The relationship with God that exists only in the mind is free from offenses. Physical association through Satsang has both theoretical and practical benefits. Otherwise, the body mostly causes harm.
Shri Krishna told the Gopis:
śravaṇāt darśanāt dhyānāt mayi bhāvo'nukīrtanāt। na tathā sannikarṣeṇa pratiyāta tato gṛhān ॥
"It is not right that you have left your homes to come to Me. If you remember Me, sing My glories, and perform devotion to Me from afar, you will benefit more quickly. If you stay near Me, worldly feelings might arise, thinking, 'He eats, drinks, laughs, cries, and sings just like us. He's a worldly person, just like us. He too experiences anger, greed, and other human emotions.' Such thoughts about God or a saint lead to Nāmāparādh. 'na martya buddhyā sūyeta' - the scriptures say not to exercise your material intellect on the Guru. But out of habit, such thoughts arise. In every birth, whenever God or saints have appeared, you have committed offenses against them due to pride, applying material intellect to judge their external appearance and behavior. However, without satsang, how much can you solely contemplate on God? If someone has reached such an exalted state that they can engage in Satsang only with the mind (not physically), that is the best. But how many have reached such an elevated state?
An aspiring devotee forgets philosophy even after being explained a hundred times. Philosophical knowledge is essential - Without being strong in theory, you cannot implement it practically.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
The Importance of Spiritual Knowledge - English
The relationship with God that exists only in the mind is free from offenses. Physical association through Satsang has both theoretical and practical benefits. Otherwise, the body mostly causes harm.
Shri Krishna told the Gopis:
śravaṇāt darśanāt dhyānāt mayi bhāvo'nukīrtanāt। na tathā sannikarṣeṇa pratiyāta tato gṛhān ॥
"It is not right that you have left your homes to come to Me. If you remember Me, sing My glories, and perform devotion to Me from afar, you will benefit more quickly. If you stay near Me, worldly feelings might arise, thinking, 'He eats, drinks, laughs, cries, and sings just like us. He's a worldly person, just like us. He too experiences anger, greed, and other human emotions.' Such thoughts about God or a saint lead to Nāmāparādh. 'na martya buddhyā sūyeta' - the scriptures say not to exercise your material intellect on the Guru. But out of habit, such thoughts arise. In every birth, whenever God or saints have appeared, you have committed offenses against them due to pride, applying material intellect to judge their external appearance and behavior. However, without satsang, how much can you solely contemplate on God? If someone has reached such an exalted state that they can engage in Satsang only with the mind (not physically), that is the best. But how many have reached such an elevated state?
An aspiring devotee forgets philosophy even after being explained a hundred times. Philosophical knowledge is essential - Without being strong in theory, you cannot implement it practically.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
The Importance of Spiritual Knowledge - English
Read Next
Daily Devotion - Oct 12, 2025 (English)- Internal and External Behavior
God and saints remain pure and correct within, even though their external behavior may sometimes appear flawed. In other words, they seem to perform actions of lust, anger, greed, and so on. Arjun, Hanuman, Prahlad, and others committed acts of killing, yet their minds remained untainted. However, worldly people are
Daily Devotion - Oct 10, 2025 (English)- Karva Chauth Reimagined
Today is the festival of Karva Chauth. Many women observe fasts for the well-being of their husbands, worshipping Shiva and Parvati. Some do it to increase their husband's lifespan. But what should you do? What will you gain from increasing the lifespan of a worldly husband? Food to
Daily Devotion - Oct 04, 2025 (English)- Selfless Love
Every soul in the world is suffering, restless, unfulfilled, and incomplete. In contrast, it desires bliss, peace, and fulfillment. What is the reason for this suffering? Wordly desires. vihāya kāmānya: sarvānpumāṃścarati niḥspṛha:। nirmamo nirahaṃkāra: sa śāṃtimadhigacchati॥ If you give up all worldly desires, you will immediately attain bliss, and suffering
Ram or Krishna? Avoid the Grave Sin of Nāmāparādh!
Question - Some naive people who are devotees of Ram do not even want to sing the names of Shri Krishna. Some devotees of Shri Krishna have an aversion to Ram's name. They want a resolution to this issue. Shri Maharaj Ji's Answer - Shri Ram