SMVS’s unique identity lies in firmly adhering to the eternal and original principles of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and following the beliefs stated in the predominant scriptures of the Swaminarayan sect, namely, the ‘Shikshapatri’ and ‘Vachanamrut’. Thus, thousands of individuals get inspiration to act according to the beliefs of SMVS. Here is a brief description of those foundational beliefs:

• The soul believes oneself to be the body after being in its association for so long. Thus, one must get rid of this ignorance. The soul’s true joy is found in its joining with God. However, it is currently joined with the body and cannot experience true spiritual bliss. It must break its ties with the body to overcome this dilemma and unite within God’s form. Only then can it experience Supreme Lord Swaminarayan’s true bliss. This union with God is known as the state of Anadimukta.
• The soul is tiny in front of the mighty God. So, it cannot understand the actual form of God, nor can it walk on the path of an Anadimukta. Thus, it needs a Satpurush who guides the spiritual path. A Satpurush aids in the soul’s union with God. The doer of all the actions of a Satpurush is God, Himself. However, Satpurush are muktas themselves. There is only one God, Lord Swaminarayan. Satpurush never becomes a God.
• Besides consolidating the Upasana of Lord Swaminarayan and gaining the knowledge of the soul’s form, it is also important to have good virtues and sincere life. Great character is defined by living according to the commandments and wishes of God and Satpurush, whether alone or in the presence of others. This type of internally pure life pleases God.

Primary Beliefs and Customs

1. Idol Worship (Murtipooja)



Idols are sacred symbols that have been in man’s heart since the ancient days. Naturally, significant importance has been placed on the worship of the idol of God in the Hindu tradition. This method of worship constitutes that God has a form. The scriptures encourage this method over that of worshipping a formless being.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan Himself has encouraged the worship of idols by creating temples in His presence and starting the worship of His idols. This is further explained in the Lord’s own words as per the Vachanamrut : “Regarding the Idols that God has given for worship by His command, of which there are eight kinds, God Himself resides in them.” - Gadhada First 68th

2. Temples



A home for a man and a temple for a God. In contrast, God may reside in His lustrous abode in the divine realm. In this world, He needs a holy place to reside in. A temple is a place where God can pleasantly reside, regardless of big or small.

In His own presence, Bhagwan Swaminarayan created six temples and explained their importance throughout the sect. He has commanded His disciples in the Shikshapatri to “daily visit the temple in the hours of dawn or dusk and to perform the darshan of God.”

3. Presence of God



Omnipresence, the secret behind our worship that inspires us to consecrate Murti of God in our temples and homes with the special belief that God is forever present and resident. Our conviction, coupled with our devotion, leads us to serve God with fresh meals, new attire ornaments, perform aarti, and care for Him throughout the day.

4. Upasana



The philosophical understanding of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s form for the purpose of one’s own (soul) salvation is called Upasana; also known as Swaroopnishtha. Understanding the following concepts constitutes perfect upasana. In all totality, there is only one supreme God, and that is Lord Swaminarayan. He is eternal and the cause of all others, unrivalled and unchallenged. All-knowing and ever-present, He is the God of Gods, the doer of all and the creator-destroyer of all. Forever possessing a divine form, He is ever resident in His abode.

5. Ultimate Salvation



“If you must die, then die in such a way that you never have to die again.” – Sadguru Brahmanand swami This soul is subject to birth and death as long as it associates with the body. Salvation is the release from this cycle and is inherently a term for the soul. There are many types of salvation—release from hell, obtainment of heaven or even obtainment of another deity’s abode. Yet, the real and final level of salvation is ultimate salvation (atyantik moksha). It is the position closest to God for obtaining His bliss which we know as the state of an Anadimukta. This is true salvation; once acquired, the soul never has to retake birth. It is truly having ‘died’ and, by doing so, being immortalized.

When supreme Lord Swaminarayan is obtained, or His divine Satpurush that have come from His abode is obtained then ultimate salvation becomes possible. The soul obtains ultimate salvation by staying in their company and understanding the form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan by following the commandments and regulations.

6. Fulfillment



Heaven, that illustrious thing entices our hearts with the allure of true peace and joy. But, to achieve it, we need to obtain salvation. Thus, salvation is a synonym for heaven

Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Jeevanpran Bapashree truly blessed us when they manifested and brought heaven onto the earth. The form of salvation is Bhagwan Swaminarayan Himself.

Whoever develops such perfect faith doesn’t have to die to obtain peace, God grants it to them while alive.

For a devotee with such understanding, God is their heaven. This creates a true sense of fulfillment and is the joy of keeping faith in God.

7. Heart Felt Devotion



Devotion to God (in idol form) via His service and worship, accompanied by the utmost affection, is heartfelt devotion (premlakshana bhakti). This worship is based on our understanding that God is present and that He is actively accepting all services offered to Him. It involves offering dishes, adorning God, preparing buffets (annakut), bathing the Lord (abhishek), and much more. This devotion creates great affection between the two master and servant, God and devotee.

8. Guru and Satpurush



The Guru, the giver of knowledge, is a priceless guide of religion. A Guru is essential to break through the clutches of darkness as ignorance and entering the light of knowledge. The bonding of soul and God is only possible via the medium of the Guru. Such a special class of Guru that can help one obtain God and salvation is known as a Satpurush. It is impossible to become Satpurush as they descend from the home of God. A Satpurush is always engrossed in the form of God and forever bliss in the bliss of God. God performs all actions of a Satpurush. Hence, the words of God can be known via Satpurush. Only by obtaining such a Satpurush as a Guru can we obtain God and, associatively, ultimate salvation. In present times, HDH Swamishri is such a divine Satpurush and the Guru of our organization.

9. Grace and Blessings



There are two routes on the spiritual path to obtaining the bliss of God:

(1) Sadhana (Activities of Penance) (2) Mercy (Grace of God)

Ancient scriptures have emphasized performing activities/penance to advance spiritually. However, these activities are long and tedious; only some can perform them. On the other hand, Bhagwan Swaminarayan has opened an alternative path; one of mercy or, in other words, the pleasure of God. This path is much easier and quicker than penance and can be performed by anyone.

Comparatively, advancing via activities is like climbing a ladder, while the path of mercy is like taking an elevator. Hence, the best way to become free of vices and flaws and obtain the bliss of God is by pleasing God and obtaining His mercy. Shriji Maharaj has stated this in the Vachanamrut :

“The performance of spiritual endeavors is long and arduous. Whether one will obtain the fruits in this life or the next is uncertain. However, the instant removal of all vices and faults is possible by the grace of God.” - Vachanamrut Gadhada Middle 9th

10. Doership of God



In all the endless cosmos, there is only one doer, our Lord Swaminarayan. Endless celestials (avatars) and deities cannot perform any action of their own. It is only through the power bestowed upon them by Bhagwan Swaminarayan that they become capable of performing their work. None have their power or capability, not even in the slightest.

By understanding this ultimate doership of God, we become free from the bonds and fears of other celestial and deities. All happiness, sorrows, hardships, and difficulties occur by God’s wish. Hence, we can stay forever in joy knowing that everything happening in our life is happening by God’s wish and it is all for our benefit.

Even our own doership should not be understood or believed as that too causes sorrow in our lives. Meaning we should perform all actions with the thought, ‘All that is done is done by my Lord.’

11. Divine Perception



In the company of the great, all become great. Likewise, in the company of the divine, all transform into the divine. Meaning all things in relation of God, items, objects, places, and people are divine. This dissolution of worldly vision and realization of divinity is known as divine perception. Let us not forget that even we have become divine by God’s relation.

All things that are offered to God should then be considered ‘prasad’ (gift of God). The reason for all this awe is simple, all things that encounter God become divine.

Naturally, if we keep divine perception for objects and things, then it only makes sense this kind of divine feeling carries over to the saints and devotees of God. This is because all souls that connect with God become His Anadimukta, but none remain worldly souls. Keeping this divine sight creates never ending joy and removes all worldly feelings within us, making us completely divine.