Asserted Topics:
How can one completely withdraw the mind from Panch Vishay and remove its influence?
Main Points:
- By understanding through the perspective of Sankhya and contemplating the happiness of all beings in comparison with the happiness of Bhagwan, the mind can be drawn away from worldly pleasures and settle in the supreme joy of Bhagwan.
Commentary:
In this Vachanamrut, Maharaj asks the senior Paramhansas and devotees, “If a person has affection for Bhagwan and is firm in dharma, but lacks proper understanding, he will not regard even the most desirable Panch Vishay (objects of the five senses) as worse than the undesirable ones. What kind of understanding should he develop so that the most pleasant Panch Vishay appear worse than the most unpleasant? Please express your thoughts.”
The Santo gave their responses according to their own understanding.
Maharaj then said, “Now, listen to my understanding on this matter. Suppose someone receives a letter from a distant place; after reading the letter, one can get a sense of the writer’s intelligence and thoughts. Similarly, by reading scriptures about devotees like the Pandavas, Draupadi, Kuntaji, Rukmini, and others, we can understand their thoughts and intellect. Likewise, from their discourses, we can understand the perspective of philosophers like Sankhya and Vedant and how they have concluded that Bhagwan has created this universe.”
Maharaj continues, “I like a person who is rational because such a person can infer what Bhagwan is like from His actions. Bhagwan has not distributed happiness equally everywhere in the creation — there are different levels. Humans experience more happiness than animals. Among humans, there is variety in preferences and enjoyments, which animals lack. Deities experience even greater happiness than humans; their happiness is free from illness, deformity, or old age. So, the deities’ happiness is superior because it is accompanied by authority and longevity. But the highest form of happiness, in its purest and most intense form, exists in Akshardham. A person who can calculate this and understand the gradations of happiness is considered intelligent. Moreover, one who can anticipate the happiness of the future is also deemed rational. With such a perspective, one’s focus will inevitably turn to the happiness of Akshardham and the bliss of Maharaj’s divine form, because Maharaj says that the ultimate source of happiness is Bhagwan’s abode and His divine form. All the scriptures and past devotees who have realized the bliss of Bhagwan have affirmed this.”
Maharaj says, “Just as the light of this torch is brighter near its flame and fades as you move farther away, similarly, the happiness that resides in Bhagwan’s form is not found elsewhere. This is affirmed by those who have experienced the bliss of Bhagwan. Just as a wealthy man who arranges charitable activities like providing food and shelter for the poor enjoys far greater comforts in his own home, Bhagwan has given some happiness to other deities, but He has reserved supreme happiness in His own divine abode.”
First, it is necessary to recognize the great happiness that exists in Bhagwan’s divine abode. To do this, one must first understand what true happiness is. Then, one must discern its varying degrees, from the smallest to the greatest, and also understand what is insignificant happiness and what is vast. To fully comprehend this, one must also understand suffering — its amount, intensity, and its different forms. Without a proper understanding of both happiness and suffering in this world and their underlying causes, one’s heart cannot accept the truth, and one cannot become deserving of the highest happiness. Just as one must study from grade one through college to earn a degree in medicine or engineering through a final examination, similarly, to realize the true happiness of Bhagwan, one must first understand the nature of happiness and suffering in this world. Therefore, happiness and suffering are interconnected. Without fully understanding both, one cannot grasp the supreme happiness of Bhagwan, and without such understanding, one’s vision will not rise to that level. And until one’s vision reaches there, one will not be able to regard worldly happiness as insignificant or see its shortcomings.
Just as a person who receives a visa, green card, or citizenship for America finds the conveniences of India insignificant and quickly leaves them behind, someone who lacks that knowledge cannot let go. Maharaj says: “Even if a person has het (affection) for Bhagwan and is firm in dharma, they cannot easily give up the trivial happiness of this world until they have understood the happiness of Paramatma and His dham (divine abode) and it has registered in their intellect. Maharaj says that everyone has their own notions of happiness. But who truly recognizes this? Only one whose mind yearns for great happiness, who has a deep desire in their heart for true and abundant happiness, will be able to recognize that happiness. On the other hand, those who think, ‘Wherever we are, it is good enough,’ will not recognize it. Even if the greatest happiness is within their reach, without the right discernment, true happiness is not recognized, and instead, it may be ridiculed or dismissed.”
Thus, first, one must develop a hunger for true happiness, and then, the ability to recognize it. Once that recognition is achieved, attaining true happiness is not as difficult as obtaining the false pleasures of this worldly life. However, recognizing it is much harder. Maharaj says that when this understanding of happiness firmly settles in someone’s heart, they will no longer be attached to the worldly pleasures of this life. To have it ‘settle’ means that it is deeply and firmly embedded in the soul. If this happens, Maharaj says: ‘Even if such a person is seated on a throne, they will feel as if they are sitting in the forest, and if they are in the forest, they will feel as if they are seated in a royal palace. Such a person will experience far greater joy than any material wealth could offer. Therefore, Maharaj says: We must now reach Bhagwan’s dham (the divine abode) directly, without getting enticed or distracted by anything along the way. All of you should resolve to keep this determination firm.’