January 2015—Year 3, Issue 2

The Importance of Acharya Maharaj 2

Prime Hindu Sampradayas 3

The Auxiliary Scriptures 4

Shikshapatri (continued) 5

Winter Shibir (Dallas) 5

Shree Kashtabhanjan Dev—Kamiyala 6

Question /Answer 8

Word Find 8

Meaning of Aarti 9

Vadtaldham Community Services 10

Shikshapatri

The Shikshapatri, con-taining 212 verses in its final form, was written by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in 1826 (Maha sud 5, Vasant Panchmi, Samvat year 1882) at Akshar Bhuvan at Vadtal, India. Having observed the decline in morality and social harmo-ny, Bhagwan Swaminarayan worked for many years to im-prove the situation. His meth-ods were highly successful and the Shikshapatri is a distil-

lation of His experience. It is one of the primary scriptures of Swamina-rayan Sampraday and provides a sound frame-work on which moral, social and spiritual inte-gration of society can be achieved. The codes are applicable to devotees of all stages and walks of life – young or old; men or women; mar-

ried, unmarried or widowed; householder or sadhu. So that devotees remain constantly aware of their duties, Bhagwan Swaminarayan has instructed them to read it daily. Thus, even today, thousands throughout the world sincerely live by the injunctions of the Shikshapatri.

Shikshapatri in 29 lan-guages

Written originally in Sanskrit verse, early manuscripts of the scripture were accompanied by commentaries in Gujarati. The first English translation was published by Professor Monier-Williams, Boden Pro-fessor of Sanskrit at Oxford University. Today the Shik-shapatri has been published in 29 languages:

Indian Languages: 1. Benga-li, 2. Gujarati, 3. Hindi,4. Mara-thi, 5. Sanskrit, 6. Tamil, 7. Telugu, 8. Udiya, . 9.Urdu, 10. Vraj

Other Languages: 1. Afri-kaans, 2. Arabic, 3. Chinese, 4. Dutch,5. English, 6. Finnish, 7. French, 8.German, 9. Greek, 10. Italian, 11. Modern Hebrew, 12. North Sotho, 13. Portuguese, 14. Russian, 15. South Sotho, 16. Spanish, 17. Swahili, 18. Xhosa,19. Zulu.

(continued on Page 5)

by Ramanbhai Patel, Downey, CA

Page 2 ISSSV VISION

(Purshottam Prakash — Chapter 40)

Raag - “Doha” Maate sahu dharma kool manajo, sahu karajo Ani sev;

Anya jan jeva nahi, A’chhe janajo mota dev (1)

Ek Brahman ne jaano bhakt ati, vali kaave amaaru kool;

A ne sevata sau jan tamo, paamasho such atul (2)

Manchhit vaat malashe, vali sevata A’na charan;

A’chhe amaari agnya, sarve kaalmaa sukhkaran (3)

Man karma vachane maanajo, A’ma nathi sanshay lagaar;

A’ha dware mare anekano, aaj karavo chhe udhdhaar (4)

Translation/Meaning:

Therefore, all my followers, do

the service of the Acharyas re-

spectfully. They are great like

God; so don’t consider them or-

dinary people. They are Brahmin,

devotee and from my family, so

by serving their feet you will get

whatever you want. This is my

order. Worship them by mind,

actions and words; by being in

them I want to do the salvation of

so many souls.

Raag - “Chopai” Maate sau rejo a’ne vachane re, tyagi

gruhi sahu ekmane re;

Rejo Dharmavanchi ne gamete re,

vartasho ma koye man maate re (5)

A’ha kahe tem sahu karajo re,

puchhya vina to pag na bharajo re;

Haath jodine rejo hajoor re, kari

daapan potanu door re (6)

Vidhya goon budhdhine bal re, a’ne

dabavava nahi koi pal re;

Tyagi raagine kavi koy hoy re, toy

tene manajo sahu koy re (7)

Vaad vivad kari vadane re, a shu

bolasho ma koy dane re;

A’ni vaat upar vaat aani re, kedi va-

dasho ma mukhe vaani re (8)

A’ne hodye hathavi haravi re, potani

sarasai na karavi re;

Pote samaji potane pravin re, a’ne samajhasho ma gune hina re (9)

Jem a vaale tem valajo re, a na kaamkaajma bhalajo re;

A’ni manajyo sahu aagnya re, vartasho ma koye vachan vina re (10)

A’ne raaji rakhasho jo tame re, to tam par raaji chhia ame re;

A’ne raaji rakhashe je jan re, tene amane karya parsan re (11)

Kaanje amaare thekane a chhe re, te to pravin hoy te pichhe re;

Beeja jan a marma na lahe re, bhola manushyane bhola rahe re (12)

Pan samajavi vaat sudhi re, ati mati na rakhavi undhi re;

Ame a’ma a chhe amamaai re, a’m samajo sahu baai bhai re;

A thi ame alaga na raiye re, A’ma rahine darshan daiye re (14)

Je je janane thaay samas re, te to ame kari kahya vaas re;

Sher paatane sanmaan jade re, teto aamaari samarthi vade re (15)

Desh pardeshe pujaye aap re, te to jaano amaro pratap re;

Jiya jaay tiya jay jit re, to to ame rahya roodi reet re (16)

A’m samajo sahu sujan re, am vina na hoy kalyan re;

Dharmavanchi aacharaj maanya re, sada rahyo chhu maari

ichchhaay re (17)

Ati dharmavaala joi jan re, reva maani gayu maaru man re;

Maate a’ne puje hu pujano re, te to jaroor jan man jaano re (18)

A’nu jene karyu sanman re, tene maaru karyu chhe nidan re;

A’m jaani lejo sahu jan re, a’m bolya shri Bhagvan re (19)

Pachhi sahu a aacharaj sevya re, te to mota sukhane lewa re (20)

Translation/Meaning:

So, all my devotees, saints and

householders, live your life in

their liking. Don’t act the way

you want. By keeping your intel-

ligence away, do whatever they

tell you to do. Never try to argue

with them by using your power of

education, strength or intelli-

gence, whether you are a saint or

a poet. Don’t argue with them.

Never try to defeat them. Do

whatever they say, always help

them with whatever they are doing.

Everyone follow their orders;

don’t act against their orders. If

you will keep them happy, then I

will be pleased with you. Be-

cause they are in My place. I am

residing in them. If they tell you

something, that means I am tell-

ing you that. Don’t consider Me

separate from them. I am not

away from them; I am giving my

darshan to all of you by being in

them. By My strength, they will

be worshipped everywhere inside

the country and in the foreign countries, wherever they go.

Without Me, salvation is not possible, and I am always resid-

ing in those Acharyas of Dharmakul, because they are very

religious. So, when you will worship them, I will be wor-

shiped. If someone honors them, that means I am honored.

Thus our God, Shreeji Maharaj, said this. Then the devotees

became very happy and started worshipping them and started

being very happy.

The Importance of Acharya Maharaj

Translated from Gyan Sarita By: Purani Brahmaswarupdasji Swami

H.H. Acharyashree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj—Vadtal Gadi

H.H. Acharyashree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj

Amdavad Gadi

H.H. Acharyashree Raghuvirji Maharaj—Vadtal

H.H. Acharyashree Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj

Amdavad

Page 3 YEAR 3, ISSUE 2

Our Spiritual Lineage by Manubhai Malavia, Denver, CO

Shree Ramanujacharyaji Shree Ramanand Swami

Shree Sahajanand Swami

Page 4 ISSSV VISION

The Auxiliary Scriptures by Arjunbhai Malavia, Chicago, IL

VEDAS

As the Vedas are considered prin-ciples and basic scriptures of Hin-du religion, they are often an ab-stract and difficult to understand for ordinary people. As the time passed by, seers introduced sim-plified scriptures for mass-es...easy to understand and com-prehend. These all auxiliary scrip-tures recognized the authority of Vedas.

PURANS

Purans are eighteen in volumes. The most popular one is Bhagavatam. It is regarded as one of the most authori-tative after Vedas and Gita. Through-out ages, Bhagvatam has remained the popular scripture for saptah (seven days seminar of religious liter-ature) throughout India.

The eighteen Purans are as follows:

1. Matsya Puran, 2. Markanday Pu-ran, 3. Bhavishya Puran, 4. Bhagwat

Puran, 5. Brahmand Puran, 6. Brahmvaivarta Puran, 7. Brahm Puran, 8. Vaman Puran, 9. Varah Puran, 10. Vishnu Puran, 11. Vayu Puran, 12. Agni Puran, 13. Narad Puran, 14.

Padma Puran, 15. Ling Puran, 16. Garud Puran, 17. Karma Puran, and 18. Skand Puran.

RAMAYANA & MAHABHARAT

They are the two main epics (Long Poem) of India and by far the most popular than any other religious Literature of the world. They are true history and well known to every Indian person. Ramayana and Mahabharata has become way of life to every Indian being.

Shikshapatri

Page 5 YEAR 3, ISSUE 2

(continued from Page 1)

Its 212 verses pro-vide a sum-mary of duties for one and all and are both ration-

al and progressive. It reveals that devotion to God, righteous living, detachment from worldly pleasures and a knowledge of one’s true form as the atma (soul) is vital for spiritual pro-

gress. Bhagwan Swaminarayan has instructed His devotees in matters of health, hygiene, dress, diet, etiquette, diplomacy, finance, education, friendships, morality, habits, penance, reli-gious duties, celebrations and other areas.

On 26th February 1830,

an historic meeting took place

between Bhagwan Swaminara-

yan and Sir John Malcolm, Gov-

ernor of Bombay. This copy of

the Shikshapatri presented by

Bhagwan Swaminarayan to Sir

John Malcolm is presently pre-

served in the Bodleian Library at

Oxford University, London.

by Ramanbhai Patel, Downey, CA

Sir John Malcolm

A very memorable winter youth shibir was organized by Shree Swaminarayan Mandir. There were more than 40 youths participating in the shibir. Shastri Nirlepswarupdasji Swami educated the youths on Importance of Puja, Shree Sa-hajanand Swami—Reformer of Society, and Shree Sahajanand Swami—Why is He Bhagwan? In addition, devotees, Harshadbhai Amin introduced the youths to different Yoga exercises and Prakashbhai Patel presented on the ―Power of Prayer.‖

The high school youths were challenged in a debate on the topic of Shik-shapatri—should we follow it strictly or liberally? College youths gave informative presentations on topics such as, a) Utsavs and Samaiyas, b) Pros and Cons of Mobile phones and Television, c) Kusangi vs Satsangi, d) Divine Perspective, e) Healthy Habits, and f) Benefits of attending Temple and Sabha regularly through-out College.

All of the youth divided in 6 groups conducted research on the six original tem-ples built by Bhagwan Swaminarayan and presented their temples during satsang sabha on Sunday evening.

Due to the cold weather outside, the participants were taken to a nearby recrea-tion center where they enjoyed playing basketball, volleyball, and soccer.

The volunteer parents provided delicious meals throughout the shibir such as potato pizza, pasta, quesadillas, pancakes, etc. Thanks to a devotee, Saileshbhai Patel who provided Subway Sandwiches from his restaurant.

Pramodbhai Patel fought the icy weather and traveled all the way from New Or-leans, Louisiana to bring his two kids, Drima and Dillon, to attend the shibir. Thank you to all who helped make this shibir a great success.

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir—Grand Prairie (Dallas), TX Winter Youth Shibir—January 1st to 4th, 2015

Page 6 ISSSV VISION

ous because Lord Swaminara-yan’s lotus feet have touched that soil. Then Sadguru Yogi Gopal-anand Swami installed Hanu-manji’s idol and named as Shree Kashtabhanjan Dev. Swami told Shree Kashtabhanjan to remove the problems & miseries and to fulfill all good wishes of the devo-tees who pray to Him. Even to-day, Shree Kashtabhanjan Dev of Kamiyala village fulfills wishes of thousands of devotees. A beautiful Temple will be built soon from pink stones for this powerful Hanumanji Maharaj..

Reference Scriptures for Ka-

miyala’s Significance

There are many scriptures of Swaminarayan Sampraday where we can find reference of devotees of Kamiyala village, e.g. Shreemad Satsangi Jivan, Adbhutanand Swamini Vato, Bhumanand Swamini Vato, Pra-sadanand Swamini Vato, Aksharanand Swamini Vato,

Shree Haricharitra Chintamani, Bhakta Chintamani etc.

1. Shreemad Satsangi Jivan Chapter 4, Paragraph 45 nar-rates that Lord Swaminarayan arrived at Kamiyala on Chaitra Sud eight. At that time, Sohnsa Vanaar Hathibhai, Vahabhai, Khemraj Gadhavi and Jijiba and other devotees welcomed Shreeji Maharaj and celebrated Ram Navmi festival. Swamina-rayan Bhagwan stayed there until the full-moon day of Chaitra with saints and devo-tees. Swaminarayan Bhagwan had many gatherings at the same place where Shree Kastabhanjan Dev’s idol was installed later by Gopalanand Swami.

2. Once when Shreeji Maharaj arrived Kamiyala, Dada Vanaar, Hathi Vanaar, Sinha Vanaar and other devotees. prepared food with love and affection for

Shreeji Maharaj, Saints and devotees. All of them ate food near the bank of water where currently Kashtabhanjan Dev’s idol is present.

3. In Vikram Samvat 1871, Shreeji Maharaj drank milk & ate yogurt at Sinha Vanaar’s residence. Shreeji Maharaj spent one night and then went to Rojka village at Kakabhai’s residence. (Bhumanand Swa-mini Vato – 71 ni leela)

4. Bhagwan Swaminarayan ate Puri and Kantola shak at Sinha Vanaar’s residence. Then all devotees went to Godha river and Shreeji Maharaj gave his charnarvind on devotees’ chest. (Bhumanand Swami Vato –72 ni Leela)

5. When Muktanand Swami fell down from horse and broke his hand, Shreeji Maharaj

Shree Kashtabhanjan Dev of Kamiyala

A Historical Significance

Compiled By: Ankur Desai-Austin

Bhagwan Swaminarayan visited 32 times during his life time to a village called Kamiyala in Bhal region of Gujarat state of India. Shreeji Maharaj celebrated festivals like Ram Navmi in this village. He sat un-der a mango tree near a water bank and accepted prasad many times. Sadguru Yogi Gopalanand Swami visited the water bank in Vikram Samvat 1891. At that time, devotees such as Sohnsa Va-naar and Nathu Gadhavi prayed to Gopalanand Swami and told that people of Kamiyala are dying due to diseases. They asked Gopalanand Swami to bless the people of Kamiyala. Gopalanand Swami said Shreeji Maharaj will give his blessings. He fur-ther said that he will establish a powerful Hanumanji Maharaj near the water bank that has become a pi-

Page 7 YEAR 3, ISSUE 2

stayed two nights at Kamiyala on his way to Vadtal. When Shreeji Maharaj returned to Ka-miyala, he stayed at Sinha Va-naar’s residence, ate Thal and took Muktanand Swami with him to Gadhda. (Bhumanand Swamini Vato – 80 ni Leela)

6. When Shreeji Maharaj was going to Vadtal to celebrate Ram Navmi Festival, he passed through Kamiyala near the um-brella-monument where Shree Hanumanji is situated presently. He spent night there by burning fire with thick wooden sticks and did Aarti and Dhun. Also, earlier when Muktanand Swami fell down from horse in Kamiya-la, one devotee covered Swa-mi’s scars using his cloth. Shreeji Maharaj gave that devo-tee very precious cloth but when that devotee refused to take such an expensive cloth, Shreeji Maharaj gave that devo-tee another white cloth which he later on donated to Dholera Mandir so that other devotees can have darshan of it. This is mentioned in book called Pra-sadanand Swamini Vato – Vish-ram 74.

7. When Shreeji Maharaj ar-rived at Kamiyala village, Dada Vanaar gave a mad bullock to Shreeji Maharaj. At that time, Nityanand Swami told Adbhu-tanand Swami that this bullock was from his region and that he should get it from

Shreeji Maharaj. When they reached at village called Gaanf, Shreeji Maharaj was pleased and gave that bullock and one farmer named Valji to Adbhu-tanand Swami and told him that this bullock will be useful to bring water for him since he lives in Dholera region where

there is a water problem. (Adbhutanand Swamini Vato – 195).

8. Shreeji Maharaj went from Pipli to Kamiyala and stayed at Sohnsa Vanaar’s residence with Saints and ate Sheero and asked for yogurt from female devotees who were standing far away. (Bhumanand Swami ni Vato – 84 ni leela).

9. While going to Vadtal from village Sonsara, he arrived at umbrella-monument where cur-rently Hanumanji Dada’s idol is present. Devotees brought sheets, mats, grass etc. Zi-nabhai assisted Maharaj in bathing and then Maharaj ate Thal. (Prasadanand Swamini Vato – Vishram 78)

10. He asked devotees to bring raw materials to prepare food there. Then he went to Khimraj Gadhvi’s residence and ate food there and later addressed assembly and then slept there.

11. ―Jami Jakhde thi Kamiyale – Didha Darshan jan ne dayale, rahi raat chalya tyathi naath, lai Muktanand sath ( Bhakta Chin-tamani – chapter 90)

12. Once when Shreeji Maharaj gathered assembly for katha near water bank between Ka-miyala and Pachh village, Mod-bhai , his mother and sister Jiji-ba came for darshan. At that time, Bhagawan Swaminara-yan told Vishudhatmanand Swami that when his Rambha left home, she was as small as Jijiba in age. Then Swami said that she was 9 years old. After listening this, Jijiba told her mother that she will not get married because Shreeji Maha-raj looked at her and gave hint

and as per His wish, she will observe celibacy all throughout her life and live as Sankhya Yo-gi. (Aksharanand Swamini Va-to—307)

13. In Kamiyala village, there were two mango trees near banks of water. Shree Hari sat in the swing under that tree and devotees enjoyed a lot with Shree Hari during festival of Ram Navmi.

14. There is a great significance of Narayan Kui – a water well near the Hanumanji Mandir. People who take bath with Na-rayan Kui’s water, their non-curable disease will get cured.

15 Shreeji Maharaj also sat near this Narayan Kui – water well and had his hair cut which was adorable darshan.

16 Shreeji Maharaj gave pra-sadi’s Khesh (Cloth) and a pro-tective Dhal (a type of weapon for protection) to the ancestors of Rajbhai Vanaar and Audhad-bhai Patel respectively.

Question/Answer

Page 8 ISSSV VISION

Dear Readers,

We are pleased to announce that we are adding a ―Question/Answer‖ section. Please provide answers to the questions. The name of the per-son who answers all questions correctly will be published in our next newsletter.

Q1. Name the idol which represent exact replica of Swaminarayan Bhagwan, that was in-stalled by Himself.

Q2. Name the Kuldev of Dharmkul.

Q3. Name the three buddies of Ghanshyam Maharaj.

Q4. What day Swaminarayan Bhagwan was born?

Q5. Ghanshyam Maharaj got hurt and got permanent scar on his right thigh while playing at this place. Name the place.

B C D N A R A Y A N M U N I J K I

D S W A M I N A R A Y A N O N P R

A H I J K L M N Y Z O P Q R A B A

N R J S T U V H W X I V X S D V H

H I K O N B S A H A J A N A N D D

S H L P Y N H G E O I S C R A K A

A A M Q A G T P F P R U D J N L L

R R N H L P N A J R S E R D R Y G

K I G I K P A A J R S E R D R Y G

I J H J A A K D K S T V S A A B O

R K I K R D L S L T U X T S H F H

A L J L A S I A M U V Y O C P R H

H M K M N A N L N B W Z R B K U C

WORD FIND

There are Twelve Names of Lord Swaminarayan hidden in this puz-zle. Find and Circle them.

Example: One name ―SAHAJANAND‖ shown in shaded area for your information. Each name will carry eight points. Minimum 64 points re-quired for passing.

Page 9 YEAR 3, ISSUE 2

Meaning of Aarti by Manubhai Malavia, Denver, CO

Jay Sadguru Swami, Prabhu Jai Sadguru Swami

Sahajananda Dayalu, Balavant Bahu Nami – Jay

Charan Saroj Tamara Vandu Kar Jodi,

Prabhu Vandu Kar Jodi

Charane Sheesh Dharya thi ....(2)

Dukh Nakhya Todi .....Jay

Narayan Nar Bhraata, Dwij kul tanu dhaari

Prabhau dwij kul tanu dhari

Pamar patit udharya ….(2)

Aganit Nar Nari .....Jay

Nitya Nitya Nautam leela karata avinashi

Prabhu Karata avinashi

Adasath tirath charane …(2)

Koti gaya kashi .....Jay

Purushotam pragat nu je darshan karashe

Prabhu je darshan karashe

Kal karam thi chhooti ….(2)

Kutumb sahit tarashe .....Jay

Aa avasar karuna nidhi, karuna bahu kidhi

Vahale karuna bahu kidhi

Muktanand kahe mukti ….(2)

Sugam kari siddhi .....Jay

I respectfully salute to Sahajananda Swami who has many names.

I fold my hands together and respect at your lotus feet, I bow down to your feet and all my miseries have been disap-peared

O Lord Narayana, you were born in Brahmin family; You have liberated innu-merable souls (Jivatma)

Everyday you perform new act and you are eternal. All sixty eight pilgrimage-holy places rest at your feet. Bow down to your feet provides the results far greater than visiting Kaashi a thousand times.

Those who visualize you will be relieved from the cycle of birth and death. They along with their family will be re-lieved from the cycle of birth and death. O Lord you are very gracious and kind. You have shown us an easy path of lib-eration and to achieve your dham (abode)

ISSSV VISION Newsletter

Dear Devotees of Vadtal Dioecese As you know ISSSV is publishing a quarterly newsletter trying to provide you the information about original Sampraday. We need your help. We request you to provide articles related to original sam-praday. We also ask responsible persons of each ISSSV Temple and Chapter to provide articles so that we can publish in ISSSV newsletter. Now we are publishing electronic version of newsletter. It is important that each Temple and Chap-ter provide e-mail addresses of their members so that we can reach out them and send newsletter. Please announce in weekly satsang sabha and ask members to provide articles for publication. The article must be authentic and related to original sampraday. It must be in word format. Submit your articles to: Manu Malavia mpmalavia@hotmail.com (303)993-5709

Vadtaldham Community Services 3011 Markham Rd, Unit 4 and 5

Scarborough, (TORONTO) ONTARIO M1X1L7, CANADA

SENIORS ACTIVITY (Age 60 and UP)

Please Register at least one day prior to Activity Day—No ENTRY WITHOUT REGISTRATION