A Sadhu has a important place in Swaminarayan Sampraday. These ...

12. They shall not lie on a cot unless they are too sick.
13. Even if they are insulted with harsh words or beaten by wicked person, they
shall not retaliate, but shall forgive those persons, and pray for their well being.
14. They shall not indulge in the act of messenger or spy, and shall not slander,
they shall not have the illusion that their bodies are them selves and shall not
have any attachment towards relatives. The Swaminarayan Sampraday differs
especially in one respect from other Sampraday or religions, and that is in respect
or relation between man and woman. Shriji Maharaj has made a separate
arrangement for DARSHAN for men and women. Their seating arrangement in an
assembly is also separate, not only that He commands his Sadhu/saints:- as
follows:-
15. These who are my disciples shall not look at or speak to ladies deliberately.
They shall not discuss about ladies and shall not perform the daily rites such a
bathing, Sandhya Vandan, etc. in those places whae normally visited by women.
16. They shall no wilfully touch or look at the portraits or images of women
though they are made of wood or metal except the images of goddesses. They
shall neither look nor touch even a male who is disguised as female. On hearing
and reading all this, one would wonder if a woman is being harassed by a
goonda, and if her life is in danger, should a Swaminarayan Sadhu walk away
unconcerned? Shriji Maharaj himself has answered “No, not the least”. He has
clearly commanded in Shikshapatri that When they find that their own life or
the life of a woman is in danger, at any time, they shall save her life or their
own life by speaking to her or even by touching her”.
17. This lesson is meant to understand the speciality of Swaminarayan
Sampraday.