BAPS stands for Bochasanwasi Aksharpurshottam Shri Swaminarayan Sanstha. It is a Sanstha (organisation) estlablished by His Divine Holiness Shashtriji Maharaj (Sadhu Yagnapurushdas) in 1907 A.D. BAPS is estlablished on the basis of 'Akshar-Purshottam' philosophy. Purshottam is Lord Swaminaryan and Akshar (Aksharbrahma) is God's divine abode- also called 'Akshardham'.
Swaminarayan Sampraday (sect) is a bhakti (devotion) sampraday founded by Lord Swaminarayan on 31 December 1801 CE. It represents purest form of Hindu religion and focuses on salvation through total devotion to Lord Swaminarayan developed through dharma, gnan , and vairagya ( righteousness , knowledge and detachment).
'Akshar-Purshottam' Philosophy presents the philosophy of 'succession'. Philosophically, Lord Swaminarayan is Purshottam and Gunatitanand swami is Aksharbrahma - His divine abode- Akshardham. Lord resides in his fullest glory resides eternally in his divine abode- Akshardham- Gunatitanand Swami . They are ever-together , inseperable. From other perspective , Lord Swaminarayan is the Master and Gunatitanand Swami is his ideal devotee. According to the philosophy of succession, the 'Aksharbrahma' entity is passed from one physical form to another , but remains ever present on earth. This philosophy of succession has been disclosed by Lord Swaminarayan himself in his scriptures.
Lord Swaminarayan entrusted Gunatinanad swami with the oars of the sampraday by saying :
"Gunatitanand and I are not different."
"Gunatitanand is Aksharbrahma, My Divine Abode......... "
"Just as millions follow me , millions shall follow Gunatitanand." Hence Gunatitanand swami becomes his first spiritual successor (guru).
It becomes extremely essential here to clarify that the spiritual successor (guru) is the Aksharbrahma entity in which God resides eternally and NOT God himself.
Lord Swaminarayan lovingly commanded his devotees : "One month , every year come to Junagadh and stay here.... " It was because Gunatitanand swami resided as the head sadhu at Junagadh.
Since then Gunatitanand Swami led the mission and has continued in its all divinity through Bhagatji Maharaj , Shastriji Maharaj , Yogiji Maharaj and at present, Pramukh swami Maharaj . The following figure represents Lord Swaminarayan and his spiritual successors from left to right. This post is a very raw introduction to BAPS. The following link can be used to access more information about BAPS : www.baps.org
Swaminarayan Sampraday (sect) is a bhakti (devotion) sampraday founded by Lord Swaminarayan on 31 December 1801 CE. It represents purest form of Hindu religion and focuses on salvation through total devotion to Lord Swaminarayan developed through dharma, gnan , and vairagya ( righteousness , knowledge and detachment).
'Akshar-Purshottam' Philosophy presents the philosophy of 'succession'. Philosophically, Lord Swaminarayan is Purshottam and Gunatitanand swami is Aksharbrahma - His divine abode- Akshardham. Lord resides in his fullest glory resides eternally in his divine abode- Akshardham- Gunatitanand Swami . They are ever-together , inseperable. From other perspective , Lord Swaminarayan is the Master and Gunatitanand Swami is his ideal devotee. According to the philosophy of succession, the 'Aksharbrahma' entity is passed from one physical form to another , but remains ever present on earth. This philosophy of succession has been disclosed by Lord Swaminarayan himself in his scriptures.
Lord Swaminarayan entrusted Gunatinanad swami with the oars of the sampraday by saying :
"Gunatitanand and I are not different."
"Gunatitanand is Aksharbrahma, My Divine Abode......... "
"Just as millions follow me , millions shall follow Gunatitanand." Hence Gunatitanand swami becomes his first spiritual successor (guru).
It becomes extremely essential here to clarify that the spiritual successor (guru) is the Aksharbrahma entity in which God resides eternally and NOT God himself.
Lord Swaminarayan lovingly commanded his devotees : "One month , every year come to Junagadh and stay here.... " It was because Gunatitanand swami resided as the head sadhu at Junagadh.
Since then Gunatitanand Swami led the mission and has continued in its all divinity through Bhagatji Maharaj , Shastriji Maharaj , Yogiji Maharaj and at present, Pramukh swami Maharaj . The following figure represents Lord Swaminarayan and his spiritual successors from left to right. This post is a very raw introduction to BAPS. The following link can be used to access more information about BAPS : www.baps.org
