Who comes to him with heart sincere…
There is a special hush that falls over the heart whenever we meet a genuine sant — one of those rare souls who lives so naturally in the presence of the Divine that even ordinary conversation feels lit from within. “Balihārī maĩ aise sant kī… I offer myself to such a saint,” runs the opening line of the Braj couplet above, and the sentiment is as timeless as it is direct: when we encounter real holiness, gratitude is instinctive. The composition goes on to sketch three hallmarks of a true spiritual guide. First, he “speaks no waste, no idle sound.” [Read More…]
Finding Freedom from Swabhāvs…
The most recent episode of Satsang Conversations whisks us to the Sant Talim Kendra in Sarangpur, Gujarat, where a circle of sādhu-students reflect on Vachanamrut Gadhadā II-7, “A Poor Man.” Though the passage is short, its message is disarmingly practical: our inborn swabhāvs – habits such as anger, stubbornness, jealousy or ego – are the hidden disease that keeps us from tasting lasting peace. The cure, Shriji Maharaj explains, begins with vairāgya (detachment), but for most of us it flowers through one very concrete discipline: atiśay sevā – stepping beyond comfort to serve the Satpurush and his Satsang. The sadhus [Read More…]
The Secret of Success lies in Steady Steps: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
A single drop is easy to overlook. Yet let that drop fall, unhurried and uninterrupted, and soon it becomes a stream, then a pool, then a lake that carves its own landscape. We see the same quiet power in the Great Wall of China: 13,000 miles long, but laid brick by patient brick, day after day, dynasty after dynasty. No one celebrated any single brick; together they formed a wonder visible from space. Life—yours and mine—unfolds in just the same way. Bhagwan Swaminarayan distilled this truth beautifully: consistent, wholehearted effort turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. Imagine giving your body [Read More…]
Compassion: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
On November 10, 2018, in the village of Bhadra, India, the mandir corridors overflowed with anticipation as devotees queued for a moment of grace with Mahant Swami Maharaj. That afternoon alone he blessed 1,182 seekers, his smile as serene on the last blessing as on the first. Amazed by this unbroken flow of compassion, Dharmakuvar Swami eventually voiced the question on everyone’s mind: “Swamishri, you bless more than 1,200 devotees in an hour. Don’t you get tired?” Swamishri’s eyes sparkled as he answered, “No—I enjoy it.” When Dharmakuvar Swami admitted he would have collapsed from exhaustion, Swamishri offered a disarming [Read More…]
The Real Path to Spiritual Growth: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami
Life often presents us with the same path, but not everyone moves in the same direction. Some surge forward, while others unknowingly fall behind. What causes this difference? Gunatitanand Swami provides a timeless insight: it’s not just about what we do, but how we do it. Spiritual growth doesn’t come from action alone—it comes from the attitude behind the action. Those who humbly seek spiritual knowledge and serve selflessly continue to evolve. In contrast, those who let ego creep in, even while doing good, begin to regress. Ego is subtle but powerful. The moment we start thinking, “I did this,” [Read More…]
Engaging in Spiritual Dialogue: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
The Sound That Shapes the Soul Every day we are surrounded by a cacophony of notifications, commentary and entertainment. Much of that noise entertains—but little of it truly nourishes. Bhagwan Swaminarayan points us to a timeless antidote: lend your ears to the discourses of Purushottam Narayan (God) with shraddhā (faith) and prīti (love). More than mere information, these words are catalytic sounds—vibrations that calm the mind and dissolve cravings for transient pleasures (vishays). Valmiki: A Bandit Re-tuned by the Divine Name Need proof that a single, sacred sound can redirect an entire life? Consider the story of Ratnakar the bandit. [Read More…]
Love’s path iswalked by sage & maid…
In the vast ocean of spiritual practices, there is one path that shines brighter than all—the path of prem bhakti, or love-filled devotion. The saint-poet Muktanand captures this truth beautifully in his verse, where he describes how divine love stirs the soul so deeply that even Lord Krishna, the Supreme Being, becomes enchanted. As love awakens in the heart of a true devotee, God responds not with distance, but with dance—becoming the joyful Natwar, dancing to the claps of the Vraj maidens. This simple yet profound imagery reminds us that the Divine is not remote or reserved, but rather responsive [Read More…]
Letting go of what fades…: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami
We spend much of life chasing possessions, status, and the perfect image in the mirror—only to watch each trophy slip through our grasp. Cars rust, phones become obsolete, careers plateau, and bodies age; everything the senses cling to arrives with an expiration date. Gunatitanand Swami’s reminder that “all of creation is perishable” asks us to pause and see reality as it is, not as the glossy ads and social feeds portray it. Simply recognizing impermanence, however, doesn’t automatically free us from its pull; the mind still whispers that one more purchase, promotion, or compliment will finally seal the deal. That [Read More…]
Accepting Humility just from a Pair of Sandals : A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
In a world wired for self‑promotion, success often looks like follower counts, luxury labels, and receiving deference from others. Yet on a quiet evening in Ahmedabad, Mahant Swami Maharaj demonstrated that true greatness is found not in the spotlight but in where we choose to bow. On September 4, 2018, he stepped out for a simple stroll through the mandir’s corridors. As he passed the kitchen, he noticed a neat row of sandals—thread‑bare kolhapuris and worn rubber slippers belonging to resident sadhus. They were unremarkable to most eyes, but they halted him in his tracks. Folding his hands, he lowered his head in full [Read More…]
He cares not for one’s form or clan, But seeks devotion’s steady hand…
In the vast expanse of the soul’s journey, true devotion blooms not through pedigree or pilgrimage but through the simple act of turning one’s heart toward Shyām Sundar, the dark-hued Lord whose only measure of worth is the sincerity of our love. No caste, color, or lineage can bind the seeker who comes with a pure intention, for it is not name or race that wins His grace, but the steady beat of an open, yearning heart. Love of this caliber cannot be bought or brokered; it flourishes only in the fertile soil of humility. Imagine a merchant’s scales forever [Read More…]
Who comes to him with heart sincere…