Direct-devotion is complete
How was Nand-Santos devotion? If you see the lives of Nand-Santo, they had beyond-the-world experience with the Lord. Narayan Bhagat used to say that all the activities of Shastriji Maharaj had some sparkle of Maharaj. It is also said in Gunatitanand Swami Ni Vato that the life of Raghuvirji Maharaj was a reflection of Maharaj’s life. If you observe the life of these exalted devotees, you can completely understand Maharaj. You would see the glimpse of Maharaj in their activities, in their behavior, and in their day to day life.
Maharaj said in Vachnamrut that we can achieve ultimate good if we surrender to God who is currently roaming the earth. If God is not present, we should surrender to His Saint, follow his directions, and be strict in our moral behavior. Then we would achieve ultimate good. If both God and His Saint are not present, then we should accept the Murti of God by following moral values. Even then we would achieve our ultimate good.
The Saint to whom we surrender should have direct connection of God in his philosophy, in his life, and in his work.
Narayandasji Swami was called Double-God. It meant that having Darshan of Narayandasji Swami was like having two Darshans of God. Was he God? No. But all his works and life showed direct connection with God. God is untouched by worldly affairs. Similarly, single-minded Saint would be untouched by worldly affairs.
Maharaj said that Mulji Brahmachari was untouched by all worldly affairs like how the sky is untouched by all other elements. Nothing in the world could stick to him. It can be felt that Mulji Brahmachari had the qualities like that of God.
What is the proof that a devotee has direct connection with God? The proof is that the devotee would not be chasing worldly pleasures and bodily pleasures. The one with direct connection with God would have natural detachment to the body and world.
Maharaj asked, “How would a devotee, who is 100% into Satsang, look like?”
Answer: He would live happily following moral rules and the wishes of God. He would not find it hard to follow Dharma and is happy to follow Dharma. If he is hesitant to follow Dharma then he is not a pure devotee. Such devotee can’t have direct relation with God.
Maharaj mentioned in Vachnamrut that we should bond with such a Saint whose life is protected by Panch-Vartman (five regulative principles) and has a direct relation with God.
Keep Dharma in all activities
Nishkulanand Swami asks us to not to do any work by leaving aside Dharma.
Speak with Dharma. Enjoy with Dharma. Sleep, sit, and wake up with Dharma. Stand with Dharma. Walk with Dharma. Be in Dharma. Listen to Dharma. Eat with Dharma. Drink with Dharma. Work with Dharma. Never do anything without Dharma. Always be with Dharma. Don’t leave Dharma even if you are filled with happiness or sorrow.
Nishkulanand Swami says that one who can hold Dharma has direct and strong relation with God and believes that his soul is different from three types of bodies, three states of mind, and three qualities of nature.
If you are attached to the body, you cannot follow Dharma. The feeling of “I am this body” blocks you from following Dharma. How do we become detached from the body? When we realize direct relation with God from inside and experience God, then we can live happily while following Dharma.
Hariprasad Swami took bath and attended regular spiritual sessions even on his last day. He was not lazy even at that age and even on the last day of his body. He has the taste for Dharma. If he is attached to body he can’t have attachment to Dharma. If we are attached to body, we must leave the taste of Dharma or sacrifice Dharma for sure.
Only the one who has direct relation with God can be happy. What is the symbol of direct relation with God? The devotee who has direct relation with God will naturally keep away from worldly pleasures. While following Dharma, he is not afraid to give up his life, but he would never leave Dharma. That is the way of thinking of God and that is the way of thinking of real devotees of God.
The others who don’t have direct relation with God would say, “Follow Dharma as much as you can. We can’t give up life for Dharma. Dharma won’t give us our life back.”
Only the one who has experienced God and tasted the life with God can give up worldly objects with pleasure. That is the symbol of direct relation with God. Whatever comes in the way of God would be given up with pleasure. Whatever comes in the way of following rules of God would be given up. Whatever comes in the way of pleasing God would be given up.
Follow Dharma with rock-solid determination
Nishkulanand Swami says that in order to please God, in order to achieve your ultimate good, in order to win the essence of your life, you should follow Dharma with rock-solid determination. Don’t give up Dharma for the pleasures of body, senses, and mind. Speak, see, and enjoy by being within the boundaries of Dharma.
Don’t be pleased with someone who does great work but by giving up Dharma. Even if he does something very useful for you by giving up Dharma or giving up the rules of Maharaj, don’t be pleased with them.
Maintain your body and life with Dharma. Give up your activities that are not in line with Dharma. Never allow yourself to take actions that are against Dharma. Be strong in that.
If you don’t follow Dharma, you are dishonoring Maharaj. You say, “I follow Swaminarayan,” and do Adharma (immoral). You are not pleasing Maharaj. You should say “I follow Swaminarayan” by following Dharma. Bring honor to Maharaj. Then you are said to be a real follower of Swaminarayan. Don’t allow others to blasphemy Maharaj because of your acts of Adharma (immoral).
Never ever give up Dharma
Even when your life is luxurious and progressive, never give up Dharma and the rules of Maharaj. Even when you are in depths of sorrow, do not give up Dharma and rules of Maharaj.
In Gujarat there was a devotee of God who had an ice factory. And there was a judge who was a Brahmin and who was very active in Satsang. All the devotees would meet at a place during festivals like Ekadashi, Janmashtami, etc.,
One Ekadashi, the devotee who owned an ice factory brought bananas for all devotees.
The Brahmin devotee said, “I can’t take your bananas.”
The devotee asked, “Why Bhagat? Today is Ekadashi.”
“Please tell me what’s your business?”
“I own a factory that produces ice.”
“Where does the ice go?”
“To the fish market.”
“That is the reason I don’t take your bananas.”
The devotee realized that his business did not uphold Dharma. So, he closed the factory and started a contract business.
This example illustrates: We should not give up Dharma even to maintain our body, family, and life.
References :
Sarsiddhi Katha Part 21