Svāminārāyaṇa-Siddhānta-Sudhā: Informing the Practice of the Svāminārāyaṇa Mantra

Presenter:

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Abstract

The nineteenth century witnessed the emergence of the Svāminārāyaṇa Sampradāya, a bhakti-driven sectarian community founded by Sahajānand Svāmi (1781-1830 CE). One of the earliest factors facilitating its formulation was the chant of the mantra ‘Svāminārāyaṇa’. Imparted by Sahajānand Svāmi, this mantra became an identification mark for the sectarian community and its founder. Sahajānand Svāmi, revered as the incarnation of God by his followers, came to be recognized as ‘Bhagavāna Svāminārāyaṇa’. Subsequently, the mantra shaped a new identity for his followers, who then referred to themselves as belonging to the Svāminārāyaṇa Sampradaya. Today we come across many branches of the Svāminārāyaṇa Sampradāya, developing from certain theological differences. One fundamental difference is the interpretation of the mantra ‘Svāminārāyaṇa’. The Bocāsanvāsī Akśara-Puruṣottama Svāminārāyaṇa Sansthā (BAPS) interprets the mantra as the representation of ‘Svāmi’ (the ideal devotee) and ‘Nārāyaṇa’ (the Supreme Being). Svāminārāyaṇa-Siddhānta-Sudhā, a topical exposition that systematizes the fundamental principles of the BAPS community, presents this interpretation in light of the Vedāntic canon by analyzing the mantra’s etymology and validating this interpretation through aphorisms from the Prasthāntrayi. This paper shall demonstrate how through such an exegetical understanding of the mantra, a ‘re-formation’ is created within the community. By systematising the interpretation in such a way, the text situates the BAPS community both within Vedānta traditions, as well as distinct from other Svāminārāyaṇa branches, thus facilitating a deeper connection to the mantra for the community