Gopalanand Swami (1781–1852) was a

paramhansa Paramahamsa (Sanskrit: परमहंस, Bengali: পরমহংস, romanized: Pôromohôṅso; pronounced ɔromoɦɔŋʃo, also spelled paramahansa or paramhansa, is a Sanskrit religio-theological title of honour applied to Hindu spiritual ...

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 Ahemdabad Desh.

Biography

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

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the 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 fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...

. His father was an audichiya

brahmin Brahmin (; sa, ब्राह्मण, brāhmaṇa) is a varna as well as a caste within Hindu society. The Brahmins are designated as the priestly class as they serve as priests (purohit, pandit, or pujari) and religious teachers (gur ...

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

Vedanta ''Vedanta'' (; sa, वेदान्त, ), also ''Uttara Mīmāṃsā'', is one of the six (''āstika'') schools of Hindu philosophy. Literally meaning "end of the Vedas", Vedanta reflects ideas that emerged from, or were aligned with, t ...

. 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 gave

diksha Diksha (Sanskrit: दीक्षा) also spelled diksa, deeksha or deeksa in common usage, translated as a "preparation or consecration for a religious ceremony", is giving of a mantra or an initiation by the guru (in Guru–shishya tradition) ...

(the becoming of a saint in which vows such as celibacy and renunciation of all personal possessions and of all worldly duties, including family ties are taken) to Gopalanand Swami in Akshar ordi(Gadhada),

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

yoga Yoga (; sa, योग, lit=yoke' or 'union ) is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India and aim to control (yoke) and still the mind, recognizing a detached witness-consci ...

. Gopalanand Swami Returned to Akshardham in 1852 at place

Vadtal Vadtal is located in the Kheda district of Gujarat, India. It is the pilgrim centre of Swaminarayan Sampraday and the headquarter of Swaminarayan's temple. Gomati is a holy lake in Vadtal. In 2011, ONGC announced that it would begin drilling ...

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 preceptor and expert instructor in matters such as religion, or any other subject. An acharya is a highly learned person with a ...

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

Sarangpur temple

Gopalanand Swami arranged for an idol of ''Kastabhanjan Dev'' Hanumanji to be installed in the Sarangpur temple which is said to have come alive and moved when installed by him.

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