Lord Swaminarayan's principal objective in incarnating was to establish Ekantik Dharma, which opened an eternal path to moksha for Jivas. Yet historians and writers have ascribed the phrase 'Social Reformer' to Him. Not having an in-depth knowledge of the Sampraday and won over by the revolutionary and thus socially visible work, these writers could not help laud Him as such, albeit myopically. One scholar after some detailed study came close, by describing His social reforms as offshoots of religion. In truth, it has to be elucidated that establishing Ekantik Dharma automatically encompassed His social services, which merely played a miniscule role.

One of the means of setting about His principal objective was through the compilation and writing of His teachings, in several important scriptures during His life. These were: the Shikshapatri, the Vachnamritam, the Satsangijivanam and Haricharitramrut Sagar. The teachings drew authority from the Vedic scriptures, and elaborated the realisation of Ekantik Dharma. This is the perfect observance of Dharma - righteousness and duty, Gnan - knowledge, Vairagya - detachment and Bhakti - devotion with a fully-fledged realisation of the glory and grandeur of God.

 Shikshapatri - The Code of Precepts

 Lord Swaminarayan Himself wrote this quintessence of the scriptures, a code of conduct for the devotees, in Vadtal, in 1826. It contains 212 Sanskrit verses in couplets. Five verses are read everyday by disciples; each word venerated as His personified form. The illiterate worship it as the Lord's divine form.

In such a short treatise, Lord Swaminarayan has covered an amazing range of subjects, prescribing practical injunctions for the followers. To those who implicitly obey them, He grants happiness and peace, both in their mundane existence and in the life hereafter.

 Some of the subjects and injunctions are classified below:

 Health & hygiene

•  To bathe everyday, to drink filtered water
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco and other intoxicants
• Follow a vegetarian diet

Morality

•  Not to commit adultery
• Avoid wearing indecent clothing

Self-Control

•  Cultivate forbearance

 Ahinsa

•  Not to kill animals for yagnas or food
• Homicide, suicide forbidden