The Shikshapatri is a text of two hundred and twelve verses, and was written by Shree Swaminarayan, a reforming Hindu from the Vaishnava tradition, who lived in Gujarat from 1781-1830 and who was recognised by his followers as a deity during his lifetime. It is what is known as a dharma text, detailed instructions on how to live. Although Sanskrit had ceased to be spoken as an every day language in India many centuries earlier, it was still used as the language for religious texts and so Swaminarayan composed his blue-print for moral and social order in this ancient sacred language.

Shreeji Maharaj sat in the Hari Mandap – His residence at Vadtal Temple – and wrote it in Sanskrit. He instructed the Saint Nityanand Swami to translate it into Gujarati. It has since been translated numerous times into other languages.

See also

• Bhagwan Swaminarayan
• Hinduism