The Vachanamrut is a compilation of the divine discourses of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and is the core shastra of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya.
The first Vachanamrut is dated 21 November 1819 (Magshar sud 4, Samvat 1876) and so 2019 will mark its bicentenary. A special assembly was held to launch the year-long Vachanamrut bicentenary celebrations. In this evening assembly, the Vachanamrut and its special characteristics were highlighted.
In his own divine words, Bhagwan Swaminarayan has revealed his spiritual doctrine. Whether day or night and regardless of place, he discoursed to the paramhansas and devotees, providing practical guidance and resolving all their spiritual enquiries.
The evening assembly featured speeches by learned swamis describing the authenticity of the Vachanamrut, the doctrine of Akshar-Purushottam revealed in the Vachanamrut, Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s revelation of his own supreme form, the spiritual endeavours that lead to inner peace and joy, the key to ultimate liberation and the Sant through whom the door to liberation forever remains open.
Translations of the Vachanamrut in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi were inaugurated by Mahant Swami Maharaj.
The various activities planned for the year-long Vachanamrut Bicentenary Celebrations were creatively presented by children and youths. These include: Vachanamrut reading and study, Bal-Yuva Adhiveshans, jnansatras and others.
Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami declared that throughout the year everyone should hail ‘Vachanamrut Dwishatabdi Mahotsavani Jai’ at the end of the regular jai naad. Then, Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj and the sadguru sadhus inaugurated the celebration year by lighting the divo, while the entire assembly hailed the bicentenary jai naad.
Youths presented a thematic dance conveying the messages of the Vachanamrut: Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s revelation of the Akshar Purushottam doctrine, his true supreme form, the Sant as the gateway to moksha and the spiritual sadhanas by which inner peace and joy are attained.
At the end, Swamishri blessed the assembly, “Bhagwan Swaminarayan said, ‘My words are my form.’ So, the Vachanamrut is the form of Shriji Maharaj. So, revere the Vachanamrut in that way and do not disrespectfully leave it lying around. Keep it in a clean place and read it daily. Respect the Vachanamrut in this way. It will guide us.
“There is much ignorance in our lives, which we have to remove. Only the Vachanamrut can achieve this. If you read it sincerely with faith and affection, then your ignorance will be naturally removed. Such is its great effect. Study it daily and repeatedly review what you have read. By doing this, all your tasks will be achieved.”
The entire inauguration assembly was webcast and thousands of devotees viewed it from their homes.