One can undergo the vartman ritual at any local BAPS center and obtain a kanthi at the hands of a sadhu or senior devotee. Women may receive the vartman from the senior women followers of the local center. Any aspirant wishing to become a follower is initiated into the Swaminarayan Sampraday through the vartman ritual.

The original Gujarati verses are written by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj with the Sanskrit translation by Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami into a concise 315 shlokas (verses).

It is a bond linking awareness, introspection and attachment to Paramatma. As well as being a spiritual congregation for bhaktas, the satsang sabhã simultaneously functions as a social gathering. This provides social warmth to each individual. Satsang sabhã creates strong families wedded to values.

All Swaminarayan Hindus who are householders maintain five basic vows: abstaining from theft, gambling, adultery, meat, and intoxicants like alcohol.

' 'Sat' means truth and 'sang' means company. Thus, literally 'satsang' means keeping 'true company. ' This means keeping company of the true sadhu, Pramukh Swami Maharaj and obeying his commands. In practice, it is not practical to remain physically in the company of Pramukh Swami Maharaj all the time.

Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a socio-spiritual Hindu faith with its roots in the Vedas.

Satsang Dikshã is a Hindu scripture encompassing the codes of conduct, daily practices, and philosophical principles established by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in ance with his philosophy of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan.