BAPS

Where and when was Bhagwān Swāminārāyan born?

In Chhapaiyā on 2 April 1781 CE.

What was His childhood name and who were His parents?

Name: Ghanshyām; Father: Dharmadev, Mother: Bhaktimātā

What were the names of Ghanshyām's elder and younger brother?

Rāmpratāpbhāi (Older) and Ichhārāmbhāi (Younger)

Who named Ghanshyām?

Mārkendeya Muni

How old was Ghanshyām when He left home?

11 years old

What did Ghanshyām have with Him when He left home?

A begging bowl, a small book containing the essence of al the scriptures, a loin cloth, a deer skin and a mālā.

By what name was Ghanshyām known during His pilgrimage?

Nilkanth Varni

Which five questions did Nilkanth Varni ask wherever He went?

What are Jiva, Ishwar, Māyā, Brahma and Parabrahma?

How long did Nilkanth Varni's pilgrimage last?

7 years, 1 month and 11 days

What names did Rāmānand Swāmi give to Nilkanth Varni when he initiated Him as a Sādhu?

Sahajānand Swāmi and Nārāyanmuni

Where did Rāmānand Swāmi give dikshā (initiation) to Nilkanth Varni?

Piplānā

How old was Sahajānand Swāmi when Rāmānand Swāmi gave Him the throne (gādi)?

21 years old

For how long did Bhagwān Swāminārāyan stay in Gadhadā?

30 years

Which great mantra did Sahajānand Swāmi give to the people?

Swāminārāyan Mahāmantra

Where did Bhagwān Swāminārāyan initiate 500 paramhanso together?

In Kālwāni.

Who composed the arti 'Jay Sadguru Swami'? What was the story behind its composition?

Muktānand Swāmi composed the ārti after realising the true greatness of Bhagwān Swāminārāyan from his guru Ramanand Swami. Ramamand Swami was not alive at the time when Muktanand Swami composed the arti. Ramanand Swami had given divine darshan to Muktanand Swami and reminded him of Shriji Maharaj's greatness as the Supreme God.

At what age did Bhagwān Swāminārāyan initiate 500 paramhanso?

26 years old

Who wrote the Shikshāpatri? Where and when was it written?

Bhagwān Swāminārāyan wrote the Shikshāpatri in Vartāl in 1826 CE

Where and when did Bhagwān Swāminārāyan return to Akshardhām?

In Gadhadā on 30 June 1830 CE. (VS 1886, Jeth sud 10)

Where and when was Gunātitānand Swāmi born?

In Bhādrā on 17 October 1785 CE. (VS 1841, Sharad Punam)

. What is Gunātitānand Swāmi's childhood name? Name his parents.

Name: Mulji Sharmā; Father: Bholānāth, Mother: Sākarbā

Where and when was Bhagatji Mahārāj born?

In Mahuvā on 20 March 1829 CE. (VS 1885, Fāgun sud 15)

What was Bhagatji Mahārāj's childhood name? Name his parents?

Name: Prāgji Darji; Father: Govindbhāi, Mother: Malub

Where and when was Shāstriji Mahārāj born?

In Mahelāv on 31 January 1865 CE (VS 1921, Vasant Panchmi)

What was Shastriji Mahārāj's childhood name? Name his parents.

Name: Dungar Patel; Father: Dhoribhāi, Mother: Hetbā

What was Shastriji Mahārāj's dikshā name?

Sādhu Yagnapurushdās

Where and when was Yogiji Mahārāj born?

In Dhāri on 23 May 1892 CE (VS 1948, Vaishākh vad 12)

What was Yogiji Mahārāj's childhood name? Name his parents.

Name: Jinābhāi Thakar; Father: Devchandbhāi, Mother: Puribāi

What was Yogiji Mahārāj's dikshā name?

Sādhu Gnānjivandās

Where and when was Pramukh Swāmi Mahārāj born?

In Chānsad on 7 December 1921 CE. (VS 1978, Māgshar sud 8)

What was Pramukh Swāmi's childhood name? Name his parents.

Name: Shāntilāl Patel; Father: Motibhāi, Mother: Diwālibā

What is Pramukh Swāmi Mahārāj's dikshā name?

Sādhu Nārāyanswarupdās

Where and when did Shāntilāl receive pārshadi dikshā?

In Amdāvād on 22 November 1939 CE. (VS 1996, Kārtik Sud 11)

Where, when and from whom did Pramukh Swāmi Mahārāj (Sadhu Narayanswarupdas) receive bhāgwati dikshā?

From Shastriji Mahārāj at the Akshar Deri in Gondal in 10 Jan 1940 CE.

Where and when was Pramukh Swami appointed as President of BAPS?

In Ambli Vādi Pol (Amdāvād) on 21 May 1950 CE

What are the foundations of Hindu culture

Mandir (Temples), Shāstra (Scriptures) and Sant (Satpurush)

What are the two 'wings' for attaining Akshardhām?

Agnā and upāsanā

What is ahimsā?

Non-Violence: All living things have souls. We should not harm or kill anything - not even mentally.

List the steps of a proper nitya puja that should be performed everyday in the morning.

Tilak-chāndlo, mānsi pujā (worshipping God and guru with your mind), the welcome (āhavān) mantra, 5 or 11 mālās, one tapa ni mālā, 11 pradakshinās, 6 dandvats, prārthanā, concluding vidāy mantra, reading 5 shlokas (gems) from the Shikshāpatri.

Why should we wear a kanthi?

The kanthi is a symbol of surrendering to God. It represents the faith that 'I am God's and God is mine.' The kanthi protects us from bad company and other evils.

Who are we culturally? Who is our Bhagwan? What organization do we belong to? Who is our guru?

Hindus; Purna Purushottam Bhagwān Swāminārāyan;BAPS; Pramukh Swāmi Mahārāj.

Who founded BAPS and when?

Brahmaswarup Shāstriji Mahārāj established 'Bochasanwāsi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swāminārāyan Sansthā' (BAPS) in 1907 CE.

Who started the Bāl Mandal for the children of BAPS and when?

Brahmaswarup Yogiji Mahārāj in 1954

Which are the major shāstras of our Sampradāya?

1. Vachanāmrut

2. Swāmini Vāto

3. Shikshāpatri

How many Vachanāmruts are there and which sadhus compiled them?

273. Compiled by Gopalānand Swami, Nityānand Swami, Muktānand Swami and Shukānand Swami.

What is the Vachanāmrut?

A collection of discourses by Bhagwān Swāminārāyan based on dialogues and questions between Maharaj and the sadhus and devotees. It is the essence of all the scriptures and was authenticated by Mahārāj Himself.

Name the 6 mandirs built by Bhagwān Swāminārāyan.

1. Amdāvād

2. Bhuj

3. Vadtāl

4. Dholerā

5. Junāgadh

6. Gadhadā

Give the names of some of our important scriptures in Hinduism.

4 Vedas, 10 Upanishads, 18 Puranas, Mahābhārat, Rāmāyan and Gitā.

What are the colors of the Indian flag and what do they represent?

Orange (sacrifice), white (purity), green (fertility). The wheel has 24 spokes signifying that may our everyday be filled with these three things.

What are the five eternal entities?

1. Jiva

2. Ishwar

3. Māyā

4.Brahman

5. Parabrahma

Name some of the famous male children and adult devotees of Hinduism.

Dhruv, Prahlād, Shravan, Nachiketa, Yuddhishthir, Arjun, Eklavya, Aruni

Name some of the famous female children and adult devotees of Hinduism.

Sitā, Shabari, Rukmini, Kunti, Draupadi, Meerābāi, Gārgi, Ansuya, Sāvitri

What are the four parts of Ekāntik Dharma?

Dharma, gnān, vairāgya and bhakti

Which vows are Satsangis supposed to follow?

DO NOT: drink alcohol, eat meat, fish, eggs or onions and garlic, keep addictions like smoking, steal/gambling, chewing tobacco, steal, commit suicide, speak ill of any Gods, commit violence to any jivas.

DO: Perform pujā daily, go to satsang sabhā, maintain the appropriate discipline between men and women, studying hard, respecting our parents

What is the tilak-chāndlo?

The tilak represents God's feet and the chāndlo represents the devotee bowing his head to God as a symbol of humility. As such, the tilak-chāndlo is a symbol of total surrender. It is also a part of the Swāminārāyan identity. According to Hindu tradition, applying sandalwood paste on the forehead keeps one's mind pure. In addition, the tilak-chandlo is representative of the Akshar-Purushottam upasana and also represents the goal of our life - "Aksharrup thai, Purushottamni Bhakti karvi"

What is the shloka (dhyey mantra) we sing at the of our sabhas?

| Gunātitām gurum prāpya, Brahmarupam nijātmanaha |

|| Vibhāvya dāsabhāvena, Swāminārāyanam bhaje ||

Which 5 mandirs did Shastriji Maharaj build?

Bochasan, Atladra, Ghadhada, Gondal, Sarangpur

When and how should we do Ghar Sabhā?

We should do it in the evening together with our family. Our sabhā should enable interaction with our family and reading of satsang books.

Why should we keep a Ghar Mandir?

To maintain our home's purity, happiness, peace and prosperity a Ghar Mandir is amust. We must do 2 artis and 1 thal in it everyday as a family.

Which 5 annual waterless fasts has Shāstriji Mahārāj commanded us to do?

Swāminārāyan Jayanti (Rām Navmi) (Mar-Apr), Dev Podhi Ekādashi (July), Janmāshtami (Aug-Sept), Jal-Jhilani Ekādashi (Sept) & Dev Uthi Ekādashi.

For how many months did Nilkanth Varni do tapa by standing on one leg in Pulhāshrama?

2 and a half months

From whom did Nilkanth Varni learn Ashtāng Yoga and how long did it take?

Nilkanth Varni learnt Ashtāng Yoga from Gopāl Yogi in 1 year.

Where did Rāmānand Swāmi give Sahajānand Swāmi his throne (gādi)?

Jetpur

How many shlokas are there in the Shikshāpatri and which is the most important one?

212 shlokas in the Shikshāpatri. Shloka 116 is the most important:

| Nijātmānam brahmarupam, Dehatraya vilakshanam |

|| Vibhāvya tena kartavyā, Bhaktihi krushnasya sarvadā ||

How many Vedās are there? Name them.

Four Vedas: Riga Veda, Yajura Veda, Sāma Veda and Atharva Veda

Where was Gunātitānand Swāmi cremated?

At the Akshar Deri in Gondal. However, it is important to also understand that Gunatitanand Swami did not go to Akshardham at this location. It was his final rites that were performed here.

How many Bal Mandals do we have and how many children attend?

Globally, we have over 6,000 centres in which 150,000 children attend.

Through what mediums are children taught moral and spiritual values?

Weekly Bal-Balika Mandal sabhā, English or Gujarāti magazines, audio bhajan CDs andDVDs, our kids (kids.baps.org) website, summer training camps, competitions and annual conferences - shibirs and conventions - amongst others.

Describe Gunātitānand Swāmi's greatness and major achievements.

He spread the knowledge of Mahārāj's Supremacy, helped many attain the highest spiritual state, spread the pure upāsanā, and taught the way to become staunch satsangis through his Vāto, transformed many people's lives and constantly travelled for satsang.

What were Bhagatji Mahārāj's greatest achievements?

Spread the knowledge that Gunātitānand Swāmi was Aksharbrahma. Is the ideal for following āgnā and keeping divyabhav; is an ideal for house holders, excellent preacher, relentless in service, made many satsangis.

What were some of Shāstriji Mahārāj's greatest achievements?

Spread the Akshar-Purushottam upāsanā, founded the BAPS Sansthā, made 5 Mandirs (Bochāsan, Sārangpur, Gondal, Atlādrā, Gadhadā), initiated more than 50 Sadhus, suffered countless hardships to spread Bhagwān Swāminārāyan's true knowledge, gifted us Pramukh Swāmi Mahārāj as President of the sansthā.

What were some of Yogiji Mahārāj's greatest achievements?

Initiated educated youths as Sadhus, founded Bal, Yuva and satsang Mandals, took the fellowship abroad, gave the motto of unity, inspired ideal sādhutā, his life message:'Bhagwān bhaji levā' - "We should worship God." 'Bhagwān saunu bhalu karo' - "God do the good of all

What are some of Pramukh Swāmi Mahārāj's achievements?

He has built more than 1000 mandirs and has gifted the world with famous cultural centers like Akshardhām, travelled to more than 17,000 towns, visited more than 250,000 homes, written more than 700,000 letters, initiated over 850 sadhus, been awarded 6 Guinness World Records and lived with the motto: 'In the joy of others, lies our own.'

What are the four basic beliefs of Hinduism?

1. Avatārvād: God manifests on earth 2. Karmavād: We reap the fruits of our actions

3. Punarjanmavād: Reincarnation

4. Murti Pujā: Worship is offered to the murtis of God

What is the principle of karma?

Belief that we get good merits for good deeds and bad merits for bad deeds in this birth or future births. Ultimately, however, the fruits of our karmas are determined and given by Bhagwan.

What 5 ārtis are performed in Shikkharbaddha Mandirs?

Mangalā, Shangār, Rājbhog, Sandhyā & Shayan

What are three ways of progressing in satsang?

Shraddhā, khap and samāgam (faith; deep desire or willingness; and company)

What will cause one to fall back from satsang?

Hath, mān and irshā (stubbornness, ego and jealousy)

What are the three qualities of a staunch satsangi?

Niyam, nishchay and paksha (rules, faith and loyalty)

What are the 4 ashrams that a hindu goes through in life?

Brahmacharya āshram, Gruhastha āshram, Vānprastha āshram, Sanyāsta ashram (celibate: 0-25y, householder: 25-50y, retired: 50-75y and renunciate: 75-100y)

Week

What is the principle of reincarnation?

All living things have a soul and until we do not free ourselves from our desires,flaws and baser-instincts the soul repeatedly takes birth as animals, insects, humans etc. (through the 8.4 million life forms infinite times)

What is avatārvād?

For the liberation of infinite souls, God himself takes birth on earth and reestablishes Ekantik dharma. He also fulfils the love and good wishes of his devotees.

What is our upasna? Why is it important?

Our upasna is to become Aksharoop and worship Purushottom. Nothing can be achieved without this upasana.

What 3 principles are to be understood in upāsanā?

1. Bhagwān Swāminārāyan is sarvopari, sākār, kartā, pragat (SSKP) (supreme,possessing a divine form, the all doer and forever manifest)

2. Gunātitānand Swāmi is Mul Aksharbrahma

3. Pragat Satpurush (Pramukh Swāmi Mahārāj) is the gateway to moksha.

Why should we follow niyam-dharma?

They increases our self-control and inner strength. Rules are necessary. Imagine football without rules. Swāmishri says: The bonds of dharma are not bonds, but tools for liberation.Just as roots are not bonds for a tree, rules are not bonds for us. Humans without rules arelike animals.

Why should we do mānsi pujā?

Mānsi pujā is devotion done mentally. The fruit of mānsi pujā is the same as doing that devotion physically. In mānsi pujā, a devotee is able to serve Mahārāj and Swāmi in everyway; the limits of gender, place, resources, and time do not apply.However, this is not an excuse to avoid physical devotion; this is to explain the mahima, importance, and greatness of mansi puja.

What is the importance of pradakshinās?

Pradakshinās are done with the feeling that God and guru are the centre of our lives.The scriptures say that the merit of one pradakshinā of God and his sant are greater than100 sacrifices. (ashwamedh yagnas)

Why sāshtāng dandvats?

Bowing to God and his sant with 8 parts of our body (head, eyes, chest, hands, feet,knees, mouth and mind) is a symbol of surrenderance.

What is the imortance of arti?

Arti is a prayer said with deep and sincere emotion.In ārti we thank God by offering the five elements to him: earth, water, light,wind and space.God is the king of infinite universes. When he comes to give his darshan it is only natural that devotees would be overjoyed. As such, they create a festive atmosphere with sounds of drums, bells, conch shells and singing. These divine sounds expel evil thoughts and focus the mind. Also, by performing arti we are inviting God into our hearts and lives; the light of God should enter our hearts - by light, we mean knowledge, purity, and conviction in His form.

Why should we do mala?

Doing mālā strengthens our faith, increases our focus, gives peace to our mind and soul,and improves our health. Gunātitānand Swāmi has said, "When confusion arises say the Swāminārāyan mantra and worries will be dissolved."

What is Chestā?

23 verses describing the divine form, incidents and actions of Bhagwān Swāminārāyan. Sādhus and devotees sing these verses every night.

Why should we attend sabhās?

Kathā is food for the soul. Through it many of our problems are solved.Kathā helps us understand our fellowship's principles and faith.Listening to the lives of our God and gurus gives us peace.We are able to stay informed about the activities of our sansthā and Swāmishri. We are able to follow Swāmi's wish and gain his grace.These sabhās give us earthly and heavenly benefits.

Name some of the other important scriptures of our Satsang?

Jivan Charitras (life stories of Mahārāj and the gurus), Satsangijivan, Bhaktachintāmani,Harililākalpataru, Harililāmrut, Haricharitramrutsāgar, Nishkulānand Kāvya etc.

What is taught to the youngsters in the Akshar-Purushottam Sansthā's Bal Mandal?

For virtuous qualities to blossom religious awareness, principles, good behavior, faith in God and Sant, and such other matter is emphasized. - Advice in education and studies. - Understanding of what the Sanatan Hindu Dharma means. - Historical perspective of the Swāminārāyan Fellowship. - Attainment of wider knowledge base. - Awaken the inner ability of the youngsters through verbal presentation, memorization of passages, devotional singing, compere, games etc.

Why do we believe in murti pujā?

These murtis are not just statues. God actually resides in the murtis consecrated by the Satpurush and accepts the devotion of devotees. God also resides in our Ghar Mandir. Yogiji Mahārāj used to say that during ārti,thāl, pujā, kathā, and cheshtā God comes especially to attend.

Why do we have Mandirs?

Mandirs are one of the main pillars of our culture. They calm and clean the mind. Theygive us peace and strengthen our faith in God. Many social services take place at the Mandir. Mandirs are great investment of money. Each religion has its own place of worship. Mandirs are ours. Ghar Mandirs are Mandirs too. God becomes a member of our family and gives our family peace and happiness.

Why should one read the shāstras?

They nurture and protect our culture and values. - We are able to clarify our life goal through reading the scriptures. - Our traditions, faith, and principles are kept alive through scriptures. - Our pride for our fellowship and our conviction are strengthened. - Scriptures also calm the mind. We should read the Vachanāmrut, SwāminiVāto and biographies of our gurus daily.

What is kusang (bad company)? What are the three types?

Kusang is that which takes us away from Bhagwān or our Satsang. Kusang is the company of bad friends, bad books, inappropriate food and drinks, movies and TV shows,the misuse of TV and internet, breaking the code of conduct between men and women etc. The three types of kusang are: 1. Andarno (Internal Flaws) 2. Baharno (Outside Bad Company - Movies, TV, etc) 3. Satsangno (Kusang within Satsang)

What two boons did Sahajānand Swami ask for from Rāmānand Swāmi when He was appointed as the Guru?

'If a devotee of yours is to suffer the sting of one scorpion, then in his place, letMe suffer that sting in each pore of My body, but your devotee should not suffer.''If a devotee of yours is compelled to begging then let Me take his place, but your devotee should not suffer from the lack of food, clothing or shelter.'