Atmonnati Sadhana – Part 4

“Every action you perform becomes engraved upon you; your joys and sorrows are written as seeds upon the inner soul.” Param Pujya Shri Narendranath Maharaj places the greatest emphasis on karma. Scripture states: *“Happiness and sorrow, fear and grief, joy and auspiciousness, prosperity and adversity — all arise from karma.”* Our circumstances — lifestyle, wealth, difficulties, fear, joy, poverty — all are the outcome of our own past actions. Our nature, tendencies, fortune and misfortune are all karma-born.

People often ask: *“If my present actions are good, why don’t my circumstances change immediately?”* Maharaj clarifies that karma does not operate like “apply turmeric and instantly become fair.” Transformation is rarely instantaneous. Not every robber becomes the sage Valmiki; he transformed only because Narada Muni, acting as a Guru, awakened his *viveka*, gave him mantra, tapas and discipline, and through that he became the author of the Ramayana. Such transformation is rare grace, not a rule.

For most, personality change, purification of nature and transformation of karma occur slowly — across many births. Therefore the real blessing is receiving a human birth, awakening spiritual desire and obtaining Sadguru’s grace. Atmonnati Sadhana teaches that every action shapes the soul; these impressions decide the kind of body and life one receives in the next birth.

“To purify the soul, the human body was given. This is the plan of the Brahmand — Atmonnati must happen *through* the body.” Every action we perform produces a result; daily actions carve impressions on the soul. Which actions purify the body and elevate the soul? Only Sadguru can reveal this. The karmas prescribed by the Guru — mantra, japa, tapa, fasting, discipline and worship — purify the body because they are *precise* and *divinely aligned*. When the body is purified, the soul shines. Thus Sadguru’s presence and service grant extraordinary inner strength and clarity.

“The body is formed from the five elements; the soul alone is the true doer. Though the body appears to be mine, I am not its owner.” Atmonnati Sadhana is “Guru-grace collyrium.” It does not merely give sight — it gives vision. We spend life decorating the body, pampering appearance and grooming; we forget that the body is only a tool for attaining *Sat-Chit-Ananda*. It is formed from earth, water, fire, air and space — all borrowed from the universe. When life ends, the borrowed elements return to their sources.

Just as a house is “ours” yet cannot accompany us in death, so too the body is “mine,” yet not *me*. When consciousness departs, the body dissolves but the soul continues travelling, carrying its karmic impressions. The soul wanders until it finds a womb matching its karmic blueprint. Birth after birth continues until one day the body becomes purified and the soul becomes elevated. Thus the wise must use this rare human birth for rightful actions and devotion.

Sadguru Narendranath Maharaj asks three piercing questions:

1. By whose power does your body function?
2. Who is the master of this universe?
3. Who calls you into life and action?

Even a leaf does not move by our will. If we cannot control a leaf, how can we claim control over our body or senses? Ego dissolves when one sees the truth: I am not the master — I am utterly dependent. Saints describe the body as impure to break attachment: it is born from impurity; whatever enters becomes waste; even sacred Ganga water becomes urine within us. A cow, they say, is purer — her dung purifies land; her urine purifies space. Why should such an impure body hold such ego?

Sadguru explains: everything — spouse, wealth, land, children — returns to the world when we die. Only this one human birth is not guaranteed again. Hence use this very life to fulfil its purpose. Sadguru is the true Brahmandanayak — the one who shapes, protects and purifies. He is Brahma when He builds us, Vishnu when He sustains us, and Mahesh when He destroys our impurities.

“The five elements and the five vital energies are under the command of the Guru. Even if God becomes angry, Guru can protect; but if Guru becomes displeased, none can save.” Such is the Sadguru’s absolute sovereignty.

The Nath tradition offers countless testimonies. Shri Narendranath Maharaj was once saved during the Koyna earthquake because His Guru’s inner voice commanded Him not to leave the room; seconds later, the ground violently shook — had He jumped, His life would have ended. In another incident, during a Himalayan yagna, people feared rain would extinguish the sacred fire. Maharaj declared: “We will stop the falling rain.” As the rain approached the kund, He waved His hand with vibhuti and the rain diverted as though commanded. After the havan, rain poured for three days.

Such is the Sadguru’s mastery. To receive such protection, one must develop pure love for His feet.

Scriptures affirm that Kali Yuga is harsh — filled with falsehood, greed, violence and fear. To protect humanity, Lord Vishnu Himself created the Nath Sampradaya at the end of Dvapara Yuga. Nine divine beings — the Navanath — incarnated, beginning an unbroken Guru lineage including Machhindranath, Gorakshanath, Gahininath and the saintly siblings Nivrittinath and Dnyaneshwar Mauli. Nivrittinath is Shiva incarnate, Dnyaneshwar Mauli Vishnu incarnate. Even they bowed to their Guru and tasted Gurukripa.

This reveals a profound truth: Even God becomes a servant of the Sadguru. Kabir says: *“Guru and God both stand before me — whose feet shall I touch? I bow first to the Guru, for He showed me the path to God.”*

Sadguru alone removes avidya, reduces lust, anger, greed, pride, jealousy and attachment, cultivates virtue and devotion, and guides the seeker toward the Guru-state. What even God does not change — one’s stored karma — Sadguru can transform through grace. Bhagavan Dattatreya is the eternal Sadguru Principle; even divine beings seek His blessing.

Therefore: Surrender to the Sadguru. Seek His grace. Let Him remove your afflictions and lead you to liberation.

karma and soul, human body five elements, sadguru authority, narendranath maharaj teachings, nath sampradaya lineage

Atmonnati Sadhana Part 4 explains karma, the body’s purpose, ego dissolution and the supreme authority of the Sadguru in spiritual evolution.