The Awakening of the Soul: Rediscovering Your Divine Identity with Shri Premanand Ji Maharaj

Nilesh Jadhav
4 days ago
5 min read

If you have ever felt like a stranger in your own life, or if the "void" inside you seems to grow even as you try to fill it with spiritual practice, you are standing at a sacred threshold. We often ask: If the Soul is eternal, why do I feel so broken? Why does my mind resist the very peace I am searching for? And how do I turn a life of mandatory rules into a life of spontaneous, divine love?

Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj answers several spiritual questions from devotees. Here are the questions asked and the expanded summaries of his answers:

Key Themes Explored:

The Union of Soul and Divine: Understanding why "Atma" and "Paramatma" are essentially one.
The Discipline of Purity: Why a structured routine is the only foundation for divine love.
The Heart of a Householder: How to serve society without losing your spiritual anchor.

1. What is the difference between the Soul (Atma) and the Supreme Soul (Paramatma)?

Answer: Maharaj Ji clarifies that there is no fundamental difference; they are like different names for water—"Jal," "Vari," and "Paani." The Supreme Truth is one. Those on the path of knowledge call it Brahman, yogis call it Paramatma, and devotees call it Bhagwan. We are all essentially Divine in nature (Bhagwat Swaroop), but we suffer because we have forgotten this truth and identified with the temporary body. Once the "ego-mistake" is corrected, the realization dawns that you always were, and always will be, that one Divine Element [02:58].

2. Which is more important: devotion bound by strict rules or devotion filled with spontaneous love?

Answer: Maharaj Ji explains that rules (Niyam) are the birthplace of love. Spontaneous love (Prem) doesn't appear out of thin air; it is cultivated through the discipline of daily practice. Whether it is winter, summer, or a state of illness, a seeker must remain firm in their daily vows—chanting, prayer, and meditation. This "tightness" of routine is the penance that eventually melts the heart into divine love. Once that love arrives, the rules naturally dissolve into the background, but until then, discipline is your only protection [04:08].

3. Why does my mind feel empty and sad even after I have surrendered everything to God?

Answer: True surrender never leads to sadness; it leads to an explosion of enthusiasm and bliss. Maharaj Ji notes that "feeling empty" often happens in the middle stage of the journey. You have given up worldly pleasures (Vishayanand), but you haven't yet tasted divine bliss (Bhagwanand). This gap can feel like a void. It is a dangerous stage where many seekers fall back into old habits. To cross this, you must realize that God is already in your heart and double down on your practice until the void is filled with His presence [10:12].

4. Does serving society eventually open the door to serving God?

Answer: It depends entirely on your intent (Bhaav). If you serve society out of a sense of "doership" or to gain social merit (Punya), you will get material rewards, but the door to God won't necessarily open. However, if you serve others with the awareness that God is seated within them, your social work becomes "Prabhu Seva" (Service to God). When you feed a hungry person or help a neighbor while thinking, "My Lord is accepting this service through them," your actions become a direct path to liberation [19:24].

5. Why does my mind wander the most during prayers, chanting, or Aarti?

Answer: This is a common struggle because the mind has had lifetimes of practice in "untruth" (worldly distractions) and is a novice in "Truth" (Divine focus). Maharaj Ji gives a reassuring example: even if you eat your food while distracted, your stomach still gets filled. Similarly, even if the mind wanders, the act of chanting and prayer is still purifying your soul and burning away old sins. Keep doing it without being discouraged; eventually, the mind will lose its restlessness and find its home in the Name [21:18].

6. What is the true meaning of spiritual "Purity" (Pavitrata)?

Answer: Purity is three-fold: Physical, Vocal, and Mental. Physical purity involves hygiene and a clean diet; vocal purity means speaking only what is kind and truthful; and mental purity involves harboring no ill-will toward others. Maharaj Ji emphasizes that without purity, divine focus cannot be sustained. He also highlights Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Self-control) as a powerhouse that fuels memory, health, and a positive mindset, helping the seeker crush negative thoughts before they take root [29:36].

7. How can I obtain the grace of a Guru to finally destroy my ego?

Answer: The only "short-cut" to a Guru's grace is absolute obedience (Agya Palan). Maharaj Ji tells the story of Harivyasa Devacharya, who was asked to perform 24 years of penance by his Guru before receiving initiation. He didn't ask "why" or "when"—he simply obeyed. It is this total surrender to the Guru's instructions that finally kills the ego. When you stop acting on your own whims and start moving entirely on the Guru's command, the ego has nowhere to hide and finally dissolves [44:46].

Watch the full video here:

The Next Step: From Listening to Living

Maharaj Ji teaches that while thousands may hear the truth, true transformation only begins when we stop being passive observers and start applying these principles with surgical precision. Spiritual progress isn't about grand gestures; it’s about the fierce, quiet consistency of aligning your inner compass toward the Divine, breath by breath.

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:

Strengthen Your Vow: If you have a daily prayer or chanting routine, commit to it today without fail, regardless of your "mood" or "schedule." Let the rule build the love.
Practice Divine Vision: The next person you interact with—whether a family member or a stranger—internally say, "The Divine is seated in you, and I am interacting with Him."
Embrace the Discipline: Purity is a lifestyle. Audit your diet and your speech for just 24 hours. Notice how a clean body and kind words immediately quiet the mind.

In the "gap" between giving up worldly habits and finding divine bliss, what is the biggest challenge you face? Share your reflection below.

"The soul is not something to be earned; it is the truth to be remembered. Stop identifying with the temporary shell and the spark of the Divine within you will naturally become a flame."