Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Pith Established by BAPS in Kashi, Varanasi, India

For centuries Kashi has been renowned as a pious pilgrimage place and as a city of learned pandits. It is a center of academic excellence and home to expert and authoritative scholars on the Vedas, Vedant, Jyotish, Ayurveda, Shilpa Shastras, Sahitya, Nyaya, Vyakaran and numerous other subjects based on the Hindu Shastras.

With the blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj, Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadresh Swami has written bhashyas on the Upanishads, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Brahmasutras and a vadagranth named ‘Swaminarayan Siddhanta Sudha’ expounding the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, in a simple, lucid and concise manner using accepted traditional academic standards.

These unique texts have been highly acclaimed by the renowned scholars of the Shri Kashi Vidvat Parishad, whose authority in shastra-related academia is accepted throughout India, and over 350 scholars in India, America, England and Europe.

Officially endorsing the ‘Akshar-Purushottam Darshan’ as a Sanatan Vedic ‘Darshan’, the Shri Kashi Vidvat Parishad supported the establishment by the BAPS of the ‘Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Pith’ in Kashi in recognition of its status as an original and unique Darshan among the philosophical traditions of India.

To celebrate the official declaration of the founding of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Pith by the BAPS, and to felicitate Bhadresh Swami for his landmark texts, the Kashi Vidvat Parishad organized a special assembly in the esteemed presence of Pujya Kothari Swami (Bhaktipriya Swami) and over 125 distinguished scholars at the Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya on 28 June 2019.

The assembly began with all the scholars and attendees participating in a procession in honor of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Previously, Mahant Swami Maharaj had performed the pujan of these murtis to be placed in the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Pith.

In the assembly, ten leading senior scholars sat on the stage with Pujya Kothari Swami and Bhadresh Swami.

First, Bhadresh Swami was felicitated and honored with the title ‘Darshanshastra-Sarvabhauma’.

Then, the formation of the ‘Akshar-Purushottam Pith’ was announced as Pujya Kothari Swami performed pujan of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj and sadhus sang Vedic verses.

Addressing the celebration assembly, Pandit Shri Jayshankarlal Tripathi, President of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad, said, “The Kashi Vidvat Parishad supports the founding of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Pith.” Then, he read the official proclamation declaring the formation of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Pith.

Then, acknowledging the declaration, Bhadresh Swami recited Sanskrit verses welcoming Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj to Kashi.

Thereafter, Shri Kamleshdatt Tripathiji (World-renowned scholar on Natyashastras and Vyakaran), Mahmahopadhyaya Shri Shivji Upadhyaya (General Secretary, Kashi Vidvat Parishad) and distinguished scholars also addressed the assembly.

Thereafter, on behalf of the BAPS Pujya Kothari Swami felicitated over 40 leading scholars for their outstanding contributions to the study of shastras.

Afterwards, Pujya Kothari Swami, himself an excellent scholar of Sanskrit and Philosophy, addressed the assembly of scholars, briefly elaborating on the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan as revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan and welcoming the founding of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Pith in Kashi.

In Kashi, over two centuries ago, Bhagwan Swaminarayan, at the age of 10, had explained the principle of Akshar-Purushottam to scholars. Thus, it is fitting that today the unique Akshar-Purushottam Darshan revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan has been accorded its deserved place of honor in Kashi, the ancient city of traditional spiritual wisdom.