Monday 2 October 2023 | Bhadarva Vad 3/4, Samvat 2079

Mon 2 Oct 2023

The auspicious day that the supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayan chose to give darshan upon the Earth as Shree Abji Bapashree was Prabhodhini Ekadashi (Kartik Sud Ekadashi, Samvat 1901). 174 years since this historic occasion was celebrated at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury on Monday 19th November.

Disciples gathered at the Mandir and performed the Swaminarayan Mahamantra dhoon (continuous chanting of the Lord’s name), before Shree Abji Bapashree presided in a decorated golden cradle and His pragatya aarti was performed. Disciples sang verses in praise of Bapashree whilst everyone was given the opportunity of performing poojan and aarti. A special video, of Gurudev Jeevanpran Swamibapa explaining the identity and glory of Jeevanpran Bapashree, was then shown, before everyone received Prasad.

This particular Ekadashi is the most significant in the Karan Satsang as six auspicious anniversaries converge on this day:

  1. Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree Jayanti (Samvat 1901, 1844 AD, Vrushpur).
  2. Birthday of Shree Dharmadev, Lord Shree Swaminarayan’s father (Samvat 1796, 1739 AD, Itara).
  3. The young Lord, in the guise of Shree Nilkanthvarni, was initiated as a Sant by Sadguru Shree Ramanand Swami (Samvat 1857, 1800, Piplana).
  4. Shreeji Maharaj was handed the helm of the entire religion by Sadguru Shree Ramanand Swami (Samvat 1858, 1801 AD, Jetpur).
  5. Having been handed the helm of the religion, Shreeji Maharaj presided upon His divine throne, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi.
  6. Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa was initiated as a Sant in the Samvat year 1986 (14th November 1929).


Prabodhini Ekadashi also marks the end of the auspicious Chaturmas (four month) season of additional vows.