There are three tenses: 1) Past - which is the time that has gone by, 2) Present - current time, and 3) Future - upcoming time, which is yet to come.
We cannot do anything about the past - it has already gone by. Whatever good, bad, careless, sinful deeds, etc., we have done is past and already written in God's diary. These deeds are of three types -
- Sanchit Karma - We have had infinite past lifetimes in which we performed infinite good and bad deeds that were binding. These are called sanchit karma.
- Prarabdh Karma (destiny) - This is limited - God determines how much of the sanchit karma should be set aside for this life. He gives us the fruits of those good and bad deeds and makes us reap them. If we did good deeds in our previous lives, meaning deeds related to God, then God gives us their fruits in two ways: i) By giving birth in the home of a saint, where right from birth, one gets the atmosphere of devotion. This naturally generates a liking for God in us right from childhood, since our parents are interested. ii) We naturally start getting interested in God. We start naturally realizing the importance of God. We intrinsically understand the importance and ephemeral nature of the human body.
- Kriyamaan Karma - These are deeds that we perform in the present.
So, now we have to do two things in the present: Fix our past and our future.
How can we fix our past?
For our past, God has a law of grace - sarvadharmān parityajya māmekaṃ śaraṇaṃ vraja - If you completely surrender to Hari Guru in the present, consider 'only' Them as yours, then - I will forgive your 'entire past' (sanchit karma), and for the future as well - yogakṣemaṃ vahāmyaham - I will provide what you lack and protect what you possess.
Therefore, here Shri Maharaj ji tells the mind: Forget the past - What is done is done, past is past - By pondering over past sins, the mind will become more impure. Surrender your mind to Hari Guru in the present so that your mind becomes purified. Once that happens, the Guru will make it divine through Swaroop Shakti, and you will attain your goal. Your past and future karma will all be settled.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
Sadhak Savdhani - English
The Importance of Spiritual Knowledge - English
There are three tenses: 1) Past - which is the time that has gone by, 2) Present - current time, and 3) Future - upcoming time, which is yet to come.
We cannot do anything about the past - it has already gone by. Whatever good, bad, careless, sinful deeds, etc., we have done is past and already written in God's diary. These deeds are of three types -
So, now we have to do two things in the present: Fix our past and our future.
How can we fix our past?
For our past, God has a law of grace - sarvadharmān parityajya māmekaṃ śaraṇaṃ vraja - If you completely surrender to Hari Guru in the present, consider 'only' Them as yours, then - I will forgive your 'entire past' (sanchit karma), and for the future as well - yogakṣemaṃ vahāmyaham - I will provide what you lack and protect what you possess.
Therefore, here Shri Maharaj ji tells the mind: Forget the past - What is done is done, past is past - By pondering over past sins, the mind will become more impure. Surrender your mind to Hari Guru in the present so that your mind becomes purified. Once that happens, the Guru will make it divine through Swaroop Shakti, and you will attain your goal. Your past and future karma will all be settled.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
Sadhak Savdhani - English
The Importance of Spiritual Knowledge - English
Read Next
Daily Devotion - Nov 17, 2025 (English)- Attachment or Love?
A Sadhak's Question - What is the difference between attachment and love? Shri Maharaj Ji's answer - There is one body and eleven faculties. In that, there are ten senses, one mind, one intellect, and one soul. These are collectively referred to as the senses, mind,
Devotion in Motion — Palki Yatra at Bhakti Bhawan
9 July 2025 – Palki Yatra The Palki Yatra, which is a palanquin procession, was held on July 9, 2025. This event marked the second such occasion following the Rath Yatra, a chariot procession that coincides with Guru Poornima, an important festival for devotees. For this event, two beautiful, gold-polished palanquins
Daily Devotion - Nov 15, 2025 (English)- Beyond Birth–Death
The cycle of coming and going in this world - This is the world - jagat. The word jagat means - gacchati it jagat - that which is constantly moving or changing. Anyone who comes into this world will one day leave, either willingly or unwillingly. There are two ways
A Grand Tribute of Love — Brahma Bhoj for Badi Didi
7 July 2025 – Braham Bhoj In our Hindu tradition, there is a profound custom of organizing a Brahma Bhoj to honour a loved one who has passed away. In keeping with this custom, a grand Brahma Bhoj was held in memory of our beloved Badi Didi. This event also marks