‘Kaam Dravya ne Maan Chhe Jeh, Teh Saru Dharyo Nathi Deh; Eva Gune Mota Je Munish, Eva Sant ne Naamu Hu Shish’. Sadguru Shri Nishkulanand Swami narrates the many characteristics of an ideal Saint in the second Prakaran of the Bhaktachintamani (2-20). Have you ever wondered what the life of a holy soul can be like? How did he live in this modern world? How did he shape the lives of so many individuals? What kind of a person is an epitome of Dharma, Bhakti, Gyan, and Vairagya like? How does his work live on forever? What kind of vision did he have for mankind? The noble and holy care less for themselves and more for the people in the social fabric. They suffer not for themselves but for all and yet remain forgiving forever. So broad and farsighted is their vision that generations after them keep thanking them forever. This book is an attempt to shed some light onto the life of Sadguru Shastriji Maharaj Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami answering the above questions. Each chapter explores a new facet of Pujya Swami's life. This riveting book will help you understand Swami's simple yet influential, bold yet gentle, strict yet accommodating, and courageous yet caring personality. The author has not merely translated the book "Sadhutana Shangar" from Gujarati to English but was inspired to serve in this capacity after reading the Gujarati edition written by Shastri Shri Haripriydasji Swami. May Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Pujya Shastriji Maharaj, and Pujya Guruvarya Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami be pleased upon Kamleshbhai Shah from Canada for picking up the publishing costs, his son and daughter for authoring the book, and all who served in the publishing of this book in any capacity, inspire them to serve the Swaminarayan Sampraday, and bless their hearts for their efforts. Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul also prays to Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan that the readers of this book will be able to establish a bond with Pujya Shastriji Maharaj by using this book as a medium. So please turn the page and begin now!

Vacanāmr̥ta of Swami Sahajānanda, 1781-1830, work on Swaminarayan.

This book offers a translation of the seven thousand verses of the second book of the medieval Hindu text, the Ganesa Purana, one of two Puranas dedicated to the important elephant-headed god. In this book the reader is given many narratives about Ganesas ascent to earth in order to kill demonic figures who threaten to overthrow the correct world order. In addition, these narratives contain myths about Ganesa's birth and family as well as some extended and quite humorous myths about ideal devotees of the god.The translation is preceded by a long introduction offering a geographical and historical context for the GanesaPurana. Following the translation are very extensive notes which bring our points of philological interest, but focus mainly on the literary structure of the text and the methods used to present the many myths and narratives in a coherent and fully integrated manner.

An in-depth photographic study of the ascetic holy men of India • Includes more than 100 striking color photographs of Sadhus, their extreme austerities, and their holy festivals, including the Kumbha Mela • Examines the practices and beliefs of Sadhus from several different sects • Traces the historical and mythological roots of the Sadhus and shows how they have fundamentally shaped Hinduism since remote antiquity Spiritual adventurers, philosophical monks, naked ascetics, or religious transvestites, the Sadhus of India form a vital and unbroken link between the birth of yoga millennia ago and its present-day expression. Numbering in the millions, these mystic holy men are worshipped by the Hindus as representatives of the gods, yet they remain largely unknown in the West because they often live in far-off places, hidden from everyday life. In this full-color study of Sadhus more than 20 years in the making, photographer Dolf Hartsuiker illustrates the Sadhus’ world of ancient magical rituals, religious symbols, and ascetic practices. In his photographic quest across India, the author visited many holy places, attended religious festivals including the Kumbha Mela, and encountered and photographed thousands of Sadhus, befriending several as he was drawn into their inner circle. Sharing more than 100 striking color photographs from his travels, he reveals the Sadhus’ utmost devotion to their spiritual path through meditation practices, yoga exercises, penance, and austerities--sometimes taken to the extreme of prolonged self-imposed silence, bodily mortification, such as holding an arm above the head for years, or even ritual suicide--as well as their profound involvement with the mundane world as healers and teachers or magicians and sorcerers. It is a path of knowledge and devotion, renunciation and realization, sexual energy and spiritual power, divine intoxication and mystical union. The author examines the different beliefs and behaviors of each Sadhu sect, including the “sky-clad” Naga Babas, and traces their historical and mythological roots to show how they have fundamentally shaped Hinduism since antiquity. Revealing the powerful “otherworldliness” of the Sadhus, the author also exposes the mystical beauty that emanates from those who have chosen the path of asceticism in pursuit of knowledge of the Absolute and liberation from all earthly bonds.

Life and works of Svāmī Pramukha, b. 1921, fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the present leader of Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha.

About the Book A WONDERFULLY CREATIVE INSIGHT INTO THE LEGEND AND SYMBOLISM OF SHIVA AS A GOD AND HIS ROLE IN THE HINDU TRINITY ALONGSIDE VISHNU AND BRAHMA Shiva, ʻthe destroyerʼ among the Hindu Trinity (of gods), is depicted in many contradictory manners. He is an ascetic who wears animal skin, his body smeared with ashes. Contradictory to his wild nature, he is also depicted as having a family, with a beautiful wife and two children. There are many more such varied representations of Shiva, the most prominent of these being the Linga and theNataraja. The author, Devdutt Pattanaik, introduces the readers to these varied aspects and representations and then sets about interpreting them. He explains the different anomalies and conflicts in beliefs, as well as the symbolism, rituals and reasons behind Hindu worship.

"Acaranga Sutra" from Hermann Jacobi. German Indologist (1850-1937).