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The Relationship between God and the Soul

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
3 January 2025
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(The Soul’s Quest for happiness) Part 1

The Relationship between God and the Soul Blog by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat

A Speech delivered by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj in 1984 at Sadhana Bhawan

The human body is regarded as the most advanced among all species, primarily due to its superior capacity for knowledge. We are innately curious beings, always seeking to understand the world around us. But why do we seek knowledge? What are we truly searching for, and what drives these pursuits? This is something we often fail to comprehend. 

From Lord Brahma to the tiniest ant, every being is in search of ultimate, limitless happiness. But why do we crave this happiness? We don’t know why. Did anyone teach us to desire happiness? No, it is an intrinsic part of our nature. We are naturally inclined to seek joy and happiness,  yet, despite this innate desire, we fail to understand why this is so.

The Vedas provide the answer and tell us that God is happiness Himself, and happiness exists within God. Since the Soul is a part of God, it naturally desires the happiness of God as it is a part of it.  This is our irrefutable nature.

Everything we yearn to know and achieve in life ultimately serves the purpose of attaining happiness. Why haven’t we achieved this happiness till now? It is because we don’t have the knowledge on how to attain this happiness. While we understand that happiness is our nature, we are uncertain about how to find it. 

To attain this knowledge, we must turn to the Vedas. The Vedas are the ultimate source of knowledge that guides us toward God and the happiness that lies within Him. Vedas state, “O Humans, you don’t have to attain a lot of knowledge.”  

To attain true happiness, you need to understand only three essential elements.  We  wasted our infinite lives just to attain the knowledge of these three elements. What are these three areas of knowledge – First – Bhokta Brahm (the Soul), second – Bhogya Brahm (Maya, the world), and third – Prerak Brahm (God). These three elements are often referred to as Brahm, or God.  In reality, God is one. Then why is it said that all three are God? Because, these three are eternal and are powers of God Himself. That is why all three are considered as one. 

Just as our body and Soul are considered one. When we say that a person is going or that person has passed away – In this example, we actually mean both the body and Soul.  This means that we sometimes say that the body and Soul are one (at the same time) and two (separate from each other). 

In this manner, we can say that Brahm and His body (Jeev and Maya) are essentially One and we call them (Brahm and His body) by one name, Brahm. And when we refer to them as three different entities, they are called Brahm, Jeev and Maya. These three are eternal. 

This concept has been explained to you through numerous examples in the scriptures and the Vedas. They affirm that God, the Soul, and Maya are indeed separate entities, yet, simultaneously, they are all one.

When we refer to the subtle or divine nature of all three—acknowledging the purpose and origin behind them, with God as the source and power—then all are One. However, when we observe their actions or functions, God separates His two powers, the Soul and Maya, and they appear as three distinct entities.

The Soul and Maya are both powers of God, and like all powers, they cannot exist without their source. Therefore, the Vedas contain verses that express both the unity of God and the Soul and also verses that state the opposite.

However, some naive people may believe that there is no “Soul.” Such views contradict the teachings of the Vedas, which clearly state that the Soul is distinct from God. There are many verses in the scriptures affirming that the Soul is  separate from God. Brahma Sutra and Sage Ved Vyasa, in the Vedanta, also emphasized this distinction, saying, “Just as there is a difference between wood or stones as compared to God, so too there is a difference between the Soul and God.”

God is omniscient, possessing infinite knowledge, while the Soul has limited understanding. God is the Parent, and the Soul is His part.  God is the Inspirer, and the Soul is the inspired, receiving His divine guidance. God is the Governor, and the Soul is governed.  God is the Master, and the Soul is the servant. God is the ultimate source of all happiness, while the Soul, in its earthly existence, experiences suffering due to its separation from God. 

God is one, eternal, and unchanging, while the Souls are infinite, each on their own unique journey back to their source. These infinite differences between God and the Soul are essential to understanding their relationship. 

Watch and listen to this full lecture by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on our free Sanatan Vedic Dharma (SVD) App –  (God, Soul and World Series Part 1)

To be continued in Part 2

*A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education.