Gathering of Vadodara

The Gathering of Vadodara (Vadodrani Sabha) was a pivotal moment for the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It took place in the year 1820 and is recorded in the holy book "Satsangi Jeevan", compiled by Shatanand Swami.

Precurser to the event

Lord Swaminarayan was residing in Vadtal where Ram Navmi had just been celebrated.. A satsangi from Vadodara, Nathbhakta met Swaminarayan and requested him to send a saint to quell the scholars there who were stating the Swaminarayan Sampraday was not Vedic and that Swaminarayan was not Almighty God Supreme.

Swaminarayan’s chose Muktanand Swami and told him to go to Vadodara. Vadodara is known as a city of great scholars and hence Muktanand Swami was adamant not to go.

Swaminarayan comforted Muktanand Swami stating that he himself will be ever present on the tip of Muktanand Swami’s tongue and that victory will be his. Muktanand Swami was offered a rose garland in lieu for Lord Swaminarayan’s happiness and left for Vadodra with 250 other saints.

The Event

The King of Vadodara, Sayaji Rao II, on hearing of Muktanand Swami’s arrival, he sent out a grand welcoming party. He orgainsed a grand Dharma Sabhaand appointed a respected scholar, Bhau Purani as the Chairman of the gathering.

On the morning of the sabha (gathering), Muktanand Swami made his way to Vitthalnathji Temple, the location of the sabha. There were thousands of people at the sabha; the scholars sat on one side and Muktanand Swami faced them on the opposite side.

Five very learned scholars sat at the front of the sabha and were very well respected:

1. Ram Chandra Vaid

2. Hari Chandra Vaid

3. Shobharam Shastri

4. Narupanth Nana

5. Chinman Rao

These five scholars asked Muktanand Swami one question each.

First Question

Narupanth Nana: “How can one achieve moksha from this Kaliyug that we live in?”

econd Question

Hari Chandra Vaid: “Say we believe Moksha can be attained by having gnaan, the shastras say God does not take Avatar in Kaliyug”

Third Question

Ram Chandra Vaid: “Say we believe God takes avtar in Kaliyug, shastras say the God is called ‘Triyug’ therefore God only takes avatar in the first 3 yugs. Explain?”

Fourth Question

Shobharam Shastri: “Say we accept Lord Swaminarayan is God, where then does he fit into the 10 & 24 avatars for God?”

Fifth Question

Chinman Rao: “Say we believe Lord Swaminarayan is Almighty God Supreme. Other avatars performed great acts proving themselves as God – what did Lord Swaminarayan do?

* Lord Ram built a bridge over the ocean to reach Lanka
* Lord Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan Mountain by his small finger

Result

Muktanand Swami satisfactorily answered all questions and after he answered the fifth question, Bhau Purani then rose for the final time and chanted loudly, ringing a bell: “UTTAR JALA, UTTAR JALA” (Brilliant answer, Brilliant Answer). Muktanand Swami was thus victorious in the great Dharma Sabha of Vadodara. It was at this time that Bhau Purani announced the famous words: Swaminarayano Vijaytetram.

ee also

* Bhagwan Swaminarayan
* Swaminarayan Sampraday

References

* [http://www.swaminarayansatsang.com/library/articles/articledetails.asp?Articleid=19 Vadodarani Sabha]