Rising Above Life’s Dualities
Beyond Pleasure and Pain
In life’s ebb and flow, joy and sorrow visit us like passing seasons. Yet, the enlightened soul remains steady through both. This timeless teaching—captured beautifully in Muktanand Swami’s verse “Harijan thaine, han varadh, sukh dukh manma nav dharie”—reminds us that to live as God’s own is to transcend the pull of worldly opposites.
“As God’s own, let us not hold near honor or loss, or joy or fear.
Though joys and sorrows come uncalled, with courage firm, we will not fall.”
True bhakti (devotion) does not waver when comfort disappears. For the one who has surrendered to Bhagwan, both happiness and hardship become opportunities for faith to deepen. In the same way that the ocean remains vast and unmoved by the rivers that enter it, the heart of a devotee stays undisturbed amidst the waves of circumstance.
The Strength of Equanimity
Muktanand Swami urges us not just to accept God’s will, but to rejoice in it—to meet joy and grief with equal serenity. This is not resignation but a profound act of courage: to trust that every moment, however painful, is part of His divine plan.
Lessons from the Great Devotees
Kadaraj: A Heart Steadfast in Faith
“See Kadaraj, through trials deep, held firm his mind in pain or peace.
He let not joy nor sorrow stay—and so pleased God in every way.”
Kadaraj stands as a radiant example of steadfast devotion. Though his life was filled with suffering, his heart never strayed from Bhagwan. Instead of letting pain harden him, he used it as a path toward divine love. For BAPS devotees today, his story calls us to anchor our happiness not in changing circumstances, but in the unchanging grace of Swaminarayan Bhagwan.
Devaki and Vasudev: Silent Endurance in God’s Plan
“See Devaki and Vasudev bound, in prison walls, for years abound.
Though parents of the Lord above, they bore great pain with patient love.”
Even the parents of God endured long years of confinement and sorrow. Their story teaches that suffering is not a sign of divine displeasure—it is often the crucible through which our devotion is refined. Their silent acceptance reflected absolute faith in the Lord’s timing.
The Pandavas: Companions of God Amidst Exile
“See the Pandavs—so dear to God, with whom He walked each path they trod.
Yet, forced, they roamed the forests wide, with queen and kin along their side.”
The Pandavas, beloved of Shri Krishna Himself, were not spared life’s hardships. Their devotion was tested by exile, humiliation, and loss. Yet through it all, they never abandoned their dharma or their love for God. Their example reminds us: being close to Bhagwan does not mean we escape difficulty—it means we have the strength to walk through it with Him by our side.
The Path of Steady Devotion
Joy and Grief as Teachers
When we understand that both joy and sorrow are gifts meant to draw us closer to God, life becomes a continuous act of worship. Muktanand Swami concludes:
“So joy and grief we must unwind, and worship God with one firm mind.
Muktanand says—with hearts made free, let’s live in ways that bring Him glee.”
This is the essence of samjan—spiritual understanding. Rather than asking why something happens, we ask, “How can I please God through this?” Every experience becomes a means to purify our ego and strengthen our surrender.
Living the Teaching Today
In our fast-paced, unpredictable world, these verses are more than poetry—they are a compass. Whether we face loss, rejection, or success, the call remains the same: stay rooted in Bhagwan.
Every difficulty is a chance to grow in courage; every joy, a moment to express gratitude. To be a true Harijan—a devotee of God—is to live with unshakable faith, gentle resilience, and a heart that beats only for His happiness.
| Verse | Translation |
| Harijan thaine, han varadh, sukh dukh manma nav dharie; Talya na tale, ghat sathe ghadiya himmat nav harie… | As God’s own, let us not hold near Honor or loss, or joy or fear. Though joys and sorrows come uncalled, With courage firm, we will not fall. |
| Juo Kadraj maha dukhiya ka’vya, te sukhdukh manma nav lavya; Tyare Mohanna manma bhavya… 1 | See Kadaraj, through trials deep, Held firm his mind in pain or peace. He let not joy nor sorrow stay— And so pleased God in every way. |
| Juo Vasudev Devki bandh rahya, bahu kale bandhan dur thaya; Hari putra toy maha dukh sahya…2 | See Devaki and Vasudev bound, In prison walls, for years abound. Though parents of the Lord above, They bore great pain with patient love. |
| Juo Pandav Harine ati pyara, jethi pal ek Nath na rahe nyara; Te van bhatkya lai sang dara…3 | See the Pandavs-so dear to God, With whom He walked each path they trod. Yet, forced, they roamed the forests wide, With queen and kin along their side. |
| Em samji harakh shok tajie, thai ekmana Prabhune bhajie; Kahe Muktanand Harine rajie…4 | So joy and grief we must unwind, And worship God with one firm mind. Muktanand says-with hearts made free, Let’s live in ways that bring Him glee. |
Introduction on Paramhansa (Text): https://www.baps.org/About-BAPS/TheFounder%E2%80%93BhagwanSwaminarayan/Legacy/Disciples/Paramhansas.aspx
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