Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj presented the Satsang Diksha shastra in July 2020. Since then, thousands of children, teenagers, youths and adults throughout the world have memorized it, either whole or in part. The original Gujarati text has also been translated into Sanskrit, Hindi, English, Swahili, Telugu, Udiya, Kannad, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Polish and Bengali and is also available in Braille. Also, over 20,000 devotees have enrolled for the one-year Satsang Diksha online study course.
Scholars who have read the concise 315-shloka Satsang Diksha shastra have been impressed by the philosophical, ethical and practical depth of the text.
Hence, to delve further into the various aspects of the shastra, a 5-day seminar titled ‘Satsang Diksha: Perspectives on Enhancing Daily Living’ was organized in Sarangpur by the joint collaboration of the AARSH Research Centre in Gandhinagar and the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya in Sarangpur. A total of 46 scholars presented research papers during the seminar.
Mahant Swami Maharaj lit the inaugural lamp and blessed, “It was my wish that a small text which concisely encapsulates the eternal wisdom revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Gunatit Gurus be written. The purpose for writing this shastra is so that all attain happiness in life and also attain liberation. This international seminar on the shastra will enlighten and benefit everyone even more.”
Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Murlidhar Sharma, Kulpati of Kendriya Sanskrit University (Tirupati) said, “When viewed from the two parameters of Vedic authenticity and modern relevance, the Satsang Diksha is a shastra that is absolutely relevant for today’s age, and contains the essence of the Vedas and Shrutis.”
Throughout the 5-day seminar, 34 scholars from India, 10 from America, 7 from England, 1 from Canada, 1 from France and 1 from South Africa presented papers on various topics, including, philosophy, sadhana, mukti, translations, grammar, Sankhya, atma, God’s all-doership, child and youth development, family unity, world peace and social harmony.
Among the scholars who chaired the seminar sessions were: Dr. Lalit Patel, Vice Chancellor, Somnath Sanskrit University, Veraval; Shri Ravindra Pandaji, Former Head of Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrut Languages Department, M.S. University, Vadodara; Shri Amrutlal Bhogayata, Principal Acharya, Sandipani Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Nadiad; Prof. Dr. Niranjanbhai Patel, Head of Postgraduate Studies, Sardar Patel University, Vidyanagar; Prof. Ramkishore Tripathiji, Former Principal Acharya, Vartantu Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Ahmedabad; Dr. Jitendrabhai Shah, Former Principal, L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad; Prof. Govindbhai Patel, Former Principal, Gurjar Pradesh Sanskrit Pathshala, Gandhinagar; Dr. Bipinbhai Joshi, Former Principal, Babdeshwar Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Porbandar.
Scholars from University of Toronto, University of Leeds, University of Cambridge, King’s College London, Harvard University, University of Chicago, University of California, University of Cape Town, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Shri Somnath Sanskrit University and other academic institutions presented papers.
During the seminar sessions, scholars expressed their views. Dr. Niranjan Patel said, “Satsang Diksha is for the benefit of all and will help people to know themselves. It is a text that can produce model citizens and human beings. It represents India’s traditions.” Shri Ravindra Pandaji said, “This shastra is written in a simple language, yet gives complex and deep ideas.”
Dr. Bipinbhai Joshi said, “We can say with certainty that anyone who lives by this Shastra will become wise and respected in society.”
Sarju Patel of Chicago University said, “This seminar has demonstrated that there is no spiritual topic not touched upon in this shastra.”
Puja-Arti Patel of Cambridge University said, “This seminar has merely covered 1% of the content of this shastra.”