The Realization of the Supreme

• Attaining the infinite: Connecting from the instruction of the previous verse (viditvā), Swamiji explains that attaining brahman is not a physical journey. Because bhagavan is infinite and exists everywhere, there is no physical distance to travel. bhagavan is already present within us. Recognizing this truth through knowledge is figuratively referred to as “reaching” bhagavan. Just as people sitting in a boat might be entirely surrounded by water without realizing it, we often fail to see the divine presence. We must simply awaken to this fact and take the support of bhagavan who is already inside us.

The Danger of Postponement

• The illusion of time: Despite strong warnings to actively work for ānanda and spiritual security, human beings have a deep tendency to procrastinate. People delay their spiritual journey by constantly waiting for an auspicious time, checking astrological charts for muhūrtam, rāhukālam, ketukālam, or yamakalam. Swamiji emphasizes that the present moment is always the best time. Time flows silently without our permission. prātaḥ (morning) becomes dinam (midday), then sāyaṃ (evening), and yāminī (night). Days turn into weekends, weeks into months, and seasons like śiśira (winter) and vasanta (spring) rapidly cycle through (punarāyātaḥ).
• The dance of time: kālaḥ krīḍati means time is constantly dancing and playing its game, while āyuḥ gacchati means our lifespan is continuously dwindling. While human beings take rest, the ultimate principle of time (yamadharmarāja) works around the clock in three shifts without a single holiday. We are aging even while we sleep, so postponing our spiritual efforts is a grave mistake.

The Intoxication of the World

• The tragic blindness of humanity: To highlight this tragic reality, Swamiji quotes a profound verse from bhartṛhari:
  आदित्यस्य गतागतैरहरहः संक्षीयते जीवितं व्यापारैर्बहुकार्यभारगुरुभिः कालोऽपि न ज्ञायते ।
  दृष्ट्वा जन्मजराविपत्तिमरणं त्रासश्च नोत्पद्यते पीत्वा मोहमयीं प्रमादमदिरामुन्मत्तभूतं जगत् ॥
  ādityasya gatāgatairaharahaḥ saṃkṣīyate jīvitaṃ vyāpārairbahukāryabhāragurubhiḥ kālo’pi na jñāyate |
  dṛṣṭvā janmajarāvipattimaraṇaṃ trāsaśca notpadyate pītvā mohamayīṃ pramādamadirāmunmattabhūtaṃ jagat ||
• Drunk on delusion: Swamiji explains that the entire world is intoxicated by the liquor of delusion. As we grow older, we see our friends and contemporaries dying and quitting the stage of life, yet we completely fail to realize that we are standing in the very same queue. Humans live as though they are eternal. Instead of turning toward spirituality, their minds are ravaged by āśāvāyuḥ—the stormy, turbulent winds of desire. They remain perpetually restless, concocting endless plans even for their great-grandchildren, utterly refusing to let go of their worldly attachments (tadapi na muñcati).

Overcoming the Delusion of Time

• Choosing the rare path: Because the vast majority of humanity is swept away by this profound delusion regarding kālaḥ (time), Swamiji strongly urges the seeker not to blindly follow the crowd. To break free from this widespread intoxication, one must actively turn their attention to the eternal and continuously practice bhaja govindaṃ, seeking the supreme bhagavan.