Asserted Topics:
Pleasing Bhagwan through Tap (austerities).
Main Points:
- A wise Sant (saint) should have the desire to please Bhagwan through Tap.
- Everyone has their own inclinations, but saints who desire to please Bhagwan should have a strong inclination towards Tap (like Maharaj).
- Recognizing Maharaj as the ultimate Karta (doer).
Commentary:
This Vachanamrut emphasizes pleasing Bhagwan through Tap. Maharaj was experiencing a slight fever, so He asked Muktanand Swami to check His pulse. Muktanand Swami noted that there was considerable weakness in Maharaj’s body, remarking, “The entire Satsang (spiritual fellowship) is going through difficult times because You are the life and soul of all Satsangis. Your weakness signifies a difficult time for everyone.” Maharaj then began to speak, saying that Naradji underwent severe Tap for a long time, enduring cold, heat, hunger, and thirst to please Bhagwan. Therefore, a wise Sant should knowingly restrain their body and senses. When difficulties arise by God’s will, they should not desire to avoid them. A renunciant Sant must have a deep and intense desire in their heart to perform Tap.
One should maintain the desire that even if it takes thousands of lifetimes, they will please Bhagwan only through Tap. While performing Tap, the devotion should be like the love-filled devotion that Radhikaji and Lakshmiji had for Bhagwan. There are various motives behind performing Tap, and accordingly, different emotions arise. Some perform Tap for attaining spiritual powers, others for achieving something, as Dhruvji did. Some perform Tap to trouble others, as Hiranyakashipu, Bhasmasur, and Ravana did. In Jainism, some perform Tap to burn off karmic effects. Some perform Tap to improve their deteriorating health, as seen in modern natural cures. Others perform Tap to maintain physical fitness, while some do so to gain knowledge, like Kalidas. Some perform Tap to remain in service of Bhagwan and please Him, as Lakshmiji, Tulsi, and Radhaji did. Yet, there are those who engage in Tap to declare themselves as ascetics, or even to deceive others through hypocrisy.
Maharaj says, “When devotees of Bhagwan (God) perform Tap (austerity), it should be done with the intention and emotion of serving Bhagwan lovingly. People who indulge in worldly pleasures can never truly serve anyone. They may receive service from others, but they cannot serve themselves. Service is a significant form of Tap. Among all forms of service, serving Bhagwan is the most sacred, rare, and elevated. A person who is always preoccupied with serving their own body or companions can never serve Bhagwan. If at times it seems that they are serving, it is merely an illusion. In reality, their personal comfort, indulgence, or selfishness has become intertwined with that service. Therefore, Maharaj says that in order to obtain or maintain service to Bhagwan with selfless intent, devotees must practice restraint and engage in Tap.”
Indulgence in worldly pleasures destroys the ability to serve Bhagwan in every possible way. Indulgence increases a person’s impurity and makes them selfish. It can even lead them into sin or violence. Muktanand Swami then humbly asked Maharaj, “O Maharaj! If a devotee does not perform Tap but instead offers fine clothes, ornaments, and delicious food, won’t that please You? You say that You are pleased by Tap, but this devotee is also trying to please You through offerings—what is wrong with that?” Maharaj replied, “As long as the offerings are made with selfless intent, there is no issue. The problem arises when, considering the offerings as sacred, the devotee becomes attracted to the pleasures and, forgetting Bhagwan, becomes indulgent and falls from the path. Thus, there is a difference between those who wish to serve Bhagwan through Tap and those who wish to serve through indulgence. The path of serving Bhagwan through Tap is the path free of obstacles, whereas the other path has a high potential for hindrance. Maharaj adds that millions have fallen from that path, and only a few have emerged successful.”
When serving Bhagwan through Tap, the servant’s senses become calm, allowing for uninterrupted service. However, contact with indulgence can cause the senses to become restless, agitated, and distorted, or there is at least the possibility of this happening. As a result, obstacles arise in performing service. Maharaj does not discuss further but makes one point clear: “This is my preference, and this is my principle. I am not speaking for anyone else, but if you want to please me, this is my clarity.” Maharaj gives His own example, saying, “Look at my life, and you will see my inclinations and desires clearly.” Maharaj says, “Knowing with firm conviction that Bhagwan is the ultimate Karta (doer) of this world is the highest cause of a soul’s salvation, and Tap is the cause of pleasing Bhagwan. Those who do not recognize Bhagwan as the Karta, and instead attribute the doership to Kal (time), Karma (actions), or other entities, are regarded by Maharaj as great sinners. Therefore, understanding that Bhagwan is the Karta of everything, and performing service with restraint and self-control, is the path to pleasing Him.”
Then Gopalanand Swami asked, “O Maharaj! If one has the desire for renunciation and Tap but faces obstacles, what should be done?” Maharaj replied, “True desire (Ishak) is such that no matter how many obstacles arise, one’s intent will not be halted. Only then can it be called true Ishak. In this world, there are individuals with weak desires and also those with intense desires for indulgence. They will fulfill their desires even if they must endure great suffering to do so. In the same way, there are also good, noble desires. And if one’s Ishak is pure and virtuous, it will certainly be fulfilled. However, true desire must awaken within the heart. Ishak means a powerful urge or eagerness that rises from the depths of one’s soul. If it is genuine, Maharaj says, no obstacle can stop it. A person only attains peace after fulfilling that desire.”