Shikshapatri English

Narad Muni explains - Svabhavvihito Dharmaha Kasya Neshtaha Prashantaye -  ‘Ordinary duties (those not in accordance with Vedic laws) will never derive peace.’ Thus only the Dharmas outlined in Shastras will derive peace.  Only by following personal Dharma - Svadharma, does man achieve Bhakti and Gnaan (knowledge). God himself has said, ‘Those in this world who obey Svadharma, who are free from sin and who are pure can acquire true knowledge and devotion with the blessings of the Gods.’

Acrura has said,  ‘Those who abandon their Dharma fall to the nether worlds.’  Manu also explains, ‘Those who live beyond their duties live in darkness, shadowed by sin.  For such reason, one must never even think to abandon their Dharma under any circumstance.’

Similarly one must never forego ones own personal Dharma in favour of somebody else’s Dharma.  All have their own specific Dharmas to follow dependent on Varna, Ashram etc.  To follow one’s own specific Dharma is the best way to derive Bhakti, Gnaan and Moksha, never by following another’s Dharma.  Manu explains, ‘One’s own Dharma is the best, even though it may seem to be devoid of qualities.  Another’s Dharma can never be considered the best, as such Dharma, if adopted will cause a person to be shunned within his community.’

Also, we must never follow Dharmas that are Pakhanda or Kalpit.  Shrimad Bhagwat explains these two Dharmas: ‘Pakhanda is the very sign of sin.  Pa represents protection or salvation. That which causes destruction - Khanda of salvation is considered as Pakhanda Dharma.  Those Dharmas that cause a furtherence in sin is Pakhanda.  Pakhanda is a Dharma that is contrary to Vedic law.  Such Dharma is Kalpit or made-up and so such Dharmas should never be followed.  Both of these are Adharmic - contrary to true Vedic law.’

Shrimad Bhagwat further explains - ‘(1) Vidharma - Dharma which hinders one’s personal Dharma, (2) Pardharma- another’s Dharma, (3) Updharma - Dharma contrary to Vedic laws, (4) Chaldharma - Dharma which is deceptive and  (5) Abhasadharma - illusive or desireful Dharma; these five are Adharmic and should never be adopted.’ Such Dharmas are unpraiseworthy and incur sin. They will invariably lead to one’s downfall.

 It is very important that people follow the right Dharma.  They must always follow the Dharma that is in accordance with their Caste and Ashram.  They must always initiate into a Dharma that is in accordance with true Vedic laws and precepts.

There are many Kalpit or made-up Dharmas in this age of Kali which teach the wrong disciplines.  They enjoy and fulfil their desires, often lustful desires.  Shrimad Bhagwat has explained that in Kali Yuga, such Updharmas will be many in number. Many may bestow God-hood in a Guru or Acharya.  For this reason we must not fall into such fellowships.  We must understand our Sanatan Dharma, the eternal law based on Vedic laws and so follow only those Dharmas that are enlightened by Sanatan Dharma.

The Swaminarayan-Udhavi Sampradai is one such Dharma.  Lord Swaminarayan’s message of true Vedic principles continues to flourish in this Sampradai headed by the true Gurus of the Sampradai - the two Acharayas as established by Lord Swaminarayan himself.  Only by living and being initiated into the Sampradai by either Laxminarayan or Narnarayan Gadi, can we ever devote ourselves to Lord Swaminarayan and then enjoy the bliss of Satsang and ultimately Akshardhaam.

This great Shikshapatri is Dharma personified.  It is the best Dharma, the essence of Vedic Law that has been bestowed upon mankind.  To follow such Dharma implicitly will derive eternal rewards; the greatest reward of promotion to the heavens is without question.  It is important that we are able to understand each principle or precept so that our dedication to these Dharmas is strengthened.

This Doctrine of Dharma as stipulated by Lord Swaminarayan is above all else.  It promotes the very limbs of Dharma outlined by Sat-Shastras namely, Satya - truth, Tapa - penance,  Pavitrata -purity and Daya - Compassion.

Dharma is beyond everything - time, place and situation.  It is something that can never be abandoned as to do so would be to abandon God himself.  For this reason, to translate this great wealth of knowledge of Sat-Shastras, in the form of the Shikshapatri was very necessary.