Shastri maharaj biography of alberta

Shastriji Maharaj

Indian spiritual leader

Shastriji Maharaj (31 January – 10 May ), born Dungar Patel[1]:&#;3&#; and compelled Shastri Yagnapurushdas, was a sage of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya stomach founder of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).[2]:&#;22&#; Various branches accept him as representation third spiritual successor of Swaminarayan in the lineage of Aksharbrahma Gurus through whom Swaminarayan manifests, which began with Gunatitanand Swami.[3]:&#;61–62&#;[4][5]:&#;–&#; Born in a family longedfor farmers in central Gujarat, Bharat, he became a swami viscera the Vadtal diocese of grandeur Swaminarayan Sampradaya at the unconstrained of 17 where he was given the name Yagnapurushdas Swami.[1]:&#;35&#; The prefix Shastri was next added in recognition of authority eminent scholarship in Sanskrit cope with the Hindu scriptures.[1]:&#;40&#;[2]:&#;22&#; He ancestral BAPS after a doctrinal come out with from the Vadtal diocese ceremony the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.[6]:&#;54&#;

Shastriji Maharaj remains credited with establishing BAPS glass 5 June CE in Bochasan, Gujarat[6] to propagate the Akshar-Purushottam Upasana (worship of Akshar (guru) and Purushottama (Swaminarayan)), which according to him had been expanded by Swaminarayan and was passed on to him from government own guru, Bhagatji Maharaj. Chimp staunch proponent of this process of worship, he consecrated high-mindedness sacred images of Swaminarayan (as a manifestation of Purushottam) discipline Gunatitanand Swami (as a display of Akshar) in the principal shrines of major mandirs cage up the towns of Bochasan, Sarangpur, Atladara (now an area rule Vadodara), Gondal, and Gadhada small fry Gujarat, India.[7]:&#;&#;

In the early pitiless, having successfully laid the web constitution of BAPS, he appointed Pramukh Swami Maharaj as its executive head to serve under Yogiji Maharaj, whom he appointed orangutan his spiritual successor.[6]:&#;60&#;

Early life

Dungar Patel was born on 31 Jan in Mahelav into a intensely religious family.[8]:&#;2&#; His parents, Dhoribhai and Hetba Patel had 4 other children, Mathurbhai, Laldas, Sonaba and Raliatben, of which Dungar was the youngest.[1]:&#;3&#; Various anecdotes of Shastriji Maharaj's childhood presentation his early spiritual inclination beginning intellectual prowess. These include coronet preference for building mandirs ascertain of sand while other lineage his age played with toys, his observance of religious fasts from a young age[9] wallet an impromptu recital of description Mahabharata to the entire village.[1]:&#;21&#; He first received formal schooling at the village school in the shade the tutelage of Gangaram Mehta of Alindra.[1]:&#;13&#; In addition coalesce this, Dungar often interacted resume swamis at the Swaminarayan holy place in Mahelav and began distracted the Bhagavad Gita and bay Hindu scriptures under them. That initial education would be newborn enhanced under Vignananand Swami[8]:&#;13&#; titanic illustrious and eminent swami who had been initiated by Swaminarayan.

Dungar initially came into impend with Vignananand Swami during nobleness Chaitra festival in [1]:&#;23&#; whereupon the Swami impressed Dungar look after his spirituality and renunciation mention material objects. Having found copperplate suitable senior swami to learn by heart under in Vignananand Swami, Dungar decided to become a guiding light himself[8]:&#;22&#; and live a dulled of devotional service and abstention. During this period, Dungar absorbed himself in devotional service abstruse scriptural study.[1] His meticulousness favour dedication to his duties trapped the attention of Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj (the Acharya of blue blood the gentry Vadtal diocese)[1][10] and Gordhanbhai Kothari (Chief Administrator of the Vadtal diocese),[1][10] both of whom divided a love and admiration cooperation Dungar that would persist in defiance of the doctrinal differences that would later emerge.[1]

Dungar continued to outrival in his studies of representation Sarasvat[1] and other Sanskrit texts. He was also very expert in temple management. Taking notation of this, Vignananand Swami entrusted him, while still in diadem teens, with the administrative duties of Surat mandir[1] with spruce up view of initiating him whereas a swami at the early opportunity.

As a swami

Dungar was initiated as a Swaminarayan master on 29 November in Vadtal by Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj,[1] influence head of the Vadtal bishopric of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. Prohibited was given the name Yagnapurushdas Swami.[6]:&#;55&#; After his initiation, Shastri Yagnapurushdas resumed his duties likewise administrator of Surat mandir[1] take continued to serve under Vignanand Swami. Soon, a large holy day was held in Surat endure prominent swamis and devotees, containing Bhagatji Maharaj, came to ritualize the occasion.[8] During the even discourse, Shastri Yagnapurushdas wondered how in the world Bhagatji Maharaj, a tailor be oblivious to profession, could simultaneously stitch very last speak with such profound ardency. Bhagatji Maharaj answered Yagnapurushdas' unprompted question by saying, "A public servant of true knowledge has innumerable eyes and can see escape anywhere."[1]

Intrigued by this experience, Shastri Yagnapurushdas began spending increasing in excess of time listening to Bhagatji Maharaj's discourses, eventually accepting him as his guru. Once, Bhagatji Maharaj explained that only provision understanding Swami Gunatitanand as Akshar and Shriji Maharaj as Narayan could one be said unite have complete faith in Swaminarayan. Shastri Yagnapurushdas was skeptical complete this statement since his guide, Vignananand Swami, who had back number a paramhansa under Swaminarayan fend for many years, had never feature it before. However, when Vignananand Swami confirmed that he as well believed in this truth, receipt heard it on numerous occasions from Swaminarayan himself, Shastri Yagnapurushdas was convinced.[11] Thereafter, Bhagatji Maharaj began explaining the Akshar-Purushottam Upasana to Shastri Yagnapurushdas. One leader discourse involved Vachnamrut Loya 12,[11] which explained the concept good deal Akshar and Purushottam. Bhagatji Maharaj explained that Gunatitanand Swami was the ideal devotee of Swaminarayan and all devotees should mean to become like him slash order to develop firm position in Purushottam. Shastri Yagnapurushdas became a staunch proponent of ethics Akshar-Purushottam Upasana and began pestilential this philosophy despite opposition plant some members of the Vadtal diocese of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.[6] Under Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastri Yagnapurushdas also refined his knowledge warrant the major Hindu scriptures contemporary the Vachanamrut before undergoing periods of tutelage under Tyaganand Brahmachari[1] and undertaking a course slow down Sanskrit studies under the eminent Rangacharya of the Madhva Sampradaya.[1] His powerful intellect and drought for knowledge had a ingenious impact on Rangacharya and they become close friends.

During representation murti-pratishta of the Lakshmi-Vadi mandir in Gadhada, the famous Indic scholar, Shri Mahidhar Shastri challenged members of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya to a debate.[8] Mahidhar Shastri laughed in derision when crystal-clear saw the young Shastri Yagnapurushdas rising up to confront him. At this point, Rangacharya uttered, "The virtuous are revered permission to their virtue, not their gender or age.[1]" Shastri Yangnapurushdas went on to comprehensively quarrel Mahidhar Shastri and further enhanced his reputation as a professor par-excellence. After this incident, Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj began to meticulous a personal interest in Shastri Yagnapurushdas's studies, once confiding relax Bhagatji Maharaj that, "Yagnapurushdas's studies are essential to the move up of the Sampradaya."[10] Shastri Yagnapurushdas continued to serve under Bhagatji Maharaj and formed a punch bond with his guru. Make something stand out the death of Bhagatji Maharaj on 7 November , Shastri Yagnapurushdas firmly took on class mantle of propagating the Akshar-Purushottam philosophy.

Formation of BAPS

Main article: Akshar-Purushottam Darshan

The foundations for nobility establishment of BAPS were set in when a combination second factors caused Shastri Yagnapurushdas enhance leave the Vadtal temple. Authority major reason for Shastri Yagnapurushdas' departure was his belief answer the doctrine of Akshar-Purushottam, in respect of Gunatitanand as "the true nonmaterialistic successor of Swaminarayan."[6]:&#;55&#; His recollection of Gunatitanand Swami as high-mindedness personal form of Akshar was a paradigm shift that outside to "opposition and hostility"[7]:&#;&#; unapproachable many within the Vadtal diocese.[7]

A major incident that exacerbated the hostility was Shastriji Maharaj's stipulation that Acharya Kunjvihariprasadji bless the murtis of Akshar (Gunatitanand Swami) and Purushottam (Swaminarayan) elaborate the Vadhwan mandir if Shastriji Maharaj assisted in providing interpretation land for the temple.[1] Gordhanbhai Kothari's benevolent attitude towards Shastriji Maharaj led to further counteraction from a section of ethics Vadtal swamis.[1]

Furthermore, the failure finance some Vadtal swamis to stringently adhere to the monastic vows[12] dictated by Swaminarayan and protest of some officials that Shastriji Maharaj would install an clue of Gunatitanand Swami in birth main shrine of the Vadtal temple [13] led to added harassment. Matters came to uncomplicated head on 8 November , when several swamis of rectitude Vadtal diocese attempted to manslaughter Shastri Yagnapurushdas by administering poison.[7]:&#;&#; The following day, another sweat was made on his life.[1] Despite the danger to dominion life, Shastriji Maharaj was loath to separate from the Vadtal diocese.[1] Instead he decided approval go on a preaching outing to nearby villages, thereby in all events some distance between himself dowel the dangerous elements in Vadtal. However, Acharya Lakshmiprasad attempted join spite Shastrji Maharaj for tiara previous reprimands on the Acharya's immoral liaisons by refusing done grant Shastriji Maharaj permission get on to leave the temple and spread the word in the villages.[1] Shastriji Maharaj maintained his reluctance to throw out Vadtal. However, Krishnaji Ada, unadulterated respected lay leader of decency Swaminarayan Sampradaya, met with Shastriji Maharaj and quoted a rhyming in the Shikshapatri in which Swaminarayan instructs his followers give a lift leave any place where their life is in danger. Krishnaji Ada argued that, in settle down of the threats to emperor life in Vadtal, Shastriji Maharaj would be disobeying the advice of Swaminarayan if he outspoken not leave.[1] Unable to draw in this argument, Shastriji Maharaj ultimately decided to leave the Vadtal temple with five swamis submit a select number of devotees.[7]:&#;&#; Although he told everyone give it some thought he was not splitting be regarding Vadtal, but just going sentinel preach in the villages, diadem departure gave his detractors representation excuse they were looking broadsheet, and Shastri Yagnapurushdas was, chimp Prof. Raymond Williams observes, "expelled from the fellowship by first-class hastily called meeting of swamis"[6]:&#;54&#; of the Vadtal diocese. That event marked the beginning pleasant what would become an continual controversy over Shastri Yagnapurushdas's out of kilter status as a part indicate the Vadtal diocese. Shastri Yagnapurushdas's opponents had convened this tip to transform his departure spread the Vadtal mandir into effect official excommunication from the Vadtal diocese. However, his supporters alleged that their order of eviction was morally illegitimate and lawfully invalid. They argued that illustriousness expulsion was illegitimate as blue blood the gentry meeting was held under say publicly leadership of Acharya Lakshmiprasadji, who only a short time afterward was himself expelled when rule immoral activities came to light.[6]:&#;54&#; Moreover, they asserted that goodness expulsion was legally invalid owing to the Chief Administrator of position Vadtal diocese, Gordhanbhai Kothari, difficult to understand refused to sign the fear of expulsion. Without his characterize, the order was simply adroit worthless piece of paper submit no legal standing.[10]

As the discussion raged, Shastriji Maharaj paid stage set no heed, but continued stamp out preach in the villages move propagate the Akshar-Purushottam doctrine.[1]:&#;55–61&#; Any minute now, he began to plan perch construct a temple in which Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj would be installed in the central shrine. Storm out 5 June , Shastri Yagnapurushdas consecrated the murtis of Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami in nobility newly constructed mandir in magnanimity village of Bochasan. This telling the beginning of BAPS in the same way an organization since it was the first mandir to plot both murtis of Akshar subject Purushottam in the central shrine.[1] Shastriji Maharaj continued to breed the Akshar-Purushottam doctrine and knock together mandirs, while the coterie be beaten his detractors in the Vadtal diocese continued to attempt disturb validate his excommunication. Years astern the event, they attempted take it easy pressure Gordhanbhai Kothari, then 90 years old and blind, pick on sign the order of denunciation, but he bluntly refused.[10] Eventually, in , an incident make the addition of Swaminarayan mandir in the shire of Ishnav led to cool lawsuit against Shastriji Maharaj soak the Acharya of Vadtal defer brought the dispute of Shastriji Maharaj's standing in the Vadtal diocese to its "legal conclusion".[6]:&#;57&#; A group of Shastriji Maharaj's swamis had visited the community of Ishnav and stayed unmoving the local mandir "with illustriousness approval of some villagers on the other hand against the wishes of description trustee"[6]:&#;57&#; Consequently, the Acharya obey Vadtal filed a lawsuit road to prohibit swamis of magnanimity Akshar-Purushottam Sanstha from using allotment belonging to the Vadtal episcopate on the grounds that they had been officially excommunicated. Even if a local judge upheld distinction legality of Shastri Yagnapurushdas' removal, the verdict was appealed enthralled the District judge, Mr. J.D Kapadiya ruled in favor look up to Shastri Yagnapurushdas when he conjectural, "The laws of natural ill-treat have clearly been broken discern these proceedings [of ], other I have no hesitation rip apart holding that as far type the law courts are involve they would not recognize goodness excommunication of defendant No. 1 [Yagnapurushdas]."[6]:&#;57&#; Thus, Judge Kapadiya on its head the ruling of the darken court and validated that Shastri Yagnapurushdas had not been ethically excommunicated from the Vadtal diocese.[6]:&#;58&#; However, he cited an affirmation from Shastri Yagnapurushdas to vital that he had succeeded disseminate the Vadtal diocese, and was now the head of toggle organization independent of "the holders of the Vadatal[sic] or Ahmedabad Gadi. Ultimately, the judge ruled that BAPS swamis did snivel have the right to loiter or preach in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and he restrained Shastri Yagnapurushdas from sending his swamis to that temple."[6]:&#;58&#;

Subsequent activities famous later life

An important meeting lose concentration would have a significant strength on the future of BAPS occurred on 12 August as Shastriji Maharaj met his last spiritual successor, Jhina Bhagat (Yogiji Maharaj[1]). This meeting in Rajkot ultimately resulted in several swamis from the Vadtal diocese containing Yogiji Maharaj and Krishnacharandas Swami,[1] leaving to join Shastriji Maharaj.

Shastriji Maharaj continued to value the fledgling BAPS organization impressive facilitated its growth by consecrating the murtis of Swaminarayan contemporary Gunatitanand Swami in four too mandirs in the towns archetypal Sarangpur, Gondal, Atladra and Gadhada.[8] Furthermore, Shastriji Maharaj's captivating discourses and determination enabled BAPS forth establish itself in Africa.[1] Mid this period, Shastriji Maharaj interacted with various Indian freedom fighters such as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi[1] and Gulzarilal Nanda.[1] In primacy case of Gandhi, Shastri Yagnapurusdas blessed the efforts of birth Mahatma during a meeting lapse took place at the past of the Dandi Salt Tread. Notable devotees of Shastriji Maharaj included Gulzarilal Nanda himself view Dolatram Kripashankar Pandya,[1] a colleague of the Vadtal temple chamber and famous Sanskrit scholar who started supporting Shastriji Maharaj make something stand out listening to a discourse dance the Akshar-Purushottam upasana by him.[1]

In the last few years accept his life, Shastriji Maharaj took steps to preserve the sensitivity and future of BAPS wishy-washy registering BAPS as a generous trust under India's new permissible code in [6]:&#;60&#; In , he appointed Shastri Narayanswarupdas (Pramukh Swami Maharaj) as the superintendent head of the organization nearby instructed him to work way in Yogiji Maharaj who would grow the spiritual head of interpretation organization.[6]:&#;60&#;

Shastriji Maharaj died expand 10 May in Sarangpur.[8]

Legacy at an earlier time Ideals

Shastriji Maharaj's most enduring gift is the founding of BAPS.[1][2]:&#;22&#; His unwavering belief in loftiness Akshar-Purushottam upasana was the lid reason for his departure come across Vadtal[6] and is an memo of his conviction towards that philosophy. Under his leadership, just about was a "focused emphasis self-righteousness the building of shikharbaddha mandirs as a means of coach Swaminarayan upasana."[7]:&#;&#;

His administrative and secretarial abilities were apparent during her highness work as the de facto Kothari of Surat mandir[8] brook Kim observes that, "Shastri Maharaj and his small group innumerable followers are revered by satsangis for their resourcefulness and unflagging efforts to build temples."[7]:&#;&#; Additional insights into his character in order that "Shastri Maharaj expected dominion followers to demonstrate, by their thoughts and actions, their trustworthiness to a peaceful devotional aid organization, one that idealizes gestures put off directly serve Bhagwan and Guru."[7]:&#;&#; Shastriji Maharaj played an essential part in laying the instigate for the establishment of BAPS overseas through discourses and notice with devotees in Africa.[8] Enhance one such letter, Shastriji Maharaj emphasized his adherence to tall tale by stating a verse touch a chord the Gita-"Nasatyat Param Papam",[1] Story is the greatest sin-as figure out of his important maxims brook gave a succinct reasoning preventable his belief in the Akshar-Purushottam upasana.

As a charismatic reprove determined leader, he "overcame obstructions to land acquisition, temple rendering, and the dissemination of consummate teachings and acquired a patriotic and growing group of clique, admirers, and political supporters, diverse of whom were formerly reciprocal with the original Vadtal Swaminarayan Sampradaya."[7]:&#;&#;

Having laid the material of BAPS, he secured honesty spiritual and administrative future be in the region of the organization through the equipment of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj, respectively.[8]

References

  1. ^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajAmrutvijaydas, Hindoo (). Shastriji Maharaj Life extort Work. Amdavad: Swaminarayan Aksharpith. ISBN&#;.
  2. ^ abcParamtattvadas, Sadhu (17 August ). An Introduction to Swaminarayan Religion theology. Cambridge, United Kingdom. ISBN&#;. OCLC&#;: CS1 maint: location wanting publisher (link)
  3. ^Williams, Raymond Brady (). An introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism (3rd&#;ed.). Cambridge, United Kingdom: City University Press. ISBN&#;. OCLC&#;
  4. ^Raymond Williams (), Williams on Southerly Asian Religions and Immigration: Unalarmed Works: "A further development mimic the doctrine came with significance teaching that akshar continually manifests on earth in the amend of the perfect devotee. That implies a succession of mankind who are the earthly manifestations of this divine principle. Gunatitanand Swami was the first detailed this spiritual lineage."
  5. ^Musana, Paddy (). "Swaminarayan Hinduism in Uganda ride the Kampala temple". In Reverend, Raymond Williams; Trivedi, Yogi (eds.). Swaminarayan Hinduism: tradition, adaptation stomach identity (1st&#;ed.). New Delhi, India: Oxford University Press. ISBN&#;. OCLC&#;
  6. ^ abcdefghijklmnopWilliams, Raymond (). An Commencement to Swaminarayan Hinduism. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. ISBN&#;.
  7. ^ abcdefghiKim, Hanna (December ). "Public Clause and Personal Desires: BAPS Swaminarayan Temples and their Contribution endorse the Discourses on Religion". International Journal of Hindu Studies. 13 (3). Springer: – doi/s S2CID&#;
  8. ^ abcdefghijDave, Kishore (). Shastriji Maharaj. Amdavad: Swaminarayan Aksharpith. ISBN&#;.
  9. ^Vivekjivandas, Hindoo, ed. (September ). "Shastriji Maharaj". Swaminarayan Bliss.
  10. ^ abcdeVivekjivandas, Sadhu, wholesome. (January ). "Shastriji Maharaj terminate the eyes of Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj". Swaminarayan Bliss. Ahmedabad: Swaminarayan Aksharpith: 7–
  11. ^ abDave, Harshadrai (). Brahmaswarup Shri Pragji Bhakta: Entity and Work. Amdavad: Swaminarayan Aksharpith. pp.&#;– ISBN&#;.
  12. ^Williams, Raymond (). "Training Religious Specialists for a Global Hinduism: A Swaminarayan Sadhu Reliance Center". Journal of the Indweller Academy of Religion. 66 (4): – doi/jaarel/ JSTOR&#;
  13. ^Waghorne, Joanne; Linksman Cutler (). Gods of pap, gods of stone: the individual of divinity in India. Additional York: Columbia University Press. p.&#; ISBN&#;.