Ajay Kumar: Created a new article

2023-08-28T18:31:22Z

Created a new article

New page

{{Short description|Sacred Hindu text composed of 273 discourses by Swaminarayan}}
[[File:Vachanamrut English.jpg|thumb|The Vachanamrut|alt=]]{{Hindu scriptures}}[[File:Vachanamrut Cover Image.jpg|thumb|Swaminarayan and his senior disciples|alt=]][[File:Manuscript.jpg|thumb|Vachanamrut manuscript|alt=]]The '''Vachanamrut''' (IAST: ''Vacanāmṛta,'' lit. "immortalising ambrosia in the form of words") is a sacred Hindu text consisting of 273 religious discourses delivered by [[Swaminarayan]] from 1819 to 1829 CE and is considered the principal theological text within the [[Swaminarayan Sampradaya]].<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|6}} Compiled by four of his senior disciples, Swaminarayan edited and approved the scripture. As followers believe Swaminarayan to be Parabrahman, or God, the Vachanamrut is considered a direct revelation from God and thus the most precise interpretation of the [[Upanishads]], [[Bhagavad Gita]], and other important Hindu scriptures.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|13–14, 45}}<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|173}}

Various branches of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya differ in their belief of how to attain moksha. The Narnarayan and Laxminarayan Gadis believe moksha is attained by worshiping the sacred images of Swaminarayan installed by acharyas.<ref name=":5">{{cite book | last=Paramtattvadas | first=Swami | title=An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology | publisher=Cambridge University Press | publication-place=Cambridge, United Kingdom | date=2017 | isbn=978-1-316-66600-5 | oclc=1004609905 | doi=10.1017/9781316666005}}</ref>{{Rp|308}} In [[Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha|BAPS]], followers emphasize the role of God manifesting through the Aksharbrahman guru to attain moksha.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|40,47,200–201}} This scripture is read by followers regularly and discourses are conducted daily in Swaminarayan temples around the world.<ref name=":14">{{Cite book|last=Brear|first=Douglas|title=Transmission of a Swaminarayan Hindu scripture in the British East Midlands|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=1996|isbn=0-231-10779-X|editor-last=Williams|editor-first=Raymond Brady|edition=Columbia University Press|location=New York|oclc=34984234}}</ref>{{Rp|21–27}}

== Etymology ==
The name given to the collection of Swaminarayan’s sermons is “Vachanamrut,” a compound word derived from two Gujarati words: vachan (''vacan''), meaning “words,” and amrut (''amṛta''), meaning “immortalising nectar.”<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Vachanamrut handbook: insights into Bhagwan Swaminarayan's teachings|last=Mukundcharandas, Sadhu|date=2004|publisher=Swaminarayan Aksharpith|isbn=81-7526-263-X|location=Amdavad, Gujarat, India|oclc=297207255}}</ref>{{Rp|73}} Thus, Vachanamrut translates to “immortalising ambrosia in the form of words,” as it is believed that Swaminarayan's teaching in this scripture deliver eternal liberation<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=An introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu theology|last=Paramtattvadas, Sadhu|isbn=978-1-107-15867-2|location=Cambridge, United Kingdom|oclc=964861190|date = 2017-08-17}}</ref>{{Rp|14}} An individual discourse within the collection is also called a Vachanamrut.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|14}}

== Development of the scripture ==

=== Authorship ===
The Vachanamrut is a chronological anthology of 273 religious discourses delivered by Swaminarayan towards the end of his life, between 1819 and 1829 CE.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Swaminarayan's Brahmajnana as Aksarabrahma-Parabrahma-Darsanam|last=Aksharananddas|first=Sadhu|last2=Bhadreshdas|first2=Sadhu|date=2016|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-908657-3|editor-last=Williams|editor-first=Raymond Brady|edition=1st|location=New Delhi, India|oclc=948338914|editor-last2=Trivedi|editor-first2=Yogi}}</ref>{{Rp|173}}<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|13}} Although the Vachanamrut is received in text form, it is revered in the tradition because of Swaminarayan's spoken words captured within it.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|46}}

Four of Swaminarayan's senior disciples, [[Gopalanand Swami]] (''Gopālānanda Svāmī''), [[Muktanand Swami]] (''Muktānanda Svāmī''), [[Nityanand Swami (Paramhansa)|Nityanand Swami (''Nityānanda Svāmī'')]], and Shukanand Swami (''Śukānanda Svāmī''), transcribed and compiled the discourses.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|14}} The [[Nar Narayan Dev Gadi|Ahmedabad diocese]] within the Swaminarayan Sampradaya accepts [[Brahmanand Swami]] (''Brahmānanda Svāmī'') as a fifth editor.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|187}}<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|49}} The compilers' scholarly aptitude, literary and poetic expertise, and transparency contribute to the merits of the Vachanamrut.<ref name=":10">{{Cite journal|last=Bhadreshdas|first=Sadhu|date=October 2019|title=An introduction to Parabrahman Svāminārāyaṇa's Vacanāmṛta|journal=The BAPS Swaminarayan Research Journal|volume=2|pages=11–23}}</ref>{{Rp|17}}

=== Language ===
The compilers wrote the text in Gujarati, the vernacular of the region in which Swaminarayan delivered his discourses.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|173}}<ref name=":7">{{Cite book|title=An introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism|last=Williams|first=Raymond Brady|isbn=978-1-108-42114-0|oclc=1089924172|date = 2018-11-08}}</ref>{{Rp|187}} Although Swaminarayan was from a Hindi-speaking region of present-day [[Uttar Pradesh|Uttar-Pradesh]], he adopted the Gujarati language for his followers.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Mehta|first=Makrand|title=Swaminarayan Hinduism|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2016|isbn=978-0-19-908657-3|editor-last=Williams|editor-first=Raymond Brady|edition=1st|location=New Delhi, India|pages=38–48|chapter=Sahajanand Swami’s Language and Communication|doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199463749.003.0003|oclc=948338914|editor-last2=Trivedi|editor-link2=Yogi}}</ref>{{Rp|45}} In 1859, a front-ranking Gujarati monthly quoted specimens from the Vachamarut showing how Swaminarayan raised the standard of Gujarati prose.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|45}}<ref>Buddhiprakash, March 1859. Ahmedabad: Gujarat Vernacular Society</ref>{{Rp|36–37}}

The Vachanamrut has also been translated from Gujarati to other languages, like English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Marathi.<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|21}} Brahmanand Swami translated the Vachanamrut to the Vraj language.<ref name=":4">Dave, Jyotindra. ''Śri Harivākyasudhāsindhu of Srī Śatānanda Muni – a critical study with reference to the original structure of the philosophy of Lord Swāminārāyana as reflected in Vacanāmṛtam.'' 2006. The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, PhD dissertation.</ref>{{Rp|55}} The Shri Harivakyasudhasindhu (Śrī Harivākyasudhāsindhu) is the Vachanamrut's Sanskrit adaptation by Shatanand Muni (Śatānanda Muni).<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|58–59}}

=== History and creation ===
The compilers of the Vachanamrut began documenting and editing Swaminarayan’s discourses in 1819 CE and collected about 2,000 sermons over ten years. At Swaminarayan’s instruction, to keep the text at a manageable size without excessive repetition, they selected a total of 262 sermons. An additional 11 are accepted as canonical by the Ahmedabad diocese, totaling 273.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|58}}<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|61}}

The first discourse occurred on 21 November 1819, and the last discourse occurred on 25 July 1829 – both in [[Gadhada]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite book|last=Sahajānanda, Swami|title=The Vachanāmrut: spiritual discourses of Bhagwān Swāminārāyan|others=Contributors: Bochasanvasi Shri Aksharpurushottama Sanstha, Swaminarayan Aksharpith|year=2014|isbn=978-81-7526-431-1|edition=2|location=Ahmedabad|oclc=820357402}}</ref> In Loya 7, the 115th discourse which took place on 8 December 1820, Nityanand Swami presents Swaminarayan with the text for his review and approval. It states that Swaminarayan was "extremely pleased" with the manuscript. This documentation of approval further supports its authenticity.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|58}}<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|17}}<ref name=":6" />

== Structure ==
[[File:Courtyard of Dada Khachar's darbar in Gadhada.jpg|thumb|Courtyard of Dada Khachar's darbar in Gadhada]]

=== Preface ===
The Vachanamrut begins with a preface, termed, partharo (''parthāro''), that provides a detailed account of Swaminarayan’s activities, his interactions with devotees, and his appearance.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|50}}

=== Title ===
Individual discourses are numbered, chronologically arranged, and categorized based on the location where they were delivered.<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|12}}<ref name=":9">Paramtattvadas, Sadhu. "Educational Insight: Akshar-Purushottam School of Vedanta" ''Hinduism Today,'' 2019</ref>{{Rp|48}} The discourses took place across various towns and villages of Gujarat, India, specifically Gadhada, Sarangpur, Kariyani, Loya, Panchala, Vartal, Amdavad, Ashlali, and Jetalpur.<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|186}} An additional section, accepted by the Ahmedabad diocese, includes discourses from Amdavad, Ashlali, and Jetalpur. While individual discourses were untitled in early manuscripts, with individual Vachanamruts referred to only by their section and number, [[Gunatitanand Swami]] and the swamis of the Junagadh mandir created titles for individual discourses to serve as mnemonic tools.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|84}}<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|188}} The [[Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha|BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha]] uses these titles in its version of the text, which is an exact printed version of the Vachanamrut text published in 1928 under the auspices of Acharya Shripatiprasad of the [[Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi|Vartal diocese]].<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|13n39}}

=== Introductory paragraph ===
[[File:Places of the Vachanamrut - Gujarat Map.png|thumb|Map of Gujarat showing the villages where the Vachanamrut was recorded|alt=]]
One of the compilers, [[Muktanand Swami]], was instructed by Swaminarayan to include the precise date of each discourse and names of who asked questions in the assembly.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|14}}<ref>Swami Prasadanand, ''Sadguru Prasadanand Swamini Vato'' (Ahmedabad: Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Kalupur, 1995), p. 208</ref> The introductory paragraph also notes the setting and atmosphere of the assembly and describes the audience seated. Furthermore, Swaminarayan himself is described with intricate detail with mention to the colour and style of his clothes and adornments. Occasionally, the seat upon which Swaminarayan is seated and the direction in which he is facing is detailed.<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|48}}<ref>{{Cite book|last=Packert|first=Cynthia|title=Early Swaminarayan iconography and its relationship to Vaishnavism|date=2016|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-908657-3|editor-last=Williams|editor-first=Raymond Brady|edition=1st|location=New Delhi, India|oclc=948338914|editor-last2=Trivedi|editor-first2=Yogi}}</ref>{{Rp|204}}

Regarding the details and precise dating present in the introductory paragraphs of each Vachanamrut, John Carmen, Professor of Comparative Religion at [[Harvard Divinity School|Harvard]], notes that the inclusion of such information in a scriptural text nullifies a common Western misunderstanding that religious India lacks a sense of history.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book|last=Carman|first=John|title=New dimensions in Vedanta philosophy|publisher=Swaminarayan Mudran Mandir|year=1981|volume=1|location=Amdavad}}</ref>{{Rp|207}}

=== Style of discourse ===
The style of discourse is highly dialogical and didactic, with most in the form of a question-and-answer session similar to the Upanishadic tradition of guru-disciple dialogue in which dialogues occur between the guru and pupils.<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|187}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baps.org/EnlighteningEssays/2019/The-Vachanamrut--An-Introduction-(Part-1)-16429.aspx|title=The Vachanamrut- An Introduction (Part 1)|last=Mukundcharandas|first=Sadhu|website=BAPS|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-06}}</ref><ref name=":0" />{{Rp|15}} These sermons were not restricted to any social group or gender as monks, scholars, peasants, craftsmen, and women were all present in the assemblies and all actively participated in the dialogue.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mallison|first=Francoise|title=Swaminarayan Hinduism|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2016|isbn=978-0-19-908657-3|editor-last=Williams|editor-first=Raymond Brady|edition=1|location=New Delhi, India|pages=49–57|chapter=Gujarati Socio-religious Context of Swaminarayan Devotion and Doctrine|doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199463749.003.0004|oclc=948338914|editor-last2=Trivedi|editor-first2=Yogi}}</ref>{{Rp|49}}<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|2}}

== Content ==
In the Vachanamrut, Swaminarayan outlines his theology and its ultimate goal, moksha (''mokṣa''), a spiritual state characterized by eternal bliss and devotion to God.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|272–84}}

=== Theology ===

==== The essence of Vedic corpus and Hindu texts ====
Swaminarayan states in Gadhada II-28 and Gadhada III-10 that his teachings reflect the fundamentals he identified from various authoritative Hindu scriptures, like the [[Vedas]], [[Upanishads]], [[Bhagavata Purana|Shrimad Bhagavatam]] and [[Bhagavad Gita]].<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|47–9}}<ref name=":11">{{Citation|last=Kim|first=Hanna H.|chapter=Svāminārāyaṇa: Bhaktiyoga and the Akṣarabrahman Guru|date=2013-12-04|pages=237–258|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-993870-4|doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199938704.003.0012|title=Gurus of Modern Yoga}}</ref>{{Rp|244}}

===== Ontology =====

In Vachanamarut Gadhada I-7, Swaminarayan explains that there are five eternal existential entities: jiva (''jīva''), ishwar (''iśvara''), maya (''māyā''), Aksharbrahman (''Akṣarabrahman'', also Akshara, ''Akṣara'', or Brahman), Parabrahman (''Parabrahman'', or Purushottam, ''Puruṣottama'').<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|69}}<ref name=":11" />{{Rp|244}}

A critical aspect of the ontological entities presented by Swaminarayan is the interpretation and description of Akshar.<ref name=":11" />{{Rp|245}}<ref name=":12">{{Citation|last=Gadhia|first=Smit|title=Akshara and Its Four Forms in Swaminarayan's Doctrine|date=2016-04-01|work=Swaminarayan Hinduism|pages=156–171|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-946374-9|doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199463749.003.0010}}</ref>{{Rp|157}} Shankara, Ramanuja, and others shift the meaning of Akshar to either Supreme Being (God), ''jada-prakrut''i, or ''mukta atma''. In contrast, Swaminarayan explains Akshar is a distinct reality with four different forms, including Parabrahman’s abode, the personal servant of Parabrahman in that divine abode, the sentient substratum pervading and supporting creation (chidakash, ''cidākāśa'') and the Aksharbrahman Guru present on earth.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|158}}<ref name=":12" />{{Rp|156, 165–9}}<ref>{{Cite book|title=Contemporary Hinduism|last=Kim|first=Hanna H.|publisher=Acumen Publishing Limited|year=2013|isbn=978-1-84465-690-5|editor-last=Kumar|editor-first=P. Pratap|location=United Kingdom|pages=126–37|chapter=Devotional expressions in the Swaminarayan community|oclc=824353503}}</ref>{{Rp|131}}

In Gadhada I-63, Swaminarayan describes the prominence and vastness of Akshar relative to other entities<ref name=":11" />{{Rp|198}} to emphasize the need to understand Akshar first before one can understand God (Parabrahman) perfectly and completely.<ref name=":12" />{{Rp|162}}

===== Dynamics of spiritual life =====
Swaminarayan explains the ultimate goal of his theology is moksha, the release from the ignorance borne of maya and the cycle of births and deaths to attain infinite bliss through endless devotion to God.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|274, 277}} Different denominations within the faith have varying interpretations of attaining moksha.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|277, 282, 303–4}}.<ref name=":5" />{{Rp|308}} <ref name=":11" />{{Rp|239–40}}

In Gadhada III-39, Swaminarayan describes maya as self-identification with the physical body, which also encompasses material possessions and personal talents.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|273}} To overcome this ignorance, Swaminarayan explains in Gadhada II-20 that an individual must become brahmarup (''brahmarūp''),<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|275}} an elevated state attained after developing the qualities of Aksharbrahman.<ref name=":11" />{{Rp|247}} The distinction between the jiva (i.e. individual) and Aksharbrahman is not lost in this higher state.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|277}}<ref name=":11" />{{Rp|247}}

While an individual can persevere for this state, only through God’s grace can it be attained.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|286}} In Sarangpur 11, Swaminarayan defines ekantik dharma (''ekāntik dharma''), the four-fold practice requisite to receive this grace. Ekantik dharma consists of dharma (''dharma''; adherence to codes of conduct),<ref>{{Citation|last=Mangalnidhidas|first=Sadhu|title=Sahajanand Swami's Approach to Caste|date=2016-04-01|work=Swaminarayan Hinduism|pages=115–128|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-946374-9|doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199463749.003.0007}}</ref>{{Rp|126}} gnan (''jñāna''; knowledge of the atman),<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|117}} vairagya (''vairāgya''; detachment from worldly pleasure), and bhakti (''bhakti''; devotion coupled with the understanding of God’s greatness).<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|287}}<ref name=":11" />{{Rp|247}}

Ekantik dharma is perfected through associating with an ekantik sant, which Swaminarayan explains as following the sants commands (in Gadhada I-78 and Gadhada II-51),<ref name=":6" />{{Rp|174, 485}} reflecting upon his virtues (in Gadhada I-58),<ref name=":6" />{{Rp|112–3}} and offering worship to him (in Vartal 5 and Sarangpur 3).<ref name=":6" />{{Rp|184, 536–7}}<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|293–304}}<ref name=":11" />{{Rp|247}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Verse|url=http://www.swaminarayan.faith/scriptures/verse|access-date=2021-06-25|website=swaminarayan.faith|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=GI-78: The Predominance of Place, Time, Etc. :: Anirdesh Vachanamrut // Anirdesh.com|url=https://www.anirdesh.com/vachanamrut/index.php?format=en&vachno=78|access-date=2021-06-25|website=www.anirdesh.com}}</ref>

The Narnarayan and Laxminarayan Gadis believe moksha is attained by worshiping the sacred images of Swaminarayan installed by acharyas.<ref name=":5" />{{Rp|308}} Baps believes the jiva needs the guidance of the Aksharbrahman Guru to transcend maya and become brahmarup to reside in the service of Parabrahman.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|303–304}}<ref name=":11" />{{Rp|246}}

== Role in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya ==

=== Engaging with the text ===
Devotees regularly read the Vachanamrut with the intention of understanding and implementing Swaminarayan’s teachings, which form the foundation of the [[Swaminarayan Sampradaya]].<ref name=":14" />{{Rp|216}} Regular lectures and discussions on the Vachanamrut in Swaminarayan mandirs foster spiritual development.<ref name=":14" />{{Rp|217}} The Vachanamrut is also used for recitation and exegesis in daily and weekly spiritual assemblies in Swaminarayan temples. Douglas Brear described a discussion of the Vachanamrut as a forum in which the presenter would use examples from everyday life to explain difficult concepts but also encourage others to participate with questions or personal examples.<ref name=":14" />{{Rp|224}}

To accommodate the growing audience, the Vachanamrut has been translated from Gujarati to English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Marathi.<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|21}} Additionally, the Vachanamrut is available in a cross-platform digital application format with extensive annotations and study aids.<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|21}}

=== Interpreting the text ===

Swaminarayan himself states in the discourse Loya 11, “One should only hear the sacred scriptures from the Satpurush (''Satpuruṣa''), but never from an unholy person.” Again, in Vadtal 12, Swaminarayan states, “...no one can ever attain liberation by listening to the [[Bhagavad Gita|Gitā]] or the [[Bhagavata Purana|Śrimad-Bhāgavata]] from a person who does not have faith in God coupled with the knowledge of his greatness.”<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|52–53}} Interpretations by the Baps denomination, teaches that the Aksharbrahman Guru is the most qualified person to provide interpretations of the text. Because it is only he, who is Aksharbrahman (Brahman), fully established in Parabrahman (''niṣtḥa''), and possessing the direct and absolute realization of the scriptures (''śrotriyam'').<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|51–53}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Paramtattvadas|first=Sadhu|date=October 2019|title=The Akṣarabrahman guru as the essential hermeneutical tool for receiving scripture|journal=The BAPS Swaminarayan Research Journal|volume=2|pages=53–70}}</ref>{{Rp|70}}

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* [https://www.swaminarayan.faith/scriptures/en/vachnamrut Translated in Gujarati and English by Nar Narayan Dev Gadi]
* [https://www.anirdesh.com/vachanamrut/ Vachanamrut in Gujarati and English by Baps]
* [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vachanamrut-learning-app/id1476077803 Vachanamrut iOS Learning App by Nar Narayan Dev Gadi]
* [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vachanamrut-study-app/id482931473 Vachanamrut iOS Study App by Baps]
* [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bhujmandir.vachanamrut&hl=en_US&gl=US Vachanamrut Android Learning App by Nar Narayan Dev Gadi]
* [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.baps.vachanamrut&hl=en_US Vachanamrut Android Study App by Baps]

{{Swaminarayan}}

[[Category:Hindu texts]]
[[Category:Indian literature]]
[[Category:Swaminarayan Sampradaya]]

Vachanamrut - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article