A man once found himself troubled by his repeatedly malfunctioning vehicle. Each time it broke down, he took it to a local workshop. The mechanic there would keep the vehicle for a few days, fix it temporarily, and return it. For a while, the vehicle would run smoothly, but soon enough, the same problem would recur. This happened multiple times, until the man realized that the mechanic was only offering short-term fixes without truly understanding the root cause of the fault.
Eventually, even the mechanic admitted his limitations and suggested the name of a truly skilled expert — someone renowned for diagnosing and fixing complex issues. However, he warned that this expert was deeply caught in addiction and might refuse to help. “If only he is brought out of his entangled state,” the mechanic said, “he will not only fix your vehicle permanently, but he will do so effortlessly.”
Moved by this hope, the man approached the expert, pleaded with him, and with deep patience and determination, managed to awaken his sense of purpose. The expert agreed to help — and in just five minutes, he identified the true fault and fixed it permanently.
This story is more than a parable — it reflects our own spiritual journey.
The vehicle is us, the human being.
The mechanic at the workshop represents our outer self, which tries to resolve life’s issues using external means — rituals, pilgrimages, intellectual efforts, and temporary solutions.
The workshop itself symbolizes the world and its countless remedies — which provide only momentary relief.
And the expert mechanic? He is none other than our inner self — the Antar-Atma, our true nature, which lies buried deep within, forgotten and ignored due to the powerful intoxication of worldly temptations, distractions, and desires.
Though inherently pure, the inner self is obscured — not by evil, but by layers of illusion (Maya), ego, attachment, and the six vices: lust, anger, greed, pride, attachment, and jealousy.
We are born in bliss. A newborn child has no attachments, no hatred, and no desires. But as we grow, we become entangled in the snares of the material world. We chase fleeting joys, believing them to be permanent, and suffer disappointment when they fade. We try external means — spiritual practices, visits to holy places, and rituals — and though they bring temporary peace, the core disturbance remains unresolved, just like the vehicle that keeps breaking down.
The Turning Point: Shri Sadguru
Real transformation begins when the seeker meets his Shri Sadguru — the one who has realized the Truth and can guide others toward it. The Sadguru lovingly reveals:
“You are searching outside for what eternally resides within you.”
True bliss, lasting peace, and divine joy are hidden in the depths of your own soul. But to experience it, self-realization — the recognition of the inner self — is essential. And for that, the Sadguru gives a most precious gift: Holy Naam — the divine Name.
Naam: The Bridge to the Soul
The Naam given by the Sadguru is no ordinary word. It carries divine power — the key to unlocking the soul’s deepest awareness. The moment the Sadguru bestows the Naam and blesses the seeker, self-realization becomes possible, even in an instant. Yet, despite receiving this supreme gift, many of us fail to accept it with true love and surrender. As a result, the journey feels difficult, and the experience of the inner self remains elusive.
The inner self is pure — untouched and ever-shining — just as ghee resides in milk. But to extract ghee, we must churn the milk with devotion and patience. Similarly, while the inner self dwells within us, we must engage in sincere and loving Naam Sadhana (practice of the Name) to uncover it.
Layers of Illusion: The Covering of the Soul
At birth, our consciousness is pure. But over time, experiences, social conditioning, and attachments form countless layers, like dust settling on a mirror. Caught in the addiction of Maya, we forget who we truly are. But when we lovingly accept the Naam and surrender to the Sadguru, these layers begin to peel away — effortlessly, one by one — revealing the shining brilliance of the soul within.
The Journey Within
Let us remember — the divine is not distant. The bliss we seek is not in some far-off realm. It is within, waiting to be discovered. The outer world may give us glimpses of joy, but only the inner journey leads to eternal peace. And for this sacred journey, the compass is Naam, and the guide is the Sadguru.
Let us walk this path with love, humility, and unwavering faith — and rediscover the true Mechanic who alone can fix all that is broken, forever.
May the grace of Shri Sadguru lead us inward. May we lovingly hold onto the Naam. And may the pure inner self shine forth, unburdened and free.
“Whenever I write ‘Sadguru’ or ‘Shri Sadguru’, I am referring to my revered Shri Sadguru, P. Pu. Sadgurunath Shri Kaka Maharaj (Shri Shripad Anant Vaidya).”
Images and grammar enhancements in this post were created with the assistance of ChatGPT by OpenAI.
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