Surrender And Realisation
When a human being receives the grace of God, they are born as a human in this world. Until then, they wander in countless other life forms. The human birth is considered superior because in this form, a person can attain true knowledge and the grace of God, and perform actions such as love, faith, fear, attachment, devotion, and so on. There is no greater boon than this in life. However, when God’s grace is present, a person attains a human birth and also receives the capacity to perform righteous deeds.
It is said that a person cannot attain true happiness without devotion to God. True happiness is only possible when one is devoted to the Supreme. The human body is merely a vehicle; it is the mind that is the driver. If the mind is inclined towards God, then a person experiences peace and satisfaction in life. The human birth is given to attain this very goal, and the practice of devotion to God is paramount.
The true nature of God is beyond comprehension, yet it is full of bliss. The Vishnu Purana states:
When the five senses come together, a human is entangled in worldly desires. When these five are bound by devotion, the person becomes liberated
Narayan’s glory is boundless, as described in the Vishnu Purana and the Bhagavad Gita:
Like a boat caught in a whirlpool, the human mind is surrounded by the attachments of the world. But those who surrender to Narayan are saved by His grace
Narayan’s form is filled with sweetness. His supreme nature is well beyond the intellect. He is described in the Vishnu Purana as:
The Supreme Being is supremely sweet, beyond all comprehension, and His glory is endless
A person who realizes this and constantly remembers Narayan is never separated from Him. This is why it is said, “Whether you walk on the path of devotion or knowledge, you will find Narayan in both.”
The true seeker surrenders to Narayan, and by His grace, they are liberated from worldly desires. This is the essence of surrender. Once a person surrenders, all their worries disappear, and they become one with the divine. The Gita (Chapter 18/66) mentions:
Abandon all duties and simply surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear
Such is the greatness of surrender, and it is the only way to attain the ultimate goal of life. Therefore, one must constantly remember and surrender to Narayan with a pure heart.
Narayan is in everything: in Kashi, Dwarka, Meera, Shabari, Sudama, or Kabirdas. Whichever form you visualize, the same Narayan resides within.
The feeling of surrender should be present in every breath of life. Always keep in mind the divine grace of God. Therefore, it is said that the true master is none other than Narayan Himself. Whatever happens in life, whether it be joy or sorrow, pain or pleasure, everything should be seen as Narayan’s will. This should be the guiding principle of your life.
One should always have faith in Narayan’s protection. Those who trust in His protection, whether they live in comfort or distress, always find peace in life.
There is one ultimate truth in this world, and that is Narayan:
The true knowledge resides in those who realize Narayan in everything and understand that Narayan alone is the supreme master of the universe
Baba Pramanand used to say that I was inclined towards lies. In childhood, my Guruji, His Holiness Sudarshanacharya Maharaj, constantly corrected me and said that I should never lie. Eventually, through Guruji’s guidance and the grace of Narayan, I was completely freed from the habit of lying. I surrendered to Narayan and understood that He alone is the truth. I realized that lying leads to nothing but sorrow. Thus, by surrendering to God, I was freed from lies and the sorrow that comes with them.
In our worldly life, we often experience sorrow due to unmet desires. If we are troubled, we are bound to feel sorrow. However, the wise never consider these troubles as sorrow because they understand the difference between worldly problems and spiritual peace. Those who have wisdom and understanding never feel sorrow. Such a person is liberated from the bonds of the world and is not affected by the trivial matters of life. They stay focused on God and keep their mind at peace. As a result, they are never shaken by the ups and downs of worldly life.
When one surrenders completely to God, they feel no sorrow, even in the most difficult circumstances. If we experience sorrow, it is because we are still attached to the worldly life. True surrender to God frees one from all sorrows.
Surrender to God is the key to happiness. Through complete surrender, all worries vanish. Baba Pramanand used to say: “A life that is not surrendered to Narayan is filled with pain, and one who surrenders to God is free from sorrow.”
The life of a human being is full of various activities that often lead to sorrow. But true happiness is only achieved through the surrender of the self to God. Those who dedicate their lives to God are free from the cycles of birth and death.
You must dedicate yourself to righteous actions. This is the essence of life. When a person receives the grace of God, they naturally become inclined toward virtuous actions and the abandonment of worldly desires. Thus, they attain peace and happiness in life. However, those who remain entangled in worldly tasks experience turmoil and restlessness. They keep themselves busy with business, trade, and other materialistic pursuits, becoming involved in family matters, social events, festivals, and various other engagements that divert their focus from the ultimate purpose of life. A person who has not set a spiritual goal cannot achieve peace, no matter how much they try.
The attachment to worldly things can never bring true joy. True joy is found only when one surrenders completely to God. Guru Maharaj often said that without surrender, there is no true happiness. A person who does not seek God’s shelter remains restless, no matter what they possess or achieve. You may accumulate wealth, power, and knowledge, but without the grace of God, all these are useless. Guru Maharaj used to say, “If you have not surrendered to God, all your efforts are in vain. True happiness comes only through devotion and surrender.”
Bhagavan’s grace is the highest achievement in life. Without His grace, all efforts are futile. Just as the sun is necessary to dispel darkness, the grace of God is necessary to remove the darkness of ignorance from life. Only by surrendering to God can one achieve true knowledge, peace, and joy.
True surrender is when you completely entrust yourself to God. It is when you realize that everything in life happens according to His will, and you accept this with a peaceful heart. As long as you hold on to worldly attachments, true surrender is not possible.
Complete Surrender to Narayan:
My Lord, I surrender to you completely. I place my life in your hands and accept whatever you bestow upon me
This is the essence of complete surrender. When a person achieves this level of surrender, they are free from all sorrows, fears, and doubts. They live a life of peace and contentment, regardless of external circumstances.
Guru Maharaj used to say, “True happiness is found only when you surrender completely to God. This is the highest form of devotion, and it is the only way to achieve lasting peace.”
Therefore, make surrender to God the goal of your life. Only then will you find true joy and fulfillment. This is the ultimate message of all scriptures and saints: complete surrender to God leads to liberation from the cycles of birth and death.
The sun sets, and night envelops the earth. Everything comes to a halt, and a deep silence pervades the surroundings. Slowly, the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves cease, and even the wind seems to pause. Yet, even in this silence, the divine presence remains. The night passes, and the dawn breaks with the rising sun, bringing with it the chirping of birds, the aroma of flowers, and the coolness of the morning breeze.
In the same way, the sun of knowledge dispels the darkness of ignorance, leading a person to realize the true purpose of life. The cycle of day and night, birth and death, continues, but the soul remains constant, unaffected by these changes. This understanding leads to spiritual awakening, where one transcends the temporary and achieves the eternal peace that comes from surrendering to the divine.
When the mind is focused on the eternal truth, worldly desires lose their grip. A person who realizes this truth lives life with a calm mind, untroubled by worldly matters. They do not fear death, for they know that the soul is immortal and that death is merely a transition from one state of being to another.
Life’s trials and tribulations are like waves in the ocean; they come and go, but the ocean remains. In the same way, the soul remains unchanged through the ups and downs of life. One who understands this lives a life of peace and contentment, free from the sorrows of the world.
However, most people remain entangled in worldly affairs, losing sight of the true purpose of life. They spend their lives in the pursuit of material pleasures, only to realize too late that these pursuits are futile. By the time they recognize the truth, life has passed them by, and they are left with nothing but regrets.
It is said in the scriptures that “Life is precious, and time is fleeting. Therefore, one should strive to attain the ultimate truth before it is too late.”
The wise devote their lives to spiritual practice, realizing that the soul’s journey is eternal and that this life is but a small chapter in that journey. They do not fear death, for they know that it is merely a gateway to a higher state of existence.
In the end, what matters is not how much one has accumulated in terms of wealth or status, but how much one has grown spiritually. The soul’s progress is the only thing that truly matters, and this progress is achieved through devotion, surrender, and the realization of the divine truth.
Therefore, one should make the most of this life by focusing on the spiritual goal and not getting distracted by the temporary pleasures of the world. This is the true path to peace and liberation.
Summary
The discourse emphasizes the importance of human birth as a divine gift and the necessity of devotion to God for attaining true happiness and spiritual fulfillment. Human life is seen as a unique opportunity to realize God through devotion, surrender, and righteous actions. The teachings highlight that surrendering to God leads to liberation from worldly attachments and the cycle of birth and death. The mind, when focused on God, becomes a tool for peace and contentment, guiding one away from material desires and toward spiritual awakening.
Important Points
- Human Birth as a Divine Gift: Human life is a special opportunity granted by God’s grace to perform righteous deeds and attain spiritual growth.
- Importance of Devotion: True happiness and peace are achieved through devotion to God, which should be the central goal of life.
- Mind as a Driver: The human mind directs one’s life; if focused on God, it brings peace and fulfillment.
- Nature of God: God is beyond comprehension but full of bliss. Surrender to God leads to liberation from worldly desires.
- Surrender to Narayan: Complete surrender to God removes all sorrows and leads to liberation. It is the highest form of devotion.
- Role of God’s Grace: Devotion and spiritual success are only possible with God’s grace, which must be continually sought.
- Transcending Worldly Desires: True peace comes from focusing on eternal truths rather than temporary worldly pleasures.
- Guru’s Role: A Guru’s guidance is essential in realizing one’s spiritual potential and achieving liberation.
- Eternal Soul: Understanding the eternal nature of the soul helps one transcend fear of death and worldly attachments.
- Spiritual Goal: Life should be devoted to spiritual practice, as material pursuits are ultimately futile.
