The Anchor of Naam: Navigating Surrender, Maya, and Mental Purity with Shri Premanand Ji Maharaj

Nilesh Jadhav
2 days ago
3 min read

Imagine you are a small goat lost in a dark forest filled with predators. Just as you give up hope, you find a lion's footprint and stay near it—suddenly, the wolves and hyenas vanish, terrified of the scent of the King. In this moving discourse of Ekantik Vartalaap, Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj explains that God’s Name is that "lion’s footprint." Whether you are struggling with a restless mind, a failing body, or the fear of a "dying consciousness," Maharaj Ji provides a spiritual manual for finding absolute fearlessness in an unpredictable world.

Key Themes Explored:

The Power of the 'Digit': Why worldly duties are "zeros" without the "1" of God’s Name.
The Trap of Material 'Joy': Understanding why the unrighteous seem happy while the seeker struggles.
Surrender as Fearlessness: How total dependence on the Divine removes the fear of death.

1. When and how did you develop such unshakable faith in "Naam Jap" (Chanting)?

Answer: Maharaj Ji shares that his faith was sparked at age 11 when he left home for God. His Guru taught him that constant internal chanting is the essence of all scriptures [05:18]. Over decades, he realized that Naam is the "digit" (1) that gives value to all other spiritual "zeros" [06:15].

2. Is the desire for God-realization a hindrance since spiritual practice means giving up desires?

Answer: No; one should use "good desires" (Sattvic) to destroy "bad desires" (Rajasic/Tamasic) [09:33]. The desire to meet God is a fortunate one that eventually leads to a state where all cravings vanish upon realization [10:09].

3. How does a householder distinguish between mandatory duties and spiritual obstacles?

Answer: Duties like earning money honestly and supporting family are not obstacles; only sinful actions (Adharma) are [14:48]. Earning wealth righteously is essential for a stable householder life to maintain peace for bhajan [16:18].

4. Why do I feel an internal struggle while chanting, while those who don't chant seem happy?

Answer: Your struggle is the burning away of past sins [24:24]. Their material "happiness" is like livestock being pampered before slaughter—it is temporary and leads to a fall, while your path leads to eternal brilliance [27:06].

5. How can one become worthy of God's grace?

Answer: Maintain Ananya Chintan (uninterrupted thought of God) [29:26]. Avoid gossip, forgive those who insult you, and ensure not a single minute of your time is wasted on worldly trifles [30:29].

6. How can I increase my ability to cut through worldly attractions?

Answer: Use wisdom (Vivek) gained through Satsang [34:45]. First replace forbidden pleasures with righteous ones (following Dharma), then eventually transcend even those through the superior bliss of God [36:11].

7. How can I remain fearless and steady in every life situation?

Answer: Through total surrender (Sharanagati). Like a goat protected by a lion's footprint, a devotee protected by God's grace fears nothing, not even death [41:12]. Practicing the "Nine-fold Devotion" (Navdha Bhakti) leads to this state [42:49].

Watch the full video here:

The Next Step: From Listening to Living

Shri Premanand Ji Maharaj often says that thousands listen to the truth, but only a "birla" (a rare soul) acts upon it. The architecture of peace isn't built in a day; it is constructed brick-by-brick through small, conscious shifts in our daily perspective. You don't need to change your clothes or your location to start your journey. You only need to change your direction.

How to Apply This Today:

Audit Your Zeros: Evaluate your daily tasks. Are you performing them as "zeros" without God, or are you placing the "digit" of Naam Jap before them to give them value?
Embrace the 'Burning': When spiritual practice feels difficult or "hot," recognize it as the purification of gold. Don't envy the "cool" ease of those moving away from the Divine.
Seek the Footprint: When fear arises, remember the lion’s footprint. Align your mind with a saint’s instructions (Agya) to find immediate shelter from life’s predators.

Which lesson spoke to your heart the most today? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s support each other on this path to inner stillness.

"You will burn like gold to shine, while the worldly will turn into ash like coal. Anchor yourself in the Name, and let the world's storms pass you by."