In the grand cosmic order, three eternal entities exist: Brahm (Shri Krishna), Jeev (the soul), and Maya (the material world). While God is the all-powerful, pure, and divine entity, the soul, despite being God’s direct child, remains bound by Maya, which causes ignorance and attachment to worldly pleasures. Breaking free from Maya’s grasp and rekindling our relationship with God is the ultimate goal of human life. But how do we, as souls, overcome this bondage and reach for the divine grace that frees us from illusion? Let’s delve into this eternal relationship and explore the path toward liberation.
The Relationship Between Brahm, Jeev, and Maya
Brahm (Shri Krishna)
Brahm, or God, is the ultimate, all-encompassing power that is divine, pure, and beyond the influence of the material
world. God is the source of everything—creation, sustenance, and dissolution. Shri Krishna, the supreme personality of Brahm, represents the embodiment of divine love and bliss, and our soul’s true purpose is to reunite with this divine essence.
Jeev (The Soul)
The soul, known as jeev, is eternal and divine in nature. It is a direct fragment of God, imbued with the same purity and divinity. However, despite its divine origin, the soul remains trapped in the cycle of birth and rebirth, bound by the material world and unable to realize its true nature. This is due to the influence of Maya.
Maya (The Material World)
Maya represents the illusionary world—the force that creates the illusion of separation between the soul and God. It is the veil that covers our true divine nature and keeps us attached to worldly desires, pleasures, and sufferings. Maya, while being a servant of God, exercises control over the soul, making it forget its divine connection and focus on transient material pleasures.
The Soul’s Bondage to Maya
The relationship between the soul and Maya is one of bondage. Even though the soul is the divine child of God, it remains entrapped by Maya, which clouds its perception and pulls it away from its true nature. Maya binds the soul to the material world, keeping it in a constant state of ignorance and attachment to fleeting pleasures.
This bondage manifests in the form of desires, fears, attachments, and distractions that keep the soul from seeking spiritual liberation. The mind, being influenced by Maya, continuously gravitates toward worldly pursuits instead of focusing on its divine purpose.
Breaking Free: The Role of Divine Grace
The soul cannot break free from Maya by its own efforts alone. No matter how much purushartha (personal effort) we exert, the illusionary powers of Maya are too strong to overcome with mere willpower. The key to breaking free from this bondage lies in seeking divine grace.
Shri Krishna, being the all-merciful, bestows His grace upon those who surrender their ego, detach from worldly desires, and turn their hearts toward Him. By realizing our own powerlessness and raising our hands in surrender, we invite God’s grace, which has the power to dissolve the veil of Maya and reawaken our divine consciousness.
Practical Steps to Seek God’s Grace
Breaking free from the bondage of Maya and reconnecting with God requires sincere effort, devotion, and the seeking of divine grace. Here are some practical steps to begin your spiritual journey:
- Surrender Your Ego
The first step toward receiving divine grace is to surrender your ego and acknowledge your dependence
on God. Humility and surrender are essential in dissolving the illusion of self-sufficiency created by Maya. As long as we cling to our ego, we remain bound by Maya. True surrender invites divine intervention and grace. - Devote Yourself to Spiritual Practices
Engage in daily spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, and chanting. These practices help purify the mind, detach it from material concerns, and align it with divine energies. Regular meditation also cultivates mindfulness and inner stillness, helping to calm the restless mind influenced by Maya. - Seek Spiritual Knowledge
Gaining spiritual knowledge through scriptures and teachings helps us understand our true nature and the influence of Maya. By studying sacred texts, we become more aware of the forces at play and develop the wisdom to navigate our spiritual journey. Kripaluji Maharaj’s book Prem Ras Siddhant offers profound insights into the nature of divine love and the path to liberation. Explore it on Amazon for a deeper understanding of how to break free from Maya. - Practice Detachment
Detachment doesn’t mean renouncing the world but rather detaching from the outcome of your actions and the cravings for worldly pleasures. By practicing detachment, we loosen the grip of Maya on our soul and direct our energy toward God. - Cultivate Devotion
Devotion, or bhakti, is the easiest path to attain God’s grace. By developing deep love and devotion toward Shri Krishna, we gradually weaken the hold of Maya on our soul. Devotion strengthens our divine connection and makes us receptive to God’s grace.
Conclusion: Reclaiming Your Divine Nature
Breaking free from the bondage of Maya requires more than just effort—it demands divine grace. By surrendering our ego, practicing devotion, and seeking spiritual knowledge, we invite God’s grace into our lives, which has the power to dissolve the illusion of Maya and reconnect us with our true divine nature.
Remember, you are not just a material being caught in the world’s struggles. You are a divine soul, eternally connected to Shri Krishna. As you take these steps toward liberation, may you experience the bliss and freedom that come from walking the path of devotion and grace.