A NEW translation of sacred Hindu scriptures has been unveiled to Hindu leaders, senior ministers and Members of Parliament.

The first translation of its kind into English, the Holy Scripture Rahasyarth Pradeepika Tika sah Vachanamrut, or Words of Nectar, comprises of more than 2,000 pages of ancient philosophies by the Hindu Lord Swaminarayan.

The five-volume text was translated by Hindu monks known as sants and took a painstaking ten years to complete.

Currently available at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple, in Golder Green, the translation is a move to change negative stereotypes about the Hindu faith.

Prem Patel, from the temple, said: “It's important to break down the myth of Hinduism as an idol religion.

“A great deal of our time is taken with philosophical theories and critical thinking. Although the scripture was written 200 years ago is still relevant today.”

At the House of Commons, where the scriptures were unveiled last month, Foreign Secretary David Milliband said: “There is great potential for misunderstanding of other faiths.

“This translation will go a long way for interfaith cohesion. It is truly a document for social reform.”

The scriptures provide guidelines on how to live a good and proper Hindu life.

They are teachings on “high morals, love and compassion for all” and provide a broad range of philosophies and lessons presented in a diary like form.

Mr Patel said the translated scriptures are also aimed at keeping young Hindus interested in the religion.

“These scriptures have been written in Gujarati and Hindi which are not the best medium for teaching heavy theories to younger members of the faith,” he said.

“Now they can start reading the scripture for themselves and the translation makes it much easier for them to understand.”

With over 100 different Gods in the Hindu faith, this particular scripture is regarded with such importance as it is believed to be the exact words of Lord Shree Swaminarayan, believed to be the last incarnation of God and founder of the Swaminarayan faith.

Now the modern practice of Hinduism, Swaminarayan is the largest single organised Hindu faith, with over 10 million followers worldwide and more then 3,000 followers in the Golders Green, Finchley and Kingsbury area.

Copies of the scripture can be bought at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple, in Finchley Road.