Muktãnand Swãmi then asked further, “Mahãrãj, one with such extreme indiscretion does not develop affection for God. But what about someone who believes that God is the ocean of all bliss, and that all objects other than God are certainly full of only misery? Despite knowing this, why does he not develop affection for God?”
Shriji Mahãrãj explained, “In either a past life or in this present life, that person has been influenced by extremely unfavourable places, times, company and actions. Due to this, he has performed very intense, sinful karmas that, in turn, have left impressions on his mind. Therefore, despite being able to discriminate between good and bad, he is unable to shun the bad and develop deep affection for God. Moreover, just as the influence of unfavourable places, times, actions and company causes the impressions of sinful karmas to influence the mind, similarly, the influence of extremely favourable places, favourable times, favourable actions and favourable company causes one to perform very intense, pure karmas, the influence of which will destroy the very intense, sinful karmas. Only then does one develop deep affection for God. That is the answer to the question.”
[Gadhadã III-14]