When our karma turns bad, whether someone casts black magic or not, we remain troubled. Even before a difficult time arrives, our intellect gets altered.
Jako Prabhu daarun dukh dehi,
Taki mati pehle har lehi.
—Ramcharitmanas
When we are meant to suffer, our intellect deceives us, making us believe that someone has cast a spell on us. In such situations, you’ll find people who agree that black magic has been done, trapping you further into this belief and intensifying your distress.
Kahu na kou sukh dukh kar daata,
Nij krit karam bhog sabu bhrata.
—Ramcharitmanas
The Effect Of Karma
When we commit sinful deeds, and a soul in the ghost realm wants to punish us, it may inflict suffering due to the alignment of our past karmas. If the negative karma ends without exorcism or ritual, the suffering may naturally disappear without further ordeal. Similarly, diseases may come, or an unpleasant event might occur, such as getting into a fight without any prior enmity, leading to new hostility.
Possessions by spirits, bodily diseases, accidents, or sudden enmity with someone result from our karma. If we correct our actions, everything gets resolved. But if our karma is bad, troubles will arise at every step. Conversely, even on cremation grounds, we won’t fear spirits if our karma is good.
The Power Of Chanting And Remembering God
Chant the holy name, and everything will get better. As stated in the Hanuman Chalisa: “Bhoot pishaach nikat nahi aave, Mahaveer jab naam sunaave.” Be fearless, keep chanting the holy name, and remember that mental or physical suffering results from our actions. If we trust in God and remember Him, no suffering can defeat us.
If you can’t focus on God, but your body is healthy, and everything else is in order, you will still feel restless. Your desires will torment you, and wrong thinking will increase your unhappiness. On the other hand, even in extreme difficulties, if you can remember God, extraordinary peace will prevail in your life.
In a household where the holy name of the lord is chanted, where the lord’s charanamrit (holy water of the lord’s feet) is sprinkled, and the lord is offered bhoga (sacred food), disruptive forces cannot enter. Divine powers protect the house. So, engage in chanting the holy name of the lord. If you ever receive charanamrit from a saint, sprinkle it in your home. Spirits only affect those whose behaviour aligns with that of spirits—those who eat meat, drink alcohol, or engage in immoral activities. Such wrong actions worsen our karma and attract spirits. But spirits do not trouble saints or devotees. If a spirit ever encounters a devotee, it will only do good to the devotee.
The Story Of Goswami Tulsidas And A Spirit
Goswami Tulsidas used to cross the Ganges in Kashi for his daily ablutions. The remaining water in his kamandal (water pot) would be poured under a tree where a spirit resided. The spirit drank that water for several days. One day, the spirit appeared before Tulsidas with folded hands and said, “I will give you whatever you desire.” Tulsidas replied, “I never summoned you or served you, so how can I accept anything from you?” The spirit responded, “Your service is already done. The water you left behind has provided me with great relief. I want to give you something.” Tulsidas said, “I only desire to have the darshan (vision) of Sita-Ram.” The spirit admitted, “I don’t have the power to grant that, but I can offer you a way.”
The spirit then told Tulsidas, “When you recite Ram Katha (the pastime of Lord Ram), Hanuman Ji also comes to listen. Hold onto his feet, and he will bless you with Sita-Ram’s darshan.” Tulsidas asked, “How will I recognize Hanuman Ji?” The spirit explained, “Hanuman Ji comes first to the gathering, disguised as an elderly man in tattered clothing, and leaves last after bowing to everyone.”
The Appearance Of Hanuman Ji
The next day, Tulsidas began his recital and noticed an elderly man arrive quietly and sit down first.
“Yatra yatra Raghunath kirtanam,
Tatra tatra kritamastakanjalim
Vaaspavaari paripurna lochanam
Marutim namata raakshasaantakam.”
Hanuman Ji listened to Lord Ram’s pastimes with tear-filled eyes. After everyone left, he took the dust from the devotees’ feet and placed it on his forehead. Tulsidas ran after Hanuman Ji, but Hanuman Ji fled. Eventually, they met, and Hanuman Ji asked, “What do you want?” Tulsidas replied, “I want to see Sita-Ram.” Hanuman Ji said, “Not here. Come to Chitrakoot.” There, in the form of royal princes, Ram and Lakshman appeared before Tulsidas.
Thus, a spirit helped Tulsidas achieve God’s divine vision. Similarly, the great devotee Namdev Ji from Maharashtra once had a vision of Lord Vitthal through a spirit. Those who chant the name of God can never be harmed.
The Role of Chanting In Kaliyug
Radhavallabh bhajat bhaji, bhali-bhali sab hoi,
Jite Vinayak shubh-ashubh, vighn karen nahin koi.
Vighn karen nahin koi daren, Kaliyug kaal kasht bhay,
Harain sakal santaap, harash harinam japat jai.
—Shri Hit Sevak Vani, 10.5
Kaliyug fears those who chant the holy name of God. All demonic forces are afraid of the one who sings the praises of the Lord. Therefore, chant the name to shield yourself from black magic or dark sorcery. If you do not engage in devotion, obstacles will arise, whether someone casts a spell or not.
Nowadays, mental illnesses have increased, and people are distressed due to their minds—negative thoughts and overthinking cause people to suffer. Instead of engaging in unnecessary worries, chant the holy name of Ram, Krishna, Hari, or Radha-Radha to ensure all is well. No form of witchcraft or black magic can trouble you. It’s your actions that cause the real distress.
Guidance By: Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
