Whats is the Shikshapatri?
The Shikshapatri is one of the primary scriptures of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. The Shikshapatri was written in the Hari Mandap, Vadtal, Gujarat, on February 12, 1826 CE (Maha Sud 5, Vikram Samvat Year 1882). Lord Shree Swaminarayan, gifted mankind 212 versed Shikshapatri for the welfare of His disciples and whoever joins the sect. It serves as a fundamental code of conduct encompassing everything from basic civic norms matters of health, hygiene, dress, diet, etiquette, diplomacy, finance, education, friendship, morality, habits, penance, religious duties, celebrations, and other areas. It covers the codes that are applicable to devotees from all stages and walks of life – young or old; man or woman; married, unmarried, or widowed; householder or saints. It is the essence of all the Scriptures including the Vedas. Lord Shree Swaminarayan in Shlok 209 Himself declares that His words within the Shikshapatri are His Divine Form.

Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan instructed Nityanand Swami to translate Shikshapatri from the original Sanskrit into Gujarati so that his devotees in Gujarat could recite it and put the teachings of Lord Shree Swaminarayan into practice.