The Shikshapatri is a scripture of moral teachings by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. It is the distillation of the truth propagated by the dharmashashtras of Sanatan Hindu Dharma.
In the Swaminarayan Sampraday, the Shikshapatri is a principal scripture in the realm of ethics. The teachings of the Shikshapatri are cardinal, comprehensive and lucidly categorized. It is a manual for the benefit of all mankind in all facets of life. Bhagwan Swaminarayan has, through his own experience and divinity, preached clemoral guidelines for personal, mutual and societal behaviour. The different aspects he deals with and encompasses reflect the breadth and depth of his desire to elevate every individual regardless of caste, creed or colour. He lays down the codes of devotion, ahimsa, tolerance, atonement, continence, philosophy, diet, hygiene, ecology, social and professional ethics, finance, employment and the duties for married women, widows, kings, executives and ascetics.
The crux of the Shikshapatri has been clearly described in verse 116, which emphasizes the need to attain the realized state of brahmarup to offer devotion to God.
Finally, Bhagwan Swaminarayan promises that whosoever obeys the Shikshapatri will attain virtues (dharma), wealth (artha), fulfilment of desires (kam
) and liberation (moksha).
