At a time, when spiritual knowledge had completely degenerated; and ignorance had created an internal obscurity throughout the world; and its travellers (souls born on earth as human beings) had lost their goal (the attainment of salvation) and became confused about their aim; and the Vedic commandments were being misused to torment one another; the Lord of the imperishable lustrous abode, Shree Swaminarayan, mercifully manifested, and presented to us this Shikshapatri, which is the booklet of guidance that leads one to salvation. Each day, I meditate upon this Shikshapatri. ||1||