Preface

The indefinable, absolutely divine sportive acts (Leela) of Lord Shri Swaminarayan and His benevolent social and spiritual activities aimed at the well being of all living beings are powerful enough to instill in us the highest virtues of humanity, selfless service, social upliftment and devout worship blended with love (Prembhakti). His all pervading power is potent enough to tear the dense darkness of atheism and enable us to perceive the divine light of Parbrahman -the Ultimate Reality. By constantly contemplating upon this Divine Power, we can bring about radical changes in our life and become civilized moral and satsangi in the real sense of the term. Keeping this lofty goal in mind Rev. Shri Narayanbhai Thakker has prepared this little booklet.

When the social environment was being disturbed and polluted by blind-beliefs, evil-practices, temptations, superstitions and misinterpretation of religion, the great revolutionary incarnator Mahaprabhu Shri Swaminarayan was born among men in Human Form and rescued mankind, by leading people, out of the encircling darkness of ignorance, to the light. He taught men to discriminate between the meaningful and the meaningless and between truth and untruth. He achieved this not by delivering sermons alone, but by involving Himself actively with the lives of the people. By imbibing the real meaning and value of moral conduct, religion, knowledge, renunciation and devotion in their lives, people became more humane and civilized.

These days the pure and redeeming flame of Mahaprabhu Shri Swaminarayan's all embracing, universally accepted religion is spreading its divine light all over the world. His divine message is awakening mankind by stirring the conscience of the people.

It is necessary for all the seekers with spritual-thirst to study minutely the life and work of Lord Shri Swaminarayan. For, He is the supreme God.

To encourage and inspire individual to do so, we have published this booklet covering various aspects of Lord Shri Swaminarayan's social and spiritual life, highlighting His incarnatory work. We hope and pray to Mahaprabhu that this little book may not remain a means of knowledge only but become a book that teaches the art of living, leading mankind to ideal perfection.

We feel thankful to Prof. Mahesh Dave for his kind assistance in the publication of this booklet in English.

We pray, may Shreeji Maharaj and Bapashri bestow their choicest blessings and divine grace on one and all who have contributed to the publication of this book.

V.S. 2050

Guru Purnima

July 22, 1994

Publication Committee

Shri Swaminarayan Divine Mission

Ahmedabad