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(18)
What are the basic principles of Upasana in Swaminarayan
philosophy?
Ans: The word upasana comes from the Sanskrit upa, meaning
near, and asanam, meaning to sit. Therefore upasana is the
way a bhakta offers devotion to attain a seat next to Bhagwan.
Upasana is so important that Shriji Maharaj says in the
Vachanamrut that without upasana of Bhagwan it is impossible
to realise one’s atma and the Paramatma (Gadhada III-36).
In Swaminarayan philosophy a bhakta
needs to understand the following principles of upasana:
(1) Bhagwan Swaminarayan is Purushottam Narayan –
the Supreme Bhagwan Himself seated in His divine abode called
Akshardham. This means sarvopari.
(2) He is the all-doer, meaning He is karta.
(3) He eternally has a divine, human form. This means divya
sakar.
(4) He is also always present on earth in a human form.
This is known as pragat. Today He is present on earth through
the Ekantik Satpurush, Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
(5) His divine abode is Akshardham, who incarnated with
Him as Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami.
(6) Therefore a devotee needs to understand the above principles
to offer true upasana. He then considers himself as akshar-rup
and believes the Ekantik Satpurush Pramukh Swami Maharaj
as his atma, considers himself as a servant (das) and then
offers bhakti to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (Gadhada II-3).
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(19)
How should we do darshan?
Answer: Bhagwan
Swaminarayan has described how to do Bhagwan’s darshan
in Vachanamrut Sarangpur 2. He says that He is pleased
on devotees who do darshan in the following manner:
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by concentrating one’s attention totally on God,
but not looking at other objects which may accidentally
come in the way, such as a bird or animal.
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by doing darshan as if it is our first occasion, with
great divine bhav and mahima. Mahima means to firmly
believe in one’s heart that Bhagwan Swaminarayan
Himself and the Guru Parampara are standing before us
and gracing us with their divine blessings.
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then
record this darshan in one’s heart and visualise
it again and again. Shriji Maharaj then gives the ideal
example of Queen Kushalkunvarbai of Dharampur. She did
Maharaj’s darshan in this manner.
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to remember this darshan everyday.
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not to do darshan speedily and then zoom off, without
remembering the type of garments and ornaments adorned
on God.
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(20)
Why do we either touch the feet of or
do dandvats to sadhus and elders?
Answer: Touching
feet is known as charan sparsh. This  is
Sanatan Hindu Dharma’s lofty ritual of respect and reverence
for sadhus and elders. By their meditation, self discipline,
tapas, spiritual wisdom and experience, they possess divinity.
By offering dandvats or doing charan sparsh we are blessed
by them. Their divinity flows into us through their feet,
as well as when they touch our heads while giving ashirvad
(blessings). We become noble hearted and more pure.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj requests children to do panchang pranams
to their parents and any other elders such as grandparents,
uncles and aunts every morning after one’s nitya puja.
If parents have left for work, then children should do panchang
pranams to them in the evening when they return. |
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