One of the biggest challenges in the spiritual journey is overcoming Vasana —deep-rooted worldly desires that bind the soul (jiva) to material existence.

Bhagwan Swaminarayan, in His divine discourses, emphasized:

“Renouncing desires is the greatest of all spiritual endeavors.”

While many focus on rituals & religious knowledge, true spiritual growth comes from detachment from material pleasures & focusing on Bhagwan. This article provides practical strategies to eliminate Vasana , strengthen devotion, & progress toward moksha (liberation).

What is Vasana ? Understanding the Root of Desires

Definition of Vasana 

Vasana  refers to subtle mental impressions & cravings that develop through repeated indulgence in:

• Shabda (Sound) – Music, speech, external distractions
• Sparsha (Touch) – Comfort, physical sensations
• Rupa (Sight) – Material beauty, movies, digital distractions
• Rasa (Taste) – Cravings for food, unhealthy habits
• Gandha (Smell) – Attraction to fragrances, luxury items

These sensory experiences create attachments, making it difficult to focus on spiritual progress.

Why is Overcoming Desires So Difficult?

• The mind constantly chases pleasure, making detachment challenging.
• Forceful suppression of desires leads to inner conflict.
• Without self-awareness, one may fall back into old habits.

“If one finds joy in both spiritual discourses & material pleasures, their devotion remains divided.”
— Bhagwan Swaminarayan

To truly progress, we must evaluate our attachment:
✅ Do I desire Bhagwan more than I desire material pleasures?
✅ Are my daily habits aligned with my spiritual goals?

Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Vasana 

1. Self-Diagnosis: Measure Your Attachment to Desires

Before removing Vasana , assess your level of attachment:

• How often do I think about material pleasures?
• Do my senses control me, or do I control my senses?
• When I miss a worldly pleasure, do I feel disturbed?

➡️ Keep a Daily Journal: Track how often your mind wanders toward material indulgences vs. spiritual focus.

2. The 1% Rule: Gradual Reduction of Desires

Rather than suddenly giving up everything, Bhagwan Swaminarayan advised a step-by-step approach to removing Vasana .

➡️ Action Tip: Reduce one material attachment by just 1% each day, & over time, desires will naturally dissolve.

3. Redirect Your Desires Toward Bhagwan

Instead of completely eliminating desires, Bhagwan Swaminarayan taught to shift them toward Bhagwan :

✅ Instead of craving taste → Offer food to Bhagwan & eat with gratitude.
✅ Instead of enjoying movies → Engage in kirtan, bhajans, & satsang.
✅ Instead of seeking fame → Perform selfless service (seva).

➡️ Action Tip: Replace one worldly habit with a spiritual habit each week.

4. Follow Niyam (Spiritual Disciplines) to Strengthen Control

Bhagwan Swaminarayan established niyam (rules) to help devotees overcome desires:
✅ Strict vegetarian diet – Avoid excessive indulgence in taste.
✅ Regulated speech – Avoid gossip, unnecessary discussions.
✅ Limited sensory exposure – Reduce attachment to digital distractions.

➡️ Action Tip: Write down 3 niyam you will follow daily to overcome Vasana .

The Role of Satsang: Why Your Company Matters

Bhagwan Swaminarayan emphasized that spiritual company (satsang) determines spiritual growth:

🔥 “Just as fire melts iron, association with Nirvasanik Santos burns away desires.” 🔥

➡️ Action Tip: Spend at least 30 minutes daily in satsang, reading scriptures, or listening to Santos .

How to Know You Have Overcome Desires? (Self-Assessment)

✅ No attraction to temptations – Worldly pleasures seem unimportant.
✅ Discipline in all situations – Even in comfort, you remain detached.
✅ Uninterrupted devotion – Nothing disturbs your connection with Bhagwan.

➡️ Final Test: Imagine losing all wealth, fame, & comforts.
Would you still feel content in Bhagwan’s presence? If yes, you are on the path to true liberation.

Final Step: Attaining Spiritual Liberation

Bhagwan Swaminarayan prescribed a balanced spiritual approach:

1. Increase Devotion Gradually

💡 Set small, consistent habits of prayer, reflection, & seva.

2. Reduce Indulgence Wisely

💡 Do not force extreme renunciation. Let it happen naturally over time.

3. Seek the Company of Santos 

💡 Their wisdom helps in overcoming inner obstacles effortlessly.

✅ “When one reaches a state where desires no longer dictate actions, the soul naturally merges with Bhagwan.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Vasana in spirituality?
Vasana refers to deep-rooted desires and mental impressions formed through repeated sensory indulgence that bind the soul to material life.

2. Why is overcoming Vasana important for liberation?
Because Vasana keeps the soul attached to worldly pleasures, preventing complete devotion to Bhagwan and delaying moksha (spiritual liberation).

3. Why is it difficult to remove desires?
The mind naturally seeks pleasure, and forcefully suppressing desires creates inner conflict. True detachment comes through awareness and gradual practice.

4. What is the 1% Rule for overcoming Vasana?
The 1% Rule means reducing material desires gradually instead of suddenly renouncing everything, making spiritual progress sustainable and natural.

5. How can desires be redirected toward Bhagwan?
By transforming worldly cravings into spiritual actions—offering food to Bhagwan, engaging in bhajans, doing seva, and increasing prayer and meditation.

6. What is the role of niyam in controlling desires?
Niyam are spiritual disciplines like controlled diet, regulated speech, and limited sensory exposure that help strengthen self-control and purity.

7. Why is satsang important in removing Vasana?
Good spiritual company strengthens devotion and discipline, while bad company increases attachment to worldly pleasures.

8. How can one know they have overcome Vasana?
When worldly temptations no longer attract, discipline remains strong in all situations, and devotion to Bhagwan becomes uninterrupted.

9. What is the biggest lesson in overcoming Vasana?
Balance—gradually reducing indulgence while increasing devotion, rather than forcing extreme renunciation.

10. What is the ultimate goal of removing Vasana?
To become nirvasanik (free from desires) and attain spiritual liberation and eternal bliss in Akshardham.

Conclusion: The Journey to Becoming Nirvasanik

Overcoming Vasana  is not about forceful suppression, but gradual transformation through:
✅ Self-Assessment – Recognizing attachment to material pleasures.
✅ 1% Daily Improvement – Small, consistent habit changes.
✅ Redirecting Desires – Replacing material pleasure with devotion.
✅ Spiritual Disciplines (Niyam) – Regulating senses & mind.
✅ Satsang  With Santos – Learning detachment from realized souls.By applying these principles consistently, one moves closer to becoming nirvāsanik—a state of true spiritual liberation & eternal bliss in Akshardham.