Anadi Muktaraj Shri Abjibapa

{{Short description|Spirituality teacher from Kutch region of India}}

File:Bapashri.jpg

Anadi Muktaraj Shri Abjibapa (20 November 1844 – 23 June 1928){{Cite book |title=Abjibapashrinu Jivancharitra |publisher=Shri Swaminarayan Divine Mission |year=1942 |edition=1st |language=gu}} also known as Bapashri or Abjibapashri, was a householder devotee, saint, mystic, Indian philosopher and theologian who expounded on metaphysics and teachings of Lord Swaminarayan. His most notable work is a treatise of explanations of inner meanings of Vachanamrutam (spiritual discourses of Lord Swaminarayan) called "Rahasyartha Pradipika Tika". He is also accredited with a few other texts which are mostly transcripts of his talks and sermons and also with the revival of a meditation method called Pratilom Dhyana.{{Cite book |title=Bapashri ni Vato nu ekikaran |publisher=Shri Swaminarayan Divine Mission |year=1986 |edition=1st |location=Ahmedabad, IN |language=gu}} A Chattri was erected in Baladia{{Cite web |title=Baladia · Gujarat 370427, India |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Baladia,+Gujarat+370427/@23.0998452,69.6109521,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3951211b2da15895:0x204535b33fd18f13!8m2!3d23.0987249!4d69.6110297?coh=164777&entry=tt&shorturl=1 |access-date=2023-02-07 |via=Google Maps |language=en}} village of kutch region of Gujarat state to commemorate his life and contribution to spirituality called "Shri Abjibapani Chhatedi".{{Cite web |title=Shri Abjibapani Chhatedi · Baladia, Gujarat 370427, India |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Shri+Abjibapani+Chhatedi/@23.104941,69.609141,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3951025555555557:0x6a7b2ca505a3468b!8m2!3d23.104941!4d69.6113297?coh=164777&entry=tt&shorturl=1 |access-date=2023-02-07 |via=Google Maps |language=en}} There is also a street named in his honour in the Ahmedabad City called the "Abjibapa Marg".{{Cite web |title=Abjibapa marg |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Abjibapa+Marg,+Ahmedabad,+Gujarat+380007/@22.9985202,72.5487727,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x395e851137fa2253:0x37b40586fb4a1d4e!8m2!3d22.9985202!4d72.5509614?q=abjibapa+marg&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4sZnChYP9AhVqSmwGHQxVB88Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&coh=164777&entry=tt&shorturl=1 |access-date=2023-02-07 |via=Google Maps |language=en}}

In his thought, Lord Swaminarayan was Purna Purushottama Narayana (Para-Brahman) who manifested Himself on this earth in human form out compassion to liberate innumerable souls by total use of his grace and freewill alone into his own state of absolute and perpetual bliss.{{Cite book |url=https://www.shriswaminarayandivinemission.org/publications/3/ |title=Bapashri ni Vato nu ekikaran |publisher=Shri Swaminarayan Divine Mission |year=1986 |edition=1st |location=Ahmedabad |pages=41–73 |language=gu}} This state of total oneness with the Supreme image of God he called dwelling in the image Murti.{{Cite book |url=https://www.shriswaminarayandivinemission.org/publications/3/ |title=Bapashri ni Vato nu ekikaran |publisher=Shri Swaminarayan Divine Mission |year=1986 |edition=1st |location=Ahmedabad, IN |pages=1–41 |language=gu}} An individual who experienced this state he called Anadi or Kaivalya Mukta i.e. the one who is eternally liberated from samsara.{{Cite book |last=Vrundavandasji Swami |first=Sadguru Shree |title=Sadguru Shree Vrundavandasji Swami ni Vato |publisher=Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Maninagar |year=1986 |edition=3rd |location=Ahmedabad |pages=1–4 |language=gu}} While the word "murti" could ordinarily refers to idol or photograph, he used it in the special sense to indicate form or logos called svarupa in sanskrit.