THE University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries has launched a national tour of the Shikshapatri, one of the rarest and most significant Hindu scriptures in existence, to mark the 200th anniversary of its composition.
The sacred manuscript has begun what the Bodleian is calling a bicentenary journey, travelling to major temples across the country in collaboration with leaders of the Swaminarayan faith. Between 20,000 and 30,000 people are expected to view it during the tour, a rare opportunity for communities to see up close a text that normally sits behind glass in an Oxford library.
The Shikshapatri – which translates as “a letter of teachings” – was composed in Vadtal, Gujarat, in 1826 by Sahajananda Swami, also known as Lord Swaminarayan.
Written in Sanskrit, it contains 212 verses drawing on key principles from Hindu scriptures and is intended as a guide to ethical and spiritual living.
Said to have been written on the fifth day of the bright half of the month, its contents cover principles including non-violence, vegetarianism, honesty and the avoidance of sinful behaviour. It is recited daily by Swaminarayan followers around the world and has been printed millions of times.
The Bodleian’s copy holds particular historical weight. It is considered one of the oldest known versions of the text given by the author himself.
On February 26, 1830, Sahajananda Swami presented it personally to Sir John Malcolm, the then governor of Bombay.
“At a time of colonial upheaval, the text offered guidance for ethical conduct and living,” Oxford University said.
Gillian Evison, Keeper of Asian and Middle Eastern Collections at the Bodleian, said the tour was designed to bring the manuscript direct to the communities for whom it carries the deepest meaning.
“By sharing this historic manuscript with temples and communities across the UK, the Bodleian Libraries hope to honour both its cultural significance and its enduring message,” she 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.”
The manuscript is normally on permanent display at the Bodleian’s Weston Library in Oxford.
Its removal for this tour has been described as a rare moment when a cherished object of scholarship is returned, in a sense, to the people it was written for.
The tour runs until August and will cover Swaminarayan temples across London and Wales. The Bodleian Libraries is the largest university library system in the UK.
Its collections include more than 14 million printed items, over 80,000 electronic journals, and outstanding holdings of rare books, manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music and artwork gathered across four centuries.
