The Swaminarayan Mantra is the main mantra of the Swaminarayan faith. The word "Swaminarayan" is repeated by adherents of the faith when praying, classifying it as a mantra.[1]
In the year 1802, a fortnight after the death of his guru, Ramanand Swami, Swaminarayan (then known as Sahajanand Swami) held a gathering in Faneni.[2] Sahajanand Swami asked everyone in the gathering to chant Swaminarayan, a single mantra composed of six syllables, Swa-mi-na-ra-ya-n.[3] It is believed that when people at the gathering chanted the word, several of them went into trance and realised that Swaminarayan was god.[4] It was from here onwards Sahajanand Swami was known as Swaminarayan, and believed to be the almighty god supreme by followers.[5] It was there that he explained the meaning of Swaminarayan. It was there he announced that whoever chanted the name Swaminarayan with love and faith, would be able to realise his object. It is important to note here that Swaminarayan is one single word and not two words as sometimes believed [6] It is believed that whoever chants this mantra will be redeemed of material desires.[7]
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