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DR. N. M. KANSARA
SAMBODHI
The work is intended to serve as an excellent guide to proper conduct, if one cares to translate it in ones own day to day life and conduct, leading him gradually to higher and higher Gunasthănas, and ultimately to beatitude of final liberation from the cycle of birth and death. NMK.
Handbook To The Vacanāmrtam (Spiritual Teachings of Bhagavān Swāminārāyana, by Sādhu Mukundacharandas, Swaminarayan Aksharpith, Ahmdavad, 1999, pp.xxiv + 258, Rs.90/-.
The Vacanámrtam, the arnbrosial utterances, is a collection of the dialogues and discourses of Shri Sahajanandswami, popularly known as Bhagavan Swaminarayan among his followers of all the sects and sub-sects thereof. His four direct disciples, who always accompanied him during his sojourns in Gujarat and Saurashtra, took down the discourses. They are preserved in the original style and form of the Gujarati speech as was spoken by Shri Sahajanandswami on various occasions at various places and different times. Each of the discourses starts with a short paragraph describing the place, date, the dress put on by the Lord, and such other details. It is, so to say, a completely documented realistic record of utmost historical importance. The discourses are in medieval Gujarati, and the collection of all the discourses, numbering 262, is known by the name Vacanamrtam. It was published decades ago by both the centres of the sect, one at Ahmedabad, and the other at Vadtal; the version of the latter centers been reprinted faithfully only recently with excellent get up and beautiful cover-page by the Bochasanvasi Shri Asker Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, Shahibag, Ahmedabad.
The present book is a handbook, in English, based on the original in Gujarati. The author specifically stated in his Preface that this Handbook attempts to simplify the study of the Vacanāmstam. It provides an exciting background which will interest both the young reader and the newcomer, regarding the teachings of Bhagavan Swaminarayan. Scholars may also find it interesting, but they should also refer to the other books of the Sampradāya for a detailed understanding of the principles of philosophy as propounded in Vacanāmstam at random on various occasions in reply to the queries by the disciples and lay followers.
The book is divided into eight parts. Part I gives a glimpse of the life and times of the Vacanamrtam in three sections. Part II introduces the considering
