Prasang A Day

One Should Not Consider all Sãdhus to be Equal “… Similarly, if a person in this world believes, ‘As far as I am concerned, all sãdhus are equal. Who is good and who is bad?’ – then even if he is considered to be a satsangi, he should be known to be a non-believer…”

Pravrutti for the Sake of God is Better than Nivrutti “The renunciant who has adopted the path of nivrutti and who has only the virtue of ãtmã-realisation can never be equal to the renunciant who has adopted the path of pravrutti. This is because although the latter is also a renunciant who has adopted the path of nivrutti, he engages in pravrutti for the purpose of being able to serve God and His devotees. Such a person should stay on the path of pravrutti while abiding by the niyams prescribed by God. However, he should never overdo or under-do his observance of those niyams. While discarding vicious natures such as lust, anger, avarice, infatuation, desires, cravings for taste, etc., he should follow the path of pravrutti for the purpose of serving God and His devotees. As a result, he will never become attached to anything. Compared to the renunciant who has only the virtue of ãtmã-realisation, this renunciant is far superior, and it is he who earns the grace of God.” [Vartãl-17]

Developing Deep Attachment to God Develop? Then Muktãnand Swãmi asked, “How does such deep attachment towards God develop?” Shriji Maharaj replied, “Either due to very strong sanskars from past lives, or by serving and thus pleasing the Sant who has such firm attachment with God - these two methods help create deep attachment towards God. Besides these, there are no other methods.” [Gadhadã II-29 ]

Bharat (India) is Incomparable “The Shrimad Bhãgwat and other sacred scriptures state that it is extremely rare to receive a human birth in Bharat-khand, and that it can be equalled to receiving a chintãmani. In fact, even Indra and other demigods long for a human birth. The vishays, the affluence and opulence, as well as the lifespan of the demigods greatly exceed that of humans, yet they have no means of attaining liberation in their own realms. Only after receiving a human birth in Bharat-khand can one attain liberation. In no other place and with no other body is liberation possible. For this reason, attaining a human birth in Bharat-khand is better than being born in any of the other regions of Mrutyulok. Thus, there is no place in the 14 realms that can compare with Bharat-khand.” [Bhugol-Khagol - 1]

Benefit of developing Enmity with the Mind “Thus, a person who is wise should definitely develop enmity towards his mind for the sake of his liberation. Thereby, if he conquers his mind, he is sure to benefit; but even if he is defeated by his mind, he will eventually return to the path of realisation, which is also beneficial in the end. Therefore, one who aspires for liberation should most certainly develop enmity towards his mind.” [Vartãl-1]

The Understanding to Observe Dharma “… Such a person believes, ‘If I observe dharma, God will be extremely pleased with me, and if I deviate from dharma in any way, then God will be extremely displeased with me.’ If he has this firm conviction within, then that devotee will never falter from dharma in any way. On the other hand, if a person does not have this kind of understanding, then regardless of how much gnãn he may have, or how much bhakti he may offer, he may still deviate from dharma or become bound by worldly objects. This is a fundamental truth.” [Gadhadã III-26]

If One is Unable to Contemplate upon God “If, however, one is unable to contemplate upon God’s form, one should remain in the company of such a sãdhu who possesses dharma, gnãn, vairãgya and bhakti…” [Gadhadã II-48]

Remaining Within Dharma “However, when I recently fell ill in Panchãlã, if something serious had happened to Me, then everyone’s firmness would not have remained as it is now. At such a time, one who has intense vairãgya can remain within dharma; or one who has affectionately attached one’s jiva to a person who has intense vairãgya can remain within dharma; or one who keeps contact with Satsang and, realising God to be antaryãmi, behaves according to the niyams that have been prescribed for him can remain within dharma. Except for these, others cannot remain within dharma. ” [Gadhadã III-29]

What is God Like? Thereupon Shriji Mahãrãj said to the muni-mandal and the devotees, “Everyone please listen to what I have to say. One should first develop a firm conviction of the form of God. What is God like? Well, He, by His own wish, takes birth for the liberation of the jivas. Yet having taken birth, He is still beyond birth. Despite having to die, God is still beyond aging and death. He is also ‘niranjan’, that is to say, He has no blemish of mãyã. In addition, He possesses a definite form and is self-radiant; He is Parabrahma, antaryãmi, the supporter of countless millions of brahmãnds; and He also transcends Akshar. His assuming and discarding of a human body is merely an illusion – like the magic of a wizard. Furthermore, He is the controller of the countless muktas, including Akshar. He is also the lord of all. That Shri Purushottam Nãrãyan, after first taking birth from Dharmadev and Murti, performs austerities in Badrikãshram in the form of Narnãrãyan. [Amdãvãd-4]

The Most Extraordinary Spiritual Endeavour for Liberation Then Shriji Mahãrãj asked all of the paramhansas and devotees, “What is the most extraordinary spiritual endeavour for the liberation of the jiva, which, if practised, will surely guarantee liberation and prevent all other obstacles from hindering that liberation? Also, what is the greatest obstacle in that endeavour for liberation, on account of which one would certainly fall from the path of liberation? Please answer both of these questions.” Everyone answered according to their understanding, but the question was not answered satisfactorily. So then Shriji Mahãrãj said in reply, “The most extraordinary spiritual endeavour for liberation is to understand Purushottam Bhagwãn, who is seated amidst the mass of light of Brahma, as eternally having a form. Furthermore, understanding that all avatãrs emanate from Him, one should accept the refuge of the manifest form of God by any means possible. One should also offer bhakti to that God while observing dharma, as well as associate with a Sant possessing such bhakti. That is the most extraordinary spiritual endeavour for liberation. One encounters no hindrances along that path.