Four paths, yet all seem closed—why are we still unable to meet the Lord?

REWARI SATSANG 2026,  Satsang By Param Sant Kanwar Saheb Ji Maharaj 

True dedication to Bhakti, the Guru, and the Naam is what gives a person that joy which cannot be found anywhere else. Sewa is not easy—there is no comfort, no convenience—yet true bliss is found only in Sewa. This happiness cannot be purchased; neither wealth, nor good health, nor family can provide it. This is because real happiness does not exist outside—it resides within the mind. Family, wealth, and sensory pleasures offer only temporary satisfaction, which fades quickly and sometimes even becomes a cause of sorrow. In contrast, the bliss of Naam is eternal and boundless. However, to attain it, one must renounce ego and embrace humility. Through Satsang, Saints provide the means of Naam, through which true happiness can be realized.

Kabir Sahib says, “All four lanes are blocked—how will you meet the Lord?” This is a very deep question. There are four paths to free oneself from the bondage of time and illusion—Devotion, Knowledge, Detachment, and Yoga. All four are means to liberation, yet we fail to walk on any of them—we neither practice devotion, nor follow the path of knowledge, nor adopt detachment, nor engage in yogic discipline. As a result, all four paths become closed to us.

Devotion is not merely ritual; true devotion includes love, sewa, and sacrifice. The path of knowledge involves reasoning and intellect, but Sant Mat integrates all of these—it nurtures devotion, imparts knowledge, teaches detachment, and guides one in yoga.

The five enemies that bind the soul—lust, anger, greed, attachment, and ego—are extremely powerful. They mislead a person and waste the precious human life. Therefore, it is essential to awaken longing, love, and yearning for the Divine within the heart. Until this deep longing arises, true devotion is not possible.

A true seeker is one who practices sincerely, earns the wealth of Naam, and first conquers the faults within. Only then do his “four lanes” open. This task is not easy, because we tend to rely heavily on our own intellect, strength, and understanding. A person takes pride in various forms of power—physical strength, mental ability, intellect, wealth, family, position, and knowledge—but Saints have clearly shown the remedy: “surrender all your strengths before the Guru”. As long as one remains entangled in “I” and “mine,” nothing can truly be attained.

Earning Naam brings peace into life and removes inner impurities such as hatred and jealousy. This alone is the path to true happiness and liberation. Until love, affection, and firm faith arise, success in devotion is not possible. The foundation of devotion is service and surrender.

True devotion is “Naam-bhakti,” and it is attained through “Guru-bhakti.” If the mirror of the mind is covered with dirt, how can one see clearly? Only when true love for the Guru arises can the Divine be experienced—and that realization can happen even in a single moment.

The greatest obstacle in devotion is the mind itself. When the mind sees that a seeker is progressing, it creates various illusion, doubt, and negativity, diverting the seeker from the path—even distancing him from the Guru. Therefore, remain alert and become a Gurmukh.

A Gurmukh is one who walks in the command of the Guru, imbibes His teachings into life, and follows them without doubt. This path is not of intellectual debate, but of practice. Until one moves beyond mere reasoning and actually lives the teachings, the essence cannot be attained. One who remains trapped in the illusions of their own intellect becomes a Manmukh and cannot progress on the path of devotion.

True love and an unbreakable bond with the Guru form the foundation of devotion. This relationship should be such that it never breaks. Worldly relationships do not last, but the connection of spiritual knowledge resides in the heart and illuminates life. The knowledge received from the Guru never leaves and ultimately carries the soul across this mortal realm.

Understanding and accepting the Guru’s will without question is the quality of a Gurmukh. The Guru is impartial—He is no one’s enemy—just as a judge delivers justice and a physician treats without discrimination. The Guru loves the one who is devoted to Naam and true devotion, not one who merely indulges in outward display.

By the Guru’s grace, words, vision, and any resolution of mind becomes powerful and fulfilled—but this grace is received only by the worthy. Just as milk cannot be held in a sieve, knowledge cannot remain in an unworthy vessel. Many listen, but only the one who practices truly transforms their life.