Dharmakul

Satsangi Bhaktas

‘Dharmakul’ refers to Bhagwan Swaminarayan in Vachanamrut Gadhada I-1 and the family of Dharmadev in Vachanamrut Vartal-1.

Because he was born in the family of Dharmadev and Bhaktimata, he is known as Dharmakul. Moreover, wherever there is bhakti coupled with dharma, there resides Shri Hari.

In Vachanamrut Gadhada I-1, Maharaj has used the word ‘Dharmakul’ to refer to himself. The Gujarati Vachanamrut explains the meaning of this name in the footnote as follows:

‘Dharma’ is the father of Shri Hari. His family is ‘Dharmakul’ - meaning Shriji Maharaj. Therefore, one who seeks the refuge of Shriji Maharaj means he has sought the refuge of Dharmakul. Typically, Dharmakul refers to the descendants of Rampratapbhai (Maharaj’s older brother) and Ichchharam (Maharaj’s younger brother). However, when this Vachanamrut was written in Samvat 1876, they had not arrived in Gadhada yet. In Samvat 1877, both brothers met Shriji Maharaj for the first time in Loya, as according to Shriharicharitramrut Sagar, Pur 24, Tarang 39-55. Therefore, Dharmakul refers to Shriji Maharaj in this instance of the Vachanamrut. Moreover, in this Vachanamrut, Maharaj says: One who has the refuge of Dharmakul. Even Rampratapbhai, Ichchharambhai and their descendants, as well as other sadhus and devotees seek the refuge of Shriji Maharaj. Therefore, Dharmakul being equal to Shriji Maharaj is fitting.

In Vachanamrut Vartal 18, Dharmakul refers to the fact that Shriji Maharaj appointed the two āchāryas from the family of Dharmakul.

To read about Bhagwan Swaminarayan, see Shriji Maharaj.