Author: BAPS Volunteers
When Service Becomes a Way of Life: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
Few moments in life quietly shake us awake—reminding us what true compassion, humility, and service look like. This story of Mahant Swami Maharaj, set on an ordinary afternoon in June 2020, is one such moment. It challenges us to pause, reflect, and ask: Would I set aside my own comfort to uplift someone else? Below is a deeper exploration of that seemingly simple incident—and the profound spiritual principles it teaches all of us. The Heart of Seva: When Others Come First A Routine Interrupted, A Value Upheld Mahant Swami Maharaj had just finished his afternoon exercise in Nenpur, India, and [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…]
“Divinity in All”: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
What if the greatest spiritual shift you’ll ever make doesn’t come from a long scripture, a deep meditation, or a major life event—but from a single, powerful thought? On the first day of 2023, Mahant Swami Maharaj offered a message so short, yet so spiritually profound, that it can reshape the way we see others and the way we live. This is the story of that moment—and the spiritual principle behind it. A New Year, A New Lens to See the World A Day Filled Yet Never Too Full for Guidance January 1st, 2023, in Ahmedabad was far from a [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 Memory Beyond Time: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
The Miracle of Memory and the Depth of Devotion A Moment That Stunned Everyone Can you remember the face of someone you met 62 years ago? Most of us can’t even recall what we had for breakfast yesterday. Yet, Mahant Swami Maharaj — the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha — remembered a devotee he had met in 1960, instantly and by name. It was 5th January 2023, in Ahmedabad. After his morning puja, Swamishri was meeting devotees one by one, blessing each with his serene smile. A sadhu introduced an elderly man from Mombasa saying, “Swami, this is [Read More…]
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…]