Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries sends sacred Hindu text Shikshapatri on UK tour to mark bicentenary

One of the oldest known copies of the Shikshapatri, usually on display at the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries, is on a historic tour of UK temples in collaboration with leaders of the Swaminarayan faith, to mark its 200th anniversary.

Composed in Vadtal, Gujarat, in 1826 by Sahajananda Swami, the scripture provides moral and spiritual guidance for everyday life in 212 Sanskrit verses.

The sacred text has been printed millions of times, but the Bodleian’s manuscript is one of the oldest known copies written by the author himself.

Swaminarayan personally presented this manuscript to the then governor of Bombay, Sir John Malcolm, in Rajkot on Feb 26, 1830 to foster cultural understanding with the British.

It will next be on loan at Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Stanmore, from May 13. A spokesperson for the temple said hosting it was a “profound blessing” as they are celebrating the temple’s 20th anniversary and it will offer the community “a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual connection to Lord Swaminarayan’s enduring teachings”.

Dr Gillian Evison, Keeper of Asian and Middle Eastern Collections at the Bodleian Libraries, said: “Two centuries after it was first written, the Shikshapatri’s call for compassion, ethical living and social harmony continues to resonate in an increasingly complex world.”