Spiritual lineage
Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan
Founder of the Swaminarayan Sampraday
His teachings place devotion, disciplined living and service to others at the centre of spiritual life.
Teaching emphasis
Service and devotion
A life of faith becomes meaningful when spiritual practice is expressed through character and compassionate action.
Jeevan Charitra
A life carried through devotion.
- Appearance
- 1781
- Birth name
- Ghanshyam Maharaj
- Known during pilgrimage as
- Nilkanth Varni
- Name after initiation
- Swami Sahajanand
- Birthplace
- Chhapaiya, near Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Principal life work
- Established the Swaminarayan Sampraday, advanced devotion and disciplined living, and worked against harmful social practices.
- Departure
- 1830
Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan was born as Ghanshyam in Chhapaiya in 1781. At eleven, he renounced home and travelled across India as Nilkanth Varni, seeking spiritual understanding and serving those he encountered.
After accepting Ramanand Swami as guru, he became known as Swami Sahajanand. His work united devotion to God with practical moral reform, compassionate service and disciplined conduct. He initiated a large order of paramhansas and guided communities away from violence and harmful customs.
The Shikshapatri and the discourses preserved in the Vachanamrut continue to guide devotees. His central direction joined service to humanity with devotion to God.