Are You Truly Free? Independence Day Message
Today is Independence Day. In reality, no one is truly independent. All souls wandering through the cycle of birth and death across countless universes are under the control of māyā - whether they are human beings, animals, birds, or any other form of life. Māyā makes the souls under her control dance to her tune.
Some among us are beyond māyā; māyā cannot touch them. But they are under the control of God - they must act according to God's will. And God is under the control of His devotee - aham bhakta-parādhīnaḥ. He renders service to His devotees; history bears witness to this. Arjun gave orders to God.
senayor ubhayor madhye rathaṃ sthāpaya acyuta.
"Krishna! Station my chariot between the two armies."
And God had to obey his every word.
99% of saints in the world have been illiterate, such as Karmeti Bai, Janna Bai, and others. God has served them too.
Therefore, neither is God independent, nor are the devotees who have attained God independent. And those who are under the control of māyā are, of course, entirely dependent.
This is also our own experience. But out of pride, we say, "I do not bow my head before anyone. I do not stretch out my hands before anyone." Yet great demons such as lust, anger, and greed are relentlessly after us - we are under the control of all of them.
So the real definition of freedom is this -
- Some people are free from māyā, and
- Some people are free from God - in other words, they are not attached to God, so they act as they please and remain under the control of māyā.
But the result of māyā is suffering - there is suffering in her slavery. In contrast, there is bliss in being enslaved by God. This is a tremendous difference.
In every emotion related to God - whether it is lust, anger, greed, or attachment - there is bliss. But in every emotion related to the world, there is nothing but suffering.
Therefore, attaining the bliss of God, or in other words, attaining God, is the true mark of real freedom. One should strive for that alone.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
