Publisher's Note

The Vedas are the foundational sacred texts revealed by Paramatma (God) to the ancient rishis. Thereafter the Upanishads, Dharma Shastras, Agamas, Puranas, Itihasas and many other texts have formed the corpus of India's spiritual wisdom, enriching and enlightening the Hindus for several millennia.

Hinduism has a long-standing tradition of divine incarnations and spiritual gurus who have re-established and disseminated Vedic knowledge. When the esoteric knowledge of the Vedas and Upanishads became accessible to the masses in the form of the Puranas, there was a surge in faith and devotional worship in India. Then the acharyas, Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya and others, gave new interpretations and philosophies based on the Upanishads, Brahmasutras and Gita. Thereafter, the saint-poets of India gave impetus to the bhakti movement.

Thus the vast canvas of Hinduism, with all its denominations, practices, wisdom and celebrations, provides a fascinating and vibrant ringside view and experience to countless spiritual aspirants. Hinduism is appealing because of its plurality and contemporariness.

More than 200 years ago Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a torchbearer of Hinduism and the founder of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, endeavored in promoting morality and the spiritual practices of the Vaishnava tradition in Gujarat. He delivered the spiritual truths in a down-to-earth yet profound manner to his disciples. His discourses were compiled into a sacred text called the Vachanamrut (divine nectar of words), that is acknowledged as the distillation of the Hindu sacred texts. The logical answers, illuminating analogies, appropriate metaphors and divine revelations in the Vachanamrut provide philosophical and practical answers to seekers of moksha.

Truth from Under a Tree deals with the Vachanamrut, featuring the personality of Shriji Maharaj and the various subjects he explored and revealed. The author, Sadhu Snehmunidas, elaborates on Shriji Maharaj's clarity of scriptural knowledge, sadhana, and insightful interpretations and definitions; emphasis on purity in speech, action and thought and in being vigilant of bad company (kusang) and dishonesty; divinity as the Supreme God, and as an ideal guide and spiritual mentor. Shriji Maharaj also exhorts the audience to listen to discourses (shravan), reflect upon them (manan) and repeatedly recall them (nididhyas) as requisites to realization (sakshatkar). Sadhu Snehmunidas has persevered intensely in making this book possible for teenagers and youths. This publication will enable the satsangi youths to understand and appreciate the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and help them in resolving the root causes of the superficial and profound problems of life. We congratulate Sadhu Snehmunidas for his hard work and meticulousness in producing this important publication, and pray to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and H.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj to shower their blessings upon him.

Preface

The oldest prayer known to civilization is also the most popular prayer in Hindu Dharma. It says: "Lead us from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality." Darkness symbolizes falsehood and death. Light symbolizes truth and immortality. In life, we try to practice, promote, and pray for truth. We repeatedly consider abstaining from the false, and associating with the truth. This, in a nutshell, is our life's struggle - To speak the truth, understand the truth, and live the truth. Our life's purpose is to decrease the frequency of that which is false, and also, increase the frequency of truth. The word truth stems from the word tree. Hence, the wise people of India practiced and prayed for their search of truth, in the forest, under a tree.

Similarly, Bhagwan Swaminarayan(also known as Shriji Maharaj) customarily talks from under a tree. He speaks of the truth, he reveals the truths of life, and he even explains the five eternal truths. Shriji Maharaj (or Maharaj) shares this truth, as it was shared over ten thousand years ago in the Vedas and Upanishads - from under a tree. Maharaj usually speaks from under a neem-tree, known as a 'limbdo' in the Gujarati language. This ancient tree is popularly known as a herbal gem of Ayurvedic quality in the land of India. The famous limbdo is also the metaphorical place, from where we can stretch our spiritual limbs. Maharaj's guidance from under the limbdo is the sunlight that can stretch our personal vision of the truth, and also the water that can strengthen us to reach for the truth.

The pages that follow are a humble baby step towards introducing today's youth to the Vachanamrut - the spiritual discourses of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. We hope that this book helps plant, within your heart, the seed of an enjoyable learning experience of the Vachanamrut's glory. We also hope that this seed germinates to inspire you to read and realize the truth in Maharaj's words.

We would like to thank the people, who helped nourish and nurture the fruition of Truth From Under a Tree: First and Foremost, 'Maharaj, every time I read your words, they open my eyes to a clear vision of the truth. Thank you for speaking them, and thank you gifting us with a guru who lives them - my beloved guru, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj'. 'Bapa, your love has shown me truth. I have felt your blessings and guidance gushing through my veins, every time I sat down to write. One life is too short to repay you, but please accept my pranams nonetheless.'

Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, 'You planted the seeds for this project in 2003, and you also helped ensure the healthy completion of this book. Pranams.' Pujya Brahmadarshan Swami, 'This book is actually an off-shoot from your Vachanamrut Rahasya series. Many of the concepts have been used to water the completion of Truth From Under a Tree. Thank you.'

Pujya Vivekjivan Swami, 'You have repeatedly become flexible when I flexed my immature writing limbs, to ensure the finished fruit of this product tastes just right. Thank you.'

Pujya Amrutvijay Swami, 'My appreciations for your hard work in preparing an Index to the book.'

Jay Parel of Chicago, Thanks for staying up all night to photo-symhesyze those cool boxes, even when you didn't have to.' Akshar Patel of Chicago, Thanks for all your help in editing, and picking up my fallen twigs.'

Prakash Suthar of Ahmedabad, 'You are amazing. Your limber skills and rooted patience have helped produce the visual appeal of this final product.' And everyone else who I was nagging with questions, in my search for direction; in my search for light; in my search of the truth.

Thank you, one and all. Pranams.

Once again, this book is, by no means, the complete truth. It is just a tip of the iceberg. If I have slipped in any manner, on any page, in providing the truth, please forgive me, and hopefully my mistake can even shed light for your spiritual journey to the truth.

Finally, my prayers are with all those who read Bhagwan Swaminarayan's guidance. May we all learn to lovingly trust his words, which, in turn, will help us, help each other, take baby-steps towards the truth.

Introduction

Wake-up and smell the spiritual cocoa-beans.

Welcome to the world of spirituality. Ayurveda and Yoga, vegetarianism and meditation, are all becoming popular, healthy options these days. Spirituality has seeped its way into homes and hospitals, even Silicon Valley and sporting events. Until recently, spirituality has been overlooked as an exciting ingredient of life. During the last couple of decades though, interest in spirituality has matured with the maturing mind-set of collective individuals. People are noticing spirituality makes a difference in dozens of enjoyable ways.

With spirituality, come symbols. Even before the time of the dinosaurs, spiritual symbols and metaphors have been, and still are, used to depict an idea - both simple and profound. A common language of symbols and metaphors contain the capacity to transcend religions and regions. Spiritual texts embrace a hidden layer of meaning; a concealed message that is sometimes veiled in symbols and metaphor, parable and allegory. Similarly, during our quest to dive deeper into spirituality, we're going to try and understand the Vachanamrut while referring to the metaphor of a library.

Yes. You must be thinking, 'A library? Boring'. Agreed just bear with me! The character of Professor Langdon in Dan Brown's novel, The Lost Symbol', states: 'Misunderstanding a culture's symbols is a common root of prejudice'. So let's not pre-judge this library-metaphor as scrap and send it to the shredder just yet. Symbols are meant to be universal and learnt through experience. Try and keep your mind open to any idea and close to none. As a result, you will find the fresh fruits of knowledge and inspiration within arms reach.

Of course, any metaphor, pushed to the limit can even end up contradicting itself; which is also probably the case for the one we've chosen - 'a library'. But like any metaphor or symbol, it has been chosen to better understand an abstract idea by explaining it in a tangible way.

Contents