Prasang A Day

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BAPS Prasangs

BAPS Prasangs (English)

Welcome to BAPS Prasangs, your daily dose of inspiration and positivity! This Telegram channel is dedicated to sharing the timeless wisdom and teachings of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a spiritual organization that focuses on the values of spirituality, service, and community. nnWho is BAPS Prasangs? BAPS Prasangs is a platform that brings together individuals from all walks of life who are seeking spiritual guidance and inspiration. Through our daily posts, we aim to uplift and motivate our followers to live a life filled with purpose and meaning. Whether you are looking for daily reflections, motivational quotes, or spiritual insights, BAPS Prasangs has something for everyone.nnWhat is BAPS Prasangs? BAPS Prasangs is a channel that curates and shares stories, teachings, and discourses from the spiritual leaders of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. From the timeless wisdom of Pramukh Swami Maharaj to the inspiring messages of Mahant Swami Maharaj, our channel offers a wealth of spiritual knowledge and guidance. Whether you are a long-time follower of the BAPS tradition or someone new to spiritual teachings, BAPS Prasangs is a place where you can find solace, inspiration, and community.nnJoin us on BAPS Prasangs and start your day on a positive note! Let the timeless wisdom of the BAPS tradition guide you on your spiritual journey. Subscribe to our channel today and be a part of a community that values love, service, and inner peace. Together, we can make each day a Prasang – a story worth sharing and cherishing. Let BAPS Prasangs be your daily companion on the path to enlightenment and fulfillment.

Prasang A Day

20 Nov, 09:26

To Attain Greatness in Satsang

Thereupon Shriji Mahãrãj said, “In this Satsang fellowship, a person who is wise increasingly finds flaws within himself and perceives virtues in God and His devotees. Moreover, when God and His Sant utter harsh words of advice for his own benefit, he accepts them as beneficial and is not hurt by them. Such a person steadily attains greatness in Satsang.
“Conversely, as a person who lacks wisdom practises satsang and listens to discourses in Satsang, he continually perceives virtues within himself. Moreover, when God and His Sant highlight his flaws and advise him, he misinterprets such advice due to his arrogance. On the contrary, he perceives flaws in God and His Sant. Such a person steadily declines and loses his reputation in Satsang. Therefore, if a person renounces the vanity of his own virtues, becomes brave, and keeps faith in God and His Sant, then his ignorance is eradicated and he attains greatness in Satsang.”

[Gadhadã I-6.2,3]

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Prasang A Day

19 Nov, 05:00

Two Unforgivable Sins

Thereupon Somlã Khãchar asked, 'God forgives all of the mistakes of His devotees, but which one mistake does God not forgive?'
Shriji Mahãrãj replied, 'God forgives all other mistakes, but He does not forgive the mistake of spiting a devotee of God. Therefore, one should never harm a devotee of God in any way whatsoever. Furthermore, of all mistakes made against God, to denounce the form of God is a very grave mistake. One should never make this mistake. One who does do so commits a sin more serious than the five grave sins…'

[Gadhadã I-71]

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Prasang A Day

18 Nov, 06:05

A Devotee with Worldy Desires

'Thus, even if a devotee of God harbours worldly desires, if nothing else, he will become a demigod. Then, having become a demigod, he will become a human again. As a human, after offering bhakti to God and becoming free of worldly desires, he will ultimately attain the abode of God. But he will not have to suffer from the miseries of narak or the cycle of births and deaths in the manner of non-believers. Bearing this in mind, a devotee of God should not become discouraged on seeing the force of worldly desires. Rather, he should joyfully continue to worship God, persevere in his attempts to eradicate his desires, and maintain absolute faith in the words of God and the Sant of God.'

[Sãrangpur -4]

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Prasang A Day

17 Nov, 05:07

Unparalleled Love Towards God

Thereupon Muktãnand Swãmi asked, 'Mahãrãj, how can unparalleled love towards God be developed?'
Shriji Mahãrãj replied, 'A person should have the following understanding: Firstly, conviction of God; i.e., 'He who I have attained is undoubtedly God Himself'. He should also have the attributes of an ãstik. Furthermore, he should realise the divine powers of God; i.e., 'This God is the master of Brahmamahol, Golok, Shwetdwip and all of the other abodes. He is the master of countless millions of brahmãnds and is the all-doer.' He should never believe Purush, kãl, karma, mãyã, the three gunas, the 24 elements, or Brahmã and the other demigods to be the creators of this brahmãnd; instead, he should realise only Purushottam Bhagwãn to be the creator and the antaryãmi of all. Such an understanding, along with faith in the manifest form of God, is the only way to develop unparalleled love for God.'

[Gadhadã I-59]

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Prasang A Day

16 Nov, 05:00

A Staunch Devotee

'What are the characteristics of such a staunch devotee? Well, just as he has an instinctive dislike for objects that cause misery, similarly he has an instinctive dislike for the alluring vishays, i.e., sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch. Moreover, he has firm faith in God alone. Such a person should be known as a staunch devotee.
'The only means of becoming such a staunch devotee is by behaving as a servant of the servants of God, and by realising, 'All of these devotees are great; I am inferior compared to them all.' Realising this, he behaves as a servant of a servant of the devotees of God. All of the evil natures of a person who behaves in this manner are destroyed, and day by day, noble virtues such as gnãn, vairãgya, bhakti, etc., continue to flourish within him.'

[Gadhadã I-58]

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Prasang A Day

15 Nov, 05:14

Attain the abode of God

Vishnu-yãgs; annually celebrate Janmãshtami, Ekãdashi and other observances; and gather brahmachãris, sãdhus and satsangis on these occasions. After all, even if a sinner remembers these occasions at the time of his death, he will also attain the abode of God.”

[Gadhadã I-3.2]

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Prasang A Day

14 Nov, 05:37

Means to Please the Holy Sadhu

Ãnandãnand Swãmi asked further, 'How can a person please such a great Purush?'
Shriji Mahãrãj explained, 'First of all, he must be honest with that great Sant. He must also forsake lust, anger, avarice, infatuation, matsar, egotism, jealousy, arrogance, and all desires and cravings. Moreover, he should behave as a servant of the Sant and maintain a constant effort to eradicate egotism from his heart. While doing so internally, he should physically continue to bow to everyone as well. As a result, the great Sant will become pleased with him.'

[Gadhadã I-58]

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Prasang A Day

13 Nov, 05:04

Fruits of Divine Favour

Ãnandãnand Swãmi then asked, 'How can such unfavourable sanskãrs of the past be eradicated?'
Shriji Mahãrãj answered, 'If the extremely great Purush becomes pleased upon a person, then regardless of how unfavourable the person's sanskãrs may be, they are all destroyed. Moreover, if the great Purush is pleased, a beggar can become a king; regardless of how unfavourable a person's prãrabdha may be, it becomes favourable; and regardless of how disastrous a misfortune he is to face, it is avoided.'

[Gadhadã I-58]

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Prasang A Day

12 Nov, 05:21

Power of Jiva

'… After all, the jiva is extremely powerful. The mind and indriyas are all merely the kshetra, whereas the jiva is their kshetragna; it can achieve whatever it attempts.'

[Gadhadã I-57]

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Prasang A Day

10 Nov, 05:01

Two Means to Liberation

Thereupon Muktãnand Swãmi asked, 'Mahãrãj, what is the most extraordinary means of attaining liberation?'
Shriji Mahãrãj replied, 'The knowledge of God's form and the knowledge of God's greatness are the two extraordinary means to attain liberation.'

[Gadhadã I-57]

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Prasang A Day

09 Nov, 07:52

Significance of Upasana

'Contemplating on God's greatness in this manner is the only method for understanding the distinction between ãtmã and non-ãtmã. In addition, the extent of that devotee's faith in God, coupled with the knowledge of God's greatness, also determines the amount of vairãgya that develops in that devotee's heart. Therefore, forsaking one's dependence on the strength of other spiritual endeavours, one should rely exclusively on the strength of God's upãsanã.'

[Gadhadã I-56]

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Prasang A Day

08 Nov, 05:00

Glory of Upasana

Shriji Mahãrãj replied, 'Many people become realised yogis, many become omniscient, many become demigods, and thus attain countless types of greatness, including the highest state of enlightenment. All this is achieved through the force of the upãsanã of God. Without upãsanã, though, nothing can be accomplished. Therefore, the distinction between ãtmã and non-ãtmã cannot be realised by merely understanding the distinction as given in the scriptures; nor can it be realised by listening to discourses from a senior sãdhu and deciding in one's mind, 'I shall now distinguish between ãtmã and non-ãtmã.' Rather, it is the extent of a person's faith in his Ishtadev - God - that determines how much distinction between ãtmã and non-ãtmã he cultivates. In fact, without using the strength of his Ishtadev, no spiritual endeavours can be fulfilled.

[Gadhadã I-56]

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Prasang A Day

07 Nov, 05:12

Pleasing God

'…Therefore, devotees of God should not harbour any form of vanity whatsoever. That is the only means to please God…'

[Gadhadã I-56]

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Prasang A Day

06 Nov, 05:00

Overcoming Vanity

Muktãnand Swãmi then asked, 'Mahãrãj, by what method can a person overcome the vanity which arises due to gnãn, vairãgya, bhakti, and other noble virtues?'
Shriji Mahãrãj replied, 'If, while realising the greatness of God's devotees, he physically bows down to them, serves them menially, recognises thoughts of vanity when they arise in his heart and maintains the force of thought, then vanity is eradicated.'

[Gadhadã I-56]

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Prasang A Day

05 Nov, 13:02

Arrogance - a Paralysing Flaw

'Another major flaw is when a person who has no worldly desires at all and has intense vairãgya behaves arrogantly on account of that vairãgya. He may have the intense force of knowledge of the ãtmã or have the force of resolute bhakti towards God, but if, out of arrogance, he is unable to bow before meek devotees or is unable to address them humbly, then that is also a serious flaw in him. As a result of that flaw, his inclination does not flourish…'

[Gadhadã I-56]

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Prasang A Day

05 Nov, 13:01

Flushing New York, USA

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Prasang A Day

04 Nov, 05:00

Reasons for a Wavering Resolve

Thereupon Muktãnand Swãmi asked, 'Why is a person unable to maintain a steady resolve in worship, remembrance, and religious vows?'
Shriji Mahãrãj explained, 'A person's resolve does not remain steady due to the influence of adverse places, times, actions and company. There are, in fact, three levels of this resolve: the highest, the intermediate and the lowest. If places, times, actions and company are extremely adverse, then even the highest resolve is dissolved. What, then, can be said of the intermediate and lowest levels of resolve?'

[Gadhadã I-55]

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Prasang A Day

03 Nov, 06:44

Attributes for Remaining Firm in Satsang

Thereafter Shuk Muni asked, 'By what characteristic can one recognise a person who would never lapse in his observance of dharma, even under the most difficult circumstances?'
Shriji Mahãrãj replied, 'A person whose nature is such that he is diligent in obeying the injunctions of God, and who would never disobey any injunction, however minor or major, will never regress from observing dharma, irrespective of the circumstances. Therefore, only his dharma remains firm who is resolute in obeying God's injunctions, and only his satsang remains firm.'

[Gadhadã I-54]

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Prasang A Day

02 Nov, 04:48

Doorway to Moksha

Thereupon Muktãnand Swãmi asked, 'Mahãrãj, through the dialogue between King Janak and the nine Yogeshwars, the 11th canto of the Shrimad Bhãgwat describes the nature of bhãgwat dharma. How is that bhãgwat dharma upheld? Also, how can the gateway to liberation be opened?'
Shriji Mahãrãj replied, 'Bhãgwat dharma is upheld by maintaining profound love towards the Ekãntik Sant of God, who possesses the attributes of swadharma, gnãn, vairãgya, and bhakti coupled with knowledge of God's greatness. Maintaining profound love towards such a Sant also opens the gateway to liberation…'

[Gadhadã I-54]

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Prasang A Day

01 Nov, 04:02

Progress and Downfall in Satsang

Thereupon Muktãnand Swãmi asked, 'There are those in the Satsang fellowship who progress day by day. There are also those who, despite being in Satsang, seem to regress day by day. What is the reason for this?'
Shriji Mahãrãj explained, 'A person who perceives flaws in a great sãdhu gradually regresses in Satsang. Conversely, a person who perceives virtues in that sãdhu progresses, and his bhakti towards God also flourishes. Therefore, one should not perceive flaws in a sãdhu; instead, one should only perceive his virtues.

[Gadhadã I-53]

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Prasang A Day

31 Oct, 04:00

A Sharp Intellect

Thereupon Shriji Mahãrãj asked the munis, 'One who possesses a sharp intellect attains Brahma. Can the intellect of one who is proficient in managing worldly affairs be called sharp, or not? Also, can the intellect of one who is very proficient in interpreting the Shãstras and the Purãns be called sharp, or not?'
The munis attempted to answer the question but were unable to do so satisfactorily.
Then Shriji Mahãrãj explained, 'Some people may be extremely adept in worldly affairs, yet they do nothing at all to safeguard their own liberation. Others may know the precise meanings of the various Shãstras, Purãns and Itihãs scriptures, yet they too do nothing to safeguard their liberation. Therefore, they cannot be said to possess a sharp intellect; rather, they possess a blunt intellect. Conversely, a person who safeguards his liberation, even though he may possess only a limited intellect, should be considered to have a sharp intellect…'

[Gadhadã I-50]

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Prasang A Day

30 Oct, 04:02

Focusing on God

Brahmãnand Swãmi then asked further, 'By what means can one keep one's vrutti on God?'
Shriji Mahãrãj explained, 'The means to achieve that is 'antardrashti'. 'Antardrashti' is to constantly look towards the form of the manifest God that one has attained…'

[Gadhadã I-49]

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Prasang A Day

29 Oct, 04:05

God has Form

'…Purushottam Bhagwãn always possesses a form; He is not formless. Those who do believe Him to be formless just do not understand.'

[Gadhadã I-45]

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Prasang A Day

28 Oct, 04:06

False Understanding

'Therefore, as long as a person believes the body to be his true self, his entire understanding is totally useless…'

[Gadhadã I-44]

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Prasang A Day

27 Oct, 07:11

Means to Intense Love for God

Brahmãnand Swãmi then asked, 'By what means can one develop such intense love for God?'
Shriji Mahãrãj replied, 'Only by keeping profound association with the Satpurush can one develop intense love for God.'

[Gadhadã I-44]

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Prasang A Day

26 Oct, 04:00

Total Affection for God

Addressing the assembly, Shriji Mahãrãj asked, 'What is the characteristic of having affection towards God?'
Thereupon Brahmãnand Swãmi attempted to describe the characteristic of affection but was unable to do so satisfactorily.
Hearing his reply, Shriji Mahãrãj commented, 'You have not even come close to describing affection. You say it is remaining detached from the body and the brahmãnd, but that is not the characteristic of affection; rather, it is the characteristic of vairãgya. In actual fact, affection is constantly remembering God's form. That is called affection.
'A devotee with such total affection for God never has any thoughts other than those related to God. The extent to which he harbours desires other than those of God is the extent to which he lacks in his affection…'

[Gadhadã I-44]

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Prasang A Day

25 Oct, 04:23

Mental Detachment

'Furthermore, a householder should engage in worldly activities physically, but mentally - just like the renunciant - he should also remain free of worldly desires and contemplate on God. Also, he should engage in social activities according to the command of God…'

[Gadhadã I-38]

1,685

Prasang A Day

24 Oct, 04:13

Divinizing One's Mind

'In reality, the mind is saturated with desires for the world. But, in the manner in which sesame seeds are imbued with scent by padding them between alternating layers of flowers, the mind should be similarly saturated with flowers in the form of the constant remembrance of God's divine actions and incidents - coupled with an understanding of His greatness. The mind should constantly be entangled in a web in the form of these divine actions and incidents of God, and thoughts relating to God should be constantly conceived in the mind. As one thought subsides, another thought should be conceived. As the second subsides, a third should be conceived. In this manner, the mind should not be left idle...'

[Gadhadã I-38]

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