Prasang A Day

The Danger of not Having an Aversion Towards the Vishays '… Furthermore, if someone has firm faith in God but lacks an extreme aversion towards the vishays and is still attracted to them, then even if a person like Muktãnand Swãmi were to denounce those objects, he would go as far as to cut off the person's head with a sword in order to harm that person.'   [Loyã-17.5]

The Benefit of Understanding God's Greatness '… What object in the world, then, can attract someone who has understood the greatness of God in this manner? Lust, anger, avarice, egotism, jealousy, cravings for taste, fine clothes, wealth, women, in fact, none of the panchvishays can bind him. This is because he has assessed everything…'   [Loyã-17.13]

Eradicating Vicious Thoughts During Meditation Once again Shriji Mahãrãj asked, 'While meditating on God, countless different waves of vicious thoughts arise in the mind, just as large waves arise in the ocean. When such thoughts do arise, how can they be suppressed?' Shriji Mahãrãj answered His own question: 'When such vicious thoughts arise, one should stop the meditation, and should clap and chant 'Swãminãrãyan, Swãminãrãyan' aloud, without shame. One should pray to God, 'O Lord! You are a friend of the meek! You are an ocean of mercy!' Also, one should remember a great sãdhu of God, like Muktãnand Swãmi, and pray to him too. As a result of this, all disturbing thoughts will be eradicated and peace will prevail. Apart from this, there is no other method to eradicate such thoughts.'   [Loyã-6.29,30]

What Type of Company Would Make one Perceive Faults Again Shriji Mahãrãj asked, 'Despite the fact that he observes dharma, sitting with and listening to which type of satsangi or paramhansa would make one subject to developing faults?' Shriji Mahãrãj replied, 'If a person has faith in God and observes dharma, but also believes his self to be the body and has egotism as well as desires for worldly activities, then if God and His Sant denounce these, he will definitely perceive flaws in God and His Sant. Then, he will talk about the perceived flaws of God and His Sant to others and cause them to become like non-believers. One should not associate with such a person in any way; doing so is harmful.'   [Loyã-6.8,9]

Who Perceives Faults in a Sadhu? Thereafter, Shriji Mahãrãj asked, 'Why does one perceive faults in a sãdhu?' The paramhansas attempted to answer the question but were unable to do so satisfactorily. So Shriji Mahãrãj answered the question Himself: 'An egotist perceives faults in a sãdhu. This is because it is the very nature of someone who is egotistical that if someone praises him, even though that person may have a hundred faults, he would overlook them and would instead greatly highlight a single virtue. Conversely, if a person does not praise him, then even though that person may have a hundred virtues, he would overlook all of them and highlight an utterly insignificant fault. Consequently, he would initially spite that person mentally, then verbally, and ultimately physically as well. Thus, egotism is a grave vice. However, do not think that only the shrewd are egotistical and the naïve are not. In actual fact, the naïve are more egotistical than the shrewd.'   [Loyã-16.19,20,21]

Stability by Remaining at the Holy Feet of God '… Therefore, God alone is not overcome by those influences. While all others, however great they may be, if they are not engrossed in the holy feet of God, would be overcome; those who do remain engrossed are not overcome. This is a universal principle that I have firmly established within Myself.'   [Loyã-13.4]

The Benefit of Intensely Serving a Great Sant Muktãnand Swãmi then asked, 'If a person does not possess vairãgya, what means should he adopt to eradicate those vicious natures?' Shriji Mahãrãj replied, 'If a person lacks vairãgya, but intensely serves a great Sant, and obediently perseveres in his observance of the injunctions of God, then God will look upon him with an eye of compassion, and feel, \'This poor fellow lacks vairãgya, and lust, anger, etc., are harassing him very much. So now, may all those vicious natures be eradicated.\' As a result, they will be eradicated immediately. In comparison, if he were to endeavour in other ways, those swabhãvs may be eradicated, but after a great deal of time and effort - either in this life or in later lives. If such vicious natures are eradicated instantly, then it should be known that they have been eradicated by the grace of God.'   [Gadhadã II-7.4,5]

Controlling One's Sense of Taste 'To conquer the tongue, it should not be given items that it likes, and one's diet should be restricted. Thereby, the over-excitability of the tongue is eradicated.'   [Loyã-8.21]

Divinity of God in Human Form 'Therefore, although God appears to be like a human, the aforementioned luminosity and bliss all remain in Him…'   [Loyã-18.11]

How to Observe Ekadashi 'The Dharma-shãstras also state: 'The Ekãdashi fast should be observed. On that day, one should not allow impure thoughts of lust, anger, avarice, etc., to arise in the mind. Nor should one physically engage in any immoral activities.' This is what the scriptures prescribe. In accordance with those scriptures, I also say that on the day of Ekãdashi, one should not merely fast, but one should also forsake the 'food' of the eleven indriyas. Only then can the Ekãdashi observance be considered true; without that, it should be known as mere fasting.'   [Gadhadã II-8.3]