, that He was going. His brothers and relatives tried to find Him but utterly failed.

He renounced the world and lived like a Tyagi. his pilgrimage took him all over India and further crossing Bangladesh and Nepal.

During His pilgrimage, He lived with one Gopal Yogi who taught Him the correct practice of Yoga. He stayed with the Yogi for about 2 years.

Neelkanth continued His journey throughout India, He already started to practice His teachings upon livelihood - He taught right from wrong. Nellkanth was adamant on observing strict eating habits - He lived only on water in order that His body would be rid of hereditary blood which may be prescent. So that, whenever Neelkanth was cut - only water came out from his wound. his bones would protrude from his body. Living like this in His seventh year of pilgrimage, he finally entered in the state of Savrastra in particular - Lojpur.

Neelkanth saw a well near the village. It was provided with steps leading to the water surface. He got into the well and had his bath. After fininshing his morning rituals He, being seated on a step, transcended himself into deep meditation.

Sukhananda, one of the disciple of Shri Ramananda, came to the well to have his routine midday bath. To his suprise he saw the young celibate with brilliance and brightness, meditation. Sukhananda asked for details of his pilgrimage. Sukhananda gave information about Shri Ramananda, his mission and Ashram at Lojpur. He also advised Neelkanth to meet Shri Muktanand who was then leading the Ashram as Shri Ramananda was away at Bhuj-Kutch.

On the request of Sukhananda, Neelkanth went to the Ashram and was accorded a warm welcome by the saints already living there.

After the formal talks, Neelkanth put some questions to Muktananda about Jeeva, Ishwara, Maya, Brahman and Parabrahman. Muktananda answered the question defining each of the five in clear language to the satisfaction of Neeltkanth who in return appreciated Muktananda's deep knowledge and scholarship in the subject was the result of his devotee of Shri Krishna.

On the greatness of Shri Ramananda, Muktananda went on to say, that Shri Krishna used to appear in his divine form before Ramananda at the time of Pooja.

Neelkanth was surprised to hear the news and became anxious to meet Shri Ramananda immediately and got ready to go over Bhuj.

Muktananda ask Neelkanth to wait for some days and assured that he would send a messenger to Ramananda to bring him as soon as posible.

Mayarama Bhatta a Brahmin house holder was sent, with this letter, to Bhuj. Neelkanth also sent a letter through him.

Receiving the letter, Ramananda replied, that Neelkanth should meet him at Piplana village where he would wait for Neelkanth.

Accordingly, Neelkanth went to Piplana village. He saw Ramananda seated on a raised platform before a big assembly. Neelkanth showed his respect to Ramananda by lying prostate on the ground before him. After some informal talks Ramananda asked about Neelkanth's parentage and other particulars.

Neelkanth gave all information about his parentage, pilgrimage and it's purpose in detail to Shri Ramananda. Ramananda also informed that Neelkanth's parents were already known to him and that they took initiation of Bhagwati Deeksha, from him when he was at Prayag

Neelkanth was very much pleased to hear the news of his father's initiation by Ramananda and also decided to get the same Deeksha from the same Guru.

Neelkanth used to render service to Ramanand and help in offering Puja to Krishna. Sometimes, Neelkanth saw Shree Krishna in his divine form appeared before Ramananda at the time of Pooja.

On the request of Neelkanth, Ramanand gave him initiation of Bhagwat Deeksha as prescibed in the Shastras. At the time Shree Neelkanth was given the names Sahajananda and Narayan Muni.

Now, Shree Sahajananda excelled all the Sadhus by this divine qualities, deep knowledge at Vedanta, strong Yogic power and humble service to his Guru, God and to the Sadhus, and other disciples of Shree Ramananda. So, the group of sadhus and other disciples of Shree Sahajananda's greatness and praised him with one voice.

So, Shree Ramananda proclaimed him as the Acharya of his disciples, and declared before the big assembly "This Sahajananda, the great soul amoung us, will be adorning the seat of Acharya after my demise." At that time he gave Shree Sahajananda some commandments before the audience.

1) You should follow the Varnashrama Dharma enjoyed in the Vedas and Shastras.
2) You should preach, propagate and protect the same Dharma at all costs.
3) Observance of religious vows, the rites and rituals connected with the Pooja of Shree Krishna should be practised according to the tenats taught by Shree Vittalnath, the son of Shree Vallabhacharya.
4) You should follow, preach and propagate the Vedanta of Shree Ramanujacharya becouse one can get thorough knolwedge of what is Jeeva, Iswara, Maya, Brahma and Parabrahma; only through the books written by Shree Ramanuja.

Accepting, all the commandments of the Guru with humility, Shree Sahajananda requested him to grant some boons for him. The boons were as follows...

1) Shree Krishna alone should be the aim of my devotion.
2) That He should take upon himself whatever miseries the members of the Satsang were destined to suffer from, whether due to poverty or as a result of their previous evil deeds.
3) May it happen that I live only among those who are devotees of Shree Krishna.
4) May Shree Krishna appears before me in his divine form as he appears before you at the time of Pooja.

The Guru appreciated his wish and granted the boons.

Swami Ramananda declared Swami Sahajananda as successor of his holy seat. The next year, he passed away fixing both eyes on Shree Sahajananda. He reached Golokdham, the abode of God. Swami Sahajananda himself performed the funeral ceremonies with full devotion as prescribed in the Shastras.

Now, Shree Sahajananda was free to fulfill his mission. The condition of people in Saurashtra and Kutch necessitated his mission. He had already met the people of different cults, cultures, religions and habits. Wherever he saw the people of cruel cults, pagon cultures and bad habits, he emancipated them who were bound in blind faith or brute culture.

But nowhere he saw such a bad condition as in Saurashta and Kutch. People here, were commiting Sati, infanticide, suicide, selling their daughters, somtimes even their wives. Ladies not clothing their bodies fully and completely. Brahmins also were sacrificing animals in the Yagnas.

Shree Sahajananda started his mission in Saurastra with a view to purify the religion, culture, cult and habits of the people.

During His mission, He initiated many people into Samadhi state ( super-conscious, trance-like ) in which they would have Darshan of their Ishtar-Dev ( God ). For example, once the Lord put one Parvatbhai in Samadhi state in which he was given Darshan of all 24 incarnations of Lord which later merged to form one body - that body was Shree Sahajanand Swami.

The mission of Swami Sahajanand grew and many a number became His devotees. Sahajanand Swami initiated Paramhanses (Sadhus) to spread the word of God, righteousness and Vaishnavas practice. He preached the Sanatan Vedic Dharma. He showed people many divine worlds like Brahmanpur and Golok. He explained and showed people the path of Dharma (righteousness). He asked people to have control over their senses.

He preached true Vedic religion and non-violence. He preached that one should overcome evils such as lust, passion, anger, greed, illusion, arrogance and envy.

He said that earthly pleasure is neither the aim of creation nor the aim of Vedas. The aim is to achieve earthly and heavenly pleasure - this can only be done by controlled senses.

Towards the end of His mission, He considered, what to do about the emancipation of people in the future. He decided there was a need for temples and for religious leaders - Acharyas - to succeed Him and to write holy books on true Vedic religion.

After fulfilling all that He had come for, He wanted to return back to His Dham ( Heaven ). He called for all His important devotees. He ordered them in a clear voice, "After My demise no one should follow Me due to anguish".

So saying, Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan sat on Yogasan began Pranayam, breathed His last and went away to Akshardham.

Thus ends the holy story of a holy life.