Author: BAPS Volunteers
Seeing God the Way the Saints See Him…
When the Divine Lives in Our Eyes: Seeing God the Way the Saints See Him Every bhakta has whispered this prayer at some point in life: “May Maharaj stay with me—close, constant, and clear.”But what does it truly mean for God to “live within our eyes,” as Premanand Swami beautifully writes in his Chhabī?This devotional poetry is more than artistic expression—it is a spiritual blueprint for cultivating darshan in daily life. Below is a reflective, spiritually grounded essay—designed for BAPS Swaminarayan devotees—unpacking the essence of the verses and showing how their message can reshape our inner world. The Heart’s Darshan: [Read More…]
Discovering the Key to True Attainment…
For many of us, the pursuit of happiness is a constant companion. We chase success, build careers, and acquire possessions, yet a feeling of unfulfillment often lingers. The ancient wisdom of our faith offers a profound answer, one beautifully crystallized by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj in the scripture Satsang Diksha. This is not a guide to worldly achievement, but a manual for attaining ultimate peace, bliss, and an end to the inner search. It teaches us that the key to being “happy and blissful and peaceful in life” has been with us all along. I Am Blessed (Dhanyosmi) The journey [Read More…]
When Service Becomes a Way of Life: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
Few moments in life quietly shake us awake—reminding us what true compassion, humility, and service look like. This story of Mahant Swami Maharaj, set on an ordinary afternoon in June 2020, is one such moment. It challenges us to pause, reflect, and ask: Would I set aside my own comfort to uplift someone else? Below is a deeper exploration of that seemingly simple incident—and the profound spiritual principles it teaches all of us. The Heart of Seva: When Others Come First A Routine Interrupted, A Value Upheld Mahant Swami Maharaj had just finished his afternoon exercise in Nenpur, India, and [Read More…]
Hari is never his servant’s foe…
The verses of Nishkulānand Swami remind us of a truth every spiritual seeker eventually discovers: God’s ways are not always obvious, but they are always compassionate. 1. God Is Never Our Enemy—Even When Life Feels Difficult Understanding God’s Intentions We often interpret life’s challenges as obstacles, punishments, or evidence that God is distant. But Nishkulānand Swami flips this narrative entirely. He asserts that God is never against His devotee—His every act is meant for our spiritual upliftment. “Hari is never his servant’s foe… Whatever He does for us in life will end in our lasting good.” For the bhakta walking [Read More…]
“Divinity in All”: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
What if the greatest spiritual shift you’ll ever make doesn’t come from a long scripture, a deep meditation, or a major life event—but from a single, powerful thought? On the first day of 2023, Mahant Swami Maharaj offered a message so short, yet so spiritually profound, that it can reshape the way we see others and the way we live. This is the story of that moment—and the spiritual principle behind it. A New Year, A New Lens to See the World A Day Filled Yet Never Too Full for Guidance January 1st, 2023, in Ahmedabad was far from a [Read More…]
My eyes thirst, without your sight…
Verse Translation Daras bina more tarasat nena… My eyes thirst, without your sight…. Shvet pagh bich suman shikhar chhabi, chahat drug din-rena. Daras 1 White turban, flower crest so pure and brights;These longing eyes seek you by day and night. Lochan lalit madan-mad-mochan,kutil bhohaki sena. Daras 2 Your lovely eyes undo the kama’s mightsCurved archer-brows set love’s ranks alight. Sundar hasit badan bin dekhe,parat nahi pal chena. Daras 3 Till I beholdthat smiling, blissful light,No moment brings me peace—no brief respite. Premanand in nenani age,Kab dekha sukh-dena. Daras 4 Before Premanand,O Giver of delight,When will You blessthese eyes with Your [Read More…]
A Memory Beyond Time: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
The Miracle of Memory and the Depth of Devotion A Moment That Stunned Everyone Can you remember the face of someone you met 62 years ago? Most of us can’t even recall what we had for breakfast yesterday. Yet, Mahant Swami Maharaj — the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha — remembered a devotee he had met in 1960, instantly and by name. It was 5th January 2023, in Ahmedabad. After his morning puja, Swamishri was meeting devotees one by one, blessing each with his serene smile. A sadhu introduced an elderly man from Mombasa saying, “Swami, this is [Read More…]
The Spiritual Power of Seva: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
The Moment That Moved a Guru A Glimpse into True Devotion January 2nd, 2023 — Bal Din (Children’s Day) — was a day of joy and celebration in Ahmedabad, India. As thousands gathered for the occasion, Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, made his way back to his residence in a golf cart after the festivities. Along the path, devotees lined up, offering folded hands and smiles. But what caught his attention was not the crowd — it was a small group of volunteers and sadhus standing quietly in the background. A Leader’s Blessing His attendant [Read More…]
You Are Not Your Thoughts: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
Have you ever felt trapped in a storm of emotions — regret, anger, anxiety — as if you’re drowning in your own mind? We all have moments when our thoughts seem louder than life itself, when we can’t tell where we end and our feelings begin. But Bhagwan Swaminarayan offers a profound way out of this inner chaos. In Gadhada I-21, He explains that when the mind is disturbed by fluctuating thoughts, one should realize their true self as distinct from the body. This simple yet powerful insight can transform the way we experience life’s emotional waves. You are not [Read More…]
A Heart’s Devotion: The Soul’s Dialogue with the Divine…
Ashako di yari ve…. – By Sadguru Premanand Swami There are moments in every seeker’s life when words transcend prayer — when the heart, steeped in love and surrender, speaks a language older than time itself. The kirtans of Sadguru Premanand Swami echo that timeless dialogue between the soul and the Beloved. They are not mere songs; they are whispers of longing, surrender, and divine intimacy. “O Beloved! Forget not this dear love of mine.” The soul begins with a plea — tender, vulnerable, and full of yearning. It calls out to the Divine not from doubt, but from the [Read More…]