સ્વામિનારાયણ સંપ્રદાયની શિક્ષાપત્રીનો ઈતિહાસ

Summary

This Gujarati article recounts the history of the Śikṣāpatrī, a short scripture composed by Swāminārāyaṇa, founder of the Swāminārāyaṇa Sampradāya. The narrative begins with the author’s early life and his arrival at the village of Loja, where he met his guru and gathered disciples. It describes the social conditions of the time and the need for a concise code of conduct for devotees. The article details how Swāminārāyaṇa compiled the Śikṣāpatrī in Sanskrit and Gujarati in 1826 (V.S. 1882), outlining injunctions such as non‑violence, truthfulness, abstention from theft and loyalty to one’s dharma. It explains that the text addresses householders and ascetics alike, prescribing daily rituals, ethical behaviour and communal harmony. The article traces the manuscript tradition and early publications of the Śikṣāpatrī and notes translations into multiple languages. It emphasises the scripture’s impact on the spread of the Swāminārāyaṇa movement and its role in reforming social practices such as animal sacrifice. The author concludes that the Śikṣāpatrī remains a foundational document guiding millions of adherents.