The author of the abhutpurva (exceptional) Granth—’Shri Krishna Charit Manas (Rasayan Mahakavya)’, Braj Ras Rasikacharya Anant Shri Vibhushit Jagadguru Priyadarshi Ji Maharaj—has illuminated the truth that human life is a rare and precious gift, one that is granted by God’s divine grace. It is only through his blessings that the soul receives a human body, and it is only through his grace that it can fulfill its true purpose. Without a true guide, a Sadguru, life remains lost in ignorance, and the soul remains unaware of its ultimate destination.
The journey to spiritual awakening begins when lifetimes of penance and devotion converge in one’s life, guiding them towards the divine. Only then, through the grace of the Sadguru and Bhagwan Radha Krishna, can the soul realise its supreme purpose—attaining Golok Dham (the eternal abode of God). The sole aim of human existence is to unite with God, but due to ignorance and attachment to the material world, one continuously seeks fulfillment in the wrong places, unaware of the true source of happiness.
When a soul finds the grace of a Sadguru, the divine guide shows the path and helps the devotee engage in the right Sadhna (spiritual practices). Through this sacred process, the seeker can attain God within this very life. Therefore, the importance of a Sadguru cannot be overstated; without the Guru’s guidance, even the most powerful deities—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—cannot help a soul cross the vast ocean of life. The seeker’s supreme duty, once finding the Sadguru, is to surrender completely and follow the path outlined by the Guru. It is only when the mind is purified of worldly desires that God Himself, restless in his divine love, comes rushing toward the devotee, eager to shower his blessings.
Here, there is no room for deceit or cunningness. God, being all-knowing, sees through every veil. Hypocrisy and pretension are futile. With complete innocence and a humble heart, one must focus solely on the Divine, understanding that without God’s grace, no effort in the material world can bear fruit.
Initially, the seeker must perform Sadhna with full devotion and unwavering focus, allowing time and patience for God’s grace to unfold. The seeker’s mind, body, and entire life must be offered as an act of surrender to receive the divine blessings. Though God is more eager to bless us than we are to receive his grace, he insists on a reciprocal process—first, Sadhna (spiritual practice), and then, the outpouring of grace.
We often say, “O Bhagwan, first shower us with your grace, and then we will devote ourselves to spiritual practices”, but this is misguided. Infinite lifetimes pass in this very cycle of excuses, and the soul keeps delaying its path to spiritual fulfillment and uniting with the divine. As Bhagwan Krishna teaches Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita, the mind must be trained through constant practice and detachment from worldly distractions. By withdrawing the mind from material pursuits and focusing it on God, the mind gradually becomes calm and centered.
Even if, after repeated efforts, the mind is able to focus on the divine even for a brief moment, it should be regarded as the greatest of fortunes. Without the direct experience of God’s presence, desires remain unquenched. While desiring material pleasures, one cannot experience the darshan (auspicious sighting) of God. The soul is stuck in this vicious cycle since eternity.
The holy saints, in their boundless wisdom, have prescribed a simple but profound solution to end this confusion: Bhajan—the chanting of God’s holy name. The desires are like an uncontrollable fire, and Bhajan is the water that must be poured constantly and continuously to calm this blaze. Through chanting, the seeker extinguishes the fire of worldly desires. Our desires are deeply entrenched, having been nurtured for countless lifetimes. Therefore, the process of purification requires persistent devotion. As we sing the divine glories, chant the holy names, and pray sincerely, our Antahkaran (consciousness) becomes pure, and we begin to perceive the divine presence in every aspect of life.
Just as applying Anjan (kohl) to the eyes enables us to see even the smallest of objects clearly, similarly, the dust from the lotus feet of the Guru is a subtle wisdom that opens our eyes to the divine acts of grace around us. This wisdom reveals the omnipresence of God, enabling us to recognize his grace in all things.
Even in moments of repeated failure, the seeker must not be disheartened. The soul’s singular aim should be to attain God in this very life, with unwavering determination. Therefore, the water of love—pure and constant—must be poured into the heart, nurturing the divine seed within. Gradually, through this relentless devotion, the Antahkaran (consciousness) becomes pure, and one day, the soul will encounter God through this temporary body.
Our inner consciousness consists of four aspects: the mind, intellect, intelligence, and ego. These aspects have become sullied and distorted by our constant interaction with the material world. However, the effect of chanting God’s name is such that it purifies these elements, allowing the mind to focus entirely on the divine.
The sacred Vedas, holy scriptures, the Ramayana, and the Bhagavad Gita and also Shri Krishna Charit Manas all affirm that the path to God is built upon two foundational pillars: Sadhna (penance) and Kripa (grace). The realisation of God cannot be achieved through worldly means, but only through the outpouring of divine grace and Guru’s blessings. Yet, only those who engage in selfless spiritual practices—who devote themselves to sincere sadhna given by the Guru—receive this grace. Conversely, selfish or materialistic pursuits trap the soul deeper in the cycle of worldly illusions.
Just as oil flows steadily and unbroken, the mind must be kept fixed on the divine. Hence, the scriptures continually remind us to remember God at all times and chant his holy name. By doing so, the seeker remains unaffected by worldly distractions and transcends the limitations of this material existence with his kripa (grace).
In service of,
The lotus feet of Shri Priyadarshi ji Maharaj,
Dasanudas Braj Ras Rasik
Shri Leela Rasik Ji Maharaj Shri Dham Vrindavan.
