SKS Swaminarayan Shikshapatri Slok 56

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SKS Swaminarayan Shikshapatri Slok 56
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Shikshapatri Slok 56
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Shikshapatri Text

• My Atmanivedi devotees shall worship Shaligram or
  the images of Lord Shree Krishna made from stone
  or metal, with offerings of sandalwood, flowers,
  fruits etc. which are available at the time
  according to their capacity. They shall then
  recite the eight syllable holy Mantra of Lord
  Shree Krishna.

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Method of Worship

• Atmanivedis to worship one of the forms of God
• Shaligram (Naturally formed stones)
• Murtis (Idol forms of God)
• Pratimas (Pictorial Forms of God)
• Offer leaves, fruit and flowers
• Perform chanting of Shree Krishna Ashtakshar
  Mantra

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Shaligram

• Special Sacred Stones considered to be the
  natural form of Lord Vishnu
• Naturally formed in River Gandki (in Nepal)
• Related to Tulivivah Katha
• The worshipper of a Shaligram Sila must adhere to
  strict rules

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Murti Pratima

• Idol/statue form of God
• Made of Metal (Gold, silver, Copper, Brass) or
  Stone (Marble and other Minerals etc)
• Should not be Khandit
• Worship of Pictorial representations of God
  favoured form of worship for most caste
  members/women

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Offerings

• Poojan with flowers should be fragrant and
  fresh
• Poojan with leaves sacred Tulsi (form of laxmi,
  used esp. with Shaligram) and Bilva leaves
• Poojan with fruits
• Poojan with sandlewood (for fragrance)

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Mantra Jap

• Shree Krishna Ashtakshar (8-syllabled) Mantra
  considered to be the best deriving greater
  fruits
• Can you name?
• For ultimate redemption, the Swaminarayan
  Mahamantra as given by Maharaj himself
• Inward chanting using a Mala in a Gaumukhi
  already covered
• A Mala of 108 beads made of Tulsi stipulated for
  Vaishnavas

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Questions

• What three forms of worship were mentioned
• The first of these are the natural form of which
  God?
• Which river are they likely to be found in?
• Which types of metals have been ordained for use
  in the second of these forms.
• Which form is the favoured form of worship for
  most people?
• What 4 things can be offered in worship to god?
• Which Mantra should Atmanivedis chant.