Winning at Life: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami
What if you could win at everything—and still lose at life? Gunatitanand Swami gives us a powerful reminder: You could spoil ten million tasks and still make progress in your liberation. And on the flip side, you could perfect ten million tasks—and still lose everything that actually matters. Think about that. We chase careers, promotions, wealth, reputation. We pour our energy into building lives that look successful from the outside. But if we lose sight of our soul’s purpose—liberation—what have we truly gained? Because real success isn’t about how much we accomplish. It’s about whether we’re moving closer to freedom [Read More…]
Seeing Extraordinary in Every Soul: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
March 16, 2019. Navsari, Gujarat. The evening celebration had just concluded. Mahant Swami Maharaj, having blessed the assembly, quietly made his way to the car waiting to take him back to the Sant Ashram. As the vehicle gently pulled away, his gaze caught something that made him pause. There they were—lined up with innocent smiles and hopeful eyes—a group of young boys, patiently waiting for one last glimpse of their beloved Guru. A sevak sant, noticing Swamishri’s glance, leaned forward and explained, “Swami, these are the boys who performed for you tonight.” Instantly, Swamishri’s eyes welled up with love. These [Read More…]
Lyrical Reflections: One who dares to take that leap, Finds pearls of truth in oceans deep…
In the journey of life, few questions haunt the heart as deeply as: What is real? What is lasting? What lies beyond this fleeting world?For the realized souls—those rare ones who have turned inward and touched the eternal—the answers are not theoretical. They are lived truths, revealed in silence, in surrender, and in stillness. Muktanand Swami, the great paramhansa of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, distills these profound insights into his timeless bhajans. In this spiritual composition, he describes the path, the experience, and the outcome of realization—not for the curious, but for the committed seeker. “Anubhavi anandma Govind gave re…”The wise joyously [Read More…]
Beyond Words, Beyond Time: Meeting Mahant Swami Maharaj
Humans are driven by feelings. Long after words have faded, after moments have passed, what lingers is how we felt—how someone made us feel. This is not an account of events. It is not a collection of stories or incidents. This is something far more delicate, far more elusive. This is a reflection on a feeling. A humble, feeble attempt to put into words what can only truly be experienced by the heart. Not just any feeling, but the feeling of meeting Mahant Swami Maharaj. Before you read further, I invite you to pause the whirlwind of your life. Detach [Read More…]
Finding true Fulfillment beyond Validation: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
There’s a subtle chain that often goes unnoticed in the pursuit of success — the need to be admired. It hides behind ambition, it dresses up as drive, and sometimes, it even disguises itself as self-improvement. But beneath it all, it’s vanity — a craving for validation, a thirst for recognition, a constant measuring of our worth against others. Vanity isn’t just about appearances. It’s not limited to how we look or how others perceive our style. It goes deeper. It’s the desire to impress, the itch to be acknowledged, the silent question that asks, “Do I matter more now?” [Read More…]
A Lesson of Love and Respect: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
On the evening of October 9, 2016, in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, the sun had dipped low, casting soft golden hues over the BAPS campus. The air was calm, the atmosphere reverent. Mahant Swami Maharaj, having completed his evening engagements, began his walk back to his room. As he stepped onto the metal bridge connecting the Sabha Hall to the Pradakshina path, a familiar scene unfolded. Devotees—many of whom had stood there countless times before—waited eagerly for his darshan. Their eyes shimmered with devotion. Their hands folded with hope. Their hearts beat with silent prayers. Swamishri paused. He didn’t glance briefly and [Read More…]
Lyrical Reflections: The scent of a lion makes herds take flight…
In an age where clarity is clouded by chaos, and the eyes of the soul often remain shut amidst the noise of the world, the teachings of saints like Muktanand Swami shine like a silent lighthouse—guiding seekers inward, to the source of all light. This timeless composition from Muktanand Swami is not simply a devotional bhajan; it is a map of inner transformation. Through each verse, he sketches the contours of the anubhavi—the one who has realized. “Anubhavine antare rahe Ram vase re…”Within the realized, God remains,In all he does, His presence reigns. The anubhavi does not merely believe in [Read More…]
The light of truth, peace, and inner joy: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami
What if someone told you that almost everything you’re chasing in life—you don’t actually need? Gunatitanand Swami put it simply and powerfully: there are only five things a human truly needs to live—food, water, clothing, sleep, and salt. That’s it. Everything else is optional. Think about that for a second. We spend so much of our lives chasing things we’re told we need—status, wealth, followers, fame, approval. But strip it all away, and we’re left with a profound truth: most of what consumes our thoughts, drains our energy, and steals our peace… are just wants, not needs. And when we [Read More…]
Simple Act of Kindness: A Memorable Moment with Mahant Swami Maharaj
In the quiet town of Sarangpur, Gujarat, on a seemingly ordinary morning—April 9, 2019—something extraordinary unfolded. It wasn’t marked by ceremony or grand proclamation. It was a small moment, easily missed by most. But for one man, it became unforgettable. Every morning, as Mahant Swami Maharaj stepped out of Sarvasva, his residence, he would make his way down the familiar stairs facing the Sapodilla orchard. And like clockwork, at the same spot, stood a security guard. There were no long conversations, no elaborate exchanges—just a smile, a nod, a small greeting. Yet, in that simple act, there was warmth. Recognition. [Read More…]
Lyrical Reflections: For the realized soul, all grief has flown…
In a world dominated by appearances, expectations, and endless cravings, the teachings of the great poet-saints of India offer not just solace but awakening. Muktanand Swami, a beloved paramhansa of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, was one such spiritual luminary. His bhajans are not mere verses—they are the lived wisdom of one who had tasted the Divine. In this reflective composition, Muktanand Swami speaks of the anubhavi, the realized soul, and paints a portrait of what it means to live from within rather than react to the world outside. “Anubhavine apda antarthi bhagi re…”For the realized soul, sorrow no longer holds sway. Why? [Read More…]
Winning at Life: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami