Jammu Tawi: During a spiritual discourse at Sungal Road, Akhnoor, Sadguru Madhuparamhans Ji Maharaj of Sahib Bandagi shared profound insights on the path to attaining the supreme spiritual position, emphasizing the importance of conquering the mind.
Referring to the ancient text Yogavashisht, Sadguru Maharaj explained that living in pilgrimages, torturing the body, or other external practices are not sufficient to attain spiritual enlightenment. The true path to reaching the soul’s position lies in mastering the mind. He quoted the teachings of Sage Vashistha to Ram Ji, stating, “Only by conquering the mind can one achieve the state of the soul.”
Sadguru Ji Maharaj shared his observations on the spiritual discourse landscape, recalling how, in the past, he had watched 724 storytellers on devotional channels. He noted that, despite their large number, none of these storytellers spoke about the mind and its true significance in spiritual practice. He emphasized that the genuine spiritual message, according to Vashistha Ji’s teachings, focuses on the mind, which he described as the central aspect of all spiritual practice.
He further reflected on how, from 1994 to 2024, he had appeared on almost all major devotional channels and witnessed the shift in the teachings of various spiritual leaders. Many of them were not addressing the real issue—the control of the mind—which he considers essential for attaining spiritual liberation.
Sadguru Ji also recalled the downfall of Bhakti channels and the decline in the market of Gurus, which, according to him, happened due to the lack of focus on the true spiritual teachings, and instead, a focus on superficial teachings.
Touching on the significance of the association with saints and sages, Sadguru Ji Maharaj said, “Only by the association of saints and sages will you get the formula to control the mind.” He also delved into the teachings of Sahib, who spoke extensively on five key topics, including the immortal world, the true name, and the importance of a Sadguru in spiritual practice.
The true name, according to Sadguru Ji Maharaj, is not a worldly name but the secret name that brings spiritual benefit. He shared an anecdote about Dharamdas Ji, who, upon chanting the name, was told by Sahib that the true name, which can free the soul, can only be given by the Sadguru, someone who has reached the immortal world.
Sadguru Ji Maharaj also shared the story of Satva and Jiva, two Brahmins who had buried the wood of a dry banyan tree to see whose Charnamrit (holy water) would bring it to life. While many Mahatmas tried, only when Kabir Sahib’s Charnamrit was poured on it did the tree start to sprout leaves. This banyan tree, which is still the largest banyan tree in the world, serves as a metaphor for the world itself—vast and made of the mind. Despite the mind’s fierce power over individuals, it ultimately bows down to the power of the true name.
Sadguru Ji concluded by asserting that the true name, transmitted by a Sadguru with the power of the Paras Surati, is the key to unlocking spiritual transformation and accessing the immortal world.
