Category: Lyrical Reflections
The True Sadhu: Walking Hari’s Path in a World of Attachments
What does it really mean to live a spiritual life—not just in appearance, but in essence? In a world that constantly pulls us toward comfort, recognition, and indulgence, the verses attributed to Muktanand Swami offer a radical, clarifying vision of what it means to be a true sadhu. For BAPS Swaminarayan devotees, these teachings are not abstract poetry; they are practical signposts pointing toward a life centered on Hari, marked by inner freedom, balance, and unwavering devotion. This reflection is not about renunciation for its own sake. It is about discovering the joy and stability that arise when the heart [Read More…]
Beholding the Beloved…
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 [Read More…]
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…]
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…]
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 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…]
The Joy of Meeting the Divine…
Āj Ānand Mārā Urmā – By Sadguru Nishkulanand Swami The Joy of Meeting the Divine Today my heart is filled with joy,I have attained the treasure rare;Though countless trials cannot win Hari,I have met Him standing there… There are moments in life when the heart overflows with divine bliss—when all the struggles, the prayers, and the patience culminate in the sweet realization of His presence. Such joy cannot be measured, only felt, deep within the soul. He nourished me with food and jest,He met with me again, again;With love and care He gave me joy,A bliss beyond the speech of [Read More…]
The Traits of a True Sant…
Verse Translation Narad aise sache santki riti… Narada, hear the marks of the true,Thus is the Sant revealed to you. Jehi suni sadhu parat pichhanat, jinko mam pad priti… He holds deep love for my holy feet, In him alone my presence is sweet. Khat vikar jit anagh anandi, mere vachanme vasa;Brahmadik kshar jani jagatki, chhodat sab vidh asha… The six vile passions he has subdued, Sinless, blissful, in virtue imbued.He knows that creations will decay,So worldly hopes he casts away. Akshar pad janat Avinashi, tehi madhya mukta apara;Panchvishay tyagi sab samrath, karat kalka chara…. He knows Akshar’s eternal domain,Where [Read More…]
The Sant, Dearer Than All…
Verse Translation Narad mere santse adhik na koi…… Narada, there is none above,My Sant alone is the one I love. Mam ur sant aru mai santan ur, vas karu sthir hoi… The Sant resides within my heart, and I within his stay;In him I dwell eternally, unmoved in every way. Kamala mero karat upasan, man chapalta dhoi;Yadyapi vas diyo mai ur par, santan sam nahi soi… Lakshmi bows in worship to me, her pride and unrest cast aside;Yet though she rests upon my chest, the Sant in my heart does abide. Bhuko bhar haru santan hit, karu chhaya kar doi;Jo [Read More…]
The Sant Who Holds God in His Heart…
Verse Translation Narad aise sant sada mohe pyara…. Narada, such a Sant is dear to me, Loved forever, eternally. Jad chaitanku jani jatharath, rahat jagatse nyara… Knowing matter & spirit as they truly are,he dwells apart from the world-he stands afar. Gnan vairagya aru bhakti ke bhajan, janat sar asara;Brahmabhuvan lagi kal chavina, manat juth pasara… A vessel of knowledge, of bhakti, renunciation,He knows what is true and false in creation;All realms below Akshar he calls in vain,For time consumes them, none remain. Mere vachan achal ur rakhat, mam gun magan udara;Sab par moy jani ur dharat, mam pad prem [Read More…]