Divine Grace from the Guru:
An individual asked Maharaj “when will you come to my house?” Maharaj responded to this question by highlighting a portion of his question itself and said: “your house?”, “why will I come to your house?”. Maharaj’s emphasis was on ‘yours’ ‘my’, and ‘mine’ in this question. When will I have darshan, when will grace fall upon me: such questions are all but natural as they generate in the devotees mind that holds a mix of emotions which reflect hope, faith, patience , impatience, doubt and love . After all, we only take our questions to those we have trust in, and have expectations from. The devotees also know that in his human form as Maharaj , his God nature is apparent, he can do anything for them, nothing is impossible for him. He is an ocean of grace. He is equanimous. No one is small or big for him, no one is more favored than the other, everyone is equal in his eyes. So, then why is it, that grace appears to be descending upon a select few, and not upon all? Does it not seem like discrimination? No. What is the reason for this? Mercy from the merciful is inherent in their nature, just like the light from the sun. If someone is still in the dark then it is entirely due to ignorance, and not due to lack of light. So, do those who receive grace have anything special about them, which others who do not receive are lacking? Yes, that special quality in those receiving grace is “receptivity” when receptive to grace, it naturally falls upon you with ease. Then, how does one become receptive to grace? The answer to this is also through Maharaj. For the source of grace is at the feet of the guru. Maharaj would often inspire people to recite the Hanuman Chalisa. The first line from the Hanuman Chalisa itself instructs to take the dust from the feet of the guru and clean the mirror of your mind. You can only move forward once the mirror of your mind is clean. This is a clear signboard for the one standing at the crossroad, into the spiritual path. The dust at the feet of the Guru will clean the mind of the devotee and connect them to the guru, and only then the attempts to receive grace will be successful, and one will become receptive to grace. Actually the guru’s grace is always around, it falls naturally once you are receptive to it. As is said “mantra mulam guru vakyam” (the words of the Guru are a mantra in itself) Maharaj would say” love all” , “serve all” love and service complement one another. Service devoid of love will become a very mechanical act, dull, and joyless. Service is an expression of love, which translates to devotion.

Neem Karoli Maharajji’s mantra to all his devotees were these two words “Love all” and “Serve all”. The mantra from the Guru Gita: “The root of meditation is the form of the Guru, the root of worship is the feet of the Guru, the root of mantra is the word of the Guru and the root of liberation is the Grace of the Guru” is not merely to chant, but to follow in action as it is the definite path to the gurus grace for all. This mantra works miraculously from the day one puts it to practice. However long it may take to perfect the mantra the benevolence of it will keep flowing and continuous good actions will render one receptive to grace. Receptive to grace, one can receive as much as an ocean even in a small pot one holds to receive it. It is through grace that one can receive material pleasures as well as liberation, and salvation. So let us remember this guru mantra of Maharaj “Love” and “Serve”. I bow at the feet of my Guru!