Asserted Topics:
The eternal, obstacle-free path to salvation.
Key Points:
- To believe in God as the eternal and divine form residing in a mass of Brahmajyoti (divine luminosity).
- To worship God in the Swami-Sevakbhav (master-servant relationship).
- To avoid the belief in, and company of, those who perceive God as Nirakar (formless).
Explanation:
In this Vachanamrut, Shreeji Maharaj poses a question:
“What is the extraordinary means by which the soul can attain salvation unfailingly, and what is the greatest obstacle that can cause one to falter on this path?”
Thereafter, Maharaj Himself provides the answer:
The extraordinary means of salvation is to believe that God, who exists in the Tejno Samuh (mass of divine light), is an eternal divine form (Anadi Sakaar Murti) and to recognize that all incarnations emanate from Him. One must adopt the Swami-Sevakbhav toward this eternal form of God and engage in Upasana (worship) along with Dharma (moral conduct) and Bhakti (devotion). To strengthen this path, one should regularly associate with saints who are devout worshippers of this Sakaar (formful) God. This is the ultimate means of salvation—trustworthy, simple, and obstacle-free. Maharaj establishes this principle as an independent conclusion derived from the scriptures.
The greatest obstacle on this path is the association with those who follow the Vedanti philosophy, who believe God to be Nirakar. Maharaj explains that just as one feels indebted to someone who offers food in times of famine, the Vedanti misguides by making the soul dependent on their flawed philosophy. They mislead by asserting that the soul is unattached, unaffected by sins, and inherently identical to God, thereby convincing the soul to abandon all spiritual endeavors. Viewing this as a significant benefit, the soul develops admiration for them and deviates from the eternal path of Upasana. Thus, there is no greater impediment than the association of such Vedantis.
Maharaj further states:
“I have seen many Siddhas (those who have attained supernatural accomplishments) and traveled extensively across the Earth. However, I have not encountered anyone who has attained true realization without the eternal path of devotion and worship in the Swami-Sevakbhav towards Sakaar Bhagwan. Every Siddha I have seen has attained their state through devotion and worship of God.”
Maharaj also critiques the claims of Nirbeej Sankhya and Nirbeej Yog (philosophies devoid of seed or cause) as paths to realization. He states:
“Although these are mentioned in the scriptures, I have not seen anyone attain realization through them. I have met many Siddhas, but no one has achieved their state through these means. Such notions are as implausible as trying to lick the sky.”
Therefore, Maharaj concludes that the eternal, obstacle-free path to salvation is to worship the eternal divine form of God in Swami-Sevakbhav, associate with true devotees, and avoid misleading philosophies. Following this path is Maharaj’s definitive principle, free from obstacles.