EXPOSITION
(taken from the English commentary on Shikshapatri, published by NarNarayan Dev Gadi, Amdavad))
Shreeji Maharaj's Mahima (greatness/majesty) plus its uniqueness in being 'Sarvajivahitavaha' (find out what this means below)
The Shikshapatri is an ocean of knowledge; it contains the mysteries of the Smriti shastras - the Vedas and the Vedanta. Lord Swaminarayan has in 212 verses given us the key for living a happy healthy life leading to Moksha. He has instructed each regarding duties, worship, devotion, knowledge in few words and it provides guidance for the achievment of the four Purusharthas viz; Dharma(right conduct), Artha (wealth) Kama (desires) and Moksha (liberation). It is an unparalleled work written by Lord Swaminarayan Himself and is in the form of epistles
Lord Swaminarayan has written in the invocation at the beginning: "Vame Yasya StithaRadha......ShreeKrishna Hrudi Chintaye". Here Radha means the ekantik devotees and Nityamuktas. Lord Swaminarayan has indirectly meditated upon His own form in the invocation.
Further on Lord Swaminarayan says in verse 111: "Ete Radhadayo Bhaktatasyasahu Pashatah Kachit , Kachitadeyati Snehatastu Gneyasatdai Kalaha"
This means that he who is Radhadik bhakt is sometimes by the side of Lord Shree Krishna, but at other times because of immense love for the Lord, merges into Lord Shree Krishna and becomes one with the Lord, so that only Lord Krishna remains
The Radhadik Bhaktas are mentioned in this shloka. Bhaktas means 'nityamuktas', who are always near God. Sometimes like Lakshmi they are united with the Lord out of sheer love for the Lord. There are three invocations in the Shikshapatri - at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. Lord Swaminarayan has described Himself in each of the invocations. A particular description of Himself can be found in the middle invocation in verse 108:
"Sa Shree Krishnaha Par Brahm Bhagwan Purushottamah, Upasya Ishtadevonah Sarvavirbhava Karnam". Lord Shree Kirshna who is Par Brahm Purushottom is God and Lord Shree Krishna is our chosen deity who is worthy of worship and the cause of all incarnations.
The Vachnamrit is the jewel among all granthas (scriptures) of the Sampraday. It contains the words of Lord Swaminarayana which is called 'parvani'. In the Vachnamrit 6 of Ahmedabad, there is a question by Kuber Sinh: "Oh Maharaj! What should one do to prevent his faith in God?"
Shreeji Maharaj replied to him and the reply should be grasped by everyone. Therefore listen carefully - "...if you have deep faith in God and if you recognized his Divinity then there is no fear of your faith being shaken. The greatness of God is that the Lord who presides in this satsang (referring to Himself) is the source of the Divine Incarnations . He is Antaryaami and illuminates Akshardham. His form is Antaryaami and illuminates Akshardham. His form is eternally Sakaar. his divinity is Infinite. He is the Lord of Infinate Universes and the cause of Akshar Brahm. When He appears in the form of Rishabhdev, know that HE is Rishabhdev. When He comes as Shree Krishna, know that He is Shree Krishna. Whenever He comes in any Incarnation, know that He is the cause and source of all Incarnations that were before Him. One can have unshakable faith only if one understands this. "Lord Shree Krishna himself was born to Dharmadev and Bhaktimata in the form of Shree Nar Narayan Dev and therefore I have first and foremost installed His idol in Shrinagar (Ahmedabad). Lord Shree Nar Narayan Dev and I are not distinct, we are one and the same. He himself resides in Brahmadhaam." These words of Lord Shree Swaminarayan help one to strengthen one's faith.
In another reply, the Lord has said "It is also known as Gaulok". Here Akshardham is called by the name of Gaulok. Further it is said "The very Lord of that Dhaam, the Lord of Aksharadik mukta and Par Brahm Purushottam is He who presides in this Satsang (again referring to Himself). One who understands this attains Brahmadhaam". (Vachanamrit 6 of Ahmedabad).
Thus in this Vachanamrit Lord Shree Swaminarayan has Himself called Himself the cause and source of all Divine Incarnations. In Vachanamrit 7 of Ahmedabad Shreeji Maharaj in a reply to Pragji Dev's question says. "I went to the Dhaam of Lord Shree Purushottam which is above all. I myself am Purushottam there. I saw none greater than myself. I traveled to several places and then I came into human form. I looked within myself and realised that I am the cause of the creation, preservation and destruction of all the Universes. The Infinate Shivas, the Infinate Brahmas, the Infinite Kailashes, the Infinite Vaikunths and Gauloks. Brahmpurs and illuminated by my own Devine Light. I am such that if I shake the Earth with the toe of my foot, the Infinate Universes being to tremble. The sun, the moon the stars, etc. are all illuminated by my light."
If one understands that I am God he will be blessed with a stable faith and will never fall into sin. Such a soul shall be under my refuge and I shall grant him my Dhaam which is the Supreme of all. I shall make him like Antaryaami and bestow upon him such strength that he can be the creator of Infinate universes, etc".
In this Vachanamrit too, Lord Shree Swaminarayan has Himself said that He is the Lord Supreme, and has promised his Dhaam to one who understands his mystery. This is why He has indirectly meditated upon His ownself. His own form. The reason behind this is that while worldly beings crave for fame, God likes to remain hidden. Nevertheless, it is undebatable that the Lord has meditated upon His own form in the Shikshapatri, however, indirectly.
Shreeji Maharaj has written the Shikshapatri, not only for His followers or for Gods, Rishis or humans but for the welfare of all living beings. This purpose is explained in shloka 7 through the word 'Sarvajivahitavaha'. In shloka 11 Shreeji Maharaj says: "Sukshmayukamat Kuladerapi Buddhaya Kadachana". The Lord has instructed and prohibited the killing of even minute beings like lice, bugs, insects and mosquitoes. The extreme mercifulness of the Lord is displayed through this command. He has also addressed Gods and ancestors and commanded them to abstain from violence. He has also warned against violence for the sake of a woman or kingdom, He has strictly condemned violent acts in which one injures oneself or others. Thus, the Lord's concern for all living beings is contained in the Shikshapatri. The Lord has also commanded human beings to restrain from meat-eating, alcoholism, theft, adultery, gambling and other addictions as well to keep distance from those who indulge in such sins as these. The prasad of such Gods and Goddesses to whom offerings of meat and wine are made is also strictly prohibited. The Lord has attempted to turn all beings away from the path of sinfulness towards the path of true religion and morality. The worship and chanting of mantras of evil Gods and Goddesses is also prohibited. The Lord has recommended pure, holy worship. "Dhrashtava shva layadini, Devagarani Vartamani" and "Vishnuhu Shivo Ganpati Parvati Cha Divakaro" are expressive of the Lord's commands for respecting all holy deities in an attempt to establish a monotheistic faith.
The Lord has shown His care for His devotees like a mother and has provided invaluable guidance on matters ranging from brushing one's teeth to living one's whole life. The Lord has also mentioned that while buying or selling land or exchanging money with even sons or friends, one must have a witness. Such practical advice if followred can save one from expenses of lawyers and court. The Lord has emphasized on the daily reading of the Shikshapatri s that all tyaagis, grahastas, Acharyas, men, women and kings may always be reminded of their duties both - general and specific. The Lord has also advised regarding which shastras should be read and what kind of saints one should be in the company of, if one wishes to enjoy a happy life on earth and thereafter, as in the Shlokas given below:
"Dharmojnejo Sadachaaraha" "Mahatmyajanana yuberi sneho Bhaktishva Madhare" "Vairagyam jneamprithi Shrii Krishnatarvastushu" Jhanam cha jivanayesh rupanam shustu vedanam"
The Lord thus has explained the characteristics and importance of Dharma, Bhakti, Juana, Vairagya, Jiva, Ishwar, Maya, Brahm and Par Brahm in the Shikshapatri. In shloka 11 the Lord says:
"Krishnastadavataraschya Dhyeyasthatpratima pich I "na tu jiva na nrudevadha bhata Brahm Vido PichII
In this shloka the Lord prohibits the meditation of Jiva, deities and Brahmvetta and commands all to be completely pure in worship. The Lord says at the end
"Madrupmiti madwani manyeyam paramdrat"
"This Shikshapatri which are My words are My own form. It is therefore not to be considered like other granthas (scriptures) and is to be preserved with respect and worshipped".
If one worships this Shastra with devotion then too he attains knowledge and is blessed with salvation in the end. This Shikshapatri was relevant at the time it was written, is relevant in the present times and will continue to be relevant in ages to come. The Lord has said in the Invocation at the end:
"Nijashritanam Sakalartihanta Saddharmama bhakte ravnama Vidhata I Data sukhanam man sepistanam tanotu Krishnoakhil mangalam nahaII.
Here too the Lord has meditated upon His own form as the protector of Dharma and Bhakti and as the Lord who grants the happiness that His devotees desire. He prays for the good of all as He was in human form.
The Acharyas and saints appointed by Lord Shree Swaminarayan have done a lot to encourage, promote and increase the scope of the work of universal welfare. Most noteworthy is the the service of the pithadipati of Shree Nar-Narayan Dev, Ahmedabad, the present Param Pujya Dharma Dhurandhar 1008 Acharya Maharaj Shri Tejendraprasadji Maharajshree who has spread Satsang in all countries at home and abroad and has accelerated the building of so many Mahamandirs and HariMandirs. He frequently travels abroad with the aim of reminding those Haribhaktas living abroad of their culture and religion. The wife of His Holiness Maharajshree, Pujya Lakshmiswarup Gadiwalashree also works for the preservation of the religion of women. She also travels abroad to ensure the faith of the Satsangi women in foreign countries. Her most noteworthy contribution is the exposition of the Shikshapatri in Hindi, which is her precious gift to the satsang. Param Pujya Lalji Maharaj Shree Koshalendraprasadji is also putting in his best to keep the fervour of the Satsang alive in children and youth. He has traveled extensively abroad and is giving the task a new shape.
II Shubham Bhavatu II