‘Chaturmas’ – a period of four months of Monsoon has the special importance in about all religions and Sampradays of India. Usually in all Sampraday this period is considered for the best time for Tapacharya (penance) and Anushthan (recitation) of various religious activities.
Scientifically and physically also during this time of monsoon, digestive power of the body becomes lower than other seasons. So it is better to have lessened food to keep body well and free from diseases.
Along with penance, devotees perform religious Anushthan for the spiritual benefits. In the Shikshapatri, Bhagawan Shree Swaminarayan has also stated eight best Anushthans to perform during Chaturmas. One of them is the reading or recitation of scriptures. Moreover, Shreeji Maharaj Himself has listed eight best scriptures for the spirituality.
These are 1) Veda 2) Brahmsutra 3) Bhagawatam Puranam 4) Geeta 5) Vishnu-Sahsranam 6)Vidur-nity 7) Shree Vasudev Mahatmya 8) Yagnavalkya-Smruti.
Students and Pandits of Darshanam Sanskrit Mahavidyalay decided to do the Parayan of all these eight scriptures during the Chaturmas.
On the eve of Nimi Ekadashi, usually saints & devotees take an oath to perform the penance and Anushthan and from the next day of Ekadashi they begin with it.
On every first Ekadashi of the month (Sudi Ekadashi) devotees in a huge number come for Darshan at SGVP on foot. In the morning of the pious day of Nimi Ekadashi July 07, 2006 a congregation was held in the holy presence of Shastri Shree Gyanprakashdasji Swami, a learned saint & famous author from Gandhinagar Gurukul. In this huge assembly of saints and Padyatries Shree Rampriyaji, Acharya of Sanskrit Mahavidyalay explained the importance of eight scriptures selected by Bhagawan Shree Swaminarayan. Vedas are the origin of knowledge for salvation. Vyas-sutras are the equations given by Shree Ved Vyas as the essence of teachings & sermons of Vedas. Bhagawatam is the famous scripture in the spiritual world. Bhagawat Geeta explains the spiritual concepts of Indian philosophy. Vidur-niti teaches the social and human values for the uplift of individual and society. Vishnu-sahasra-nam is the sermon of Bhishma Pitamah, a greatest truth-seeker of the time. It is the collection of one thousand names of Bhagawan based on His divine deeds and virtues. Shree Vasudev Mahatmya teaches the methodology to perform the devotion and Yagnavalkya-Smruti shows the social conducts and customs for the mankind. Out of these eight scriptures, Vedas are the simplified by Bhagawan Shree Ved Vyas, so His one of the names is Ved Vyas. Other six scriptures are the creation of Shree Ved Vyas Himself. The eight, Smruti – Smruties are the scriptures made by erudite Rushies and simplified form of code of conducts from Vedas. So as the great contribution of Bhagawan Shree Ved Vyas on menkind!
In one sense, there is an ocean of scriptures in the spiritual sphere of Indian tradition. There is utmost difficult to find out the absolute and secured path of Salvation out of it.
By the selection of these eight scriptures to follow Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan bestowed a great benevolence on mankind especially for seekers.
Pujya Shastri Shree Gyanprakashdasji Swami and Pujya Purani Shree Balkrishnadasji Swami performed the poojan of all four Vedas, other scriptures as well as Ved Pandits and Pathashala students performing the recitation of scriptures.
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