sadhus

Even at the peak of the crackdown, charas was still popular and remains so today, especially amongst Indian sadhus.

A chillum, or chilam, is a straight conical pipe with end-to-end channel, traditionally made of clay and used since at least the 18th century by wandering Hindu monks, known as sadhus in India.

Many saints and sadhus blessed him and reassured his parents that he had a very developed awareness.

He traveled to Bengal with other sadhus ( holy men ) to distribute devotional writings to the general public.

Jainism considers satya to be one of its five core principles and all sadhus must take a vow to adhere to it.

Its international network has grown into 2, 710 Youth, 4, 070 Children and 1, 320 Women centers, more than 890 sadhus, 55, 000 volunteers and over one million followers, with more than 750 temples and 9090 centers in 45 countries.

As leader of BAPS, he is responsible for the opening ceremonies of temples, initiation ceremonies for sadhus, and the major decisions of the organisation.

In New York City in 1998, an American going by the name Jayadev started a group called " Midnight Yoga for Men " where participants practiced " naked before the infinite " in the style of the sadhus.

Hindus were became either irreligious or blind faith or worshiping many god, goddesses in frustration and victimised by hypocrite sadhus.

Some of the wandering ascetics in India and Nepal known as sadhus smoke charas out of a clay chillum.

He built temples, bathing ghats, performed endless poojas ( religious prayers ), underwent countless stringent fasts, fell at the feet of sadhus and soothsayers, etc., but the ghost wouldn ’ t leave him.

The Jain community is composed of four sections: sadhus, sadhvis ( also referred to as shramanas and shramanis ), and laymen and laywomen ( or grhastins " householders ") who have not abandoned worldly affairs.

Shantilal ’ s daily “ darshan ”, or worship, at the Swaminarayan mandir in Chansad, and his association with Shastriji Maharaj and his disciple sadhus whenever they came to the village, further reflected Shantilal ’ s affinity for spirituality from a young age.

He would often meet other sadhus who passed through the village from the holy places of pilgrimage in North India.

Swaminarayan sadhus, such as Ghanshyam Swami and Balmukund Swami, frequently visited Chansad and other nearby villages ; Shantilal regularly engaged in serving them during those visits.

Many felt it was only a matter of time until Shantilal would embark upon a monastic life by joining the order of Swaminarayan sadhus under Shastriji Maharaj.

His parents happily gave their permission and blessings, and Shantilal left home that day to join Shastriji Maharaj and his sadhus.

In addition to his studies, Shastri Narayanswarupdas routinely engaged in a multitude of service activities, including cleaning the temple compounds, cooking for sadhus and devotees, and taking part in many other duties.

His capable leadership and unassuming personality in the midst of significant hardships earned him the respect of his fellow sadhus and devotees, and presaged the significant responsibility that his guru would soon entrust to him.

Twice Shastri Narayanswarupdas wrote back respectfully declining, citing his young age and inexperience, and the presence of many senior sadhus who would be more suited to the responsibility.

Before passing away in1971, Yogiji Maharaj had explained to sadhus and devotees, “ From now onwards, Pramukh Swami Maharaj will carry on my work … Pramukh Swami is my everything .” With these and other sentiments, Pramukh Swami ’ s predecessors identified him as the spiritual leader and guide for followers of BAPS.

Currently, BAPS encompasses over one million devotees, more than 850 sadhus, 3, 300 mandirs and congregations, over 7, 200 weekly assemblies, and a host of humanitarian and charitable activities.

Hutchinson observes that Pramukh Swami ’ s “ selfless love … was his most frequently and enthusiastically reported characteristic that had influenced persons to become devotees and sadhus .” After renouncing worldly ambitions, these sadhus are guided by Pramukh Swami in their service of God and society.

Milestone events in this realm include the bicentenary celebrations of Swaminarayan in 1981 and of Gunatitanand Swami in 1985, which saw the initiation of 200 and 173 sadhus, respectively, in a single day.