This section will briefly acquaint you with the Swaminarayan Sampraday, presenting an abridged biography of Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan (Shreeji Maharaj). The easiest way to explain what Shreeji Maharaj achieved in such a short time-span is to read the prose written by the great poet (Kavishwar) and staunch devotee Shree Nanalal Dalpatram:
Janmya Koshal Des, Vesh Batuno Lai Teerth Mahi Farya Ramanand Malya Swadharma Chalavyo, Yagnaadi Mota Karya Mota Dhaam Rachya Rahya Gadhpurre Be Desh Gadi Kari Atardhaan Thaya Leela Hari Tani Sankshipt Uchari
Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan was born in the Koshal region of India, in a village called Chhapaiya (near Ayodhya, UP). Having served His parents until their demise, the Almighty undertook a pilgrimage of India, adopting the life of a nomadic hermit.
Upon completing a 7-year sojourn across India, the Lord met Ramanand Swami and established the purest and unadulterated form of religion, based on ultimate devotion to God, with total observance of non-violent dharma. Shreeji Maharaj reintroduced non-violent yagnas on a grand scale. He initiated numerous acts of social welfare, such as establishing alms-houses, digging village wells and lakes, and explaining in detail the importance of worshiping Satvic deities. Shreeji Maharaj condemned the practices of enforced sati and female infanticide.
After the passing of Shree Ramanand Swami, Shreeji Maharaj held a large gathering of followers at the town of Faneni. During this sabha, while explaining that God is one, He is Narayan, He is our Swami, Shreeji Maharaj introduced ‘the father of all Mantras,’ Swaminarayan. It should be noted that there was no Swami whom He had appointed as His successor or as an ideal devotee at that time. The name refers wholly and solely to Bhagwan Purushottam Narayan (Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan). The poet Dalpatram Kavi dedicates a whole chapter in his granth, ‘Shree Harileelamrut Sagar,’ written on behalf of the Late Acharya Maharajshri Shri Vihaarilalji Maharaj (3rd Acharya on Vadtal Gadi), to the greatness of the name Swaminarayan.
He established temples at Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Muli, Vadtal, Junagadh, Dholera, Dholka, Gadhpur, and Jetalpur, installing images of various manifestations of God, such as Nar Narayan Dev, Laxmi Narayan Dev, Radha Krishna, Radha Raman, Revti Baldevji, etc. Shreeji Maharaj made Gadhpur His home, in recognition of the exceptional devotion of Dada Khachar.
At Vadtal, Shreeji Maharaj established the dual Acharyaship in direct succession to Himself. He did this through a legal document (known as Desh Vibhagno Lekh), which He dictated and got written by Shukanand Swami. Learned saints and elder satsangis witnessed this document. Copies were presented to Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj and Raghuveerji Maharaj, and these are currently in the possession of the present Acharyas.
Shreeji Maharaj appointed Shree Raghuveerji Maharaj to the Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi at Vadtal, and Shree Ayodhyaprasadji Maharaj to the Nar Narayan Dev Gadi at Ahmedabad. Presently, HH Acharya Maharajshri Rakeshprasadji Maharaj adorns the illustrious seat of Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi, while HH Acharya Maharajshri Tejendraprasadji Maharaj has spread the glory of God as Acharya and leader of the Nar Narayan Dev Gadi at Ahmedabad for the past four decades. It is the uniqueness of the authentic bona fide Swaminarayan Sampraday that the closest a tyagi (saint) comes to leadership is being appointed the Mahant Swami (head-saint) of a Shikharbaddh Temple. At all times, the true saints of the Sampraday take their instructions from the Acharya, their ultimate Guru and leader.
At the age of 49 years, having accomplished His work, Shreeji Maharaj left His physical body at Gadhpur, promising to remain within the Swaminarayan Sampraday in:
- the images He installed (and the Acharyas succeeding Him as per the Desh Vibhagno Lekh),
- the Acharyas installed by Him (and those in direct succession),
- the saints He initiated (and those initiated by succeeding Acharyas),
- the scriptures, such as Shikshapatri, Satsangi Jeevan, Satsangi Bhushan, etc. (and those authorized by succeeding Acharyas).