The Eminence of Gurudev Jeevanpran Swamibapa

Dharmapran

Dharma (religion) Pran (soul)

The purpose of Jeevanpran Swamibapa's manifestation upon this earth was to re-establish the true and eternal, the unique and unparalleled divine religion of the supreme Lord Swaminarayan in an unadulterated form. Thus, Jeevanpran Swamibapa created Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, with its worldwide headquarters at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Maninagar.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa protected the divine and sublime principles of Lord Swaminarayan and Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree from becoming annihilated. Our Gurudev was wholly instrumental in spreading this unique philosophy, the eternal dharma, throughout the world.
Jeevanpran Swamibapa lived His entire life strictly adhering to the principles of dharma, and made Himself the perfect example for us all to follow.

Thus, Jeevanpran Swamibapa was acclaimed as Dharmapran; the soul of religion; the essence of dharma; the centre of morality.

Sanatandharmasamrat

Sanatan (eternal) dharma (religion) samrat (emperor)

Lord Swaminarayan defines dharma as the law of virtuous conduct as recognised and supported by the Shruti and Smruti. Shruti refers to the knowledge imparted directly from the supreme Lord Swaminarayan. The Smruti refer to those teachings given by the highly respected, selfless and sacred saints who disseminate the supremacy of the Lord throughout society.

These essentials of dharma are eternal. They existed before the formation of the earth and will remain even after its destruction. This dharma describes the essential philosophy of the ideal human life and is the common doctrine of all faiths and all strata of society. The tenets of this dharma are clearly stated by Lord Swaminarayan in the Shikshapatri.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa was the supreme authority of this eternal dharma; thus He was named Sanatandharmasamrat.

Vishwadharmachudamani

Vishwa (world) dharma (religion) chudamani (jewel in the crown)

Chuda means the highest or foremost point. A person's chuda is his chotli. A Mandir's chuda is its shikhar. Mani means diamond. When the two words are combined, chudamani refers to the glistening diamond that is mounted into a crown, moogat.

The leading Indian philosopher Shankaracharya defined chudamani for humans as being their own vivek, their decency, righteousness and civility. Each person may have their own slightly differing interpretation of what is right and decent, i.e. what they define as vivek, and live their lives according to these principles. However, to ensure that we remain adherent to the true vivek, Jeevanpran Swamibapa came down onto this earth so that we can all follow His prime examples and instructions.

Vishwadharma, meaning universal religion, is a term akin to the word Vishwashanti, universal peace. Jeevanpran Swamibapa was the absolute leader of the religion, yet He was never insular. He welcomed all that came to Him, regardless of race, religion or creed and guided them all. He was therefore regarded as a spiritual leader of the universal religion.

Thus, Jeevanpran Swamibapa was given the commendation of Vishwadharmachudamani, the greatest jewel of universal religion; the personification of the morality of universal religion.

Vishishtadvaitshiromani

Vishishadvait (name of philosophy) Shiromani (leader)

Lord Swaminarayan’s spiritual philosophy is that of Vishishtadvait. This philosophy perfectly describes the supremacy of Lord Swaminarayan, the status of Anadi Mukta and the concept of Rasbas. This is the true interpretation of the philosophy that was first proposed by Shree Ramanujacharya in the 14th century AD and subsequently elaborated upon by Lord Swaminarayan. These ultimate ideas were explained by Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree in the Rahasyarthpradipika Tika Vachnamrut and the Bapashree Vato scriptures.

If it was not for Gurudev Jeevanpran Swamibapa, this philosophy would have been lost forever. The true interpretation of the Vishishtadvait philosophy as Lord Swaminarayan had intended would have become completely erased. Jeevanpran Swamibapa created Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, the glorious haven of spirituality where the ultimate status of Anadi Mukta can be achieved.

Thus, Jeevanpran Swamibapa was heralded Vishishtadvatshiromani.

Vedshashtrasanrakshak

Vedshashtra (Ancient sacred Hindu scriptures) Sankakshak (Protector)

In slok 204 of the Shikshapatri, the supreme Lord Swaminarayan says, “I have distilled the essence of all the true scripture and compiled this book of rules. This code of conduct is the ultimate of all scriptures to attain the desired fruits for all.”

In the ancient Ved scriptures and the other subsequently written religious texts, guides to how to live lives of morality and religiosity have been clearly stated. Protecting the values stated in these scriptures refers to upholding these values. As a result of His exemplary speeches and discourses given across the entire globe, through His religious writings, and ultimately by the examples that He demonstrated, Jeevanpran Swamibapa was a primary factor in upholding, defending and spreading the principles and values of the Ved and the other true scriptures.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa was therefore proclaimed Vedshashtrasanrakshak. 

Mahamandaleshvar

Maha (Great) Mandal (Fellowship) Ishwar (Sovereign Lord)

In slok 103 of the Shikshapatri, Lord Swaminarayan defines dharma as to abide by the essentials of Sadaachaar, good actions. In the core of Sadaachaar are decency, manners and morality. Our minds and thoughts should be clear of all immorality. To assist this spirituality, Jeevanpran Swamibapa formed the supreme satsang, Karan Satsang, the association of disciples, where the supremacy of Lord Swaminarayan and His unadulterated principles are understood. Through the immense efforts of Jeevanpran Swamibapa, the Karan Satsang was spread throughout the world. Regional groups in the form of Mandals were created.  Jeevanpran Swamibapa was the ultimate leader of Karan Satsang. Thus, Jeevanpran Swamibapa was the sovereign (Ishwar) of all these groups (Mandals). Thus Swamibapa was called Mahamandaleshwar.

In Indian mythology, the leading sovereign of all the kings was called the Chakravati King, or Rajrajeshwar. Similarly, in the realm of spirituality, to denote Him as the greatest of all, Jeevanpran Swamibapa was declared Mahamandaleshwar.

Bharatbhaskar

Bharat (India) Bhaskar (sun)

The word bhaskar is derived from the Sanskrit word bhaa, meaning light, and lustre. Thus whoever, or whatever, emits light, or is the source of light is called bhaskar. The word bhanu is also derived from the word bhaa. In this context, bhaa actually means kanti, splendour and beauty. Thus the term is indicative of divinity.

India has always been associated with the divine, and has therefore been named Bhaa (divine) into which it is Rat (enjoined into), i.e. the country where divinity is associated into it, in all respects. This is how India's original name Bharat was conceived. Instilled into Bharat are the religious philosophies of truth, non-violence, compassion, benevolence, amity, etc.

Jeevanpran Swamibapa had so much enthusiasm and eagerness to spread the ideal qualities of Bharat to all, that He completely disregarded His own wellbeing. He suffered much hardship. Rarely did He have the comfort of any kind of facilities. Just as the supreme Lord Swaminarayan ensures that the sun in the sky radiates upon us all, Jeevanpran Swamibapa shone, like a beacon of divinity and spirituality; the ideals of Bharat.
That is why Jeevanpran Swamibapa was named Bharatbhaskar.