Dust thrown with scorn at day’s sunlight, Falls back onto the one with spite…

Keeping the Heart Focused on Hari

The Purity of Divine Remembrance

In the spiritual journey, the direction of our thoughts determines the destination of our soul. Muktanand Swami, in this deeply reflective verse, teaches that a devotee’s heart must remain filled only with thoughts of Bhagwan — free from negativity, bitterness, or judgment toward others.

“While singing the virtues of Hari divine,
Let no thought of the wicked in our hearts entwine.
With every breath and every beat,
Let His sacred form our memory greet…”

When our minds are fully absorbed in Bhagwan’s glory, there is no room left for resentment. Each breath becomes an act of remembrance (smruti), and every heartbeat becomes a rhythm of devotion. This is the ideal of constant remembrance — to live every moment in awareness of His presence.

Responding to Negativity with Grace

The Fool’s Mockery and the Devotee’s Calm

“He who holds true remembrance dear —
Is slandered by fools who mock and jeer;
But such men only burden their head,
With twisted thoughts and truths they dread.”

Every age has seen devoted souls misunderstood by the world. Muktanand Swami reminds us that when others criticize or mock those who live for God, it reflects their own ignorance, not the fault of the saint.

Just as a lotus remains unstained by the mud it grows in, a true devotee remains unaffected by worldly scorn. The wise do not retaliate; they understand that such negativity only harms the one who harbors it.

The Sun Analogy — The Power of Inner Light

“Dust thrown with scorn at day’s sunlight
Falls back onto the one with spite.
The sun keeps shining, calm and bright —
Untouched by anger, hate, or fight.”

What a powerful image! The sun does not lose its brilliance because someone throws dust at it; instead, the dust only settles back upon the one who tossed it.

Similarly, when a devotee faces criticism or misunderstanding, they should remain serene, like the sun—radiant and unwavering. True spirituality is not proven by words but by composure. Our calmness in the face of negativity is itself an act of worship.

Steadfastness in Devotion and Courage in Faith

Strength in Stillness

“So let us stand with a steady mind,
And not speak weakly of any kind.
This body we offer at God’s own feet.
In His service, our life is complete.”

To “stand with a steady mind” is to have dradh nishchay—firm conviction. It means to neither be shaken by praise nor wounded by blame. A devotee’s dignity comes from inner faith, not external validation.

Muktanand Swami calls us to devote our entire being—body, mind, and breath—to Bhagwan’s service. Once we dedicate ourselves to Him, every act becomes sacred, every difficulty becomes a test of love, and every breath becomes a prayer.

The Courage to Surrender

In surrender, there is no weakness. It is the greatest act of strength — to lay one’s ego before God and say, “I am Yours.”

Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life embodied this spirit. Whether in massive projects or humble service, he remained calm, centered, and surrendered. His oft-quoted phrase, “In the joy of others lies our own,” was not a slogan—it was the language of a fearless heart that belonged wholly to God.

Grace in Surrender: The Devotee and the Divine

Surrender Leads to Support

“He who surrenders mind, wealth, and breath,
Finds God’s grace in life and death.
Muktanand says — he sails, he soars,
And lifts the fallen to heaven’s shores.”

When we surrender fully, God does not merely bless us—He becomes our strength. Muktanand Swami assures that such souls are never alone. Bhagwan Himself protects, uplifts, and carries them across the turbulent ocean of life.

This is not metaphor—it is living reality. In countless stories within our tradition, Bhagwan Swaminarayan and His sadhus have guided devotees through unimaginable hardship because of their total surrender.

Becoming an Instrument of His Light

A devotee who lives in remembrance, who bears criticism with grace, and who offers life in service, becomes an instrument of divine compassion. Through such souls, God’s presence touches the world.

In this way, Muktanand Swami’s teaching is not only personal—it is transformative. It turns our inner peace into outer light.

Verse	Translation
Harigun gata, durijaniyano dhadak na manma dharie; Shirne sate, shvasochchhvase sundarvar sambharie…	While singing the virtues of Hari divine, Let no thought of the wicked in our hearts entwine. With every breath and every beat, Let His sacred form our memory greet…
Je sachu samaran adare, teno murakh manas droh kare; Te ulto nij shir bhar bhare… Hari 1	He who holds true remembrance dear-Is slandered by fools who mock and jeer; But such men only burden their head, With twisted thoughts and truths they dread.
Je suraj sami raj nakhe, te ulti avi pade ankhe; Ravi rosh rag man nav rakhe… Hari 2	Dust thrown with scorn at day’s sunlight falls back onto the one with spite. The sun keeps shining, calm and bright— Untouched by anger, hate, or fight.
Em samji man dradh rakhie, mukhe kayarta nav bhakhie; a tan Prabhu par vari nakhie… Hari 3	So let us stand with a steady mind, and not speak weakly of any kind. This body we offer at God’s own feet. In His service, our life is complete.
Je tan man dhan Hari charane dhare, teni sundar Shyam sahay kare; Kahe Muktanand tare ne tare… Hari 4	He who surrenders mind, wealth, and breath, Finds God’s grace in life and death. Muktanand says —he sails, he soars, And lifts the fallen to heaven’ s shores.

Introduction on Paramhansa (Text): https://www.baps.org/About-BAPS/TheFounder%E2%80%93BhagwanSwaminarayan/Legacy/Disciples/Paramhansas.aspx

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