The Futility of Austerity Without Devotion: A Critical View on Jain Practices - Garib Das Ji

In the pursuit of spiritual liberation, many souls become entangled in rituals, austerities, and traditional practices without understanding the true path to God. This discourse critically examines the practices of Jainism and other ritual-centric approaches, highlighting their limitations when devoid of true devotion, a Satguru, and the true Naam (Name of God). Drawing from the teachings of Saint Garibdas Ji and deeper spiritual insights, it exposes how even intense self-discipline and scriptural knowledge—like memorizing the four Vedas—are ultimately fruitless without the grace of the Supreme God and a connection to the True Name through a Tatvadarshi Saint. This message serves as a wake-up call to seekers trapped in the illusion of outward religiosity, urging them toward the path of genuine devotion that leads to salvation. The following text is from a chapter in Amar Granth Sahib by Garib Das Ji Maharaj called "Behde Ka Ang".

बहदे का अंग - Behde ka Ang

जैन धर्म के बारे में (information about Jainism)

The Jains practice very strict and disciplined austerity. But they neither have a Guru, nor do they make anyone their Guru. They have no deity (Isht), no chanting of any divine name, and no concept of a personal God. They simply worship the idols of the Tirthankars who once existed, and that’s it.

Their condition is such that—without devotion—they are absolutely not going to gain anything. They don’t even have any spiritual wealth.

It's like this: If a woman of bad character has a child, who would the child be called the son of? Who will be his rightful heir? That’s the state you're in right now.

"Jaini julm gulm yu gaila"—meaning, they go through such intense torture, pulling their hair out, becoming completely bloody and bruised, and yet they say, “One must not cry or shed tears.” Only then is one considered a proper Jain.

"Jaini julm gulm yu gaila, jaise ho teli ka baila." Meaning: “The Jains suffer needlessly, like the oilman's bull.”

In olden times, an oilman would set up a press (kolhu) where a long wooden beam was tied to a bull. The bull's eyes would be blindfolded, and it would go in circles endlessly. Likewise, your devotion is like that oilman’s bull—going around in the same circle, blind and unaware.

You're born, you die. You become dogs, donkeys, pigs. Then based on karmas, you might become kings or gods. But again you fall back to being donkeys and dogs. Just like the oilman’s bull, you keep revolving in the same cycle.

"Jaini janm jua jyon haaro"—the Jain takes birth and loses like one loses in a gamble. You lose your whole life. And yet, on the other side, you perform such strict austerities, restrain all five senses harshly, maintain such discipline—but what’s the use if there is no devotion?

Now, this is being addressed to the Jains—what exactly do they do?

In every religion or sect, a few individuals become prominent, and others follow the same path of spiritual practice. Why does this happen? It’s due to past impressions (sanskaras).

Let’s say you are currently doing intense, remarkable devotion—each mantra you chant holds immense spiritual value. But due to some fault or influence of Kaal (Brahm - the ruler of 21 brahmands), you abandon that devotion. Still, whatever spiritual "battery" you had charged through true devotion—that power remains deposited within the soul.

So wherever that soul takes birth—in any religion, sect, or community—those past devotional sanskaras will definitely influence them. They will have a natural inclination toward spirituality and will follow that path with determination.

For example, we often read in newspapers that a billionaire couple suddenly renounces everything, accepts Jain initiation, and donates all their wealth. Why does this happen? Because in their previous birth, they were true devotees of the Supreme God. They had practiced real devotion, and the spiritual pull—the inner longing—remained. That’s what emotionally led them, but unfortunately, they got completely trapped in Kaal’s illusion.

Now, what do Jains typically do? They go to the temple, perform austerities, recite praises, and say that when they do this, the temple bells begin ringing on their own. They take this as a sign of success in their spiritual practice.

But the Supreme God says— You don’t chant any divine name, You don’t have any Isht (personal deity), You don’t accept any Supreme God.

They don’t believe in God at all! They believe that the soul itself is the doer.

Now listen to what’s being said:

You think the self-ringing of bells in a temple is some sort of divine success? The Supreme Being has countless bells ringing in His realm. In Satlok, divine music plays endlessly.

You put on a show of compassion toward living beings, But you wrongly consider karma as the ultimate doer. You deny the existence of God. This is ignorance.

All this creation exists only because of the essence of that Supreme God. But no one has seen or understood that God of supreme bliss. You failed to recognize Him—the Supreme Father, Supreme Soul.

They tie a cloth over their mouth, "Mukh moord firos" (meaning: “We walk with a covered mouth”). But the truth is, the Supreme God is a hundred leagues away from such ignorant practices.

You have never done firm devotion to the True Name. That’s why your soul continues to wander in thirst.

These external acts—like covering the mouth—won’t remove inner longing. The hunger for the Supreme God will not be satisfied by such rituals. The thirst of the soul will not be quenched this way.

You haven’t gone near the Complete Supreme God.
You haven’t accepted a True Guru.
You haven’t received the True Name (Satnam).
You haven’t practiced true devotion.

All this is meaningless. It’s all part of Kaal’s trap.

They have no desire for the Supreme God (Par Brahm). Even their twenty-four Tirthankars left in despair. They too departed empty-handed, having gained nothing.

You fumble around by relying on charms, rituals, and astrological signs—all of that is meaningless nonsense.

When you haven’t received the True Name, when you haven’t attained true devotion, then all those places where you sit in groups, those gatherings you attend to listen to discourses—they are all in vain. They are false.

They read all four Vedas, recite them, and even memorize them. In earlier times, a scholar who had memorized all four Vedas was called a Chaturvedi; one who memorized three was called a Trivedi; and one who had memorized two Vedas through tradition was called a Dvivedi.

But here it is being said: Are you feeling proud and satisfied with this false devotion? You will gain nothing from it.

Saint Garibdas Ji says:
The Supreme God is attained by performing true devotion in this human body. Even after receiving the true Name (Naam), one still needs grace marks—and those are given based on your feelings and surrender toward the Guru. 

This means: If the Guru’s grace and blessings are with you, only then will your devotion be successful. This Supreme God can only be attained through grace. 

So don’t keep wandering to temples and pilgrimage sites (Deval Dham na bhatka khaiye). You won’t find Him there.

Conclusion:

True spiritual success does not lie in harsh austerities, blind rituals, or the memorization of scriptures—it lies in recognizing the Supreme God, receiving the true Naam from a Tatvadarshi Satguru, and engaging in sincere devotion under His guidance. Practices that lack a foundation in truth and divine connection are nothing more than entrapments of Kaal, leading the soul in endless cycles of birth and death. As Saint Garibdas Ji emphasizes, even after receiving the true Name, one requires the grace of the Satguru to fully dispel the darkness of ignorance. Therefore, seekers must stop wandering in illusion and reject empty traditions, temples, and superficial religious gatherings. The path to salvation lies in surrendering to the Complete God through the mercy of a True Guru—only then can the soul be liberated and attain eternal peace in Satlok.

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