RANJRI, Jun 14: Sadguru Shri Madhu Paramhans Ji Maharaj of Sahib Bandgi on Sunday blessed the congregation with a profound spiritual discourse, explaining that all saints, great sages, scriptures, and enlightened yogis have unanimously described this world as dream-like and illusory, comparable to a Gandharva Nagar—an imaginary city that appears real but has no actual existence.
Maharaj Ji narrated an ancient incident to illustrate the power of Maya (illusion). A devotee once requested Lord Vishnu to reveal the nature of Maya. Lord Vishnu instructed him to take a dip in a river. In what seemed like a single moment, the devotee experienced an entire lifetime. He found himself riding a horse that carried him into a dense forest, where he was abandoned. Hungry and thirsty, he encountered a young woman carrying food and water. In exchange for food, she asked him to marry her. With no other option, he agreed and began living with her. Over time, they had children and lived as a family.
Later, a severe famine struck the region. Seeking a livelihood, the devotee traveled to a distant city where, by fate, he was chosen as king after the death of the ruler who had left no heir. He ruled the kingdom for some time until his wife and children eventually found him. When the people learned that their king had once lived among a lower caste family, humiliation overwhelmed him and he ended his life. At that very instant, he emerged from the river and found himself standing before Lord Vishnu.
Amazed, the devotee asked how so many years of experiences could pass in a fraction of a second. Lord Vishnu explained that this was the power of Maya. To further convince him, He directed the devotee to revisit the places and people from his experience. The devotee discovered that everything he had witnessed existed exactly as he had seen it.
Drawing a parallel with human life, Maharaj Ji said that the world resembles a dream experienced during sleep. While one is immersed in it, everything appears completely real, despite being temporary and ultimately unreal. He explained that people know they must one day leave this world, yet they remain deeply attached to it because of Maya’s influence.
Maharaj Ji further stated that this body is also temporary and made of the five perishable elements. Referring to the dialogue between Lord Rama and Guru Vashistha, he said that Guru Vashistha described the world as merely a projection of the mind and not an ultimate reality. What appears before us is only a manifestation of consciousness.
Despite its impermanent nature, Maharaj Ji emphasized that the human body is extremely valuable because liberation (Moksha) can be attained only through it. Even celestial beings long for this rare human birth. Therefore, he urged devotees not to waste their lives in worldly pleasures and attachments but to realize the True Name (Satnam), engage in devotion, and dedicate themselves to spiritual awakening.
The discourse concluded with devotees expressing gratitude for the enlightening message and seeking the blessings of Sadguru Shri Madhu Paramhans Ji Maharaj for spiritual progress and inner realization.