Bhajan singing in the Jadan Ashram
The promise to the divine must be fulfilled. A vow made to the Guru and the Lord is an absolute commitment that defines the spiritual path. This promise is the essence of devotion and the means to liberation. The devotee's role is to uphold this word above all else, regardless of the coming and going of other followers. The ultimate aim is to realize one's divine nature, supported by grace. Fulfilling this sacred promise is the core duty.
"He has to keep his promise to the Lord."
"When I die into my eyes, they will mutely say, 'I will be God.'"
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
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Being a human
Spiritual discipline guides one from ignorance to enlightenment.
Human life is a rare opportunity among countless life forms. Animals possess innate discipline, but humans are given specific principles—conduct, thought, diet, and recreation—to cultivate goodness and occupy the mind positively. These rules, including fasting and observing holy days, were established by sages to prevent negative actions. Every action creates a corresponding reaction, good or bad. By following these disciplined observances, known as saṃskāras, one progresses spiritually. Without such discipline, one remains bound to the cycle of karma and rebirth. The goal is to become absorbed in the formless, eternal Brahman.
"God knows everything, does He not? God knows what you will say, what you will do."
"Where there is action, there will be reaction. Good action yields good reaction. Bad action yields bad reaction."
Filming location: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
The place where the past is hidden
The human body is a system of dormant energy and consciousness centered in the chakras. The Ātmā is one with the formless Supreme, whose light is within all. The physical body is one of five layered sheaths. Energy flows through 72,000 nerves, primarily through Iḍā, Piṅgalā, and Suṣumṇā. Where Iḍā and Piṅgalā intersect along the spine, energy circles form a chakra, a storehouse of dormant power. These nadis connect to eight major glands governing hormones and health. Blockages in these three principal nadis can cause severe physical and energetic disturbances. The Mūlādhāra Chakra at the base of the spine holds past karmas and desires, representing the unconscious mind and the border between animal and human consciousness. Its principle is ego, and its imbalance manifests as physical ailments. Mastery of sleep, breath, and purification practices is essential to awaken this latent energy and consciousness.
"Chakras are given their name because energy always moves in a circle."
"All past karmas, good or bad, all desires, are dormant, hidden in the Mūlādhāra Cakra."
Filming location: Vancouver, Canada
Shiv Mahapuran: Tulsi and Shankachuda
The demon Śaṅkhacūḍa’s invincibility stems from his wife Tulasī’s pativratā dharma. Nārada asks Brahmā why Viṣṇu went to Tulasī’s house, unveiling the origin of Śāligrām and tulasī’s sacredness.
Śaṅkhacūḍa, a Dānava born to Dhūmra through penance, gained Brahmā’s boon of being undefeated by gods. He married Tulasī, a yoginī devoted solely to purity. Their union amplified his power, and he tormented the gods. Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva conferred. Śiva fought Śaṅkhacūḍa for ages but could not defeat him due to two protections: a Kṛṣṇa-given armour and Tulasī’s unbroken marital fidelity. Viṣṇu devised a plan. Disguised as a beggar, he tricked Śaṅkhacūḍa into surrendering the armour. Then, assuming Śaṅkhacūḍa’s form, Viṣṇu deceived Tulasī. Realizing the betrayal, Tulasī cursed Viṣṇu to become stone. Śiva intervened, consoling her that her mind remained pure. She shed her body, becoming the Gaṇḍakī River, while Viṣṇu, by her curse, became Śāligrām stone. Tulasī merged into Vaikuṇṭha and is ever worshipped with Viṣṇu. Śaṅkhacūḍa, weakened, was slain by Śiva’s trident and returned to Kṛṣṇa. The pativratā dharma of a wife grants immense strength; breaching it dismantles that power.
“Viṣṇu Bhagavān Śāligrām Ho Kar Rahe. Isliye Śāligrām Ko Viṣṇu Bhagavān Ke Pratīk Manā Jātā Hai.”
“Śāligrām ke andar me cakra Sudarśana cakra dikhāī detā hai, Viṣṇu kā. Gaṇḍakī me jāke snāna karegā, āśirvād milegā aur sārā pāp chhuṭ jāyegā.”
Filming location: Ujjain, India
Use your common sense!
Discerning Guru Vākya with common sense is essential. When a Guru speaks, the answer is often for the person asking, not for everyone. Hearing a reply meant for another does not make it Guru Vākya for you. Direct personal instruction from the Guru is for that disciple alone and should not be broadcast as a universal command. Consider the agarbattī example: modern chemical incense is harmful and prohibited, yet pure agarbattī was once used sparingly. This illustrates that context determines a teaching’s application. People frequently misuse the term Guru Vākya to force their own desires upon others. They wield it as a sword, as blackmail, claiming divine sanction for personal wishes. Common sense, viveka, must be exercised. Be aware of who relays the Guru Vākya; the source may distort it. Just as fake news spreads, false teachings circulate without knowledge. Do not be critical, but think about what is heard. Often, one only hears the Guru Vākya that aligns with personal wishes. What Grandma wants, Grandma will dream about. Being near the Guru can challenge the ego, causing inner conflict; this is normal. Only when empty inside, like the bamboo flute, can the divine play through you. Thus, discern with awareness, using common sense to navigate the multitude of sayings.
“If you are passing near the gaddi of Viśvagurujī, and somebody puts a question and you hear the answer, that answer is for that person. For that person, it is Guru Vākya. For you, maybe it is not.”
“Mostly people use Guru Vākya, only that kind of Guru Vākya which is going to my wishes, what I want.”
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
