On Posh Sud Poonam Vikram Samvat Year 1866 (January 20, 1810 CE), Bhagwan Swaminarayan gave Mulji Sharma diksha during a yagna in Dabhan, naming him Gunatitanand Swami. Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami was the first spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and His divine abode. Hindu Shastras, including the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, explain the infinite glory of Aksharbrahma. While on this Earth, Gunatitanand Swami selflessly served Bhagwan Swaminarayan and explained Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s greatness to thousands of people. Bhagwan Swaminarayan was extremely pleased to initiate His divine abode into the sadhu fold. This verse from the Hari Lila Kalpataru explains Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami’s glory:
Muljisharmane deekshaam dadaanasya prajaayate,
Bhuyaanme-tra samaanando yato Dhaamaaksharam cha me.
‘I am extremely happy to initiate Mulji Sharma who was born in Bhadra. He is My divine abode, Akshardham.’ (Hari Lila Kalpataru 7.17.49)
Today, thousands of devotees celebrate the Poshi Poornima festival at BAPS mandirs worldwide.
Rituals: