Finding true Fulfillment beyond Validation: Lessons from the Vachanamrut

There’s a subtle chain that often goes unnoticed in the pursuit of success — the need to be admired. It hides behind ambition, it dresses up as drive, and sometimes, it even disguises itself as self-improvement. But beneath it all, it’s vanity — a craving for validation, a thirst for recognition, a constant measuring of our worth against others.

Vanity isn’t just about appearances. It’s not limited to how we look or how others perceive our style. It goes deeper. It’s the desire to impress, the itch to be acknowledged, the silent question that asks, “Do I matter more now?”

At first, it feels like motivation. We chase promotions, polish our image, build platforms. We strive harder, achieve more — and we’re applauded. For a while, that applause feels like joy. But slowly, it becomes a cycle we can’t escape. The bar keeps moving. What once satisfied us now feels small. One success leads to another expectation. And before we know it, we’re not living — we’re performing.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan teaches that vanity is not freedom — it’s bondage. The more we try to prove ourselves, the more we become trapped in the eyes of others. Every step we take becomes less about our own purpose and more about approval. And with that, true fulfillment begins to slip away.

Think of a person who’s always comparing their journey with someone else’s — always trying to outshine, to be seen, to be remembered. Their energy isn’t flowing freely; it’s tethered to a spotlight that never stays still. No matter how far they go, it’s never quite enough. It’s not peace — it’s pressure.

But there’s a different way.

When we let go of the need to impress, we begin to breathe differently. We’re no longer puppets of praise. We stop shaping our lives around what will get the most attention, and we start asking what brings the most meaning. We live not for the applause of the crowd, but for the quiet smile of God — and our own inner peace.

Because real fulfillment doesn’t come from the world seeing us as great. It comes from knowing we’re aligned with something greater. When we stop trying to be admired, we start becoming free.

So, the question becomes: are we chasing admiration, or are we seeking liberation?

Let’s trade the spotlight for stillness. Let’s let go of the chain. Let’s live lighter — not for the world’s gaze, but for the soul’s growth.

To know more about Bhagwan Swaminarayan: https://www.baps.org/About-BAPS/TheFounder%E2%80%93BhagwanSwaminarayan.aspx

Vachanamrut Study App: thesatsanglife.com/vachanamrut

Anirdesh Gadhada Section 3, Number 12: https://anirdesh.com/vachanamrut/index.php?format=en&vachno=235