PARIPRASNA (Jun )
By Swami Tapasyananda
Summary
In this Q&A from PARIPRASNA (Jun 2019), Swami Tapasyananda addresses two key spiritual concepts. First, he clarifies the relationship between free will and the three Gunas of Prakriti, comparing human freedom to a cow tethered to a post. While the Gunas influence us, spiritual freedom exists as an inherent aspect of our true nature, allowing us to counteract determinism by aligning with moral and spiritual growth. True freedom, he explains, arises when individual will merges with God’s universal will, transcending limitations of the body-mind. The second question explores “giving power of attorney to God,” exemplified by Sri Ramakrishna’s disciple Girish Chandra Ghosh. Girish, a bohemian artist with immense faith and sincerity, struggled with rigid disciplines. Ramakrishna advised him to surrender spiritual responsibility entirely, trusting the Master’s guidance. This required extraordinary faith, selflessness, and equanimity in facing life’s outcomes. Swami Tapasyananda emphasizes that such surrender demands rare qualities: absolute trust in the guru, a transformed mindset free from ego, and the guru’s active spiritual presence. For most, conscious effort remains necessary, but sincere devotees believe Ramakrishna’s enduring presence aids those who pray with truth and devotion. The ultimate test of successful surrender is inner peace, unaffected by success, failure, or external circumstances.
Conclusion
The dialogue with Swami Tapasyananda illuminates the nuanced interplay between human will and divine determinism, emphasizing that while the Gunas of Prakriti condition our existence, spiritual freedom remains an inherent potential. By aligning with moral and spiritual laws, one can gradually transcend bodily limitations, ultimately merging individual will with the universal Will. The concept of "giving power of attorney to God," exemplified through Girish’s surrender to Sri Ramakrishna, underscores the transformative power of absolute faith, trust, and selflessness. This rare attunement allows divine grace to dissolve egoistic barriers, fostering equanimity amid life’s fluctuations. While such complete surrender is uncommon, the principle remains: genuine spiritual progress hinges on harmonizing human effort with divine will, whether through disciplined self-exertion or, in exceptional cases, through unwavering devotion to a realized guide. The teachings affirm that true freedom lies not in arbitrary choice but in alignment with the ultimate Will, transcending the constraints of Prakriti.