GF-49 Means to fix mind on God.

Central Insights:

• What is Antardrashti? 

Key Points:

1. Vrutti slowly focuses on Bhagavan by practice. 
2. The practice of meditating on Murti is Antardrashti.

Explanation

In this Vachanamrut, Sadguru Brahmanand Swami asks a question: “It requires immense effort to keep our vrutti (focused consciousness) on Bhagwan, while it effortlessly remains engaged in worldly objects. Why is this so?”

In response, Shreeji Maharaj explains that for those who are true devotees of Bhagwan, their vrutti cannot remain anywhere else. Instead, they find it difficult to keep their vrutti on worldly objects. From Maharaj’s answer, it becomes clear that any difficulty in keeping one’s vrutti on Bhagwan arises due to a lack of practice. It is not that the path of Bhagwan is inherently difficult (though keeping vrutti on Bhagwan may seem difficult), and it is not that worldly tasks are inherently easy. Rather, because we have not practiced it enough, it appears challenging. Naturally, without practice, any task—whether spiritual or worldly—feels difficult.

That is why Maharaj has stated that a devotee’s vrutti does not remain anywhere else. If one’s vrutti still strays away from Bhagwan, then one is not yet a complete devotee. However, through continuous practice, one gradually becomes a perfect devotee.

In this matter, abhyās (consistent practice) holds the utmost importance. Many times, those who may seem less advanced in spirituality succeed simply due to their habit of dedicated practice, whereas even highly knowledgeable individuals may remain distant from this realization due to a lack of practice. Even in the Bhagavad Gita, practice is considered a primary means for self-restraint:

अभ्यासेन तु कैान्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते
abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa ca gṛhyate
(Gita 6.35)
O Arjun, through practice and detachment,
the mind can be controlled.

Here, it does not appear that the tattvas (the 24 elements of Maya, such as man (mind) and buddhi (intellect)) inherently help or obstruct this process. It is not that these elements of Maya naturally run toward the world and away from Bhagwan. After all, those whose man and buddhi are drawn towards Bhagwan are also comprised of Maya. The only difference is the state of their jeev (soul).

The Nature of the Subtle Body After Liberation

Scriptures state that when a jeev attains moksha (liberation), its antahkaran (inner faculties—mind, intellect, ego, and subconscious) remains within the universe while the jeev assumes a divine form and enters Bhagwan’s dham (abode). But what happens to the antahkaran? It remains as it is until the universe dissolves. Upon the dissolution of the universe, the antahkaran too is destroyed.

However, it is said that Bhagwan may assign this antahkaran to another soul. Yet, even if another soul receives this antahkaran, it does not gain any special advantage in keeping its vrutti on Bhagwan—unless it has its own inner strength. This is why the antahkaran remains neutral; it neither assists nor obstructs. It does not inherently contain any spiritual energy to foster love for Bhagwan (an unwavering vrutti). The power to do so resides solely within the jeev. The 24 tattvas themselves do not possess any consciousness or divine brilliance. It is only through the soul’s tej (spiritual radiance) that the vrutti can remain on Bhagwan.

What is the Means to Keep Vrutti on Bhagwan?

Sadguru Brahmanand Swami then asks, “What is the medium or means to keep vrutti on Bhagwan?”

Maharaj responds: Antardrashti (inner vision) is the key to maintaining an unbroken vrutti. But what exactly is antardrashti?

It means constantly keeping one’s vrutti on Bhagwan’s murti, whether externally or within the heart (where the soul resides), and continuously practicing this. Regardless of the actions one performs, if Bhagwan’s murti is not at the center of those actions, then it is not antardrashti—rather, it is bahyadrashti (external vision), meaning one’s focus is diverted away from Bhagwan. Even if the action is related to Yog (a means of uniting the soul with Bhagwan), if Bhagwan’s murti is not at its core, it remains an external practice.

Thus, the tattvas (elements) themselves are powerless in this matter. Everything is driven by bhavna (spiritual sentiment). The center of bhavna is the jeev—not buddhi or other faculties. That is why Maharaj states that a true devotee’s vrutti remains only in Bhagwan.

When a jeev’s bhavna is fully immersed in Bhagwan, no effort is required to keep vrutti on Him—it happens naturally.

Yes, in the matter of contribution, the activities of the senses, man, and buddhi can be seen as assisting or resisting the cultivation of bhavna. But ultimately, the jeev must become a devotee from within. The key to this is to develop a deep attraction for antardrashti—to cultivate an intense and unwavering focus on Bhagwan’s divine form.

Glossary