Author: BAPS Volunteers
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…]
When Compassion Silences Pain: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
Can you imagine your heart being so absorbed in someone else’s pain that your body forgets its own? On 4th January 2020, news broke of a devastating wildfire in Australia. The flames raged across millions of acres, claiming the lives of over 500 million animals and displacing thousands of people. The world watched in horror, and grief swept through homes and hearts alike. That evening, Mahant Swami Maharaj joined the routine prayers as usual. Yet those who were present noticed—his body was in the room, but his mind was far away. It was with the animals, the forests, and the [Read More…]
Surrendering to God…
What does true surrender look like in a world obsessed with performance and results? In this episode of Satsang Conversations, we travel to the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir near Atlanta, Georgia to explore the life and legacy of Premanand Swami—a poet-saint whose music, humility, and complete sharaṇāgati (surrender) to Bhagwan Swaminarayan continue to guide seekers today. A Life Tuned to Obedience Abandoned as an infant and raised by a kind couple, the young Nijbodhanand (later known as Premanand Swami) first met Bhagwan Swaminarayan in Jetpur and again in Gadhada. Captivated by the divine aura of Maharaj, he stayed—and obeyed. Maharaj instructed [Read More…]
One Glance That Changed a Life: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
In the quiet village of Lavarpur, near Gandhinagar, lived Rakeshbhai Patel — a man whose life had been chained by addiction for more than three decades. Alcohol and tobacco had slowly consumed him, draining not just his health but also his wealth, his land, and nearly his family. His addiction ran so deep that even his son, Karan, began walking the same painful path. Rakeshbhai believed there was no turning back — that this was just how life would be. But destiny had a different plan. In 2022, Rakeshbhai visited the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Festival in Ahmedabad. He didn’t [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 Priceless Gifts of Life: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami
We live in a world that’s always chasing upgrades. A newer phone, a faster car, and so much more. In the process, it’s easy to forget the things we already have, things that money can’t buy. That’s such a given to all of us! But Gunatitanand Swami reminds us of this truth, “No amount of money can buy eyes, ears, or other sense organs, yet God has given them to us freely. Still, the jiva (soul) remains ungrateful.” Every morning we wake with miracles all around us. Sight, sound, breath, and a beating heart. All of these come without effort, [Read More…]
A Love That Endures Pain: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
Would you endure pain every single day, just to bring comfort to others? On 1 February 2020, in Navsari, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj showed what true selflessness looks like. His schedule was filled with back-to-back personal meetings. Even though he had arrived earlier than expected, time slipped away as countless people waited for his blessings. One by one, they approached him. And one by one, he gently placed his hand upon each head, offering them blessings and peace. A simple gesture, yet filled with so much warmth and love. This is what those devotees traveled miles to receive. But [Read More…]
Mahant Swami Maharaj’s Silent Lesson on Simplicity: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
In a palace of gold and grandeur, where every corner whispered luxury, a quiet yet profound lesson unfolded. On 17 February 2020, Mahant Swami Maharaj arrived at the famous Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, warmly welcomed by the royal family. The atmosphere was filled with reverence and tradition, and after the formal welcome ceremony, the host offered him a refreshing glass of sharbat—thoughtfully prepared, perfect for his health. But as Mahant Swami Maharaj reached for the drink, something gave him pause. It wasn’t the sharbat. It was the glass. The vessel in which it had been served was no ordinary [Read More…]