Ways to Avoid Inauspicious Prarabdh and Depression

This human body of ours did not come for nothing. The scriptures say that this body is the result of accumulated karma from infinite births—a vast 'storehouse' in which our auspicious and inauspicious karmas are accumulated. From these accumulated karmas, by taking out little by little, our prarabdh is formed, which we must experience in this birth. But—through the infinite and unconditional (without cause) grace of the Lord, we have been given a rare opportunity: the path of paramarth, the path of Bhagavat, the path of bhajan. By walking on this very path, the sadhak can become free from the burden of karma from their previous births, can purify the mind, and ultimately can drink the nectar of Bhagavad-realization.

Why Does Prarabdh Come?

Many sadhaks ask—"We are doing bhajan, yet why do we suffer?" The answer is this:

🔹 Prarabdh karma is destroyed only by experiencing it.
🔹 Whether it is good or bad—it must be cut through.
🔹 No sadhana can 'stop' prarabdh, but bhajan and seva reduce its effect, and the sadhak easily transcends that suffering. The Maharaj says— "The person who engages in seva and bhajan, their prarabdh is very quickly finished."

Why Is Seva the Most Powerful?

One who does seva along with bhajan often does not receive the peace and spiritual state that one who does bhajan alone receives. Why? Because ego melts in seva. Seva keeps the sadhak grounded, makes them humble, and makes them fit for bhakti-rasa.

The Incident of Shridhar Baba

Shridhar Baba was a Maharaj of extremely elevated spiritual state. No comings and goings, no acquaintance with anyone—and within such peace that compassion embodied! Once a bhakt said to him— "Gurudev! How do you attain such deep peace?" He explained— "One who does only bhajan can attain this state, but one who does bhajan with seva, naturally attains this state—because seva keeps our feet grounded on the earth and does not let our ego grow."

Seva and Prarabdh: 12 Years of Prarabdh Finished in 24 Hours

There is a wonderful incident from the life of a sant. He was told that his prarabdh would be very sorrowful for 12 years. He answered— "If there is the power of seva and naam-jap, then 12 years can be finished even in 24 hours." And that is exactly what happened. The suffering of 12 years was finished in just one day. This principle applies to all: Seva burns prarabdh. Bhajan purifies the mind. Together they give the sadhak swift progress.

Many Maharajs hid their identity and did work considered most humble— ▪ Cleaning the bathroom ▪ Cleaning the ashram ▪ Sweeping ▪ Maintaining the purity of the kund

A siddha sant from Ayodhya would wake up at 2 at night to clean the ashram's toilet. Why? Because he would say— "So that pride never arises, I do the most humble seva first."

Is Seva Only for Mahatmas?

All of us have a body. This body can do auspicious karma and also inauspicious. If we engage this body in seva, then:

⭐ Prarabdh finishes quickly ⭐ Mind becomes peaceful ⭐ Intellect becomes steady ⭐ Depth in bhajan ⭐ Protection from vices ⭐ Freedom from depression, anxiety, restlessness

The naam is so powerful that— the power of any planet, person, or circumstance can do nothing against it.

Guru's Command and Surrender — This is the Essence of Bhajan

Goswami Tulsidas says— "The one who neglects the guru's command, their prarabdh will not let them rest." As long as the sadhak follows their own mind (meaning making assumptions, reasoning, holding doubts or suspicions)—prarabdh continues to trouble them. But when the mind says— "I know nothing. Whatever Gurudev says, I will do that," then sadhana becomes easy.

The Secret of the Saints of Vrindavan

In the heart of true sants there is this feeling— "All are superior to me. I am the lowest of all." From this very feeling comes bhajan-rasa. From this the inner ego is broken. From this the mind becomes pure. From this the consciousness of Bhagavat descends within us.

The Essence of the Path of Love

In the path of love, there is no desire to receive— there is only desire to give. Here the sadhak says— "Lord! I do not know what dharma is, what paramarth is. I have come to your shelter. Please tell me, what should I do?" This very surrender immerses the sadhak in rasa. This very feeling gives power to seva. This very sentiment enlivens bhajan.

Final Essence

If you—

✔ Want to avoid depression ✔ Want to avoid the blows of prarabdh ✔ Want to make the mind free of vices ✔ Want to find inner peace ✔ Want to be immersed in love-rasa

Then remember one remedy: Seva + naam-jap = the Sadhak's shield. This is sadhana. This is protection.

Original article: bhajanmarg.com