HH Mahant Swami Maharaj Inaugurates Historic Philosophical Work: Swaminarayana-Siddhanta-Sudh

Robbinsville, NJ--His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj inaugurated Swaminarayana-Siddhanta-Sudha, a classical Sanskrit treatise composed in the ancient genre and style celebrating and pronouncing Swaminarayan theology, at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ on September 17, 2017. Bhadreshdas Swami, its author, was honored by distinguished scholars as well as dignitaries, including Professor Deven Patel, Professor Graham Schweig, Professor Jyotindra Dave, Professor Timalsina, Professor Cardona, and ParamacharyaSadasivanathaPalaniswamifrom Hinduism Today.

The significance of Bhadresdas Swami’s achievement was well noted by Professor Deven Patel. He expressed, "This work has already been not only approved, but celebrated by the Akhil BharatVidvatParishad. This is the pandits of Benaras, Kashi, who for centuries test a work before they approve it and test to see if it is worthy of praise; and in this work it has not only received praise but it has received admiration of the highest order."

Bhadreshdas Swami, an eminent Sanskrit scholar and ordained monk of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, completed the SwaminarayanaBhashyam, a five-volume classical Sanskrit commentary on Hinduism’s three Vedic canonical texts (Prasthanatrayi) – the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Brahma Sutras – in 2007. These three texts form the interpretive foundation for the philosophical beliefs of the Hindu Vedanta (commentarial) traditions.

Bhadreshdas Swami's Swaminarayan Bhashyam is the first classical Sanskrit commentary on the entire Prasthanatrayi to have been completed by anyone in the last several centuries. In his commentary, Bhadreshdas Swami expounds the SwaminarayanaDarshana, illuminating the Vedic roots of the Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan philosophy, which was propounded by the 19th-century Hindu leader, Bhagwan Swaminarayan, and later institutionalized by His Holiness ShastrijiMaharaj, the third spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the founder of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (organization). Even more significantly, in 2017, Bhadreshdas Swami also completed Swaminarayana-Siddhanta-Sudha, a vaada-grantha, or classical dialectic treatise that offers an exposition, justification, and defense of the Akshara-PurushottamaDarshana’s philosophical principles.

Bhadreshdas Swami offered his completed Swaminarayan Bhashyam to his late guru, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, in Ahmedabad, India, in 2007. Ten years later, he completed Swaminarayana-Siddhanta-Sudha, which was inaugurated today by Mahant Swami Maharaj. This latter work was celebrated in Varanasi, India, by the Shri Kashi VidvatParishad, an authoritative, honorable council which serves a decisive role in matters concerning Vedic principles and its research.

In Varanasi, the vice-chancellor of Shri Lal Bahadur ShastriRashtriya Sanskrit University emphasized, “Within the history of the Indian academic tradition… it is the first time that a single person has authored both a commentary on the entire Prasthanatrayi and also a vaadagrantha of one’s own sampradaya. I firmly believe that this vaadagrantha will achieve great admiration throughout the world.”

Professor Jyotindra Dave very aptly detailed the importance of the Bhadreshdas Swami’s work in establishing Akshar Purushottam siddhant with theological beliefs. He said, “We should offer our utmost gratitude to Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami for fulfilling a task that Pramukh Swami Maharaj intended to complete and one that Mahant Swami Maharaj will continue to uphold and for spreading the glory of Akshar Purushottam Siddhant so we may all understand its importance as well.”

Speaking on this occasion, Bhadreshdas Swami humbly credited his scholarly works to the inspiration he had received from Pramukh Swami Maharaj and the blessings of his current guru Mahant Swami Maharaj. He added: "The Akshara-PurushottamaDarshana is not only confined to texts but is lived as a way of life by thousands of practicing devotees of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.”

On Sunday, September 17, in Robbinsville, NJ, Bhadreshdas Swami offered the vaadagranth to his guru, Mahant Swami Maharaj. Mahant Swami Maharajappreciated the philosophical work and humility of Bhadreshdas Swami.

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About BAPS
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a worldwide spiritual and humanitarian organization that is dedicated to community service, peace, and harmony. Motivated by Hindu principles, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families, and individuals. Through various spiritual and humanitarian activities, BAPS endeavors to develop better citizens of tomorrow with high esteem for their roots and culture. Its 3,300 international centers support these character-building activities. Under the guidance and leadership of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is free of addictions as well as morally, ethically and spiritually pure. For more details, please visitwww.baps.org.

About Mahant Swami Maharaj
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is the sixth and current spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He was ordained a swami by YogijiMaharaj in 1961 and named Sadhu Keshavjivandas. As he was appointed the head (Mahant) of the Mandir in Mumbai, he became known as Mahant Swami. His devout, humble and service-focused life earned him the innermost blessings of YogijiMaharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Mahant Swami Maharaj travels throughout the world inspiring people through his insightful spiritual discourses and disciplined conduct. His virtuous lifestyle and profound devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and gurus are ideals toward which devotees strive. Mahant Swami Maharaj became the guru and President of BAPS upon Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s passing in 2016.

About Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Under his leadership, BAPS grew into an international spiritual and humanitarian organization with over 3,300 centers worldwide. He dedicated his life to the well-being of others, traveling throughout the world to foster love, peace, harmony, righteousness, faith in God, and service to humanity. With genuine care and compassion, he reached out to all members of society irrespective of class, color, or age. Recognized and respected as one of India's greatest spiritual teachers, he lived by and promoted the principle: “In the joy of others, lies our own.”

2. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj inaugurates Swaminarayana-Siddhanta-Sudha – a Historic Philosophical Work by Mahāmahopādyāya Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami

3. His Holiness Mahant Swami MaharajblessesMahāmahopādyāya Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami

4. Distinguished scholars present at the event, from left to right – Professor Sthaneshwar Timalsina, Professor Graham Schweig, Professor Cardona, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcahrandas Swami, Pujya Anandswarupdas Swami, Mahāmahopādyāya Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami, ParamacharyaSadasivanathaPalaniswami from Hinduism Today, and Professor Deven Patel.