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The Relationship between God and the Soul (The True Meaning of Sin and Forgiveness) Part 4

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
18 January 2025
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The Relationship between God and the Soul Part 4 by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat

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

God only desires the surrender of your mind. He emphatically states in the scriptures, “I want you to surrender your mind alone and nothing else.” This profound teaching is encapsulated in the verse from the Bhagavad Gita: “Sarva-dharman parityajya, mamekam sharanam braja.” The term ‘sarva dharman parityajya’ – here “dharman” signifies everything the mind can grasp, accept, or retain – tamas, rajas and satvik. 

These are the three gunas of Maya. At present, our mind is drawn to people and things influenced by the three gunas of Maya – tamas (evil or bad quality), rajas (mixture of good and bad qualities) and satvik (pious or good quality). 

However, in the Gita, God instructs us to “Leave all worldly things and keep ONLY Me (mamekam) retained within your mind.”  You already know how to bring someone or something into your mind. Over countless lifetimes, you have continually accepted people and things influenced by the three gunas—tamas, rajas, and sattva. For once, try keeping God in your mind instead.

Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya Ji interpreted this verse from the Gita as, “God says that the soul should surrender to its own self.” Shri Krishna says,“The soul should surrender to Me,” But Shankaracharya Ji explained this to mean that the soul itself is Brahm (the Supreme Reality) and, therefore, one should surrender to its own true self.

Some of Shankaracharya Ji’s followers, like Madhusudan Saraswati, a great scholar of the Vedas, did not accept his Guru’s philosophy. Madhusudan Saraswati quoted a verse from the Vedas, stating that the soul must surrender to God – whether they are sanyasis, householders, brahmacharis, forest dwellers, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, or anyone else. Regardless of the type of dharma one follows, every soul must abandon all dharma and surrender solely to God. Every soul must focus solely on bringing God into the mind. 

The final verse of the Gita (“Sarva-dharman parityajya, mamekam sharanam braja) encapsulates the essence of all scriptures. When Arjuna heard this verse, he thought, “This seems very simple. I just have to abandon all dharmas.” The Shastras and Vedas mention various duties (dharma) related to mother, father, son, daughter, wife, husband, etc.  But God asks us to surrender all these dharma. (“Matri devo bhava, Pitri devo bhava, Acharya devo bhava”) Forsake all.  “So won’t we be punished for abandoning them?” 

Shri Krishna explains, “Sin occurs when one does not surrender to Me while abandoning satvik dharma.  But when someone surrenders to Me, they are not punished for leaving behind satvik dharma. I forgive all their past and present sins and take full responsibility for their future actions.  (“Yogakshemam vahamyaham”). In essence, all the scriptures and Vedas point to one thing – Surrender to Lord Shri Krishna. 

Even Shankaracharya Ji, in the end, acknowledged this truth. Despite having written commentaries on the Vedas and Shastras, he admitted, “I am still suffering from the afflictions of Maya. Despite writing all his scholarly work, I gained nothing.” O Lord! You took infinite avatars and saved the earth countless times. This time, Grace me also and free me from Your Maya.” 

Shankaracharya Ji humbly declared, “Oh Narayana, I surrender myself to You. Writing all those commentaries means nothing to me.” Despite his vast scholarly work, he realized that true liberation comes only through surrender to the Divine, not through intellectual achievements. 

Shankaracharya Ji accepted this truth.  Even if someone doesn’t accept this, a true philosophy cannot be proven wrong. 

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 4)

To be continued in Part 5

*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.