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A result of attention
Despite being a Hindu religion, the Swaminarayan Sampraday has expanded to many countries around the world. Among the various sects of Hinduism, the Swaminarayan Sampraday has gained prestige as one of the most superior sects. The founder of this Swaminarayan Sampraday was Bhagwan Swaminarayan, who established the Swaminarayan Sampraday in 1802.
In establishing the Swaminarayan Sampraday, Bhagwan Swaminarayan initiated both spiritual and social activities simultaneously, working towards the upliftment of society. He presented a beautiful approach to the world, emphasizing that spirituality is essential for serving society in the best possible way. By integrating spirituality and sociality, he undertook numerous activities and provided a system that would continue such works for thousands of years.
To provide spirituality, Bhagwan Swaminarayan established temples, initiated saints, created devotees, composed scriptures, and framed the constitution of the Sampraday. He also provided foundational practices of Dharma (righteousness), Gyan (knowledge), Vairagya (detachment), and Bhakti (devotion) along with religious rituals. As a result of these practices, he offered the unique and eternal principles (unique upasna) leading to Moksha (liberation) and bestowed the ultimate bliss of his divine form (parbhav), achieving the eternal state of Anadimukta and benefiting humanity.
For social welfare, Bhagwan Swaminarayan initiated vows of conduct, liberated people from superstitions and blind beliefs, established permanent campaigns for de-addiction, abolished the practice of Sati, gave a distinguished status to women in society, and promoted the highest values and commands of humanity by eliminating the distinctions between rich and poor, and caste differences, thereby working towards the upliftment of society.
The organization that continues the spiritual and social upliftment activities initiated by Bhagwan Swaminarayan is SMVS (Swaminarayan Mandir Vasna Sanstha). The organization was founded by the sixth successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Gurudev Bapji, on February 22, 1987. SMVS represents and carries forward the spiritual and social upliftment work that Bhagwan Swaminarayan began.
The founder of the SMVS organization, Gurudev Bapji, explains, "This organization belongs to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, He Himself established it, He manages it, He performs all the works, and He inspires and strengthens everyone to join in this work. Therefore, keep in mind that we are not the doers; Bhagwan Swaminarayan is doing everything, and perform all your service activities with this thought at the center."
Keeping this thought at the center, the organization is carrying out beautiful spiritual and social service work, which includes:
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The purpose of the human body is to attain the salvation of the soul. The organization is awakening such feelings of salvation in every individual, leading them to the upasna of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the knowledge of the state of Anadimukta (eternally liberated soul), thus advancing them on the path of salvation.
- The five vows given by Bhagwan Swaminarayan: 1) Abstinence from addiction, 2) Abstinence from meat-eating, 3) Maintaining honesty and integrity, 4) Abstinence from adultery, and 5) Steadfastness in observance; the organization is inspiring every individual to incorporate these five vows into their lives, encouraging an ideal way of living.
- SMVS takes care of the spiritual and social well-being of every individual, family, and society worldwide.
- Through spiritual dimensions like Dhun (chanting), Bhajan (devotional singing), Puja (worship), meditation, and Satsang (spiritual assembly), the organization is significantly contributing to addressing the spiritual, familial, and character-related challenges of contemporary society.
- The organization instills virtues that benefit humanity, such as compassion, love, mercy, empathy, and the spirit of help, in every individual, inspiring them to serve society and walk together with it.
