Prasang A Day

While simultaneously dwelling in Akshardham... “… In the same way, Purushottam Bhagwãn manifests in whatever form is required in whichever brahmãnd – while simultaneously dwelling in Akshardhãm. Actually, He Himself forever dwells in Akshardhãm. In fact, wherever that form of Purushottam resides, that is the very centre of Akshardhãm.” [Gadhadã II-42]

The half-fallen satsangi “… Also, a devotee of God should perceive flaws primarily in himself. Conversely, a person who perceives flaws in others and only virtues in himself may be known as a satsangi, but he should be known to be half-fallen.” [Gadhadã II-26]

One should apply these two types of gnan with great fervour “If one attains the gnãn of one’s jivãtmã and the gnãn of God’s greatness as mentioned earlier, then even if one has somehow become attached to any sort of pleasures of the panchvishays, one would not remain bound by them, but would, in fact, break that bondage and withdraw from them. How, then, can one who forsakes the pleasures of the panchvishays become attached? Therefore, having listened to these two types of gnãn, one should apply them within one’s mind with great fervour…” [Gadhadã III-39]

How to Love God “Please listen, I wish to speak to all of you. When you were singing devotional songs, and as I was listening to them, a thought occurred to Me, which I shall now share with you. If one wants to love God, one should love Him while believing oneself to be the ãtmã, which is characterised by pure existence…” [Gadhadã II-57]

The three attributes of a staunch satsangi “A person who possesses three attributes can be called a staunch satsangi. What are these three attributes? The first is to strictly adhere to the niyams prescribed by one’s Ishtadev – to such an extent that one would never forsake those disciplines even at the cost of one’s life. The second is to have extremely firm faith in God, so much so that one would never sway from it even if others or one’s own mind were to raise doubts. The third is to be loyal to those Vaishnav devotees who worship one’s Ishtadev – just as parents are loyal to their children, a son is loyal to his father, and a wife is loyal to her husband. One who possesses these three attributes completely can be called a staunch satsangi.” [Gadhadã II-61]

I do nothing for my own personal enjoyment “… In fact, all of My activities are for the sake of the devotees of God; there is not a single activity which I perform for My own personal enjoyment.” [Gadhadã II-55]

Hold no Grudges “In addition, with the devotees of God one should behave in the same manner as family members do amongst themselves. For example, even if a person scolds his own family members out of affection, or if they happen to scold him, grudges still do not develop in their hearts. With devotees of God, one should behave in the same manner…” [Gadhadã II-63]

Crossing the ocean “Also, realise that to try to attain liberation by only observing dharma without the other three attributes – upãsanã of God’s form, narrating and listening to God’s divine incidents, and chanting His holy name – would be as difficult as trying to cross the ocean after tying gourds to oneself. Yet, though a person has the refuge of the form of God; though he narrates and listens to God’s divine incidents and though he chants the name of God, if he does not observe dharma, he should be known to be as foolish as one who tries to cross the ocean carrying a stone slab upon his head; he should also be known to be like an outcast.” [Gadhadã II-35]

Why does one who seems to be unworthy still attain samadhi? Thereupon Rãmchandra Vãghmodiã of Vadodarã asked Shriji Mahãrãj, “Mahãrãj, why does one who seems to be an unworthy person still attain samãdhi?” Shriji Maharaj replied, 'Everyone believes that one who infringes the dharma of one's caste and ashram as prescribed in the scriptures is an 'unworthy person'. However, if that unworthy person sincerely appreciates the virtues of God and His Sant, he earns great merits. As a result, the sins that he has committed by transgressing the dharma of his caste and ashram are eradicated and his jiva becomes extremely pure. Thereafter, when his mind is fixed on God's form, he attains samadhi.' [Vartãl-14]

No matter how a devotee dies, he will reach God “In this world, many sinful people die with full consciousness. Also, a soldier or a rajput who has injured his body may die while being fully conscious. That being so, will a non-believer who dies with full consciousness still attain liberation, despite being a non-believer? Of course not; he will certainly be consigned to narak. Conversely, regardless of whether a devotee of God dies in a disturbed state due to the influence of bãdhitãnuvrutti or while engaged in the chanting of God’s name, that devotee still reaches the holy feet of God.” [Gadhadã III-4]