SWAMINARAYAN SECT
BADRIKASHRAM SABHA
Lord NarNarayan had gathered in Badrikashram, a place of Gods. The gathering was awaiting news from Rishis who had visited Bharatkhund to determine the status of life and social and religious conditions. Uddhavji, Murti, Dharma, and other Rishis were present in the sabha. On arrival of the Rishis from Bharat, Lord NarNarayan and other members of the sabha were in deep conversation discussing the findings of the Rishis.
Durvasha Muni arrived at the sabha from Mount Kailash. On his entry in the sabha, nobody acknowledged him as they were all in deep discussion. As a result, Durvasha Muni felt humiliated. He was renowned for his bursts of anger and short temper, and thereby cursed all the members who were present to be born once again on Earth.Everyone was shocked by the wrath of Durvasha Muni. Reassuringly Lord NarNarayan explained to all those present that the curse was His wish, as He Himself would descend onto the earth to destroy evil and to establish good religious and moral codes.
LORD BIRTH IN CHHAPAIYA
Almighty Lord Swaminarayan took birth on this earth in Chhapaiya (Uttar Pradesh,India) at 10:10pm on Monday 9th day of the bright half of the month Chaitra VS 1837 (2 April 1781 AD), also the birthday of Lord Ram. Dharmadev was the Lord’s father and Bhaktimata was his mother. Dharmadev was Sarvaria Brahmin by caste and the family surname was Pande. Dharmadev was also known as Hari Prasad Pande and was born in a town called Ittar in Uttar Pradesh. He was very learned and respected by great scholars of the time. Balsharma and Bhagyawati were the parents of Dharmadev.
Bhakti Mata was also born a Brahmin and was called Baladevi prior to her marriage to Dharmadev. She was born in Chhapaiya. Krishna Sharma and Bhawanidevi were the parents of Bhaktimata.
LORD’S NAMAKRAN SANSKAR
The prominent astrologer Muni Markandeya named Him Krishna, Hari, Harikrishna, and Nilkanth, The family of the Lord addressed him by his pet name of Ghanshyam.
VAN VICHARAN (PILGRIMAGE)
Once Ghanshyam’s parents had departed to Akshardham, He decided to go on pilgrimage to rid evil and establish moral & spiritual behavior in society. On the 10th day of the bright half of Ashadh month VS 1849, early in the morning, Ghanshyam went to the Saryu River in Ayodhya. He was 11 years, 3 months, and 1 day old. Ghanshyam departed from Ayodhya by swimming deep into the riverSaryu and emerging at another location, He headed for the Himalayas. Ghanshyam started his Van Vicharan (pilgrimage)from here and was now known by the name of Nilkanth Varni.
ARRIVED IN LOJ
Having traveled across all the corners of India for 7 years, 1 month, and 11 days, Nilkanth Varni finally arrived at Village, Gujarat on the 6th day of the dark half of the month of Shravan 1856, aged 18. He arrived at Loj in the morning and sat beside the stepwell in the town. Nilkanth Varni came to the ashram at the request of Sukhanand Swami. He met Muktanand Swami, a very able, learned, and trusted disciple of Shri Ramanand Swami. Nilkanth Varni asked Muktanand Swami questions. Muktanand Swami gave satisfactory answers to the questions.
Throughout His journey across India, no one had previously been able to provide satisfactory answers to these questions. Nilkanth Varni was pleased with Muktanand Swami’s answers and therefore decided to stay in Lojashram.
MEETING OF SARYUDAS AND RAMANAND SWAMI IN PIPLANA
After a period of 9 months in Loj, Nilkanth Varni received a message from Ramanand Swami through a satsangi, Kunverjibhai. Ramanand Swami asked Nilkanth Varni, Muktanand Swami, and other saints and satsangis to meet him at Piplana near Junagadh. Nilkanth Varni, Muktanand Swami, and others arrived in Piplana on the 12th day of the dark half of the month Jeth VS 1856 at the residence of Narsinh Mehta. Shri Ramanand Swami and Nilkanth met for the first time.
On seeing Nilkanth Varni, Ramanand Swami got up on his feet and heartily and lovingly embraced Him, realizing that He was God Supreme. Ramanand Swami asked Nilkanth Varni about his parents, childhood, and pilgrimage that led him to Loj.
MAHABHAGVATI DIKSHA (INITIATION)
Five months after meeting Ramanand Swami, Shri Ramanand Swami initiatedNilkanth with Mahabhagvati Dikshain Pipalana, on the 11th day of the bright half of Kartik of Samvat(Prabodhini Ekadashi)VS 1857(Wednesday 28-10-1800 A.D). Shri Ramanand Swami gave him two names, Narayan Muni and Sahajanand Swami.
SAHAJANAND SWAMI AS AACHARYA
Exactly a year after initiating Shri Sahajanand Swami, on the 11th day of the bright half of Kartik of Samvat VS 1858, Shri Ramanand Swami appointed Shri Sahajanand Swami in his place as Aacharya and Guru of the Sampraday at Jetpur, a village in Junagadh District, Gujarat, India. At this time, Shri Sahajanand Swami was only 20 years and 7 months old.
LORD SWAMINARAYAN’S TIRODHYAN LILA
Lord Swaminarayan lived 49 years,2 months, and 11 days on this earth. Lord Swaminarayan disappeared on the Jeth sud 10, Vikram Samvat 1886 in Gadhada.