When the Divine Lives in Our Eyes: Seeing God the Way the Saints See Him

Every bhakta has whispered this prayer at some point in life: “May Maharaj stay with me—close, constant, and clear.”
But what does it truly mean for God to “live within our eyes,” as Premanand Swami beautifully writes in his Chhabī?
This devotional poetry is more than artistic expression—it is a spiritual blueprint for cultivating darshan in daily life.

Below is a reflective, spiritually grounded essay—designed for BAPS Swaminarayan devotees—unpacking the essence of the verses and showing how their message can reshape our inner world.

The Heart’s Darshan: Bringing Maharaj Into Our Inner Vision

A Vision That Lives Within

Seeing God Not Just Through Eyes, but Through Awareness

Premanand Swami’s opening line sets the tone for the entire composition: he prays that Natvar, Bhagwan Shri Krishna—understood in the Swaminarayan tradition as an eternal form of Bhagwan—“lives within his eyes.” This isn’t a request for a physical sighting; it’s a yearning for constant inner darshan, a state where God’s presence becomes the default lens through which a bhakta sees the world.

The Beauty That Purifies the Heart

The description of Maharaj’s shining turban and white sash isn’t meant to emphasize ornaments—it’s meant to express divine purity. When God’s form occupies our awareness, even our thoughts become bright, ordered, and gentle. The outer beauty symbolizes inner virtue.

Why the Saints Focus on the Form of God

Darshan as a Spiritual Anchor

Returning to God Again and Again

The verses repeat a simple request: “Whenever I behold you, Shyam, show me your darshan.”
This is the secret of spiritual stability. The mind wanders; the world distracts. Darshan—whether through murtis, memories, or mental imagery—anchors us again and again in the divine.

Cultivating Inner Darshan in Daily Life

Bringing God Into the Small Moments

From Ritual to Relationship

Inner darshan doesn’t happen by chance—it happens through repetition. Daily puja, mala, and mansi become the pathways through which the heart trains itself to see God everywhere. Slowly, what starts as ritual turns into relationship.

Keeping Bhagwan Before the Eyes

Premanand Swami ends with a powerful plea:
“Stay in my heart and smile before my eyes ever so.”
It’s a call to cultivate a spirituality where God is not distant, but intimately close, smiling, reassuring, and present.

Living With a Divine Companion

Premanand Swami’s Message for Modern Devotees

God’s Presence Brings Peace and Courage

When Maharaj “lives in our eyes,” life’s uncertainties lose their power. Worries shrink. Strength grows. The divine form becomes a constant reminder that we are not alone.

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

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