Scriptures are the voice of God. Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s legacy lives today through His discourses recorded in the Vachanamrut. The Vachanamrut is a compilation of 262 spiritual discourses given by Bhagwan Swaminarayan over the course of 10 years. His lectures were recorded verbatim by the paramhansas Gopalanand Swami, Muktanand Swami, Nityanand Swami, and Shukanand Swami. The topics of discussion vary from how to overcome anger to how to build a relationship with God and His sadhu. Each section of the Vachanamrut includes a description of the time, location, and other details in addition to what was said. The authenticity of this scripture is evident by the precise recording of dates, environment, climate, people present, and social atmosphere of the region at the time.
Another sacred text written by Bhagwan Swaminarayan is the Shikshapatri, or a code of conduct and moral disciplines. Bhagwan Swaminarayan wrote the 212 verses of the Shikshapatri outlining the ethical life satsangis should lead. This short scripture is straightforward in its practical approach to maintaining a devout lifestyle. Followers of the Swaminarayan faith read 5 verses from the Shikshapatri daily. The Shikshapatri offers wisdom and advice on religious rituals, family life, financial matters, hygiene, and other daily matters that are often mistakenly dismissed as trivial.
These scriptures are the spoken words of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. They are His swarup, or divine form.