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(1)
What is Shikshapatri?
Answer: The
Shikshapatri is a small shastra (sacred text) written by
Bhagwan  Swaminarayan.
He wrote it originally in 212 Sanskrit shloks (couplets)
in 1826 in the Vartal mandir. The building in which He wrote
this, on the first floor, is known as Shikshapatri Bhavan.
In 212 shloks Shriji Maharaj has given a set of rules and
niyams for all His followers. These rules are given in the
shastras of Sanatan Dharma. But Maharaj picked them out
specially for us so we would not have to search and read
a huge number of texts that would fill a library ! |
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(2)
What is the Vachanamrut?
Answer: The
Vachanamrut is the holiest scripture in the Swaminarayan Sampraday.
It
is a historical collection of 273 spiritual discourses given
by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the Gujarati language. It was compiled
by four of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s most senior paramhansas,
namely, Muktananad Swami, Gopalanand Swami, Nityanand Swami
and Shukanand Swami. The Vachanamrut is filled with perfect
logic, interesting metaphors and analogies, and divine revelations
that provide philosophical, spiritual, moral and practical
answers to the mysteries and questions of life such as:
- How to control anger
- How to overcome ego and jealousy
- How to develop faith
- How to recognize a true Guru
- How to realize God
- How to become Akshar and worship Purushottam
- Every discourse is preceded by the exact description of
place, time and surroundings. |
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(3)
What
is Swamini Vato? 
Answer: These are talks by Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand
Swami, who was the first spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
These talks were noted by sadhus and devotees during his time.
Later they were collected together in chapters.
Swamini Vato are talks in simple language on the Vachanamrut
of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Hence they are known as a commentary
on the Vachanamrut.
These talks have deep philosophical spiritual and moral principles
in simple sentences. Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami has graced
us immensely with his talks. They help us put into practice
principles of Ekantik Dharma in our daily lives. |
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