Author: BAPS Volunteers
The sadhu is the only true boat…
In a world driven by desire, possessions, and fleeting pleasures, the true sadhu stands apart like a sturdy boat in the stormy sea of samsar (worldly existence). He is not just a renunciant by appearance, but one who offers his deepest love and devotion to the manifest form of God, recognizing divinity not as an abstract idea but as a living presence. Such a saint remains untouched by worldly allure — he seeks neither wealth nor admiration, and has no attachment to people for selfish gain. To him, the world is but a stage of illusion and suffering, a constant [Read More…]
Millions Alone Or Two Aligned?: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami
We often assume that strength lies in numbers. That the more people, the greater the power. But Gunatitanand Swami offers a perspective that challenges this idea. He explains that if just two individuals share the same inclination—if their hearts and minds are aligned—they can be more powerful than hundreds of thousands, even tens of millions. On the other hand, a crowd without shared purpose is nothing more than a collection of lonely individuals. True strength doesn’t come from the size of a group but from the unity of its purpose. A family that works together experiences deeper happiness. A company [Read More…]
A love for God that will not unwind…
In the journey of spiritual awakening, few truths shine brighter than the power of sincere devotion. One beautiful verse urges us to “Love the servant of God, sincere,” for in doing so, we draw ourselves closer to the divine. The servant of God, or Harike das, is not merely a figure of humility — they are a channel of peace and liberation. Their presence alone soothes the soul, and their fearlessness in the face of death teaches us how transient our mortal fears truly are. Such peace and clarity come most profoundly through the company of saints. “In saints’ true [Read More…]
Drink deeply from his pour – He serves God’s glory— the nectar of evermore
There’s a profound peace that only the presence of a true saint can bring. “Sang aise santko kijie…” — form a bond with such a saint, the verse urges. But who is such a saint? He is one whose heart is free from lust, anger, pride, and delusion. In his presence, our restless minds find rest, and our burdened hearts find peace. His life itself is a teaching, a quiet but powerful call toward inner stillness and clarity. He is humble and wise — “Nirmani gnani ati nike…” — unshaken by praise or blame, grounded in the knowledge of the [Read More…]
Celebrating 100 Tribal Weddings: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
At the Himmatnagar Mandir’s 10-year anniversary, celebration became service—and service blossomed into sheer grace. From Surat, Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj phoned Pujya Divyapurush Swami in Gondal with a quiet but radiant request: “Gift each of our 100 tribal couples a cupboard—fill their homes, not with donations, but with prasadi.” Soon, entire truckloads of essentials arrived, every item first sanctified by Swamishri’s loving touch. He personally blessed each mangalsutra and every piece of jewelry, pausing when he noticed ceiling fans among the gifts. “Someone must install these,” he whispered to the sadhus—reminding everyone that real compassion finishes the task it starts. [Read More…]
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…]
The sadhu is the only true boat…