Every aspect of worldly life is governed by rules – they are what enable societies and the world to function harmoniously and progress.

Spiritual progress, too, is dependent on one’s observance of injunctions and prohibitions – the dos and don’ts. These spiritual codes of conduct are specified in the shastras and the living guru not only embodies them, but makes them relevant to modern life.

Loosely, the words ‘dharma’ and ‘niyams’ are used to refer to these codes of conduct. However, Mahant Swami Maharaj draws an important distinction. He defines dharma as one’s general attitude and aptitude for following a certain way of life, while niyams are the specific codes that enable one to live by that approach. The terms ‘dharma-niyam’ or ‘niyam-dharma’ are often used to refer to the codes of conduct. Also, the individual words ‘niyam(s)’ and ‘dharma’ are used to mean codes of conduct.

In the BAPS satsang community, the term ‘dharma-niyams’ is used to refer to the agnas the commands, wishes or codes of conduct – which a devotee is expected to observe. The agnas are specified by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the Shikshapatri and their modern-day necessity has been reinforced by Mahant Swami Maharaj in the Satsang Diksha.
The commands may be deemed as minor and may seem trivial, but each is a building block that strengthens one’s spiritual foundation. Each is a necessary component of a genuine devotee’s daily life. Observing even the apparently insignificant niyams will embolden one to follow the major niyams. And by sincerely observing all these niyams, one earns the innermost blessings of God and guru.

Swamishri’s life and teachings reflect his sincerity in observing niyams to preserve dharma.

At 11.05 a.m. Swamishri arrived in the Kishore Din assembly. The youngsters asked Swamishri, “Give us all one niyam that will strengthen our bond with you.” Swamishri wrote on an ipad: “Divyabhav ane badha niyam padva.” Explaining, Swamishri said, “See the Sant as divine. Never perceive human traits in him. And observe all the minor and major niyams. Then nobody can stop you from reaching all the way to Akshardham.”

As usual, after his evening dinner, Swamishri walked around 100 steps. Then, a youth opened the door leading towards Swamishri’s room. He requested Swamishri, “I opened this door, so you please open the door to Akshardham.”

Swamishri replied, “It’s open. The passport is niyams.”

Today was Swamishri’s birthday (as per the Vikram Samvat Calendar). He blessed all the sadhus individually. Yogimanan Swami asked, “Today is your birthday. What can we do so that you remain in good health?”

Swamishri said, “Observe niyam-dharma.”

In the evening, during a discussion with Swamishri, the swamis presented Swamishri’s incidents.

Shrutipriya Swami narrated how once, in Selvas, Swamishri missed the mangala arti. He said that except Gondal, Sarangpur, and a couple of other mandirs, everywhere else the mangala arti takes place at 6.00 a.m. But Swamishri had not been informed that in Selvas the time was

5.45 a.m. So, as per routine, Swamishri was making his way for the mangala arti when he saw the other sadhus returning and realized that the arti had already taken place. So, Swamishri returned to his room, gave his usual 10–15-minute morning discourse, completed his puja and attended the shangar arti.

Then, when he returned to his room, Swamishri emphatically declared, “No breakfast today.” The attendant swamis, Chinmay Swami, and other swamis and devotees tried to persuade Swamishri to change his mind. But his decision was final. As a last resort, Dr Mukulbhai said that if Swamishri didn’t eat, the devotees would also not eat. Eventually, Swamishri ate one mamro. He even refused his morning medications. Then, Swamishri agreed to eat lunch.

So, for inadvertently missing mangala arti, through no fault or intention of his own, Swamishri undertook this atonement.

Then, Priyavrat Swami asked, “Swami! You did not make any mistake. It was because you did not know the time of the arti and nobody had even told you beforehand. So, why such an atonement?”

Swamishri replied, “A lapse in observing one agna, leads to a lapse in two, then three and then…”

“Big lapses occur,” the sadhus said.

Atmaswarup Swami said, “In Vachanamrut Gadhada III 38, Maharaj has said, ‘One should attach one’s jiva to the Bhakta of God – the great Sant who feels that he has transgressed a major injunction even if he has transgressed a minor injunction.’ Swami, these words are truly evident in your life.”

Even now, despite the shastras permitting those who are over 80 and the ill certain relaxations, Swamishri still observe the prescribed fast until the afternoon of Bestu Varsh (Hindu New Years’ Day) until Thakorji has been offered the annakut, and also in the period before and during solar and lunar eclipses.

Swamishri’s life is a beacon for all on how to firmly observe niyams and dharma.