A follower of Swaminarayan is referred to as a Satsangi (Devnagari: सत्सन्गी). [1] There are eight important things in the life of a Satsangi.
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Lord Swaminarayan instructed his followers to wear a double stranded kanthi to symbolise Krishna and Radha. The length at which a person should wear a kanthi is also standardised to the level of the heart, the place in which god is said to reside.
The kanthi is a double stranded necklace made of Tulsi. [2] This is a significant symbol of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, and has been directly referred to by Lord Swaminarayan in the Shikshapatri, where he mentions in Slokh 41-44 that all his disciples that have been initiated by the Acharya, must wear the Kanthi and a Tilak Chandlo.
The Tilak is the name of the ‘U’ shape and the Chandlo is the circular dot between the tilak. The tilak is said to be Urdhva Pundra. Urdhva Pundra represents the shape of the lotus feet of Lord Swaminarayan.
The chandlo is made from red powder (kum kum or saffron), which symbolises Laxmiji (Goddess of Prosperity) living in the heart of Lord Swaminarayan.
The tilak is adorned by male satsangis on four parts of their body using Gopichandan (a yellow paste sanctified by the Gopis, which is found on the banks of the Lake Gopi in Dwarka). It is impressed on the forehead, chest and both the upper arms.
The Mala is threaded with 108 beads and one larger bead. It is principally used as a counter whilst reciting the names of God. The almighty god supreme has thousands of names, the main names are shortlisted into 108, and this is the reason for 108 beads.
Nitya means daily and pooja means worshipping God. Therefore pooja performed every day is known as Nitya Pooja.
Lord Swaminarayan himself stated that he resides in four places - Temples, Scriptures, Acharyas and saints.
Darshan is a form of worship. It is a way of connecting a devotee to god and to gain his blessings.
Aarti is a religious ceremony performed to gain darshan and blessing of god.
Aarti is conducted by the singing of a special prayer to God and the playing of musical instruments. Muktanand Swami composed the words of the Swaminarayan Aarti as expression that Lord Swaminarayan is almighty God supreme.
Gopalanand Swami requested Premanand Swami to compile the Chesta Pad after the Lord's departure, which vividly describes Lord Swaminarayan's daily routine and habits.
For the purpose of meditation the Vandu Pad was compiled by Premanand Swami on the 14th day of the dark half of the month of Maha Vikram Samvat 1880, during the presence of Lord Swaminarayan. The Vandu Pad describes the beauty and appearance of Lord Swaminarayan.
The tradition of reciting these Pads has remains an important part of the evening ceremony at Shri Swaminarayan Mandirs.
A Satsangi must show :
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