North American Adhiveshan 2025

Adhiveshan Competition Rules

Introduction

Adhiveshans have been a proud tradition of the BAPS Sanstha. Initiated during the time of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj, these Adhiveshans have served as a beacon for the spiritual development of countless devotees. They deepen one’s understanding of sampradāyik knowledge, clarify the principles of Satsang, and provide an excellent medium for karyakar development.

Through Adhiveshans, talents such as reading, public speaking, networking, and writing are nurtured and developed. Moreover, they foster an environment of samp and strengthen our Satsang asmitā. The Adhiveshans held in North America in 1996 and 2015 stand as evidence of this tradition.

To extend these benefits to haribhakto across North America, the Adhiveshan for 2025 has been planned after a gap of ten years. This rulebook has been prepared to explain the various competitions and their guidelines for participants.

Guruhari Pramukh Swami Maharaj used to say, “Shraddhā ane utsāh safaḷatānī be pānkha chhe.” (Faith and enthusiasm are the two wings of success). Let us prepare with faith and enthusiasm, striving for the ultimate success of pleasing Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj and earning his innermost rājipo.

Participant Prerequisites

To participate in any competition of the Adhiveshan, the following basic qualifications must be met. Only after completing the preliminary mukhpāth (memorization) requirements will participants qualify for other competitions.

Preliminary Satsang Requirements

1. Participant must be wearing a Swaminarayan kanthi
2. Participant must have 70% attendance in Ravisabha or Parasabha
3. Participant must be doing daily puja

Preliminary Mukhpāth Requirements

1. Arti
2. Stuti Verses sung after Arti, honoring Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Gunatit Guru Parampara
3. Daily Puja verses, including the two āhvān (invocation) mantras and the one punaragaman (conclusion) mantra
4. Shrīmat-sadguṇa shālinam chidachidi...
5. Aum sahanāvavatu saha nau...
6. Shrīharim sākṣharam sarva-deveshvaram...
7. Guṇātītam gurum prāpya...
8. Vande Shrī Puruṣhottamam...
9. Guṇātītokṣharam Brahma...

Adhiveshan Competitions

SATSANG COMPETITIONS

Importance has been placed on memorizing knowledge in India from the Vedic times. ‘Mukhe shastravidya’, meaning memorization of scriptural knowledge, has allowed the knowledge of the Vedas and Upanishads to be passed on from generation to generation. But in this modern society, the mahima of recitation has dispersed.

Man has neglected the priceless power of memorization given to us by God by becoming more dependent on computers and other electronics. Having said that, decades ago, Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj inspired the youth to memorize spiritual material, which seems just. Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj spread the children and youth mandals started by Yogiji Maharaj throughout the world, further strengthening Yogiji Maharaj’s efforts.

Inspired by Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS has regularly held celebrations for the children and youth wings and held adhiveshans. Here in North America, adhiveshans were held in 1996 and 2015. In these adhiveshans, the most important components is the mukhpāth competition. Through memorization and recitation, the scriptural treasures play at the tips of the participants’ tongues. Not only that, but this knowledge, which has proven to bring happiness to mankind for thousands of years, also gives a peaceful experience to one’s heart.

This mukhpāth has become a priceless investment for all. The scriptural words and philosophies presented in the mukhpāth bring forth inspirational prasangs from the lives of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, our guru parampara, and devotees. These prasangs act as a guiding light when we’re faced with questions and difficult times in our lives.

In the satsang section of the adhiveshan, we have two parts- the mukhpāth and the prasang sections. Both of these are a necessary requirement for all adhiveshan participants.

1. Satsang mukhpāth

1. This will include various topics such as samp, niyam-dharma, faith, etc.
2. These passages/ quotations will include material from Vachanāmrut, Swāmini Vāto, Satsang Diksha shlokas, lines from kirtans, popular verses, Bhaktachintāmani, Nishkulānand Kāvya, and our gurus’ words.
3. The 500 verses of the Adhiveshan are divided into 20 sections (Pusps), with each section containing 25 verses. To pass the competition, a participant must pass at least five sections. A participant can prepare between five to twenty sections, depending on their ability (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8,... up to 20). The sections must be prepared in the sequence provided in the mukhpāth material. For example, if a participant chose to prepare five (5) sections, they must prepare section 1 through 5. If they choose six (6) sections, they must prepare sections 1 through 6, and so on.
4. The participant can take the test for each section individually, meaning they can prepare 25 verses and take the test for that section. Once a section’s test is passed, there is no need to retake it for future sections. As sections are prepared, tests can be taken.
5. To be eligible for an award in the skill competition, the participant must complete the recitation of five sections. For example, if a participant wins first, second, or third place in the speech competition but has not passed the recitation of five sections, they will not be eligible for victory in the speech competition.
6. The mukhpāth material will be available on the mySatsang app and via your local mandir communication channel.

2. Satsang Prasang

1. There will be 100 stories from the biographies of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and all the gurus. Studying these will increase our glory for our gurus as well as strengthen the foundation of our philosophy. You will be preparing for the exam from this collection of prasangs.
2. The exam will consist of 100 multiple choice questions with 4 possible answers, out of which the correct one will be chosen by the participants.
3. In order to be eligible to receive an award for any skills competition, it will be necessary to pass this competition.
4. The collection of prasangs will be available through your local mandir communication channel.

Note: Aside from the above-mentioned competitions, all other competitions will be for those ages 60 or below in Sanyukt-Premvati and student sabha; both male and female devotees. Devotees older than 60 years will be able to participate in Satsang mukhpāth and Satsang Prasang competitions.

Participants can make changes to their registration for the competitions until January 15, 2025

PRIMARY SKILL COMPETITIONS

1. Speech

1. This competition can be done in English or Gujarati.
2. This competition is categorized based on the participant’s language and skill level. The details are as below:

1. After registration, participants will be placed in a category based on their skill level and to the guidance of the local Vicharan Sant, and then be informed of their category.
2. Each participant, based on his/ her category, will pick only one topic from the given ones and present it. Only those participating in the Sahajānand category will be able to prepare and present own content in addition to the one given to them, but only if they have participated in the speech writing competition.
3. The participants will have to do self-learning modules for this competition (necessary). At the end of this training, information on how the material and presentation will be graded will be provided.
4. Katha sevaks who are above 60 years serving in Ravi or Para sabha are exempt from this competition as their experience allows them to continue seva effectively.

2. Emcee

1. The categories for this competition are similar to the speech competition. They are listed below.

1. If the participant is taking part in the speech competition, then his/ her category for emcee will remain the same. Ex: if the participant is in the ‘Sahajānand’ category, then he/she will be in the same category for the emcee competition.
2. All other participants will be placed in a category based on their skill level. This will be done after registration is complete.
3. Training will be provided for this competition, which is necessary for each participant. At the end of this competition, information on how the material and presentation will be graded will be provided.

3. Sampark

1. This is an individual sampark competition, where each participant will do sampark with their assigned satsangi and gunbhavi families.
2. There are three categories, based on one’s sampark skillset: Akshar, Brahma, & Nirgun.
3. Once the registration is complete, participants will be placed in a category based on their skill level and be informed.
4. The grading in this competition will be done in 3 parts:
   1. eJournal – All notes related to the sampark of assigned families will be noted in the mySeva app. This will let us know if the participant is doing sampark or not.
   2. Role Play- The judge will give a topic on which the participant will role play with him/ her.
   3. Questionnaire (Q & A) – The participants will be asked various questions. For example, if someone in your assigned family has a birthday, what will you do as a sampark karyakar? The grading will be based on the participant’s approach.
5. To prepare for the role play and questionnaire parts, topics will be given. The topics presented in the competition will be similar to these.
6. There will be self-training modules for this competition, which will be necessary for the participants to watch. The material for the competition and more information on the grading will be given after completing the training.

SECONDARY SKILL COMPETITIONS

4. Individual Kirtan Singing

1. A kirtan may be selected from a kirtan book, CD, etc. published by the Sanstha.
2. The time limit will be 7 minutes.
3. There are 3 categories in this competition based on skill level: Premanand (those who sing very well), Brahmanand (those who sing mid-level), and Muktanand (those who are new to singing)
4. After the participant registers, they will be placed in a category based on their skill level and will be informed.

5. TedTalk Presentation

1. The participant will have to give a presentation TedTalk style.
2. The participant may do the presentation in Gujarati or English.
3. For this competition, various topics, main points for each topic, time limit and target audience will be provided.
4. The participant will choose a topic from the given choices, prepare the entire presentation (slides, videos, script, etc.) and present it at the given time.

WRITING COMPETITIONS

6. Writing discourses

1. For this competition, various topics, main points for each topic, time limit and target audience will be provided.
2. From the given topics, each participant will have to write one full discourse. It can be written in Gujarati or English.

7. Play writing

1. For this competition, various topics, main points for each topic, time limit and target audience will be provided.
2. From the given topics, one will be chosen by the participant and they will write a play based on that topic.

8. Article Writing

1. For this competition, various topics, main points for each topic, time limit and target audience will be provided.
2. From the given topics, one will be chosen by the participant and they will write an article based on that topic in English or Gujarati.

Training will be provided for all three writing competitions, which will be necessary. These competitions will happen in multiple rounds, so it will require writing more than one discourse or article. The full details will be provided after the training.

MULTIMEDIA COMPETITIONS

9. A/V Production

1. For this competition, various topics, main points for each topic, time limit and target audience will be provided. Participants will pick one topic and make a presentation.

10. Graphics Design (Flyer Poster/Backdrops/Social Media Post)

1. Participants will be given various topics from which they will create a graphic design.

Both these competitions will be in pairs, with one participant being the creator and the other being an editor. Both participants can be from the same center or region, but not from different regions.

1. The creator will research what content can use used in “AV Production” and “Graphic Design”, such as finding sampradayik or non-sampradayik quotations, or exploring the types of video or audio clips that can be utilized. The editor will compile this content and create video clips, poster, flyers or backdrops as specified in the competition.
2. After registration: the local RC, based on guidance from the local vicharan sant, will assign the pairs of creator and editor. To make sound decisions, they will meet with the local satsang admin and participants.
3. For the female participants, the RC will make pairs similar to how it’s handled on the men’s side. RMC karyakars or MC1/MC2 will give guidance.
4. Both participants will get together and create the entire presentation.

Basic guidance will be provided for both competitions, which will occur in multiple rounds. Details will follow after training, and results will be based on round-wise grading.

GROUP COMPETITIONS

11. Group Kirtan Singing

12. Skit

The information for both of these competitions has been given to the satsang admin and mahila satsang coordinator. The registration for these two will be done locally.