Prasang A Day

Not Trusting the Mind '… 'Even an accomplished yogi should never trust his mind - even though he may appear to have conquered it.' …'   [Loyã-14]

God's Devotees Should Not Side with Non-believers '… One who does side with a non-believer will himself, either in this life or in the next, definitely become a non-believer as well. Therefore, a devotee of God should certainly side with God's devotees and forsake the side of non-believers. Please imbibe this discourse of Mine extremely firmly.'   [Gadhadã II-5]

What is Perfect Gnan? '… Moreover, God dwells within them all as their antaryãmi and as their cause. It is that very God who is this manifest form. To know and see God with such an understanding of greatness is called perfect gnãn.'   [Loyã-7]

What are the Reasons for Distinctions in Levels of Faith? Thereafter Chaitanyãnand Swãmi asked, 'Mahãrãj, how have such distinctions in faith arisen?' Shriji Mahãrãj replied, 'When an aspirant initially approaches a guru, several factors cause distinctions in his faith: the auspiciousness and inauspiciousness of place, time, company, initiation, action, mantra, scriptures, etc., with regards to the guru; as well as the intensity of one's own shraddhã. Therefore, one should always associate with favourable places, times, etc. Moreover, one should acquire wisdom from a speaker who is serene and faultless.   [Loyã-12]

Overcoming Established Swabhavs '… Similarly, if one remains in the company of a pious sãdhu and perseveres with great effort, even an established swabhãv can be overcome, but only with great effort.'   [Loyã-8]

Overcoming Infatuation 'Now, while these two paths do lead to liberation, the obstacles along the way are also extremely grave. So, what should one who desires liberation do? Please answer this question.' All of the paramhansas then began to think, but no one was able to supply a suitable answer. Shriji Mahãrãj then said, 'The answer to the question is as follows: One's mind does not become infatuated on seeing one's own mother, sister or daughter, even if they are very beautiful. Moreover, even though one may talk with them, or even touch them, the mind is not even slightly infatuated. In the same manner, if one were to consider all female devotees of God as one's own mother, sister or daughter, then infatuation would not arise in any way at all. Then, by worshipping God via the amorous path, one would attain liberation.'   [Gadhadã II-3]

Means to Overcome one's Addictions Again Shriji Mahãrãj asked, 'People become addicted to many different types of things, for example, bhang, marijuana, opium, alcohol, etc. Are these addictions due to one's kriyamãn or prãrabdha karmas?' Replying, Shriji Mahãrãj said, 'These addictions are developed not by prãrabdha, but by habit. Therefore, if one maintains courage, keeps shraddhã, and becomes adamant on overcoming the addiction, then it can be overcome. But if one has no shraddhã and is cowardly, then that vice cannot be overcome.'   [Loyã-8]

Eradicating one's Flaws Through Bhakti and Knowledge “… Similarly, to such a person with gnãn, all objects become vain, and due to that gnãn, his vision becomes broad.  A person with such an understanding becomes happy.” [Loyã-10]

A Person with Gnan is Impossible to Bind '… Since his vision has become broad, and he knows all worldly objects to be vain, no objects are capable of binding such a person with gnãn…'   [Loyã-10]

To Remain Undisturbed Amidst Desires Thereupon Muktãnand Swãmi asked, 'How can one remain composed even under the influence of lust, anger, avarice and fear?' Shriji Mahãrãj replied, ''I am not the body; I am the ãtmã, which is distinct from the body and is the knower of all.' When such ãtmã-realisation becomes extremely firm, one never loses one's composure. On the other hand, a person without ãtmã-realisation may try many other means, but he cannot remain composed.' [Gadhadã I-61]