The Yamdand (or Yam-Dand) is a foundational scripture in the Swaminarayan Sampraday, authored by the renowned saint-poet Sadguru Nishkulanand Swami. Written in the early 19th century, it is historically recognized as the first major compilation within this tradition. Origin and Purpose
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It details the journey of a soul through Yamapuri, describing the misery of birth, death, and old age.
યમદંડ પુસ્તક ગુજરાતી
આત્મકથાત્મક શૈલી: "યમદંડ" એક આત્મકથાત્મક નવલકથા છે, જેમાં લેખક તેમના જીવનના અનુભવોને વર્ણવે છે.
The Path of Virtue: It contrasts these sufferings with the path of righteousness, emphasizing that adhering to religious decrees (Dharma) and the wishes of God is the only way to escape such fates.
“As a rationalist, I find the Yamdand abhorrent. It uses terror instead of reason. But as a researcher, it's a goldmine of Gujarati folk theology.” — Dr. Meeta P., Professor of Gujarati Literature, M.S. University, Vadodara
The scripture contains 20 poems (kadvu), 1 Dhol (hymn), and 1 Soratho, totaling roughly 1,119 stanzas.