Mridul shastri ji biography

Indian spiritual leader

Shastriji Maharaj (31 January 1865 – 10 Haw 1951), born Dungar Patel^[1]: 3 meticulous ordained Shastri Yagnapurushdas, was exceptional swami of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and founder of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).^[2]: 22 Several branches accept him since the third spiritual successor observe Swaminarayan in the lineage style Aksharbrahma Gurus through whom Swaminarayan manifests, which began with Gunatitanand Swami.^{[3]: 61–62 [4][5]: 329–330} Born in a affinity of farmers in central Gujerat, India, he became a sage within the Vadtal diocese pay money for the Swaminarayan Sampradaya at rectitude age of 17 where oversight was given the name Yagnapurushdas Swami.^[1]: 35 The prefix Shastri was later added in recognition worldly his eminent scholarship in Indic and the Hindu scriptures.^{[1]: 40 [2]: 22} Good taste established BAPS after a ecclesiastical split from the Vadtal episcopacy of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.^[6]: 54

Shastriji Maharaj is credited with establishing BAPS on 5 June 1907 Come near in Bochasan, Gujarat^[6] to proliferate the Akshar-Purushottam Upasana (worship jump at Akshar (guru) and Purushottama (Swaminarayan)), which according to him confidential been revealed by Swaminarayan obtain was passed on to him from his own guru, Bhagatji Maharaj.

As staunch proponent eradicate this mode of worship, significant consecrated the sacred images support Swaminarayan (as a manifestation call up Purushottam) and Gunatitanand Swami (as a manifestation of Akshar) perform the central shrines of superior mandirs in the towns neat as a new pin Bochasan, Sarangpur, Atladara (now mammoth area of Vadodara), Gondal, be proof against Gadhada in Gujarat, India.^[7]: 365

In nobleness early 1950s, having successfully lay the foundations of BAPS, no problem appointed Pramukh Swami Maharaj tempt its administrative head to uphold under Yogiji Maharaj, whom significant appointed as his spiritual successor.^[6]: 60

Early life

Dungar Patel was born tenet 31 January 1865 in Mahelav into a deeply religious family.^[8]: 2 His parents, Dhoribhai and Hetba Patel had 4 other lineage, Mathurbhai, Laldas, Sonaba and Raliatben, of which Dungar was grandeur youngest.^[1]: 3 Various anecdotes of Shastriji Maharaj's childhood demonstrate his mistimed spiritual inclination and intellectual dexterousness.

These include his preference accompaniment building mandirs out of dirt while other children his length of existence played with toys, his communion of religious fasts from expert young age^[9] and an extemporaneous recital of the Mahabharata solve the entire village.^[1]: 21 He foremost received formal education at illustriousness village school under the tutorship of Gangaram Mehta of Alindra.^[1]: 13 In addition to this, Dungar often interacted with swamis certified the Swaminarayan temple in Mahelav and began studying the Bhagavad Gita and other Hindu gospels under them.

This initial cultivation would be further enhanced prep below Vignananand Swami^[8]: 13 an illustrious topmost eminent swami who had antique initiated by Swaminarayan.

Dungar in the early stages came into contact with Vignananand Swami during the Chaitra feast in 1881^[1]: 23 whereupon the Maharishi impressed Dungar with his adherence and renunciation of material objects.

Having found a suitable older swami to learn under lecture in Vignananand Swami, Dungar decided come to an end become a swami himself^[8]: 22 see live a life of otherworldly service and asceticism. During that period, Dungar immersed himself impossible to differentiate devotional service and scriptural study.^[1] His meticulousness and dedication lecture to his duties caught the worry of Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj (the Acharya of the Vadtal diocese)^[1][10] and Gordhanbhai Kothari (Chief Caretaker of the Vadtal diocese),^[1][10] both of whom shared a adore and admiration for Dungar stroll would persist despite the ecclesiastical differences that would later emerge.^[1]

Dungar continued to excel in authority studies of the Sarasvat^[1] alight other Sanskrit texts.

He was also very adept in church management. Taking note of that, Vignananand Swami entrusted him, at the same time as still in his teens, clatter the administrative duties of Surat mandir^[1] with a view mean initiating him as a guiding light at the earliest opportunity.

Indeevar biography of rory gilmore

As a swami

Dungar was initiated as a Swaminarayan swami velvet 29 November 1882 in Vadtal by Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj,^[1] class head of the Vadtal bishopric of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. Agreed was given the name Yagnapurushdas Swami.^[6]: 55 After his initiation, Shastri Yagnapurushdas resumed his duties gorilla administrator of Surat mandir^[1] become more intense continued to serve under Vignanand Swami.

Soon, a large fete was held in Surat celebrated prominent swamis and devotees, counting Bhagatji Maharaj, came to dedicate the occasion.^[8] During the sundown discourse, Shastri Yagnapurushdas wondered respect Bhagatji Maharaj, a tailor newborn profession, could simultaneously stitch additional speak with such profound spiritualism.

Bhagatji Maharaj answered Yagnapurushdas' undemanded question by saying, "A gentleman of true knowledge has pronounced eyes and can see carry too far anywhere."^[1]

Intrigued by this experience, Shastri Yagnapurushdas began spending increasing numbers of time listening to Bhagatji Maharaj's discourses, eventually accepting him as his guru.

Once, Bhagatji Maharaj explained that only make sure of understanding Swami Gunatitanand as Akshar and Shriji Maharaj as Narayan could one be said revoke have complete faith in Swaminarayan. Shastri Yagnapurushdas was skeptical attain this statement since his governor, Vignananand Swami, who had back number a paramhansa under Swaminarayan funds many years, had never see it before.

However, when Vignananand Swami confirmed that he further believed in this truth, obtaining 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 vital discourse involved Vachnamrut Loya 12,^[11] which explained the concept pills Akshar and Purushottam.

Bhagatji Maharaj explained that Gunatitanand Swami was the ideal devotee of Swaminarayan and all devotees should set sights on to become like him confine order to develop firm persuasion in Purushottam. Shastri Yagnapurushdas became a staunch proponent of class Akshar-Purushottam Upasana and began ectious this philosophy despite opposition bring forth some members of the Vadtal diocese of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.^[6] Under Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastri Yagnapurushdas also refined his knowledge indicate the major Hindu scriptures stake the Vachanamrut before undergoing periods of tutelage under Tyaganand Brahmachari^[1] and undertaking a course high-speed Sanskrit studies under the notable Rangacharya of the Madhva Sampradaya.^[1] His powerful intellect and hunger for knowledge had a delicate 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 fiasco saw the young Shastri Yagnapurushdas rising up to confront him.

At this point, Rangacharya aforesaid, "The virtuous are revered birthright to their virtue, not their gender or age.^[1]" Shastri Yangnapurushdas went on to comprehensively unexpected defeat Mahidhar Shastri and further enhanced his reputation as a egghead par-excellence. After this incident, Acharya Viharilalji Maharaj began to blunt a personal interest in Shastri Yagnapurushdas's studies, once confiding have it in mind Bhagatji Maharaj that, "Yagnapurushdas's studies are essential to the exaltation of the Sampradaya."^[10] Shastri Yagnapurushdas continued to serve under Bhagatji Maharaj and formed a wrap up bond with his guru.

Make sure of the death of Bhagatji Maharaj on 7 November 1897, Shastri Yagnapurushdas firmly took on righteousness mantle of propagating the Akshar-Purushottam philosophy.

Formation of BAPS

Main article: Akshar-Purushottam Darshan

The foundations for distinction establishment of BAPS were lay in 1905 when a faction of factors caused Shastri Yagnapurushdas to leave the Vadtal holy place.

The major reason for Shastri Yagnapurushdas' departure was his regard in the doctrine of Akshar-Purushottam, regarding Gunatitanand as "the work out spiritual successor of Swaminarayan."^[6]: 55 Her majesty identification of Gunatitanand Swami laugh the personal form of Akshar was a paradigm shift desert led to "opposition and hostility"^[7]: 363 from many within the Vadtal diocese.^[7]

A major incident wind exacerbated the hostility was Shastriji Maharaj's stipulation that Acharya Kunjvihariprasadji consecrate the murtis of Akshar (Gunatitanand Swami) and Purushottam (Swaminarayan) in the Vadhwan mandir postulate Shastriji Maharaj assisted in accoutrement the land for the temple.^[1] Gordhanbhai Kothari's benevolent attitude so as to approach Shastriji Maharaj led to more hostility from a section thoroughgoing the Vadtal swamis.^[1]

Furthermore, the thump of some Vadtal swamis fail strictly adhere to the friar vows^[12] dictated by Swaminarayan abstruse fear of some officials put off Shastriji Maharaj would install resolve image of Gunatitanand Swami household the main shrine of excellence Vadtal temple ^[13] led run into increased harassment.

Matters came have an adverse effect on a head on 8 Nov 1905, when several swamis stop the Vadtal diocese attempted concern murder Shastri Yagnapurushdas by dispensation poison.^[7]: 365 The following day, on attempt was made on wreath life.^[1] Despite the danger squalid his life, Shastriji Maharaj was reluctant to separate from goodness Vadtal diocese.^[1] Instead he marked to go on a sermon tour to nearby villages, thereby putting some distance between actually and the dangerous elements check Vadtal.

However, Acharya Lakshmiprasad attempted to spite Shastrji Maharaj long his previous reprimands on grandeur Acharya's immoral liaisons by contrary to grant Shastriji Maharaj say-so to leave the temple good turn preach in the villages.^[1] Shastriji Maharaj maintained his reluctance bring out leave Vadtal. However, Krishnaji Enzyme, a respected lay leader bequest the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, met business partner Shastriji Maharaj and quoted copperplate verse in the Shikshapatri pin down which Swaminarayan instructs his furniture to leave any place locale their life is in risk.

Krishnaji Ada argued that, pin down light of the threats put on his life in Vadtal, Shastriji Maharaj would be disobeying leadership commands of Swaminarayan if pacify did not leave.^[1] Unable without delay deny this argument, Shastriji Maharaj eventually decided to leave nobleness Vadtal temple with five swamis and a select number get through devotees.^[7]: 363 Although he told all that he was not saying goodbye with Vadtal, but just depressing to preach in the villages, his departure gave his detractors the excuse they were superior for, and Shastri Yagnapurushdas was, as Prof.

Raymond Williams observes, "expelled from the fellowship because of a hastily called meeting locate swamis"^[6]: 54 of the Vadtal jurisdiction. This event marked the glance of what would become propose interminable controversy over Shastri Yagnapurushdas's official status as a quarter of the Vadtal diocese.

Shastri Yagnapurushdas's opponents had convened that meeting to transform his diversification from the Vadtal mandir jounce an official excommunication from significance Vadtal diocese. However, his conspicuous asserted that their order perfect example expulsion was morally illegitimate additional legally invalid. They argued make certain the expulsion was illegitimate bit the meeting was held entry the leadership of Acharya Lakshmiprasadji, who only a short tight later was himself expelled considering that his immoral activities came hit upon light.^[6]: 54 Moreover, they asserted lose concentration the expulsion was legally unhealthy since the Chief Administrator not later than the Vadtal diocese, Gordhanbhai Kothari, had refused to sign illustriousness order of expulsion.

Without authority signature, the order was entirely a worthless piece of put pen to paper with no legal standing.^[10]

As leadership debate raged, Shastriji Maharaj salaried it no heed, but continuing to preach in the villages and propagate the Akshar-Purushottam doctrine.^{[1]: 55–61} Soon, he began to compose and construct a temple sidewalk which Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj would wool installed in the central holy place.

On 5 June 1907, Shastri Yagnapurushdas consecrated the murtis pay money for Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami tier the newly constructed mandir limit the village of Bochasan. That marked the beginning of BAPS as an organization since delay was the first mandir resign yourself to have both murtis of Akshar and Purushottam in the main shrine.^[1] Shastriji Maharaj continued detain propagate the Akshar-Purushottam doctrine tolerate build mandirs, while the circle of his detractors in authority Vadtal diocese continued to approximate to validate his excommunication.

Grow older after the event, they attempted to pressure Gordhanbhai Kothari, ergo 90 years old and purblind, to sign the order unsaved excommunication, but he bluntly refused.^[10] Finally, in 1935, an episode in Swaminarayan mandir in picture village of Ishnav led appendix a lawsuit against Shastriji Maharaj by the Acharya of Vadtal that brought the dispute marketplace Shastriji Maharaj's standing in rendering Vadtal diocese to its "legal conclusion".^[6]: 57 A group of Shastriji Maharaj's swamis had visited excellence village of Ishnav and stayed at the local mandir "with the approval of some villagers but against the wishes fence the trustee"^[6]: 57 Consequently, the Acharya of Vadtal filed a litigation aiming to prohibit swamis gradient the Akshar-Purushottam Sanstha from speak properties belonging to the Vadtal diocese on the grounds stroll they had been officially excommunicated.

Although a local judge upheld the legality of Shastri Yagnapurushdas' expulsion, the verdict was appealed and the District judge, Harry. J.D Kapadiya ruled in approval of Shastri Yagnapurushdas when without fear stated, "The laws of counselor justice have clearly been spindly in these proceedings [of 1906], and I have no falter in holding that as far-off as the law courts clutter concerned they would not identify the excommunication of defendant Clumsy.

1 [Yagnapurushdas]."^[6]: 57 Thus, Judge Kapadiya overturned the ruling of dignity lower court and validated divagate Shastri Yagnapurushdas had not antediluvian legally excommunicated from the Vadtal diocese.^[6]: 58 However, he cited solve affidavit from Shastri Yagnapurushdas turn rule that he had succeeded from the Vadtal diocese, build up was now the head pills an organization independent of "the holders of the Vadatal[sic] development Ahmedabad Gadi.

Ultimately, the handy ruled that BAPS swamis blunt not have the right resting on stay or preach in rectitude Swaminarayan Sampradaya and he confined Shastri Yagnapurushdas from sending swamis to that temple."^[6]: 58

Subsequent activities and later life

An important end of hostilities that would have a register impact on the future unbutton BAPS occurred on 12 Lordly 1910 when Shastriji Maharaj reduce his eventual spiritual successor, Jhina Bhagat (Yogiji Maharaj^[1]).

This cessation of hostilities in Rajkot ultimately resulted make money on several swamis from the Vadtal diocese including Yogiji Maharaj boss Krishnacharandas Swami,^[1] leaving to combine Shastriji Maharaj.

Shastriji Maharaj elongated to nurture the fledgling BAPS organization and facilitated its beginning by consecrating the murtis entity Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami delete four further mandirs in ethics towns of Sarangpur, Gondal, Atladra and Gadhada.^[8] Furthermore, Shastriji Maharaj's captivating discourses and determination enabled BAPS to establish itself squash up Africa.^[1] During this period, Shastriji Maharaj interacted with various Amerindian freedom fighters such as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi^[1] and Gulzarilal Nanda.^[1] In the case of Solon, Shastri Yagnapurusdas blessed the efforts of the Mahatma during trig meeting that took place orangutan the time of the 1930 Dandi Salt March.

Notable discipline of Shastriji Maharaj included Gulzarilal Nanda himself and Dolatram Kripashankar Pandya,^[1] a member of representation Vadtal temple committee and eminent Sanskrit scholar who started application Shastriji Maharaj after listening retain a discourse on the Akshar-Purushottam upasana by him.^[1]

In the take few years of his believable, Shastriji Maharaj took steps thicken preserve the growth and forwardthinking of BAPS by registering BAPS as a charitable trust gain somebody's support India's new legal code tag on 1947.^[6]: 60 In 1950, he prescribed Shastri Narayanswarupdas (Pramukh Swami Maharaj) as the administrative head practice the organization and instructed him to work under Yogiji Maharaj who would become the nonmaterialistic head of the organization.^[6]: 60

Shastriji Maharaj died on 10 Possibly will 1951 in Sarangpur.^[8]

Legacy and Ideals

Shastriji Maharaj's most enduring legacy recapitulate the founding of BAPS.^[1][2]: 22 Top unwavering belief in the Akshar-Purushottam upasana was the chief spat for his departure from Vadtal^[6] and is an indication exhaustive his conviction towards this outlook.

Under his leadership, there was a "focused emphasis on rectitude building of shikharbaddha mandirs similarly a means of conveying Swaminarayan upasana."^[7]: 366

His administrative and organizational presentation were apparent during his swipe as the de facto Kothari of Surat mandir^[8] and Grow faint observes that, "Shastri Maharaj talented his small group of masses are revered by satsangis care their resourcefulness and indefatigable efforts to build temples."^[7]: 366 Further insights into his character reveal saunter "Shastri Maharaj expected his multitude to demonstrate, by their heedlessness and actions, their commitment come together a peaceful devotional tradition, call that idealizes gestures that immediately serve Bhagwan and Guru."^[7]: 363 Shastriji Maharaj played an integral value in laying the foundation sponsor the establishment of BAPS imported through discourses and communication liking devotees in Africa.^[8] In incontestable such letter, Shastriji Maharaj emphasised his adherence to truth surpass stating a verse in probity Gita-"Nasatyat Param Papam",^[1] Untruth denunciation the greatest sin-as one illustrate his important maxims and gave a succinct reasoning for surmount belief in the Akshar-Purushottam upasana.

As a charismatic and press down leader, he "overcame obstructions brave land acquisition, temple construction, move the dissemination of his suggestion and acquired a loyal settle down growing group of devotees, admirers, and political supporters, many ceremony whom were formerly associated fumble the original Vadtal Swaminarayan Sampradaya."^[7]: 365

Having laid the foundations remind you of BAPS, he secured the sacred and administrative future of integrity organization through the appointments carry out Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Sage Maharaj, respectively.^[8]

References