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SPECIAL FEATURE JUNE 21, 2024 | The Indian Eye 14

WORSHIPPING THE

CHARANARVIND OF GOD

anatan Dharma or Hinduism is a holy feet of God. Just as an iron nail
goldmine of sublime spiritual sym- that is firmly affixed to an iron surface
Sbolism. Some of the most inspir- can never be separated, similarly, one’s
ing symbols relate to the form of God. mind should be fixed firmly at the feet
Every atom of God’s apparently human of God.” This is articulated in Vachana-
form is divine. When one worships with mrut Gadhada III-7.
this belief one attains great spiritual Thus, the feet of God are wor-
heights. shipped with the utmost reverence, and
And in this form, the charanarvind, in doing so, one progresses spiritually.
holy feet, of God carry the most pro- Yet, even when one attains the elevat-
found significance. ed God-realized state, one still remains
Even from a secular viewpoint, in subservient to God.
the olden days, people would bow at the Bhagwan Swaminarayan describes
feet of a ruler as an act of submission. this characteristic of devotees in
This act of surrendering oneself and Vachanamrut Gadhada II-67, “Those
seeking refuge ‘at the feet’ of someone devotees of God who become brah-
more powerful and capable provides marup still behave as God’s servants
one with protection and support. and engage in his worship. In this way,
So, to surrender at the feet of God devotees of God attain qualities simi-
and dedicate oneself totally to him is the lar to those of God, and yet, the mas-
ultimate acknowledgment of one’s sub- ter-servant relationship between them
servience to God, the cause and creator is maintained.”
of all. This sentiment has always played This principle is exemplified in the
a central role in the Bhakta-Bhagwan lives of the Gunatit gurus – the suc-
tradition of Sanatan Dharma. cession of God-realized Sadhus estab-
In the Padma Puran, in the form of lished by Bhagwan Swaminarayan and
a dialogue between Brahma and Nar- Charanarvind of Bhagwan Swaminarayan displayed at through whom he remains manifest on
adji, Veda Vyasji describes the sixteen earth. His Holiness Pramukh Swami
holy signs that are present on the feet of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, Robbinsville, NJ Maharaj and His Holiness Mahant Swa-
God: Eight on the right foot and seven mi Maharaj have repeatedly taught and
on the left. The sixteenth may be pres- your body makes us think you are He then accepted initiation from practiced this principle of servitude to
ent on either foot. Elaborating upon human. We’ve seen many assem- Bhagwan Swaminarayan into the God as a key pillar in the philosophical
this, Shrimad Jivagoswami writes in his blies like this, but nowhere have sadhu-fold and was named Brah- doctrine of BAPS. Their every thought,
Vaishnavtoshni Tika, “When these six- we seen so many people intent- manand Swami. word and deed reflects worship at the
teen signs are present on the feet of a ly focused on one person. Please Many such incidents were feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
person, understand that person as the explain the significance of this to witnessed by not only his param-
manifest form of Parabrahman Puru- us.” Bhagwan Swaminarayan re- hansas and devotees but also by The charanarvind of Bhagwan
shottam Narayan. If an avatar has two, plied, “Vairat Brahma prayed for non-devotees, testifying to the fact
three, four, five or more signs, then 50 years and 1½ pahor days of his that Bhagwan Swaminarayan was Swaminarayan can be seen at the
understand the increasing glory of that time (one day and night of Brah- the manifest form of Purna Puru- BAPS Swaminarayan Akshard-
avatar.” man equals 8,640,000,000 human shottam Narayan.
Bhagwan Swaminarayan gave dar- years) so that these charanarvind Bhagwan Swaminarayan man- ham in Robbinsville, NJ which is
shan of the sixteen holy signs on his feet manifest on this earth. Now you ifested on earth in human form open daily except Tuesdays, from
to the paramhansas and devotees innu- may conclude as you wish.” from 1781 to 1830. A measure of
merable times, thus convincing them Bhagwan Swaminarayan was his divinity is gauged by the fact 9:00 am to 7:30 pm. While ad-
that he was the manifest form of Purna in Gadhada, when the renowned that over 3,000 sadhus and two mission is free, reservations are
Purushottam Narayan. poet Ladudanji came to test him. million devotees worshipped him,
Once, Bhagwan Swaminarayan was Ladudanji had made four wish- with the firm conviction that he necessary for visits on weekends,
seated under a mango tree in Vartal. es for Bhagwan Swaminarayan to was God incarnate. He taught the US national holidays, and Hindu
The paramhansas were keenly observ- fulfill, among which was “If Swa- Vedic philosophy that one has to
ing the divine signs on his feet. Four minarayan is God, let him show become Aksharrup and worship at festivals to minimize wait times.
wellwishers approached for Maharaj’s me the sixteen signs on the feet the feet of Purushottam. Describ- For more information, please visit
blessings. He stretched his legs and of God described in the shastras.” ing this doctrine, Bhagwan Swam-
seeing the sixteen sacred signs on his All four of his wishes were ful- inarayan explains in the Vachana- usa.akshardham.org
feet, they said, “Maharaj, seeing your filled by Bhagwan Swaminarayan mrut, a sacred Hindu scripture
feet makes us think that you are Purna and Ladudanji was convinced that of his teachings that “a devotee Amrutvijaydas Swami
Purushottam Narayan. But looking at Bhagwan Swaminarayan was God. should firmly keep his mind at the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

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