BAPS Swamis Visit Kauai Aadheenam

Recently the monastery enjoyed a visit from four swamis of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).

The monastery was pleased to host Pujya Bhadresh Swami, Chaitanyamurti Swami, Paramvivek Swami and Mangalnidhi Swami, as well as two family men, Kalpesh and Kashyap. The guest swamis met with Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, discussing the importance of a guru-sishya system of education, the preservation of tradition, as well as many other topics. The swamis then presented a letter from Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami (see post below) honoring the bond between our two sampradayas, and gifted The Swaminarayan Bhashyam--commentaries on the Prasthan-trayi, meaning the Upanishads, Shrimad Bhagwadgita and Brahmasutra, which was authored by Bhadresh Swami. Such a complete commentary in the traditional, fully Sanskrit style, just as Ramanuja and Shankara did, has not been executed in over 300 years. The swamis then met with the Ganapati Kulam over two days for illuminating and delightfully positive discussion of philosophy and spiritual disciplines, as well as sharing how we produce Hinduism Today Magazine, publishing practices and a variety of related topics.

It was an honor and a divine delight to host brother swamis from this prestigious and kindred order of over 900 sadhus, guided by the beloved Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who has always been a staunch supporter of our work and life.

From left to right: Paramvivek Swami, Mangalnidhi Swami, Bhadresh Swami and Chaitanyamurti Swami

The BAPS swamis were sent to us by their beloved guru, Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who knew Gurudeva and respects our monastery\

s mission tremendously'

Bhadresh Swami (left) is a Shaddarshanacharya and the chief teacher of Sanskrit at the BAPS sadhu training center and ashram in Sarangpur, and Paramvivek Swami (right) is one of his students

Greeting Ganesha upon arrival

Then Shanmukha under the Banyan tree

Then to see Gurudeva before heading to the temple

An auspicious rainbow greets the swamis as they approach Kaduval Temple

They attend the morning Siva puja and sing several bhajans

After the puja the four swamis meet with Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami

Chaitanyamurti Swami (center) looks after outreach, media, charities and audio-visual activities for all BAPS centers in North America. Mangalnidhi Swami (right) looks after English book publications for the North American branch of the organization.

Chaitanyamurti Swami reads the letter from Ishwarcharan Swami--see post below

Bhadresh Swami gifts Bodhinatha the Swaminarayan Bhashyam, a momentous work

To begin their meeting with the GK, Sadasivanathaswami presents a few gifts, including The Guru Chronicles

Each swami receives a Kauaian rudraksha mala and a shawl

After introductions, their monks and ours each explain a part of our daily life, sadhana and philosophy. Bhadresh Swami remarked, \"I feel as if my own words are coming out of your mouth.\"

Afterwards the swamis present a few gifts, including Gujarati sweets

The following day Yoginathaswami gives them a tour of the grounds

The swamis enjoyed seeing Iraivan temple

Swami explains the construction process that we\

ve gone through and the work yet to be done'

Among fellow temple builders

The rudrakshas are fruiting

The ground is covered with the beautiful, blue fruits

A visit to the Svayambhu Lingam before heading down to the river

Wailua Ganga

The swamis give a short prayer before moving on

A group photo

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