KST Entrance Exam Study Guide

A comprehensive vocabulary flashcard set for the KST Entrance Exam, covering mukhpath, Hinduism basics, BAPS history, and Guru Parampara information.

KST Program

A selective program for $9-12$ grade kishores and kishoris designed to empower them spiritually, mentally, professionally, and socially.

Entrance Exam Purpose

To gauge a candidate’s commitment to mandir and discipline in their own personal satsang through oral and written sections.

Arti

A devotional ritual of worship; the specific BAPS arti includes verses like 'Jay Swāminārāyan, Jay Akshar-Purushottam'.

Mukta

A liberated soul who worships Bhagwan Swaminarayan in Akshardham.

Ekantik Dharma

The four-pillared foundation of spiritual life consisting of Dharma, Gnan, Vairagya, and Bhakti.

Aksharbrahman

The eternal entity Gunatitanand Swami, who is the divine abode and the ideal devotee of Purushottam.

Anant-koṭīndu-ravi-prakāshe

An ashtak describing Akshardham as being as luminous as infinite suns and moons ($Anant-ko\text{t}\bar{i}-indu-ravi$).

Samādhi

The $8\text{th}$ and final step of Ashtang yog, representing a state of spiritual bliss famously bestowed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan even without difficult hatha-yoga.

Vachanamut

A scripture consisting of the nectar-like sermons of Bhagwan Swaminarayan delivered to establish ekāntik dharma.

Sarangpur Mandir

The beautiful mandir where the murtis of Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami and aksharmukta Gopalanand Swami are consecrated alongside Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Gunatitanand Swami

The first guru in the BAPS guru parampara, born in the village of Bhadra on September\ne\n28,\ne\n1784, and initiated by Shriji Maharaj as Mulji Sharma.

Bhagatji Maharaj

The second guru in the BAPS guru parampara, originally named Pragji Bhakta, who was a tailor by profession and an ocean of forgiveness.

Shastriji Maharaj

The founder of BAPS who established the Sanstha in $1907$ and built $5$ mandirs based on the Akshar-Purushottam doctrine.

Yogiji Maharaj

The guru who started Bal and Satsang Mandals and whose childhood name was Jina Bhagat (Sadhu Gnanjivandas).

Pramukh Swami Maharaj

The guru who consecrated the most temples by one person ($3$ Guinness World Records) and wrote over $700,000$ letters.

Mahant Swami Maharaj

The current guru of BAPS, childhood name Vinubhai, who created the Satsang Diksha in Nenpur in $2020$.

Thal

A devotional offering of food to Bhagwan, such as 'Māre gher āvjo Chhogalādhārī'.

Aahvaan Mantra

The prayer 'Uttishtha Sahajānanda…' recited during puja to invite Bhagwan and the gurus to accept worship.

Punaragaman Mantra

The prayer 'Bhaktyaiva divya-bhāvena…' recited at the end of puja, asking Bhagwan to reside within one's ātmā.

Swamini Vato

A collection of spiritual teachings by Gunatitanand Swami, such as the instruction to believe 'Ãpne Bhagwãnnã chhie pan mãyãnã nathi' (We belong to God and not maya).

Murti Puja

One of the four core beliefs of Hinduism involving the worship of physical forms of the divine.

Maya

The illusory material world that distracts the jiva from spiritual pursuits and devotion to Bhagwan.

Guru

From 'Gu' (darkness) and 'ru' (remover); a spiritual guide who removes ignorance and leads a devotee toward light.

Gnan

Spiritual knowledge and wisdom regarding the $5$ eternal entities: Jiva, Ishwar, Maya, Brahman, and Parabrahman.

Panch Vartmans of a Sant

The five codes of conduct: Nirman (no ego), Nissneh (no attachment), Nirlobh (no greed), Nishkam (no lust), and Nisswad (no taste).

Kanthi

A neck thread symbolizing surrender to Bhagwan and protection from bad company.

Chesta

A devotional song written by Premanand Swami describing Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s daily divine actions, sung at night.

Akshardham

The eternal, imperishable abode of Bhagwan where liberated souls reside; physical replicas exist in Delhi, Gandhinagar, and Robbinsville.

Shikshapatri

The code of conduct scripture written by Bhagwan Swaminarayan for his devotees.

Nilkanth Varni

The name given to Ghanshyam Maharaj during his $7$ year, $1$ month, and $11$ day pilgrimage of India.

Dasmvarta Boons

The two boons Sahajanand Swami asked from Ramanand Swami to protect satsangis from suffering and hunger.