Beholding the Beloved: Learning to See Bhagwan Swaminarayan in Everyday Life

There are moments in bhakti when words stop being mere descriptions and become doorways. The verse “Dekhorī sakhī hamre piyājī kī chāl” is one such doorway—a poetic invitation to behold the divine grace of Bhagwan Swaminarayan not only with the eyes, but with the heart. For BAPS Swaminarayan devotees, this composition by Premanand Swami is not just lyrical beauty; it is spiritual instruction wrapped in love.

At its core, this kirtan teaches us how to see: how to notice God’s presence, how to feel transformed by His darshan, and how compassion flows from Him to those who approach with devotion.

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Seeing God as the Personal Beloved

Darshan as an Act of Intimacy

The opening line—“Behold, dear friend, my Beloved’s graceful gait”—sets the tone. Bhagwan is not distant or abstract. He is piyāji, the Beloved. Premanand Swami speaks not as a philosopher, but as a devotee overwhelmed by love.

For Swaminarayan devotees, this reminds us that darshan is not ritual alone—it is relationship. When we stand before the murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, we are not simply observing form; we are responding to love with love.

“Behold, dear friend, my Beloved’s graceful gait…”

Grace That Moves the Soul

The imagery of Bhagwan walking like a royal swan evokes serenity, dignity, and divine confidence. His movement itself becomes a teaching: calm, balanced, and irresistibly attractive. In our restless lives, this vision invites us to slow down and realign ourselves with His divine rhythm.

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The Divine Form That Captivates the Heart

Every Gesture Filled with Meaning

Premanand Swami lovingly describes Bhagwan’s posture—one hand resting on His waist, the other holding a handkerchief. These are not random details. They express ease, mastery, and compassion. God is fully in control, yet utterly approachable.

For devotees, this reinforces why murti-darshan is so powerful. Each element of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s form is intentional, drawing the mind inward and anchoring it in devotion.

“Left hand resting upon His waist,
Right hand holds a scarf in gentle grace.”

Beauty That Purifies

In the Swaminarayan tradition, divine beauty is not indulgence—it is purification. Gazing upon Bhagwan’s form refines the mind, softens the ego, and redirects desires toward higher ideals.

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A Single Glance That Transforms Lives

Chitvanī: The Mercy in His Eyes

One of the most profound ideas in the kirtan is the power of Bhagwan’s glance. His chitvanī—loving gaze—“pours nectar.” This is not metaphor alone. It reflects the lived experience of devotees who feel uplifted, reassured, and transformed through sincere darshan.

“Sweet glances pour like nectar bright,
His own devotees feel pure delight.”

Devotion Recognized and Rewarded

Premanand Swami emphasizes that Bhagwan’s glance especially blesses nij jan—His own devotees. This affirms a core Swaminarayan principle: God responds to devotion. When we strive to live by dharma, bhakti, and satsang, His grace actively works in our lives.

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Bhagwan Swaminarayan: The Ocean of Compassion

Krupa as His True Nature

The kirtan culminates in a powerful declaration: Bhagwan is Krupāsindhu—an ocean of mercy. Compassion is not something He occasionally offers; it is His very nature.

“Hari Krishna Narayan—
Ocean of mercy, forever compassionate.”

For BAPS devotees, this resonates deeply with the teachings of the Guru Parampara, reminding us that no matter our shortcomings, Bhagwan’s compassion remains vast and accessible.

Singing as Spiritual Surrender

When Premanand Swami signs his name in the final verse, it is not for credit—it is for surrender. He places himself fully at Bhagwan’s feet. This teaches us that true bhakti dissolves the self, leaving only gratitude and praise.

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Conclusion: Learning to Truly ‘Dekho’

This kirtan repeatedly urges us to dekho—to behold. Not casually, but consciously. To see Bhagwan Swaminarayan in His divine form, to feel His compassion in His glance, and to allow that experience to transform our inner lives.

In a world filled with distraction, Premanand Swami gently calls us back to the essential act of devotion: to look at God with love—and let Him look back with grace. When we learn to see in this way, darshan becomes daily renewal, and bhakti becomes life itself.

Verse	Translation
Dekhorī sakhī hamre piyājī kī chāl.. Chaṭak chaṭak Hari laṭkat āvat, mānu gajbāl marāl… dekho 1	Behold, dear friend, my Beloved’s graceful gait… With playful sway His curls hang free, Like a royal swan He glides to me.
Vām pānī dhare vām kaṭi par, liye kar dachhan rumāl… dekho 2	Left hand resting upon His waist, Right hand holds a scarf in gentle grace.
Chitvanī chāru sudhā drag barsat, nij jan karat nihāl… dekho 3	Sweet glances pour like nectar bright, His own devotees feel pure delight.
Premānand Harikrishṇa Nārāyaṇ, Krupāsindhu krupāl… dekho 4	Premanand sings: Hari Krishna Narayan, Ocean of mercy, forever compassionate.

Introduction on Paramhansa (Text): https://www.baps.org/About-BAPS/TheFounder%E2%80%93BhagwanSwaminarayan/Legacy/Disciples/Paramhansas.aspx

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