Asserted Topics:
Eradicating Maya and worshipping Bhagwan, and how actions connected to Bhagwan become supremely powerful.
Key Points:
- Bhagwan purifies His devotees greatly.
- Actions connected to Bhagwan are the most powerful.
Explanation:
In this Vachanamrut, Shreeji Maharaj discusses: “All of you Muni Mandal (santos), Brahmachari (celibate disciples), householders, members of the holy fellowship, attendants, and residents of Ayodhya, are all considered my followers. If I am not vigilant in guiding your conduct, and you happen to behave carelessly, it may go unnoticed by me. Therefore, I must ensure that no flaw remains in any of you, who are my followers. You too should remain constantly vigilant. If you are even slightly careless, you will lose your footing.”
In Sanskrit literature, it is said: “Apreritah sanhitam vidadhyat sa eva guruh paramam dayaluh” – It is common for a teacher to instruct after a disciple requests it, but what is the ultimate compassion of a teacher? It is when, out of great compassion, the teacher instructs the disciple even without being asked. Similarly, Maharaj’s immense compassion for us is evident in how much He cares for us. Bhagwan proclaims, “This one is mine” – this is the highest achievement.
Here, Maharaj tells us directly: “You are my followers, and therefore I am concerned for you. I cannot allow even the slightest flaw to remain in you. You too must remain ever vigilant. No form of desire or inappropriate nature should be allowed to remain.” This Vachanamrut is referred to as Bhoot nu Toloo (the group of ghosts). The elements of Maya have clung to us, like ghosts. Once possessed by a ghost, it controls you. If you ask it what it wants, it will say it wants to take the life of the person. Similarly, the elements of Maya have taken control over our souls. Just as when a Brahmin is possessed by a ghost and demands the sacrifice of a goat—despite being a Brahmin who should not desire such a thing—it responds, “I am not a Brahmin, I am a Khaviha (a type of ghost).” In the same way, the elements of Maya demand various things, presenting a list of desires and needs to the soul. These are not the soul’s true needs but rather the demands of the group of spirits. Each element demands something according to its nature. Maharaj says that as His followers, we must free ourselves from these attachments and become completely detached.
The mind is the platform where desires manifest. Just like the screen of a computer displays different files when clicked, the mind brings forth different desires automatically when given the space. You don’t even need to press a button; the desires of the senses and their tendencies appear on the screen by themselves. On the contrary, we have to suppress these desires. When Maharaj was performing penance at Pulhashram, He would frequently remember the stories of Bharatji and Puranjan to remain vigilant, teaching us the same. The senses, mind, Pran (vital forces), and the three gunas (attributes: Sattvik, Rajas, and Tamas) constantly stir their independent emotions in our hearts. By remaining detached from the emotions that hinder our spiritual progress and suppressing them, we can please Maharaj, and it can be said that we responded appropriately to His love, as He has accepted us as His own. Therefore, Maharaj also advises us: “You too must remain constantly vigilant.” Do not be careless. Bhagwan wants to purify us. We must not allow any attachment to remain in anything other than Bhagwan.
Later that same evening, Maharaj spoke in an assembly, saying, “Through Sattvik (pure) deeds, one attains Devlok (the realm of deities). Through Rajas (worldly) deeds, one is reborn in Madhya Lok (the earthly realm, or Prithvilok), and through Tamas (ignorant or evil) deeds, one falls into a lower state. Now, some may wonder, ‘If one is reborn in the human realm due to Rajas deeds, why aren’t all humans experiencing the same levels of happiness or misery?’”
The answer is that even within the quality of Rajas, due to the influence of factors like place, time, and other circumstances, countless variations exist. Therefore, no single, fixed outcome applies universally. Furthermore, if a person performs an action that displeases a devotee of Bhagwan, a Sant, or some incarnation of Bhagwan, they will suffer in this very body, in this mortal world, enduring misery akin to that of Yamapuri (hell). On the other hand, if one performs actions that please Bhagwan and His devotees, they will experience happiness in this body as if they have attained Param Pad (the highest state of liberation).”
Here, Maharaj demonstrates the hierarchy of actions. There are many types of actions, but which actions are considered more powerful than others, and which are weaker in comparison? To measure the strength of actions, three key factors are used as benchmarks. The first factor is the intensity with which the action is performed. A particular good deed or sinful action, if performed with great intensity, will yield a stronger result than one performed with less intensity. Even if the actions are the same, the outcome will vary based on the intensity with which they were carried out. The fruit of actions performed with greater intensity will be stronger and more impactful. This intense passion is often observed more in sinful acts like theft, violence, and adultery, whereas such intensity is less visible in good deeds, although it is still possible.
The second factor influencing the outcome of actions is the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the place and time. A good deed or a sinful action, if performed at an auspicious place or time, will yield greater results than it would otherwise. This is why our scriptures include injunctions on performing certain rituals at specific times—like worshipping in the morning—and in holy places, using sacred vessels, etc.
The third factor determining the strength of an action is its connection to Bhagwan. The extent to which an action is performed with devotion to Bhagwan or for the sake of His devotees determines how strongly it is connected to Him. Any action that is performed with a connection to Bhagwan becomes supremely powerful. Actions performed for Bhagwan surpass all others, overriding the results of all other actions, and bestowing their superior fruit upon the one who performs them. This is their unique characteristic. Thus, Maharaj says, if someone commits an act that displeases Bhagwan or His devotees, even if they were destined for heaven, their good deeds will be destroyed, and they will be sent to hell. Conversely, if someone performs actions that please Bhagwan and His devotees, even if they were destined for hell due to their bad deeds, those bad deeds will be nullified, and they will attain Param Pad (liberation).
Maharaj further explains: “If a person displeases Bhagwan or His Sant, even if they had earned a place in heaven through their deeds, they will lose it and be sent to hell. However, if a person pleases Bhagwan and His Sant, even if they were bound for hell due to their past actions, those negative deeds will be nullified, and they will attain the highest state. Therefore, a wise person should always act in a manner that pleases Bhagwan and His devotees and should advise their relatives and friends to do the same.”The light and greatness of the Sun, the Moon, and Fire have been attained because they must have, at some point, performed actions that pleased Bhagwan and His Sants. The happiness and grandeur that those in Devlok (the realm of deities) and on Earth enjoy are also the result of having pleased Bhagwan and His Sants. Therefore, Maharaj concludes, “One who desires the ultimate good for their soul should remain in their Swadharm (moral integrity) and strive to please Bhagwan and His Sants—this is the only true path to salvation.”