Shloka : 2

लिखामि सहजानन्दस्वामी सर्वान्निजाश्रितान् ।

नानादेशस्थितान् शिक्षापत्रीं वृत्तालयस्थित: ॥ 2 ॥

અને વૃત્તાલય ગામને વિષે રહ્યા એવા સહજાનંદ સ્વામી જે અમે તે અમે, જે તે નાના પ્રકારના જે સર્વે દેશ તેમને વિષે રહ્યા એવા જે અમારા આશ્રિત સર્વે સત્સંગી તે પ્રત્યે શિક્ષાપત્રી લખીએ છીએ. ॥ 2 ॥

"I, Sahajanand Swami, residing at Vrittalaya, am writing this Shikshapatri for all my devotees and all my followers who are residing at various places in different countries." || 2 ||

Commentary

'Vrittalaya', where Sahajanand Swami had been residing while writing the Shikshapatri, is none other than Vadtalpur which is blessed by the feet of Shri Hari and is pious and the best place of pilgrimage. Now, 'Sahajanand' means one who gives happiness to the saints who are enduring the tension of life's ups and downs through the sheer strength of their knowledge. 'Swami' means the one who has limitless power, who can guide and control all and who is master of all. Thus, the name 'Sahajanand Swami' indicates the Ultimate Supreme Being Shri Swaminarayan Bhagwan because Shri Hari, who is full of splendour and is residing in Akshardham, has appeared in Chapaiyapur for the ultimate salvation of all the living souls.

Shri Hari, who appeared as Sahajanand Swami, has written the Shikshapatri for His devotees residing in different countries. Here, the term 'different countries' indicates that there are a large number of devotees of Shri Harikrishna Mahaprabhu. The glory of Shri Hari is pervading all over. The term 'devotees residing' indicates that the devotees are firmly rooted in their devotion towards Shri Hari and are ascetic towards everything else. They are living like guests in their respective homes. Such detached devotees are spending a worldly life only to serve God and God's devotees.

Shri Sahajanand Swami Himself has written the holy code of conduct, as His preachings, for such devotees to help them attain all the four principal objects of human existence which are Dharma, Arth, etc..

Here, it is mentioned that the Shikshapatri is written for the followers of Shri Hari. This does not mean that other people have no right to follow the Shikshapatri because in following narration, Shri Hari Himself will indicate that this Shikshapatri is Ommibeneficial i.e. for the welfare of all the living souls.