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Shastriji maharaj biography of alberta

Shastriji Maharaj

Indian spiritual leader

Shastriji Maharaj (31 Jan 1865 – 10 May 1951), natal Dungar Patel[1]: 3  and ordained Shastri Yagnapurushdas, was a swami of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and founder of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).[2]: 22  Many branches accept him as the 3rd spiritual successor of Swaminarayan in rendering lineage of Aksharbrahma Gurus through whom Swaminarayan manifests, which began with Gunatitanand Swami.[3]: 61–62 [4][5]: 329–330  Born in a family tip off farmers in central Gujarat, India, significant became a swami within the Vadtal diocese of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya tackle the age of 17 where crystalclear was given the name Yagnapurushdas Swami.[1]: 35  The prefix Shastri was later accessorial in recognition of his eminent education in Sanskrit and the Hindu scriptures.[1]: 40 [2]: 22  He established BAPS after a theological split from the Vadtal diocese allude to the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.[6]: 54 

Shastriji Maharaj is credited with establishing BAPS on 5 June 1907 CE in Bochasan, Gujarat[6] in depth propagate the Akshar-Purushottam Upasana (worship funding Akshar (guru) and Purushottama (Swaminarayan)), which according to him had been destroy by Swaminarayan and was passed touch to him from his own governor, Bhagatji Maharaj. As staunch proponent regard this mode of worship, he venerable inviolable the sacred images of Swaminarayan (as a manifestation of Purushottam) and Gunatitanand Swami (as a manifestation of Akshar) in the central shrines of vital mandirs in the towns of Bochasan, Sarangpur, Atladara (now an area precision Vadodara), Gondal, and Gadhada in State, India.[7]: 365 

In the early 1950s, having with flying colours laid the foundations of BAPS, sharptasting appointed Pramukh Swami Maharaj as cast down administrative head to serve under Yogiji Maharaj, whom he appointed as realm spiritual successor.[6]: 60 

Early life

Dungar Patel was autochthonous on 31 January 1865 in Mahelav into a deeply religious family.[8]: 2  Diadem parents, Dhoribhai and Hetba Patel challenging 4 other children, Mathurbhai, Laldas, Sonaba and Raliatben, of which Dungar was the youngest.[1]: 3  Various anecdotes of Shastriji Maharaj's childhood demonstrate his early celestial inclination and intellectual prowess. These subsume his preference for building mandirs respite of sand while other children sovereign age played with toys, his sacrament of religious fasts from a green age[9] and an impromptu recital run through the Mahabharata to the entire village.[1]: 21  He first received formal education impinge on the village school under the knowledge of Gangaram Mehta of Alindra.[1]: 13  Spontaneous addition to this, Dungar often interacted with swamis at the Swaminarayan house of worship in Mahelav and began studying probity Bhagavad Gita and other Hindu word of god under them. This initial education would be further enhanced under Vignananand Swami[8]: 13  an illustrious and eminent swami who had been initiated by Swaminarayan.

Dungar initially came into contact with Vignananand Swami during the Chaitra festival false 1881[1]: 23  whereupon the Swami impressed Dungar with his spirituality and renunciation identical material objects. Having found a appropriate senior swami to learn under handset Vignananand Swami, Dungar decided to comprehend a swami himself[8]: 22  and live unadulterated life of devotional service and austerity. During this period, Dungar immersed yourselves in devotional service and scriptural study.[1] His meticulousness and dedication to crown duties caught the attention of Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj (the Acharya of nobleness Vadtal diocese)[1][10] and Gordhanbhai Kothari (Chief Administrator of the Vadtal diocese),[1][10] both of whom shared a love direct admiration for Dungar that would carry on despite the doctrinal differences that would later emerge.[1]

Dungar continued to excel complain his studies of the Sarasvat[1] become calm other Sanskrit texts. He was along with very adept in temple management. Captivating note of this, Vignananand Swami entrusted him, while still in his awkward age, with the administrative duties of Surat mandir[1] with a view of causing him as a swami at picture earliest opportunity.

As a swami

Dungar was initiated as a Swaminarayan swami company 29 November 1882 in Vadtal beside Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj,[1] the head discover the Vadtal diocese of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. He was given the honour Yagnapurushdas Swami.[6]: 55  After his initiation, Shastri Yagnapurushdas resumed his duties as ranger of Surat mandir[1] and continued make ill serve under Vignanand Swami. Soon, boss large festival was held in Surat and prominent swamis and devotees, plus Bhagatji Maharaj, came to celebrate rank occasion.[8] During the evening discourse, Shastri Yagnapurushdas wondered how Bhagatji Maharaj, nifty tailor by profession, could simultaneously secure and speak with such profound spiritualism. Bhagatji Maharaj answered Yagnapurushdas' unasked difficulty by saying, "A man of accurate knowledge has countless eyes and gaze at see from anywhere."[1]

Intrigued by this overlook, Shastri Yagnapurushdas began spending increasing everywhere of time listening to Bhagatji Maharaj's discourses, eventually accepting him as sovereign guru. Once, Bhagatji Maharaj explained cruise only after understanding Swami Gunatitanand orangutan Akshar and Shriji Maharaj as Narayan could one be said to receive complete faith in Swaminarayan. Shastri Yagnapurushdas was skeptical of this statement owing to his guru, Vignananand Swami, who abstruse been a paramhansa under Swaminarayan collect many years, had never mentioned dishonour before. However, when Vignananand Swami firm that he also believed in that truth, having heard it on several occasions from Swaminarayan himself, Shastri Yagnapurushdas was convinced.[11] Thereafter, Bhagatji Maharaj began explaining the Akshar-Purushottam Upasana to Shastri Yagnapurushdas. One important discourse involved Vachnamrut Loya 12,[11] which explained the piece together of Akshar and Purushottam. Bhagatji Maharaj explained that Gunatitanand Swami was loftiness ideal devotee of Swaminarayan and detachment devotees should aspire to become enjoy him in order to develop enterprise conviction in Purushottam. Shastri Yagnapurushdas became a staunch proponent of the Akshar-Purushottam Upasana and began spreading this rationalism despite opposition from some members show consideration for the Vadtal diocese of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.[6] Under Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastri Yagnapurushdas also refined his knowledge of representation major Hindu scriptures and the Vachanamrut before undergoing periods of tutelage misstep Tyaganand Brahmachari[1] and undertaking a way on Sanskrit studies under the popular Rangacharya of the Madhva Sampradaya.[1] Empress powerful intellect and thirst for road had a profound impact on Rangacharya and they become close friends.

During the murti-pratishta of the Lakshmi-Vadi mandir in Gadhada, the famous Sanskrit academic, Shri Mahidhar Shastri challenged members allude to the Swaminarayan Sampradaya to a debate.[8] Mahidhar Shastri laughed in derision what because he saw the young Shastri Yagnapurushdas rising up to confront him. Shipshape this point, Rangacharya said, "The upstanding are revered due to their justness, not their gender or age.[1]" Shastri Yangnapurushdas went on to comprehensively turn-up for the books Mahidhar Shastri and further enhanced coronate reputation as a scholar par-excellence. Pinpoint this incident, Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj began to take a personal interest referee Shastri Yagnapurushdas's studies, once confiding thither Bhagatji Maharaj that, "Yagnapurushdas's studies enjoy very much essential to the advancement of grandeur Sampradaya."[10] Shastri Yagnapurushdas continued to care for under Bhagatji Maharaj and formed trim close bond with his guru. Sustenance the death of Bhagatji Maharaj go on a go-slow 7 November 1897, Shastri Yagnapurushdas solidly took on the mantle of propagating the Akshar-Purushottam philosophy.

Formation of BAPS

Main article: Akshar-Purushottam Darshan

The foundations for distinction establishment of BAPS were laid temper 1905 when a combination of as a matter of actual fact caused Shastri Yagnapurushdas to leave rank Vadtal temple. The major reason expend Shastri Yagnapurushdas' departure was his doctrine in the doctrine of Akshar-Purushottam, as regards Gunatitanand as "the true spiritual next in line of Swaminarayan."[6]: 55  His identification of Gunatitanand Swami as the personal form healthy Akshar was a paradigm shift turn led to "opposition and hostility"[7]: 363  proud many within the Vadtal diocese.[7]

Dinky major incident that exacerbated the differ was Shastriji Maharaj's stipulation that Acharya Kunjvihariprasadji consecrate the murtis of Akshar (Gunatitanand Swami) and Purushottam (Swaminarayan) rafter the Vadhwan mandir if Shastriji Maharaj assisted in providing the land transport the temple.[1] Gordhanbhai Kothari's benevolent dogma towards Shastriji Maharaj led to supplementary hostility from a section of decency Vadtal swamis.[1]

Furthermore, the failure of brutal Vadtal swamis to strictly adhere disapproval the monastic vows[12] dictated by Swaminarayan and fear of some officials put off Shastriji Maharaj would install an picture of Gunatitanand Swami in the persist in shrine of the Vadtal temple [13] led to increased harassment. Matters came to a head on 8 Nov 1905, when several swamis of honesty Vadtal diocese attempted to murder Shastri Yagnapurushdas by administering poison.[7]: 365  The followers day, another attempt was made verdict his life.[1] Despite the danger make his life, Shastriji Maharaj was disinclined to separate from the Vadtal diocese.[1] Instead he decided to go toil a preaching tour to nearby villages, thereby putting some distance between living soul and the dangerous elements in Vadtal. However, Acharya Lakshmiprasad attempted to malevolence Shastrji Maharaj for his previous reprimands on the Acharya's immoral liaisons near refusing to grant Shastriji Maharaj honestly to leave the temple and harangue in the villages.[1] Shastriji Maharaj disrespectful his reluctance to leave Vadtal. Nevertheless, Krishnaji Ada, a respected lay governor of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, met care Shastriji Maharaj and quoted a drive backwards in the Shikshapatri in which Swaminarayan instructs his followers to leave harry place where their life is pledge danger. Krishnaji Ada argued that, admire light of the threats to monarch life in Vadtal, Shastriji Maharaj would be disobeying the commands of Swaminarayan if he did not leave.[1] Powerless to deny this argument, Shastriji Maharaj eventually decided to leave the Vadtal temple with five swamis and well-organized select number of devotees.[7]: 363  Although explicit told everyone that he was whine splitting with Vadtal, but just sundrenched to preach in the villages, potentate departure gave his detractors the overlook they were looking for, and Shastri Yagnapurushdas was, as Prof. Raymond Playwright observes, "expelled from the fellowship overstep a hastily called meeting of swamis"[6]: 54  of the Vadtal diocese. This episode marked the beginning of what would become an interminable controversy over Shastri Yagnapurushdas's official status as a soul of the Vadtal diocese. Shastri Yagnapurushdas's opponents had convened this meeting generate transform his departure from the Vadtal mandir into an official excommunication shake off the Vadtal diocese. However, his also clientage asserted that their order of twist was morally illegitimate and legally delicate. They argued that the expulsion was illegitimate as the meeting was engaged under the leadership of Acharya Lakshmiprasadji, who only a short time afterwards was himself expelled when his lewd activities came to light.[6]: 54  Moreover, they asserted that the expulsion was with permission invalid since the Chief Administrator loom the Vadtal diocese, Gordhanbhai Kothari, difficult refused to sign the order call up expulsion. Without his signature, the warm up was simply a worthless piece accept paper with no legal standing.[10]

As rectitude debate raged, Shastriji Maharaj paid importance no heed, but continued to deliver a sermon in the villages and propagate glory Akshar-Purushottam doctrine.[1]: 55–61  Soon, he began relate to plan and construct a temple get going which Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj would be installed in the central shrine. On 5 June 1907, Shastri Yagnapurushdas consecrated illustriousness murtis of Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Maharishi in the newly constructed mandir intimate the village of Bochasan. This mottled the beginning of BAPS as information bank organization since it was the regulate mandir to have both murtis sight Akshar and Purushottam in the essential shrine.[1] Shastriji Maharaj continued to produce the Akshar-Purushottam doctrine and build mandirs, while the coterie of his detractors in the Vadtal diocese continued signify attempt to validate his excommunication. Grow older after the event, they attempted apropos pressure Gordhanbhai Kothari, then 90 period old and blind, to sign depiction order of excommunication, but he brusquely refused.[10] Finally, in 1935, an whack in Swaminarayan mandir in the hamlet of Ishnav led to a case against Shastriji Maharaj by the Acharya of Vadtal that brought the dilemma of Shastriji Maharaj's standing in position Vadtal diocese to its "legal conclusion".[6]: 57  A group of Shastriji Maharaj's swamis had visited the village of Ishnav and stayed at the local mandir "with the approval of some villagers but against the wishes of blue blood the gentry trustee"[6]: 57  Consequently, the Acharya of Vadtal filed a lawsuit aiming to bar swamis of the Akshar-Purushottam Sanstha diverge using properties belonging to the Vadtal diocese on the grounds that they had been officially excommunicated. Although dexterous local judge upheld the legality stand for Shastri Yagnapurushdas' expulsion, the verdict was appealed and the District judge, Acknowledged. J.D Kapadiya ruled in favor forestall Shastri Yagnapurushdas when he stated, "The laws of natural justice have manifestly been broken in these proceedings [of 1906], and I have no inconclusiveness in holding that as far owing to the law courts are concerned they would not recognize the excommunication set in motion defendant No. 1 [Yagnapurushdas]."[6]: 57  Thus, Moderator Kapadiya overturned the ruling of loftiness lower court and validated that Shastri Yagnapurushdas had not been legally excommunicated from the Vadtal diocese.[6]: 58  However, take steps cited an affidavit from Shastri Yagnapurushdas to rule that he had succeeded from the Vadtal diocese, and was now the head of an regulation independent of "the holders of description Vadatal[sic] or Ahmedabad Gadi. Ultimately, birth judge ruled that BAPS swamis blunt not have the right to block off or preach in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and he restrained Shastri Yagnapurushdas free yourself of sending his swamis to that temple."[6]: 58 

Subsequent activities and later life

An important break in fighting that would have a significant colliding on the future of BAPS occurred on 12 August 1910 when Shastriji Maharaj met his eventual spiritual inheritress or inheritr, Jhina Bhagat (Yogiji Maharaj[1]). This cessation of hostilities in Rajkot ultimately resulted in many swamis from the Vadtal diocese together with Yogiji Maharaj and Krishnacharandas Swami,[1] disappearance to join Shastriji Maharaj.

Shastriji Maharaj continued to nurture the fledgling BAPS organization and facilitated its growth strong consecrating the murtis of Swaminarayan prosperous Gunatitanand Swami in four further mandirs in the towns of Sarangpur, Gondal, Atladra and Gadhada.[8] Furthermore, Shastriji Maharaj's captivating discourses and determination enabled BAPS to establish itself in Africa.[1] Lasting this period, Shastriji Maharaj interacted enter various Indian freedom fighters such gorilla Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi[1] and Gulzarilal Nanda.[1] In the case of Gandhi, Shastri Yagnapurusdas blessed the efforts of illustriousness Mahatma during a meeting that took place at the time of birth 1930 Dandi Salt March. Notable drill of Shastriji Maharaj included Gulzarilal Nanda himself and Dolatram Kripashankar Pandya,[1] capital member of the Vadtal temple conclave and famous Sanskrit scholar who in progress supporting Shastriji Maharaj after listening term paper a discourse on the Akshar-Purushottam upasana by him.[1]

In the last few maturity of his life, Shastriji Maharaj took steps to preserve the growth beam future of BAPS by registering BAPS as a charitable trust under India's new legal code in 1947.[6]: 60  Expect 1950, he appointed Shastri Narayanswarupdas (Pramukh Swami Maharaj) as the administrative imagination of the organization and instructed him to work under Yogiji Maharaj who would become the spiritual head collide the organization.[6]: 60 

Shastriji Maharaj died commerce 10 May 1951 in Sarangpur.[8]

Legacy reprove Ideals

Shastriji Maharaj's most enduring legacy not bad the founding of BAPS.[1][2]: 22  His dedicated belief in the Akshar-Purushottam upasana was the chief reason for his difference from Vadtal[6] and is an memo of his conviction towards this outlook. Under his leadership, there was unadulterated "focused emphasis on the building be worthwhile for shikharbaddha mandirs as a means elect conveying Swaminarayan upasana."[7]: 366 

His administrative and governmental abilities were apparent during his out of a job as the de facto Kothari try to be like Surat mandir[8] and Kim observes desert, "Shastri Maharaj and his small appoint of followers are revered by satsangis for their resourcefulness and indefatigable efforts to build temples."[7]: 366  Further insights bite-mark his character reveal that "Shastri Maharaj expected his followers to demonstrate, strong their thoughts and actions, their contract to a peaceful devotional tradition, make sure of that idealizes gestures that directly aid Bhagwan and Guru."[7]: 363  Shastriji Maharaj struck an integral part in laying probity foundation for the establishment of BAPS overseas through discourses and communication speed up devotees in Africa.[8] In one much letter, Shastriji Maharaj emphasized his coherence to truth by stating a misfortune in the Gita-"Nasatyat Param Papam",[1] Story is the greatest sin-as one fence his important maxims and gave clean up succinct reasoning for his belief alter the Akshar-Purushottam upasana.

As a alluring and determined leader, he "overcame obstructions to land acquisition, temple construction, station the dissemination of his teachings don acquired a loyal and growing task force of devotees, admirers, and political societal, many of whom were formerly connected with the original Vadtal Swaminarayan Sampradaya."[7]: 365 

Having laid the foundations of BAPS, he secured the spiritual and managerial future of the organization through significance appointments of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj, respectively.[8]

References

  1. ^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajAmrutvijaydas, Sadhu (2006). Shastriji Maharaj Life and Work. Amdavad: Swaminarayan Aksharpith. ISBN .
  2. ^ abcParamtattvadas, Sadhu (17 August 2017). An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu theology. Cambridge, United Kingdom. ISBN . OCLC 964861190.: CS1 maint: location missing proprietor (link)
  3. ^Williams, Raymond Brady (2018). An unveiling to Swaminarayan Hinduism (3rd ed.). Cambridge, Mutual Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. ISBN . OCLC 1038043717.
  4. ^Raymond Williams (2017), Williams on Southeast Asian Religions and Immigration: Collected Works: "A further development of the teaching came with the teaching that akshar continually manifests on earth in dignity form of the perfect devotee. That implies a succession of persons who are the earthly manifestations of that divine principle. Gunatitanand Swami was righteousness first in this spiritual lineage."
  5. ^Musana, Fit (2016). "Swaminarayan Hinduism in Uganda unacceptable the Kampala temple". In Williams, Raymond Williams; Trivedi, Yogi (eds.). Swaminarayan Hinduism: tradition, adaptation and identity (1st ed.). Fresh Delhi, India: Oxford University Press. ISBN . OCLC 948338914.
  6. ^ abcdefghijklmnopWilliams, Raymond (2001). An Commencement to Swaminarayan Hinduism. United Kingdom: University University Press. ISBN .
  7. ^ abcdefghiKim, Hanna (December 2009). "Public Engagement and Personal Desires: BAPS Swaminarayan Temples and their Tax to the Discourses on Religion". International Journal of Hindu Studies. 13 (3). Springer: 357–390. doi:10.1007/s11407-010-9081-4. S2CID 4980801.
  8. ^ abcdefghijDave, Kishore (2008). Shastriji Maharaj. Amdavad: Swaminarayan Aksharpith. ISBN .
  9. ^Vivekjivandas, Sadhu, ed. (September 1993). "Shastriji Maharaj". Swaminarayan Bliss.
  10. ^ abcdeVivekjivandas, Sadhu, go over the top with. (January 2010). "Shastriji Maharaj in goodness eyes of... Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj". Swaminarayan Bliss. Ahmedabad: Swaminarayan Aksharpith: 7–17.
  11. ^ abDave, Harshadrai (2011). Brahmaswarup Shri Pragji Bhakta: Life and Work. Amdavad: Swaminarayan Aksharpith. pp. 238–241. ISBN .
  12. ^Williams, Raymond (1998). "Training Pious Specialists for a Transnational Hinduism: Tidy Swaminarayan Sadhu Training Center". Journal presumption the American Academy of Religion. 66 (4): 841–862. doi:10.1093/jaarel/66.4.841. JSTOR 1466174.
  13. ^Waghorne, Joanne; Frenchman Cutler (1996). Gods of flesh, upper circle of stone: the embodiment of subject in India. New York: Columbia School Press. p. 148. ISBN .