Gopalanand Swami
| Gopalanand Swami | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Khushal Bhatt 17 October 1785 Arvalli District's, Torda Village of Bhiloda Taluka, Gujarat, India) |
| Died |
11 October 1867 (aged 81) Vadtal, British India (present-day Gujarat, India) |
| Guru | Swaminarayan |
| Notable disciple(s) | Bhagatji Maharaj |
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Gopalanand Swami (1781–1852) was the most prominent paramhansa of the Swaminarayan Sampraday who was ordained by Swaminarayan.
Biography
Born Khushal Bhatt, he was born in the Arvalli District's, Torda Village of Bhiloda Taluka, Gujarat. Torda is surrounded by mountains. His father was an audichiya brahmin, Motiram Sharma and his mother was Kushaladevi Thakar. Gopalanand Swami pursued deep study and showed great interest of grammar, Indian philosophy of Nyaya and Vedanta. Gopalanand Swami was a scholar, with knowledge in Vyakaran (grammar), Nyaya, Mimasa, Astrology etc. He was married to Adityabai and had two children Harisankar and Anupamba though he felt no attachment. [1] Swaminarayan gave diksha (the becoming of a saint in which vows such as celibacy and renunciation of all personal possessions and of all worldly duties, including family ties are taken) to Gopalanand Swami in Vadodara, Gujarat. Swaminarayan held Gopalanand Swami in very high regard and he was very learned in Ashtang yoga. Gopalanand Swami died in 1852 in Vadtal.[2]
Responsibility of the Swaminarayan Sampraday
When the Swaminarayan died (Gadhadha, year 1830), he left responsibility of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and the Acharyas in his hands.[3] Further, it is said that Swaminarayan had asked Brahmanand Swami to overlook the completion of the Junagadh Temple because he knew Brahmanand Swami had powers to bring a person back to life after death. He therefore instructed Gopalanand Swami not to inform Brahmanand Swami about his death till after the cremation of his mortal remains.[2]
Sarangpur temple
Gopalanand Swami arranged for an idol of Kastabhanjan Dev Hanuman to be installed in the Sarangpur temple which is said to have come alive and moved when installed by him.[4]
Notes
- ↑ http://www.swaminarayanwales.org.uk/?ID=Gopalanand_Swami
- 1 2 Nand Santos - Gopalanand Swami
- ↑ Williams 2001, pp. 35, 36
- ↑ Williams 2001, pp. 128
References
- Williams, Raymond (2001), Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-52165-422-7
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