The Siksha-Patri of the Svami-Narayana Sect

JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY.
{Scanned and edited by Christopher M. Weimer, May 2002. Circumflexes represent macrons in this file, and ç represents c with an acute marking. Also, the name Brahma (not Param Brahma) is spelled with a breve over the final a, which is not represented.}
ART. XXIV.-- Sansk.rit Text of the Šikshâ-Patrî of the Svâmi-Nârâya.na Sect . Edited by Professor Monier Williams, C.I.E., D.C.L.
TRANSLATION OF THE FOREGOING ŠIKSHÂ-PATRÎ. BY PROFESSOR MONIER WILLIAMS.
1. I meditate in my heart on that K.rish.na on whose left side is seated Râdhâ, on whose breast reclines Šrî (Lakshmî), and who enjoyed sport (with them) in V.rindâvana.
2. I, Sahajânanda.h Svâmî (afterwards called Svâmî-Nârâya.na), living at V.rittâlaya, write this Letter of instructions (or Book of directions) to all my followers scattered throughout various countries.
3. Let the two youths named Ayodhyâ-prasâda and Raghu-vîra, the sons of my two brothers, Râma-pratâpa and Iççhâ-râma, who were the children of Dharma (or Hari-prasâda);
4. And let those Naish.thika Brahmaçârîs (that is to say, those Brahmans who continue Brahma-çârîs or celibates all their lives), the chief among whom is Mukundânanda, and those G.rihasthas (householders), such as Mayârâma-Bha.t.ta, and other of my followers;
5. And let those women, whether wives or widows, who have become my disciples, and the whole number of holy men (Sâdhus), such as Muktânanda and others;
6. Let all these (persons) constantly give heed to my prayers for their perpetual continuance in their own proper duties--(my prayers) offered up with repetition of the name K.rish.na (Nârâya.na), and in accordance with the sacred scriptures. (Literally--Let my benedictory words which keep them in their own duties be always read by all these persons accompanied by repetition of the name of K.rish.na, and approved by the Šâstras.)
7. Let this Letter of directions, which has important objects (to be hereafter enumerated), and which promotes the welfare of all living beings, be studied with perfect concentration of mind by all these (persons).