Earlier this month, the Faculty of Divinity hosted a one-day symposium to explore a highly contemporary scripture: the Satsaṅga Dīkṣā, authored in the opening months of 2020.
Tilak Parekh, a co-convenor and member of the Cambridge Interfaith Research Forum, reports:
The Satsaṅga Dīkṣā Symposium was held on Friday, 17 January 2025, at the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge. The symposium brought together international contributions, with scholars and advanced students in attendance from institutions including the University of Oxford, King’s College London, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Syracuse University. Together, we explored the theological, philosophical, linguistic, ethical, material, and ritual dimensions of the Satsaṅga Dīkṣā.
What is the Satsaṅga Dīkṣā?
The Satsaṅga Dīkṣā is a concise, didactic scripture authored by Mahant Swami Maharaj (guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu tradition). Comprising 315 Sanskrit-Gujarati verses, it serves as the cornerstone of the Swaminarayan philosophical tradition, called “Akṣara-Puruṣottama Darśana”, and spiritual way of life.
The text addresses topics such as dharma, bhakti, and yoga, as well as finance, civil law, and domestic life. Its rapid adoption worldwide—seen most clearly through the printing of over one million copies, its translation into multiple languages, and its use for study, memorisation, recitation by devotees of all ages—underscores its significance for both practitioners and researchers of Hindu traditions.
A breadth of topics and methods
The symposium provided a platform for engaging with the Satsaṅga Dīkṣā through diverse methodologies, reflecting the breadth of topics covered by the text. Papers addressed theological and philosophical ideas, including the concept of mokṣa (liberation) through metaphysical dimensions, and the text’s connections to Vedānta, Sāṁkhya, and Yoga.
Discussions also considered its relationship to other Hindu philosophical traditions, and texts such as the Śrī Haribhaktivilāsa, situating the Satsaṅga Dīkṣā within the broader intellectual framework of Hindu thought. Some contributions focused on the linguistic aspects of the text, particularly its use of Sanskrit and stylistic features.
The materiality of the Satsaṅga Dīkṣā emerged as a key theme, with papers analysing its extensive print distribution, translations into multiple languages, and digital engagement through mobile applications and online study programmes. These approaches highlighted how the text has been adapted for transnational and contemporary contexts, engaging audiences across diverse cultural and geographic settings.
Other papers explored its role in shaping religious practices, such as domestic worship through ghar sabhā (family assemblies at home). The symposium also examined the Satsaṅga Dīkṣā in the context of interfaith relations and religious pluralism.
Ethnographic studies enriched the discussions by illustrating how the text has been integrated into the daily lives of its adherents, influencing devotional practices, ethical commitments, and community life. Practical aspects, including its engagement with ritualised practices and ethical finance, were also explored. Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami concluded the event with a keynote address, offering a traditional analysis and in-depth examination of the Satsaṅga Dīkṣā.
Overall, the symposium provided a multidisciplinary exploration of the Satsaṅga Dīkṣā, critically engaging with its theological, ethical, linguistic, and material dimensions while situating it within the broader contexts of Hindu studies and global religious thought.
Balancing rigour and collegiality
James Hegarty, Professor of the Religions of South Asia at Cardiff University and one of the academic advisors of the symposium, explained, “For a text so recent, the extensive range of global public engagement – from the thousands of people, young and old, who have been memorising its 315 Sanskrit verses, to the thousands joining weekly for an in-depth online course – makes the Satsang Diksha especially worthy of academic study.”
Professor Alice Collett at the University of St Andrews reflected, “It was a pleasure to attend the symposium, which was a good balance of academic rigour and a positive collegiate environment. The symposium particularly showcased the work of junior South Asian scholars, especially junior women. I was on the day, and remain, happy to offer my support to these up-and-coming scholars and their scholarship.”
Dr Ankur Barua, University Senior Lecturer in Hindu Studies at the University of Cambridge, commented on the symposium’s collaborative focus:
“The symposium brought together doctoral students, established academics, and scholar-practitioners in a series of discussions on how a recently composed scriptural text distills the essence of various Hindu religious themes and presents it in a manner that would be accessible to devotees at the grassroots.”
Organisers and supporters
The event was convened by Tilak Parekh (University of Cambridge), Hershini Soneji (University of Cambridge), and Kush Depala (Heidelberg University), alongside the academic guidance of Prof James Hegarty, Dr Avni Chag, Dr Ankur Barua, and Dr Sadhu Paramtattvadas.
The symposium was supported by the University of Cambridge, University of Heidelberg, St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology, BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute, and the Cambridge Interfaith Programme.
Keen to learn more about this event?
Download a copy of the programme (PDF, 168KB).
Enquiries may be addressed to Tilak Parekh (tp459 at cam.ac.uk) or Hershini Soneji (hss35 at cam.ac.uk).