Gopalanand Swami (1781–1852) was a paramhansa of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya who was ordained by Swaminarayan. He worked and guided many followers to spread the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. The Swaminarayan Sampradaya believes that Gopalanand Swami is regarded as one of the yogis who attained the positions of Ashthangyog or the 8 fold paths in the field of sacred yog. It is also believed that Gopalanand Swami was appointed as the head of both Vadtal and Amdavaad Desh.

Biography

Born as ''Khushal Bhatt'', he was born in the Arvalli District's, Torda Village of Idar, Sabarkantha,

Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...

. His father was an audichiya

brahmin Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...

, Motiram Bhatt and his mother was Jiveeba Bhatt. Gopalanand Swami pursued deep study and showed great interest of grammar, Indian philosophy of

Nyaya Nyāya (Sanskrit: न्यायः, IAST: nyāyaḥ), literally meaning "justice", "rules", "method" or "judgment", is one of the six orthodox (Āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy. Nyāya's most significant contributions to Indian philosophy ...

and

Vedanta ''Vedanta'' (; , ), also known as ''Uttara Mīmāṃsā'', is one of the six orthodox (Āstika and nāstika, ''āstika'') traditions of Hindu philosophy and textual exegesis. The word ''Vedanta'' means 'conclusion of the Vedas', and encompa ...

. Gopalanand Swami was a scholar, with knowledge in Vyakaran (grammar), Nyaya, Mimasa, astrology. He was married to Adityabai and had two children Harisankar and Anupamba though he felt no attachment.

Swaminarayan Swaminarayan (IAST: '; 3 April 1781 – 1 June 1830), also known as Sahajanand Swami, was a yogi and Asceticism, ascetic believed by followers to be a manifestation of Krishna or the highest Theophany, manifestation of Purushottama, around wh ...

gave diksha (the becoming of a saint in which vows such as

celibacy Celibacy (from Latin ''caelibatus'') is the state of voluntarily being unmarried, sexually abstinent, or both. It is often in association with the role of a religious official or devotee. In its narrow sense, the term ''celibacy'' is applied ...

and renunciation of all personal possessions and of all worldly duties, including family ties are taken) to Gopalanand Swami in Akshar ordi(Gadhada),

held Gopalanand Swami in very high regard and he was very learned in Ashtang

yoga Yoga (UK: , US: ; 'yoga' ; ) is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines that originated with its own philosophy in ancient India, aimed at controlling body and mind to attain various salvation goals, as pra ...

. Gopalanand Swami Returned to Akshardham in 1852 at place Vadtal.

Responsibility of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya

When Swaminarayan returned to his abode (1 June 1830), he left responsibility of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and the

Acharya In Indian religions and society, an ''acharya'' (Sanskrit: आचार्य, IAST: ; Pali: ''ācariya'') is a religious teacher in Hinduism and Buddhism and a spiritual guide to Hindus and Buddhists. The designation has different meanings i ...

s in his hands and he looked after the satsang after Swaminarayan went to Akshardham.

Sarangpur temple

Gopalanand Swami arranged for an idol of ''Kashtabhanjan Dev'' Hanumanji to be installed in the Sarangpur temple which is said to have come alive and moved when installed by him. Gopalanand Swami touched the murti with a rod and the murti came alive and moved.

Works

Sanskrit Books

* Vivekdeep * Vishnuyaag Paddhati * Pujavidhi * Bhakti Siddhi * Haribhakta Namavali * Brahmasutrarthdeep * Ishadi Upanishad Bhashya * Shreemad Bhagwad Geeta Bhashya * Commentary on Second Canto of Shreemad Bhagwat (Sukabhipray Bodhini Tika) * Dasham Skandh Goodharth Bodhini Tika * Ekadash Skandh Krushnabhipray Bodhini Tika * Ved Stuti Shrutyarth Bodhini Tika and Anvayarth Bodhini Tika * Shandilya Sutra Bhakti Prakashika Tika etc.

Vernacular Books

* Varta Vivek * Advait Khandan * Marathi Translation of Shikshapatri * Updeshi Vartao * Puja Paddhati na Pana * Bhaktisiddhi Bhashantar (Translation of Bhaktisiddhi) * Sampraday Pradeep

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Swami, Gopalanand Swaminarayan Sampradaya People from Sabarkantha district 1781 births 1852 deaths Vaishnava saints