Gateway of Salvation - My Guru - Finding Right Guru for Salvation

This presentation explores the profound journey of spiritual enlightenment through the lives and teachings of two remarkable spiritual leaders, Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj. Both of these revered figures are more than just spiritual guides; they are embodiments of wisdom, love, and compassion. The concept of a "perfect guru" finds its highest expression in them, as they have guided countless devotees on the path of salvation with their selfless service and unwavering devotion to humanity.
The role of a guru is fundamental in spiritual progress. A guru is a divine guide, illuminating the path to liberation and helping seekers overcome the challenges of life with moral clarity, inner peace, and deep faith. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, led a life dedicated to these ideals. His spiritual guidance was rooted in love, humility, and a relentless pursuit of uplifting humanity. With his inspiring leadership, he built over 1,200 temples around the world, creating sacred spaces that continue to nurture faith and devotion. His humanitarian efforts, which included educational initiatives, disaster relief, and promoting values of peace and unity, left a lasting legacy that transcends religious and cultural boundaries.
Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual leader and sixth successor, continues this divine mission with the same wisdom and grace. His profound insight into scriptures, coupled with his emphasis on ethical living, personal discipline, and devotion, resonates with followers who seek to lead lives of integrity and spiritual fulfillment. Under his guidance, disciples are encouraged to align their lives with dharma (righteousness) and bhakti (devotion), two pillars essential for attaining spiritual progress. His teachings emphasize the importance of inner reflection, selflessness, and a deep, personal connection with God.

At the heart of this presentation is the exploration of the guru-disciple relationship, a sacred bond based on faith, trust, and surrender. Both Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj exemplify the qualities of a true guru, one who does not just impart knowledge but transforms the lives of their disciples. They guide seekers through life’s challenges with wisdom and love, helping them understand the deeper purpose of existence. This relationship is not merely an intellectual connection but a spiritual lifeline, directing the disciple toward the ultimate goal of moksha (liberation).

This presentation also delves into the teachings that define the path to salvation. Salvation, in the teachings of these spiritual masters, is not simply a lofty ideal but a practical and achievable reality. By living a life of moral integrity, devotion, and constant spiritual awareness, one can gradually transcend the limitations of the material world and achieve unity with the divine.

1. Gate of Salvation My Guru Shivam Padmani https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivampadmani/

2. Why need Salvation (Moksha)? Reincarnation - punarjanma Look around at other creatures. दुर्लभं भारते जन्म मनुष्य्यं तत्र दुर्लभम्। Follow Shivam Padmani for more such content: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivampadmani/

3. How do one attain Salvation? "وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ.“ But those who believe and do righteous deeds —those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.(Quran 2: 82) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life .“ ( John 3:16, Bible New Testament ) "He Himself creates, and He Himself gives us understanding; through the Guru's Teachings , He leads us to merge with Himself . Those who meditate on the Naam (Name of God) are at peace in this world and the next. They are blessed with all virtues and are absorbed into the True Lord.“ ( Guru Granth Sahib, p. 294) "רְאֵה נָתַתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ הַיּוֹם אֵת הַחַיִּים וְאֵת הַטּוֹב וְאֵת הַמָּוֶת וְאֵת הָרָע׃ אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם לְאַהֲבָה אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לָלֶכֶת בִּדְרָכָיו וּלְשׁוֹמֵר מִצְוֹתָיו וְחֻקֹּתָיו וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו וְחָיִיתָ וְרָבִיתָ וּבֵרָכְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה בָּא שָׁמָּה לְרִשְּׁתָהּ." "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules , then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.“ (Deuteronomy 30:15-16) Follow Shivam Padmani for more such content: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivampadmani/

4. Summarizing all Religions Religion Path to Salvation Key Concepts Christianity Faith in Jesus Christ and His grace Faith, Grace, Redemption Islam Belief in Allah and righteous deeds Faith, Good Deeds, Repentance, Mercy Sikhism Union with Waheguru through devotion and righteous living Devotion, Meditation, Selfless Service Judaism Righteous living according to the Torah and repentance Righteousness, Repentance, Covenant Hinduism Realization of Brahman through devotion, knowledge, and action Self-Realization, Dharma, Moksha Buddhism Achieving Nirvana through the Eightfold Path Nirvana, Right Understanding, Ethical Living Jainism Liberation through non-violence and ascetic practices Non-Violence, Truthfulness, Self-Purification 1) Faith 2) Ethical living 3) Purity 4) Self-Realization 5) Selfless service Summarizing all these concepts: Follow Shivam Padmani for more such content: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivampadmani/

5. Ugh… That’s too much to digest!!😪 Confusion hi confusion hai … solution kuch pata nahi … Follow Shivam Padmani for more such content: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivampadmani/

6. What about us? Yaksh asks Yuddhisthir : को मोदते किमाश्चर्यं कः पन्थाः का च वार्तिका । ममैतांश्चतुरः प्रश्नान् कथयित्वा जलं पिब ।।१४।। Yuddhisthir answers to third question: तर्को प्रतिष्ठः श्रुतयो विभिन्ना नैको ऋषिर्यस्य मतं प्रमाणम् । धर्मस्य तत्त्वं निहितं गुहायाम् महाजनो येन गतः सः पन्थाः ।।१७।। Van-Parva, Mahabharat "Reasoning is inconclusive; the scriptures are diverse; there is no single sage whose opinion is authoritative. The essence of Dharma is hidden in the depths. The path followed by the great ones is the way." Follow Shivam Padmani for more such content: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivampadmani/

7. How to find such right person? It’s tough but really important to find right person because this path is so misleading. પણ વણકહ્યે જો વિગત, પડે કેમ પરને; સંત અસંતમાં એક મત , નિશ્ચે રહે નરને... ૨ ( Chosath Padi – 1)

8. Guru Guru is the divine bridge to attain Paramãtmã ‘ अमृतस्यैष सेतुः’ – ‘ Amrutasyaisha setuhu ’ ( Mundaka Upanishad: 2/2/5). ‘ यः सेतुरिजानानामक्षरं ब्रह्म यत् परम्। अभयं तितीर्षतां पारं नाचिकेतं शकेमहि। ’ – (Katha Upanishad)

9. Greatest Misery We feels find small or big problem in body, we get stressed But biggest problem is of Janma -Maran ( Bhavrog ) Shankaracharya says in “Mani Ratna Mala” – “ को दीर्घ रोगः? भव एव साधो। ” (Verse 7) Doctor says: “We cut, God Heals.” Devanand Swami – Born and Death is the biggest misery. Thus, Guru should heal your disease of Born-Death. A Guru helps you to get salvation! दोष हरन शीतल करण घनसम संत सुधीर। साधु चन्दन भावना शीतल छाई विशाल। मुक्त कहे तेहि परससे निर्विष होत विश्व्याल॥ Sadguru Muktanand Swami

10. All these can Grow but needs direction. Guru Gives Direction

11. Follow Shivam Padmani for more such content: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivampadmani/

12. How to Identify? Pramukh Swami has transformed millions of life!

13. A Small Conversation Swami Vivekananda (Narendra): [Approaching Sri Ramakrishna] Master, have you seen God? Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa : [Smiling] Yes, Narendra, I have seen God. Swami Vivekananda: [Inquisitively] What do you mean by that? Can you describe it? Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa : [With conviction] I see God as clearly as I see you here, only more intensely. (Nikhilananda, Swami. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna . Vedanta Society of New York, 1942)

14. Guru have realization of God! I felt like I was in a 'God synchronous orbit' — a state of alignment with the divine. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (Transcendence 2015) Follow Shivam Padmani for more such content: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivampadmani/

15. Whoever comes near him, feels divinity This is the experience of millions of people who came in contact of Pramukh Swami Maharaj

16. sfswwr When we overthink or worry, he make us calm. When we are confused in taking decision, he helps to decide. When we don’t know how to deal the situation, he sets the example for us. When everyone leaves our side, he is with us. When we feel identity crisis, he explains our right form. When we make mistakes, he is there to take us out from regret. When we are guilty, he is there to overcome it. When we feel lonely, he always be with us. When we think about future, he teaches to keep faith. A Guru becomes everything for our life. He helps to solve all mazes of life.

17. We are Very Lucky to find such guru who possess all the qualities we discussed so far and much more! HH Mahant Swami Maharaj HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj

18. A Prasang 12-15 Jan 2024 After two days of this Ashirvad , he left for Akshardham

19. Remember Bal Sabha? Follow Shivam Padmani for more such content: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivampadmani/

20. Scriptures says… Swami ni Vato – 3/12 Purushottam Bolya Prite – Characteristics of True Sant Vachanamrut Jetalpur – 1 Bhagwad Geeta – 12.15 and many others Follow Shivam Padmani for more such content: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivampadmani/

21. My Guru, My Gateway to Moksha Jay Swaminarayan Key Takeaways from today’s session? Have a Right Guru. Don’t get misled by fake ones. Right Guru is always there with you in all walks of life. We are lucky to get the right Guru who can hold our hand till forever! Before death and even after death! Follow Shivam Padmani for more such content: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivampadmani/