Asserted Topics:
Faith in God through an understanding of His elements
Key Points:
- Conviction in God is established through the understanding of His glory.
- Through the medium of the universe, the Glory of God can be understood.
- Those who have deep faith will make a strong effort to please God, drop their temperament and examine their negative qualities.
Explanation
In this Vachanamrut, Swami Nrusinhanand asks, “What kind of thoughts arise in those who lack conviction (nischay) in God?” Then, Paramchaitanyanand Swami inquires, “What kind of state is experienced by those who have complete conviction?” Finally, Shriji Maharaj also describes the characteristics of one with firm conviction. Those who lack conviction feel joyful when they see power but become disheartened when they don’t. Additionally, if their state of mind does not change, they perceive faults in God and project their own imaginations onto Him. This is the result of lacking conviction. Those with complete conviction experience a state where they feel they have attained everything and perceive themselves as fulfilled. They see God as the cause of their success and achievements, not themselves. They hold a high regard for the direct devotees of God and do not have expectations beyond what they have received. They continually experience joy in their heart and know this as firm conviction.
Maharaj states: “Firm conviction in God is achieved by understanding His true form through elements (tattva).” The essence of the Supreme Being is understood through the elements. Therefore, it is important to understand the glory of the Supreme Being. By knowing His glory, firm conviction in Him is established.
In this Vachanamrut, three main aspects are indicated. First, understanding the greatness of the Supreme Being. Knowing how and to what extent God is greater than everything else. Second, understanding that what is greater is also subtler. Subtlety implies purity. God is the purest of all, as stated, “Pavanah Pavanaanam” (the purest among the pure). Subtlety also means that His understanding is greater than all. Third, it is said that the greater one is, the more powerful they are. The word “cause” indicates the power and strength of God. Thus, knowing the greatness, purity, and strength of the human-like form of God helps eliminate any doubts and establish firm conviction.
The characteristics of firm conviction are such that even a renunciate would happily perform actions associated with a householder’s duties if asked. Secondly, they relinquish their rigid nature. Thirdly, they fully benefit from listening to katha (spiritual discourses), singing devotional songs, and serving saints. This means they go to great lengths and acknowledge their own flaws. Such a person has the highest degree of firm conviction.
| Weak Faith (અપક્વ નિશ્ચય) | Ripe Faith (પક્વ નિશ્ચય) | Complete Faith (પરિપક્વ નિશ્ચય) |
| Rejoices only when power is visible; otherwise, becomes disheartened. | Feels fulfillment through one’s personality. | Feels extreme joy and sees perfection in achievements. |
| Perceives faults in God and projects personal flaws onto Him. | Considers God the cause of their success and feels continuous joy. | Maintains a pure, faultless view of God’s devotees and perceives divine qualities in them. |
| Negative thoughts and doubts do not vanish from the heart. | Holds a high regard for the direct devotees of God and does not have expectations beyond what they have received. | Rejoices in the divine qualities of God and His devotees. |
| Associates with objects of attachment and sees flaws in God when detachment is difficult. | Perceives themselves as fulfilled and sees God as the cause of their achievements, not themselves. | Experiences no incompleteness in their achievements and feels utmost contentment. |
| Feels joy when encountering power, but joy fades when power is not visible. | Considers all personal successes as being due to God’s grace. | Rejoices continually in the relationship with God. |
| Blames God for persistent negative thoughts despite efforts. | Understands and appreciates the virtues of the saints. | Engages in constant service and devotion with a pure heart. |
| Projects personal limitations onto God, thinking God must have similar faults. | No longer desires more than what has been achieved. | Fully content and sees no other pursuit beyond devotion. |
| When mind is not detached from material attachments, blames God for similar shortcomings. | Feels a sense of completeness and fulfillment through divine association. | Finds divine qualities and perfection in every aspect of devotion. |
| Feels inadequate and sees no fault in self, blaming God instead. | Acknowledges God’s role in all achievements and success. | Deeply values and respects the direct devotees of God. |
| Perceives own faults as God’s faults, unable to see divine perfection. | Continually experiences the joy of divine presence and satsang. | Views every action and thought as aligned with divine will. |
| Lacks a steady state of joy, fluctuates with visible divine power. | Appreciates all divine virtues and strives to embody them. | Experiences unbounded bliss and firm faith in God’s perfection. |
| Views divine teachings and actions with skepticism when outcomes do not meet expectations. | Finds joy in the virtues and teachings of saints. | Engages in devotional practices with full heart and mind. |
| Sees spiritual practices as burdensome when material desires are strong. | Performs actions with joy, attributing all to God’s influence. | Continues unwavering devotion regardless of personal circumstances. |
| Considers God as limited due to personal failings and attachments. | Feels a sense of completeness and divine fulfillment in every action. | Sees the highest divine qualities manifesting in personal devotion and service. |
| Perceives the material world as more influential than divine presence. | Sees divine qualities in every aspect of life and service. | Fully immersed in divine bliss, viewing every moment as a reflection of divine will. |