| Summary: | As part of the Phenomenological Method used in this dissertation, the research
work applied the hermeneutical concepts of bhakti, karma and moksha. Focus
was on the role played by the guru, the sadhus and devotees of the
Swaminarayan Movement and how they related t~ their religious, ethical and
social obligations. Their responses to ethical scriptures were evaluated, especially
with a view to determining the extent to which ethical injunctions permeates,
enhances, uplifts and shapes the adherents spiritually ,morally and socially.
Swaminarayan ethics was also placed within the context of Classical Hindu Texts
and in particular, the work of Ramanuja and his Vishistadvaita philosophy.
Further, it has been observed that the quest for the Ultimate Reality
(Purushottam) is through their relationship with Akshar, Guru Pramukh Swami,
the model of ethical excellence whose charisma binds the fibre of the Movement
and his role serves both the ethical and transcendental plane of the Movement. === Religious Studies and Arabic === MA (Religious Studies)
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