Tag: Vachanamrut
Seeing God in Everyone: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
What If We Saw God in Everyone? What would the world look like if we truly saw God in everyone?Not just in temples or sacred places, but in the everyday faces we encounter—the driver who cuts us off, the colleague who tests our patience, the stranger who asks for help, even the friend who betrayed us. Bhagwan Swaminarayan teaches that Bhagwan resides in all beings, to a greater or lesser degree, as their very cause and as antaryami—the inner controller. God is not confined to shrines or rituals. He is present in people—in their struggles, their stories, their strengths, and [Read More…]
Negative Influence in Satsang; Not Uttering Discouraging Words
In Gadhada Section 1-17, titled Negative Influence in Satsang, Not Uttering, Discouraging Words, we are reminded that even the opening paragraph of the Vachanamrut holds deep significance. Often overlooked as mere scene-setting, these lines—describing the date, attire, and environment—actually establish the historicity and authenticity of the discourse. They transport the reader into the very moment Maharaj spoke, grounding the teaching in a specific place and time. Scholars have noted that the inclusion of exact dates and locations adds credibility, showing these are not imagined accounts but lived spiritual moments. Beyond historical importance, the title itself serves as a thematic guide [Read More…]
The Power of Courage, Faith, and Choice: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
Have you ever felt stuck in a habit, wondering if you’ll ever truly break free? Maybe it’s the endless scrolling that eats away your time, the bursts of anger you wish you could take back, or the ways you try to numb stress that only lead to more regret. It’s easy to believe that this is just how we are—part of our nature or even our fate. But Bhagwan Swaminarayan offers us a powerful and liberating perspective: addictions and destructive patterns are not the result of destiny, but of habit. And habits, unlike fate, can be changed. With courage, unwavering [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…]
Engaging in Spiritual Dialogue: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
The Sound That Shapes the Soul Every day we are surrounded by a cacophony of notifications, commentary and entertainment. Much of that noise entertains—but little of it truly nourishes. Bhagwan Swaminarayan points us to a timeless antidote: lend your ears to the discourses of Purushottam Narayan (God) with shraddhā (faith) and prīti (love). More than mere information, these words are catalytic sounds—vibrations that calm the mind and dissolve cravings for transient pleasures (vishays). Valmiki: A Bandit Re-tuned by the Divine Name Need proof that a single, sacred sound can redirect an entire life? Consider the story of Ratnakar the bandit. [Read More…]
Inner Richness is Humility, not Pride: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
Ego is perhaps the subtlest barrier on our spiritual journey: it can insinuate itself even into the most noble of virtues—devotion, renunciation, knowledge, or disciplined vows—turning them from ladders into stumbling blocks. The moment we find ourselves thinking, “I am more devoted,” or “I understand better,” pride has taken root and humility slips away. A timeless Sanskrit proverb captures this beautifully: “The branches of a tree laden with fruit bend downward, just as virtuous persons bow humbly, but dry wood and fools never bend.” In this image, the heaviest branches are those most fruitful, bowing under the abundance they bear; [Read More…]
Mastering your Influences
This week on Satsang Conversations, we traveled virtually to the serene BAPS Mandir in Johannesburg, South Africa. Joined by Pujya Snehmuni Swami and Pujya Adarshmuni Swami, the discussion centered on a profound section of the Vachanamrut: Gadhada Section 1, Number 78. This Vachanamrut tackles a fundamental question about the forces that shape our lives: what holds more sway – our past actions (karma) or our present circumstances and choices? Maharaj’s Pivotal Question: Past Karma vs. Present Factors Shriji Maharaj, in his characteristic way of sparking deep thought, posed a question to the assembled swamis and devotees: Which influences our lives more [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…]
Finding True Strength in Humility: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
There’s a quiet struggle that often hides behind pride — the restless fire of superiority. A person who sees themselves as above others may appear confident on the outside, but deep within, they remain uneasy, day and night. Like a half-burnt log, they smoulder constantly — not quite at peace, never fully at rest. This feeling isn’t strength. It’s a burden. We may mistake superiority for confidence. But true confidence doesn’t need to prove itself. It doesn’t demand to be the loudest voice in the room or insist on being right all the time. On the contrary, the need to [Read More…]
Seeing God in Everyone: Lessons from the Vachanamrut