7.2. What to Understand in Upāsanā

In the Svāminārāyaṇa Vedanta, the terms 'Svāmi' and 'Nārāyaṇa' found within the Svāminārāyaṇa mantra refer to Akṣara and Puruṣottama, respectively. We will now learn the incarnate forms of Svāmi and Nārāyaṇa, otherwise as Akṣara and Puruṣottama, according to the preaching of Parabrahman Svāminārāyaṇa and the Brahmasvarūpa Gurus.

1. Guṇātītānanda is Akṣarabrahman

“Mūlajī Bhakta is the incarnation of my divine abode, Akṣaradhāma.”^[1]

Parabrahman Svāminārāyaṇa himself disclosed Guṇātītānanda Svāmi’s true identity through these immortal words. The ‘Akṣara’ of 'Akṣara-Puruṣottama' and 'Svāmi' of ‘Svāminārāyaṇa’ both refer to Akṣarabrahman Guṇātītānanda Svāmi Mahārāja. This is well-known within the Sampradāy. Guṇātītānanda Svāmi Mahārāja was born on 28 September 1784 CE (Aso sud 15, Saṃvata 1841), the auspicious day of Śarada pūrṇimā, in the village of Bhādarā, Gujarat. He was named Mūlajī Śarmā. His mother's name was Sākarabā and his father's name was Bholānātha. Śrīhari Sahajānanda (Bhagavāna Svāminārāyaṇa) performed a grand yajna in Ḍabhāṇa on 20 January 1810 CE (Posh sud 15. Samvat 1866 and initiated Mūlajī Śarmā as a sadhu, naming him Guṇātītānanda Svāmi.

Sahajānanda nda Śrīhari is Puruṣottama: The term 'Narāyaṇa' within ‘Svāminārāyaṇa’ and ‘Puruṣottama’ in Akṣara-Puruṣottama both refer to Śrīhari Sahajānanda, who is known as Bhagavāna Svāminārāyaṇa. This identification is extremely verified within the Akṣara-Puruṣottama Darśana. Within this Darśana only Śrīhari Sahajānanda is Puruṣottama Narāyaṇa. Bhakti is offered to him with the understanding that He is the Supreme Being, the all-doer, the cause and controller of all, and the granter of ultimate liberation.

2. Puruṣottama’s Self Revelation

There is no superior authentication than Puruṣottama Bhagavān himself unpacking His own identity. Bhagavāna Svāminārāyaṇa repeatedly uncovers the above principle in his preachings.

For example:

“It is that same supreme Parabrahman Puruṣottama Bhagavāna who manifests on this earth out of kindness -for the purpose of bestowing liberation to the jīvas. He is presently visible before everyone; He is your Iṣṭadeva; and is accepting your service.” (Vacanāmṛta Gadhadā III/38, p.664)

Thus, in the Svāminārāyaṇa Vedanta, the Akṣara Puruṣottama upāsanā is the most powerful spiritual endeavor.^[2]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Akṣarabrahman Guṇātītānanda Svāmi: Life and Work, Part 1, p.54

[2]:

Svāmīnī Vāto 2/2