Swaminarayan Mahamantra

The Swaminarayan Mahamantra is believed to be the "father of all Mantras" by adherents of the Swaminarayan faith. [cite web | url=http://www.swaminarayan.info/Detail.aspx?ID=JgBJAEQAPQAxADMA-M4QpyK9OyaU%3d | title= Bhagwan Swaminarayan: Brief Introduction]

History

In the year 1802, a fortnight after the paasing away of his guru, Ramanand Swami, Swaminarayan (then known as Sahajanand Swami) held a gathering in Faneni. [cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/175439648.cms | title= Thousands gather at celebration of Swaminarayan Mahamantra for world peace] Sahajanand Swami asked everyone in the gathering to chant "Swaminarayan", a single mantra comprising of six syllables, Swa-mi-na-ra-ya-n. [cite web | url=http://www.swaminarayan-oldham.org/Life_and_Faith_Book/Contents/Contents__Life_and_Faith.htm | title= Life and Faith of Lord Swaminarayan: Lord Swaminarayan – Almighty God Supreme] It is believed that when people at the gathering chanted the word, several of them went into trance and realised that Swaminarayan was god. [cite web | url=http://www.vadtal.com/lord-swaminarayan.html#6 | title= Meaning of Swaminarayan] It was from here onwards Sahajanand Swami was known as Swaminarayan, and believd to be the almighty god supreme by followers. [cite web | url=http://www.swaminarayan-oldham.org/Life_and_Faith_Book/Contents/Contents__Life_and_Faith.htm | title= Life and Faith of Lord Swaminarayan: Lord Swaminarayan – Almighty God Supreme] It was there that he explained the meaning of Swaminarayan. It was there he announced that whoever chanted the name "Swaminarayan" with love and faith, would be able to realise his object. It is important to note here that Swaminarayan is one single word and not two words as sometimes believed [cite web | url=http://www.swaminarayan-gurukul.org/rajkot/swaminarayan/life.asp?Page=6 | title= Life biography : Swaminarayan Mahamantra] It is believed that whoever chants this mantra will be redeemed of material desires. [cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/175439648.cms | title= Thousands gather at celebration of Swaminarayan Mahamantra for world peace]

References