Vaikunthwasi Baba’s message to humanity
Humanity is your prime religion.
When a human being becomes humane, the Lord God takes the responsibility of protecting him. Those who work and strive for the benefit of others are truly human and are the ones who realize the divine in their hearts. Those who live only for themselves are akin to animals, and those who harass and torture other beings are demons. The sole purpose of human existence is the realization of God. In Kaliyuga, that realization is possible only through the remembrance or chanting of the divine name. Yoga, Dharana, and Dhyaana were powerful and fully effective in earlier yugas, but in Kaliyuga, it is Naamjapa that holds prime importance.
Kalijug jog na jagya na gyaan,
In the Kali Yuga, neither meditation nor knowledge are effective;
Ekaadhaar Ram guna gaan,
Kaliyug keval naam adhaar,
Sumir sumir nar utrahin paar
The sole support is singing the praises of Ram.
In this age, only the name (of God) is the foundation;
By constantly remembering and reciting it, one can cross the ocean of existence
The whole world is busy acquiring worldly things. This is Maya, and no one has ever been able to conquer her. The game of acquisition is temporary and transient. While pursuing worldly pleasures, human beings sometimes become entangled in heinous crimes, leading them to suffer different types of hells, depending on their karma. The material comforts of this world can be used wisely or otherwise, but Maya cannot be owned or acquired. The only way to make the most of your birth is to engage in selfless service.
Satsanga (union with the absolute truth) is of prime importance. It serves as a shield to protect you against the sword of Maya. Without Satsanga, the power of discretion does not awaken.
The ‘absolute’ can be worshipped in both form and formless ways, but to realize the ‘absolute,’ one must worship the ‘absolute’ in form. Just as wisdom is formless, yet one needs a Guru in physical form and books to acquire wisdom. It is from the form that one moves to the formless, similar to a flower that has a physical form, but its fragrance is formless. Sharnagati (absolute surrender) in all three bodies—physical, emotional, and spiritual—is the best way to realize the divine. Without the Satguru, realization is impossible. Surrendering to the Guru is equivalent to surrendering to the divine being. Guru Maharaj always urged devotees to surrender to the divine, but if a devotee sees the form of the Lord in the Guru, then the Lord himself initiates the devotee through the medium of the Guru and leads them on the path to liberation. Guru Maharaj always said, “to defame, malign, and speak ill of others is a sin.”
Summary
The passage underscores the importance of humanity as the highest form of religion, where true humaneness is demonstrated through selfless service and compassion. In the current age of Kaliyuga, the most effective way to realize God is through the continuous remembrance and chanting of the divine name (Naamjapa), as traditional spiritual practices like yoga and meditation have become less effective. The passage also stresses the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits, warning against the entrapments of Maya, and highlights the protective power of Satsanga (the company of truth) in awakening spiritual discernment. Additionally, it emphasizes the necessity of surrendering to a Guru for spiritual realization, explaining that the Guru serves as a medium through which the divine leads the devotee toward liberation. The text concludes by denouncing negative behaviors like defamation and urges total surrender to the divine, along with a commitment to humanitarian deeds, as the ultimate paths to divine grace and liberation.
Important Points
- Humanity is the highest religion, recognized through selfless service and compassion.
- In Kaliyuga, realizing God is best achieved through Naamjapa (chanting the divine name).
- Worldly pursuits are transient and can lead to suffering if one becomes entangled in Maya.
- Satsanga (company of the truth) is crucial for protection against Maya and spiritual discernment.
- Worship of the divine can be in both form and formless ways, with form being a stepping stone to the formless.
- Sharnagati (absolute surrender) in body, mind, and spirit is essential for spiritual realization.
- A Satguru is necessary for guiding one on the path to liberation.
- Surrendering to the Guru is equivalent to surrendering to the divine.
- Defaming or speaking ill of others is considered a sin.
- Total surrender and humanitarian deeds are the paths to divine grace and liberation.
