Mar 12, 2021
Satsang Diksha: An Introduction
History in the Making
The below introduction is based on the Foreword of the Satsang Dikshã. Please refer to the Foreword for more information and details. All key names, concepts, etc. are linked.
Imagine having a 315-sentence book that encompasses all the main practices and principles that you believe in very simple language. This is the Satsang Dikshã. The Satsang Dikshã is a simple, yet profound scripture that encompasses the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan.
What?
Satsang Dikshã is a Hindu scripture encompassing the codes of conduct, daily practices, and philosophical principles established by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in accordance with his philosophy of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan.
It is also a chapter within a large text called the Akshar-Purushottam Samhitã — a voluminous text based on the bhakti traditions and teachings laid out by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
The Satsang Dikshã a key scripture to those of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha diocese, within the Swaminarayan tradition. The scripture describes the key codes of conduct and daily practices for practicing the faith, known as ãgnã, and the philosophical principles of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, known as upãsanã.
Who?
The scripture was written by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the 6th spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the current leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The original Gujarati verses are written by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj with the Sanskrit translation by Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami into a concise 315 shlokas (verses).
This scripture was then translated into various languages (for a total of 18 languages) by various swamis and volunteers — including Hindi, Marathi, English, Punjabi, Bengali, Telugu, Odia, Kannada, Kiswahili, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Polish, and even English Braille.
When?
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj began writing the scripture in Navsari, Gujarat on January 30, 2020, or the auspicious occasion of the Hindu festival of Vasant Panchami (which is the birthday of Shastriji Maharaj, the 3rd spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the propagator of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan).
Over the next 64 days, amidst his tireless vicharan of traveling to various centers, meeting devotees, writing letters, etc, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj took the time out to write, consult and edit the verses.
The Gujarati prose was completed in Nenpur, Gujarat on April 2, 2020, or the auspicious occasion of Swaminarayan Jayanti (or the birthday of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the establisher of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan).
Why?
For many years, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj wanted to consolidate the teachings of the many scriptures within the Swaminarayan tradition into a simple-to-understand scripture for devotees to be able to read and reflect on.
This scripture was written by Mahant Swami Maharaj clearly explaining the teaching and principles of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the lineage of gunatit gurus (or the spiritual successors of Bhagwan Swaminarayan), and the scriptures.
This scripture was specially written as a guide for devotees of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, who believe in the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan of Vedant philosophy. However, it has many values that people around the world, regardless of background, can learn from.
It is also serving as a tribute to His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj on the occasion of his Centennial Birth Celebrations.
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj requested that those who follow the BAPS tradition read and at least 5 verses from the Satsang Diksha daily and study the scripture in depth.
Reading the Text
History in the Making
Since the inauguration of the Satsang Diksha, there have been various events to dive into the scripture and learn more about the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan.
Memorizing the Scripture
- First Satsang Diksha All-India Sanskrit Shlok Memorization Competition— 334 youths successfully memorized the entire scripture in Sanskrit
- Satsang Diksha Sanskrit Shlok Memorization Competition 2021— 2,336 youths successfully memorized the entire scripture in Sanskrit
- Various memorization competitions worldwide, including in India, UK & Europe, Australia & New Zealand, North America, etc.
Discourse on the Scripture
Praising the Scripture
- First Satsang Diksha Homatmak Path and Swaminarayan Vishvashanti Mahayagna in Pune, Maharashtra.
- Satsang Diksha Parikrama was created in the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Navsari, Gujarat, where the base of the mandir is embedded with verses from the scripture.
- Second Satsang Diksha Homatmak Path and Swaminarayan Vishvashanti Mahayagna in Nashik, Maharashtra.
