SHREE HARI CHARITRA DARSHANAM
Publisher - Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Kundaldham and Karelibaug Vadodara
Inspirer - P.P. Sadguru Shree Gyanjivandasji Swami, Kundaldham
O Bharata, Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice,
and a predominant rise of irreligion at that time I manifest myself.
According to this statement of the Gita, when extreme unrighteousness had spread in the Indian subcontinent...
...Then, in the Badrikashram, making saint Durvasa's curse a cause.
Sarvavtari (The Supreme Lord) Shri Hari revealed Himself in the North Indian village of Chhapaiya.
Lovingly named Ghanshyam by His parents...
...He was raised endearingly by Dharma Pita (Father) and Bhakti Mata (Mother).
According to astrology, sage Markandeya named...
..."Hari", "Krishna" & "Harikrishna" by virtue of Ghanshayam's character.
In early childhood itself, Lord defeated Kotra and annihilated demons like Kalidatta.
Thereafter, Little Ghanshyam along with His parents came to Ayodhya to reside.
While In Ayodhya, the almighty performed numerous leelas (divine pastimes) with His child companions.
During Shree Hari's eighth year, Dharma Pita duly made Him undergo the Yagnopavit ritual (sacred thread ceremony).
Shri Hari set an ideal by serving His parents and bestowed them His transcendental abode.
Just at the tender age of 11, Shri Hari renounced home and solitarily embarked towards the forest.
In the jungle, Shree Hari liberated the ascetics performing penance...
...and sheltered wicked beings like Pibek.
Roaming throughout the pilgrimages...
...He sanctified the pilgrimages by eradicating the unrighteousness and demons over there.
While roaming in the forest for seven years...
Neelkanthji came across an exemplary saint Shree Muktanandji and dwelled over there.
Then Sarjudas met sadguru Ramanand swami...
...After receiving an initiation from the guru, He was named as - Sahajanand Swami and Narayan Muni.
Thereafter, appointing Sahajanandji as the successor, Ramanandji attained nirvana.
Then, Shri Hari Himself proclaimed "Swaminarayan" as His name in the form of Maha Mantra.
The one who is eternally blissful, sakar murti (with divine form), beyond Akshar-brahm,
and whom the vedas and puranas highly eulogise I bow down to that eternally present Lord Swaminarayan.
Just by His mere sight, Shree Hari performed Samadhi (trance) to numerous people...
...and provided them a glimpse of their revered deity.
Through Shri Hari's magnificence, within a short period of time...
...numerous saints and devotees became His adherents.
For the welfare of innumerable souls, Shri Hari unceasingly kept travelling.
For the happiness of devotees, Shri Hari numerously celebrated festivals like Janmashtmi and Ramnavami.
By celebrating festivals such as Rangotsav and Rasotsav with devotees...
...Shree Hari filled their hearts with pleasure.
During the festivals like Shakotsav and Annakootostav...
...Shri Hari satiated the followers by frequently serving them.
By numerously conducting Ahimsa Yagna (non - voilence ritual sacrifice)...
...Shri Hari established the pure righteousness.
Shri Hari's miraculous influence transformed the lives of ferocious robbers like Jobanpagi.
Shri Hari eradicated dreadful customs like female infanticide and sati pratha.
By removing social evils like adultery, He established a cultured society.
Bounded by the affection of the Abhel Khachhar family...
...Shri Hari predominantly resided in Gadhpur.
To ceaselessly maintain the path of liberation for all beings...
...Shri Hari established acharya, scriptures and temples.
In this manner, after establishing the path of ultimate liberation for all beings...
...Shri Hari ascended back to His divine abode at the early age of forty-nine.
Even today, Shree Hari helps His devotees during their adverse times...
...and at the death time takes them to His eternal abode.
And by existing as idol in temples, scriptures...
...Bona fide Acharya and saint, He has been nurturing the tasks of liberation.
Even today, Sarvavtari Shree Hari is ever present for His devotees.