Reading Scriptures
Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan has mentioned that Shikshapatri is a personified form of His divine self, to be read, and worshiped daily by all His followers. If you follow this Shikshapatri, your life, health, and wealth will improve.
The Shikshapatri is a religious text written by Lord Swaminarayan, the founder of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, in 1826 CE (Gregorian calendar). From his earliest days, Lord Shri Swaminarayan had been collecting the essence of all scriptures in a small booklet (or “Gutko”) which he carried with him constantly. His divine ability to capture essential meanings and complex concepts in small, concise verses ultimately culminated in his literary incarnation, the Shikshapatri. Lord Shri Swaminarayan wrote the Shikshapatri in Sanskrit. “Shiksha” translates into English as instruction, lesson, or teaching, and “Patri” translates into letter. So it represents a letter of instruction to his followers and his literary incarnation. It is one of the most important texts of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and a code of conduct that is still adhered to by the followers of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya today. The text consists of 212 verses and covers a wide range of topics, including:
Worship and devotion to God
The importance of a guru (teacher)
The importance of following the five main vows (previously listed)
The importance of observing festivals and holy days
The importance of following the caste system
The importance of education and the pursuit of knowledge
The importance of performing charity and helping others
The importance of living a simple and austere life
The importance of leading a virtuous and moral life
The importance of controlling desires and passions
The Vachanamrut is a sacred scripture in the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It is a compilation of the teachings and discourses of Lord Swaminarayan, also known as Bhagwan Swaminarayan or Sahajanand Swami, who lived in the early 19th century in Gujarat, India.
The Vachanamrut consists of a collection of 262 spiritual discourses delivered by Lord Swaminarayan during his travels across India. These discourses are often in question-answer or discussion form and explain various spiritual and philosophical topics. The Vachanamrut addresses a wide range of subjects, including devotion, morality, spirituality, ethics, the nature of God, the path to salvation, and practical guidance for leading a righteous and fulfilling life.
The Vachanamrut is a significant, authoritative text within the Swaminarayan Sampraday revered for its spiritual depth, clarity, and practical insights into the nature of God and the spiritual path. Devotees of Lord Swaminarayan study and reflect upon it to acquire spiritual knowledge, deepen their understanding of the faith, and seek guidance for their personal and spiritual development.
The Vachanamrut has been translated into many languages to make its teachings accessible to a wider audience. It is highly respected by followers of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and continues to be a source of inspiration and spiritual guidance for them all.
In the following verses from the Vachanamrut, the Supreme Lord Swaminarayan personally demonstrated that He is moved more by Bhakti than fine clothing, wealth, or money when he accepts the worship and offerings of a devoted bhakta.
Vachanamrut, Kariyani: 6.2 - 6.3
6.2 A female bhakta from the port of Deev had come on that occasion. She requested Shreeji Maharaj to allow her to perform His puja. Accepting her request, Shreeji Maharaj came down from His seat, approached the bhakta, and accepted her puja. Then, after accepting the clothes, a yellow umbrella, and a pair of wooden chakhadis offered by her, He returned to His seat.
6.3 Then, Shreeji Maharaj said, “Bhaktas have been offering me clothes and thousands of rupees worth of jewelry for so many years, but I have never gone to receive them of my own accord as I just did. I have never become as pleased by wearing the clothes and jewelry that others have offered as I have just now. I have become pleased with this bhakta today.”
The Narada Bhakti Sutra is a sacred scripture that discusses the essence of devotion (bhakti) and offers guidance on the path of spiritual love and submission to the divine. Sage Narada, a celestial sage and dedicated follower of Lord Vishnu, is credited with writing the sutras.
The Narada Bhakti Sutra defines bhakti as intense and supreme love for the divine, characterized by surrender, devotion, and longing. It emphasizes humility, compassion, and detachment from materialistic goals. It focuses on nine forms of devotion, including learning about the Supreme Lord, singing His praises, remembering Him, serving Him, worshipping Him, offering prayers to Him, becoming a His servant, and giving oneself to Him.
The Bhagavata Purana introduces us to many perfect examples of how Bhakti has become manifest in the lives of devotees. Our spiritual tradition has been profoundly influenced by the bhakti (devotion) of the gopis of Vrindavan to Lord Shri Krishna. The village of Vrindavan's cowherd girls, known as gopis, showed Lord Shri Krishna an unrivaled degree of love, devotion, and surrender. Their bhakti is regarded as the pinnacle of heavenly love and has inspired devotees throughout the ages.
The gopis' love for Lord Shri Krishna was unconditional and selfless, surpassing familial and societal boundaries. They demonstrated a complete surrender to Him, an intense longing for His presence, and sacrifice and renunciation to be with Him. Their surrender reflects a deep sense of trust and faith in the Supreme Lord. The bhakti of the gopis of Vrindavan for Lord Shri Krishna is a profound expression of divine love and devotion. Their sacrifice, renunciation, divine ecstasy, and ecstatic dances represent the soul's union with the Supreme Lord Himself. Their bhakti serves as a prime example of the transformative power of love and the potential for profound spiritual experiences through a deep and selfless connection with the Supreme Lord.
The Bhagavata Purana explains that Uddhava was Lord Shri Krishna's friend and advisor and that the Supreme Lord Himself personally taught him the principles of bhakti yoga. Uddhava spent a few months in the company of the gopis and constantly spoke with them about the Supreme Lord after he was dispatched by Lord Shri Krishna to check on them in Vrindavana. Although the gopis and other inhabitants of Vrindavana were quite happy about this, Uddhava observed that the gopis were suffering immensely because of their separation from Him. Their minds were frequently out of control as a result of their troubled hearts. Uddhava wanted to transform into a creeper, blade of grass, or herb in Vrindavana so that the gopis might step on him and he would have the dust from their lotus feet on his head after witnessing the unwavering dedication and love of the gopis for the Supreme Lord.