Devotion. November Editorial

Transcription

1 November Devotion Editorial In every devotee, aspiration for devotion (aradhana) is intertwined/ingrained. But what is considered devotion? What is to be done in devotion and what is not to be done in it? Self-enlightened Dadashri says that absence of disrespect (viradhana) is indeed devotion! The one who doesn t do viradhana in the slightest of any living being will attain moksha. If maintains a connection with the one who has reached a higher level will help an him to go up; that is called aradhana (devotion). Whereas speaking against him will cause one to fall to lower stage, and that is called viradhana (opposition), disrespect). Worship is included in devotion. Worship may be direct or indirect. Worship of the venerable deity done without proper introduction of the deity s true form is known as indirect worship (paroksha bhakti) and when one meets a visible and present Gnani (Enlightened One) and He imparts the realization of one s own Self and then devotion of one s own Absolute Self (Parmatma) is done day and night; it is known as direct worship (pratyaksh bhakti)! True worship starts after knowing the real Absolute Self! Direct worship of visible Gnani is essential until completion of Absolute Self-form is attained; this worship is of utmost benefit as an instrument in attaining that Self-form. And ultimately, after completion of Gnani s worship, worship of the Gnan (Knowledge) is to be done; this worship imparts Absolute Knowledge! How and where viradhana happens at eminent place of worship where religious discourses are being discussed, where Arati (ceremony performed in worship of Gods by moving a lighted lamp or camphor circularly if front of the idol) is being done is explained in minute details by Dadashri. Some people are devoted to Gnani and yet become victim of the disrespect that was previously charged in their innate nature (prakruti); with so much grace Dadashri has conformed auspiciousness on them is compiled here in the form of discourses that visibly touch the heart.

2 Thus in the current issue, the most revered Dadashri s speech about devotion and worship etc. has been compiled and published; it gives true understanding about devotion. It will serve as a guide to the well-informed reader for real devotion. Jai Sacchidanand

3 Devotion means Questioner: What does doing aradhana (devotion or worship) of God mean? What is the advantage of worshipping God? What does viradhanna (disrespect, opposition) mean? What is the damage caused by viradhana? Dadashri: Let us keep aside the discussion about God s worship but if you are acquainted with a policeman and if you have given him respect, he will let you go if someday you commit an offence. Even a policeman will acquit you if you have respected him before. However, if you disrespect him, he will arrest you even if no offence is committed. So then, what can you say about God? Therefore, do not disrespect anyone. Do not worship if you cannot, but do not disrespect. Questioner: What is considered viradhana? What do we have to do to consider it a viradhana. Dadashri: If you tell a policeman, Hey, who do you think you are? Why are you stopping my car? Who are you to block us? You have to stop when he shows his hand for you to stop because he is the policeman. He is also under control of the law. Now, if we talk like this and show off, it is known as disrespect (viradhana) for him. And then, he will say, Alright then, pull over on the side. He will take down the name and other information. Instead, if you would say, Sir, let me go, I made a mistake. There is wedding and I have to be there. Thus if respect is shown, you may be able to escape. Should you not get your work accomplished? These are all Gods (pure Souls). Is the policeman not a pure Soul? Yes. So try and show him respect! Quetioner: Please expand on devotion in your words. Dadashri: In my words, devotion (aradhana) and disrespect (viradhana) are such that the one not showing any disrespect whatsoever is considered devoee (aradhak). To have the knowledge that he does not do even slightest of viradhana, that is his devotion. Who is to be worshipped? Not doing viradhana, that is

4 indeed one has to worship (devote to). When you stop doing any viradhana, you become a devotee. Questioner: How should one worship? Stop disrespecting, that is all Dadashri: When disrespect is not shown, it is indeed considered worship. Do not show disrespect is itself a devotion or worshipping. Questioner: Do not show disrespect - what does it mean? Dadashri: Do you not recognise that disrespect etc. [such as rudeness, insolence] was shown? Gnani Purush came, people even said that He is here, but one did not even know how to do his darshan, did one? This Enlightened One with Absolute Knowledge is here, a Gnani Purush like Gautam Swami came to your place and you went to the Jain temple [to see God]!! Would these living beings (jivas) not this? It is not your fault, people have no awareness whatsoever. Some people do not even have a clue whether the tea contains sugar or molasses. It is not their fault. However, not showing disrespect is reverence (devotion, aradhana). In order not to show disrespect, keep on thinking about not disrespecting anyone. Viradhana of anyone should not happen. Holy people who are ascetics, monks, recluse, chaste women; people and deities in religious places; none of them should be disrespected. To cause pain to any living being (jiva) is considered disrespect (viradhana). To swear or use insulting words at someone is condisededs disrespect. Do people not disrespect like that?! Not doing such viradhana is considered aradhana. Higher level devotion helps attain moksha. Not showing disrespect to any jiva will result in moksha, and if disrespect does occur, then do pratikraman. It may happen, because it is prakruti but we should do pratikraman. When we teach about worship (aradhana), the strength of disrespect (viradhana) increases. Instead, if disrespect is stopped, it will be considered as the respect or worship. Therefore, in these days it is indeed not worth learning about devotion, but stopping disrespect is the same as devotion. Disrespect in the form of giving

5 pain to any living being is stopped, it is verily known as devotion. God is already satisfied/content and in happiness. Why does He need this? He says, don t show disrespect. Don t give pain, don t show disrespect. Do you like pain? You don t, do you? Disrespect for religion! Disrespect for Sant Purush (Self-realised), disrespect for Celestail beings, there are all different forms of disrespects. In all that, disrespect for a religion causes much pain. What is disrespect for a religion? To have inner-intent to cause any pain whatsoever to any living being is considered disrespect for a religion. This gives rise to lots of pain. All these pains indeed arise from disrespect for a religion. No matter how much pain we may be in, to keep an inner-intent to cause no pain whatsoever to any living being is considered as following proper religion. No matter how much pain we may be in, there is no remedy for it, is there? That pain will go away, what comes will go away. The entire world is trapped in pain these days. And it is because of showing disrespect for religion. Some may see a bright period of twenty-five years of some happiness but then unhappiness will return. This happiness does last for seven generations. If happiness lasts for seven generations, it is considered happiness. However, happiness these days may last for one or generations only! In past, people donated shovelful of wealth and yet there was no shortage. These days, people steal day and night and yet the wealth never increases. They may not steal openly but all day long they do other things to increase the wealth! Devotion leads to a higher state Devotion means going higher. The work that brings us at higher state is known as devotion. What it means is that the living beings that have reached higher state can bring us to a higher state if we join with them. If we connect with them, higher state can be attained and if we speak negative of them, we will fall to a lower state; that is called viradhana (disrespect). It is considered as viradhana to hurt someone s mind. And doing the opposite of that is considered as aradhana (respect). What is happening in the world is actually

6 an offence (aparadha). If devotion is the north, then disrespect is the south. When devotion (aradhana) is shown, Radha comes there, and thereforein and Krishna will indeed be there as well! The words aradhana and viradhana come from the word Raadh. Do you understand this? If the one whose name you use reach higher, you indeed fall when you disrespect him. If we shun show contempt and push the ladder away (that helped you) climb), it will cause you a fall. These days, people don t understand about aradhana and viradhana! They don t even know how to eat rice-lentil soup, bread and vegetable, so then, how can they understand aaradhana and viradhana be understood?! Questioner: Does aradhana mean singing the praise of the living being who has reached a higher state with whom we are connected? Dadashri: Yes, showing respect, singing his praise, worshipping, servicing the one who is two degrees higher is considered devotion (aradhna). And to speak about his faults and to criticize him is considered disrespect (viradhana). Disrespect causes downfall and devotion leads to higher state. These are the only two paths! Devotion to the Soul Questioner: How should one do devotion to Soul? Dadashri: Request Gnani Purush, Help me to do devotion to Soul. Then, Gnani Purush will do it. Gnani Purush can do whatever He likes because He is not the doer of anything. Gnani Purush whom even God has yielded (vash), what is it that He can t do? And yet, He is in complete ego-free state, in the state of being only instrumental (nimit). A thoughtful person will have in his awareness whether to follow this worldly path or not. If it is not worth following, then he will seek Gnani Purush and he will attain path to moksha is from Him. There are many other paths, as many as hairs on head! There is just one track that is the track of moksha!! And that is shown only an Omniscient Gnani Purush!!! The path to moksha is not ornamental and all those other paths are ornamental where they have huge skyscraper hotels!

7 Since you have met with Dada, your devotion has begun. Your devotion hasn t stopped since then and that is called as worship. And you feel day by day that you are going to a higher state. You have satisfactory answers, you have peace! What is named as devotion? The one to whom devotion is shown should never be disrespected even if it may be a question of life and death! Devotion means devotion!! Can liberation be attained through worship? Questioner: Is worship done for liberation? Dadashri: Worship helps one attain the means for path to liberation. The resources for liberation are found when worshipping is done. Worshipping the Vitraags (one who is free from all attachments) is done exclusively for freedom. What is this like? One becomes like the he whom he worship! If one worships marble he becomes like a marble and if he worships a black stone he becomes like a black stone; if he worships a photo, he becomes like a photo and if this Dada is worshipped, he becomes like Dada! What is the nature of worship? One becomes that form which he worships. Different worship, different faith! Questioner: Is there a difference between worship (bhakti) and faith (shraddha)? Is devotion (aradhana) considered a worship? Dadashri: If one develops faith in the sentences as he is reading them, if he develops faith in for Lord Krishna s sentences, then worshipping of Lord Krishna is done. Whoever s sentences one adjusts to, faith is established in that person, and worship towards him begins. Then, if faith sets in for another person s statements, then the adjustment will not occur with that other person and then the faith will be shaken. Here, after Gnan is attained there is decided faith and that is known as conviction (pratiti). Worship of Gopis Questioner: How do we call Gopis worship towards Lord Krishna? Is it Selfrealization (Atmashakshatkar) or is it worship (bhakti)?

8 Dadashri: What Atmashakshatkar?! It was the effect of magical love of Lord Krishna. And the poor Gopis were bound by love and their worship was true worship. Questioner: Since their chit s tendencies were in such devotion towards Krishna, can they attain the goal that is to be successfully achieved? Dadashri: Their chit settled in Krishna. It became one with the Lord. Now, this is the best beginning for them. And for them, the solution for moksha will take place sooner. However, this is a gross (tangible) form of worship. The worship of Krishna that Gopis are doing is a tangible (sthool) form of worship. But if it goes further towards a subtle level as it increases, they will find solutions. Theirs is true devotion and therefore, subtle (sookshma) devotion will arise from tangible (sthool) devotion. Worship of Lord Krishna is a worship of Gnani Purush, is it not? And what result (fruit) is not achieved by Gnani Purush s worship?! Even the men were considered Gopis in Gnani Purush s worship. And liberation is attained only when one becomes a gopi and then does worship of a Gnani Purush. The devotion of Gopis is a different matter altogether! That is because the devotion to Gnani Purush is done as Gopis devotion. That is why Krupaludev has praised it! There is nowhere, where such worship is done, that there is remembrance of Lord Krishna all day long. And it is because of this Akram science here, Dada is remembered all this much. Otherwise, in Kaliyug, no one will be remembered. But here, Dada is remembered all day long. Worship, in Akram! Questioner: Where is the place for worship in the Akram path? Dadashri: In the Akram path, after knowing the Self and after prevalence in the Self-form has begun; the worship is indeed of one s own Self, is it not? This is known as sva-ramanta (bliss of the Self; dwelling in the Self). And if other (not Self-realised) people want to understand, it can also be called worship. Whether it is called as bliss of Self-form or worship, it is indeed that of Self.

9 Devotion to Agna is also a form of worship! Questioner: How is the Akram path for developing strength in worship or Knowledge? Dadashri: After I impart Gnan (Self-knowledge), the connection with the Self begins. And after that connection begins, it stays forever. So this connection is the connection with the Self, it gives liberation. This Self-connection (Atma-yoga) can be called the true yoga-path. Questioner: After You give the Knowledge, everyone will do worshipping, will they not? Dadashri: Here, when the Gnan (Self-knowledge) is given, Knowledge and worshipping is included in it. After this Gnan is given, one becomes wise, does he not? And then, Dadaji gives five Agnas. Not a single worry will be there if these Agnas are followed and the whole life will pass most beautifully. Questioner: But after getting Your Gnan, whom do we all worship? Dadashri: If you conduct yourself according to the Agna that we give, it is considered worship, and that will take you to Your abode (to the Self), there will be constant samadhi (freedom from physical, mental and outside troubles; bliss of the Self). Samadhi like Lord Mahavir will prevail if these Agnas are followed exactly. Although Lord Mahavir was keval Gnani (had absolute Knowledge), He was a Tirthankar; but this science is such that it will keep you in samadhi that Lord Mahavir had. This is the miracle in this world; it is the eleventh wonder. Therefore, take advantage of it if you can. This Gnan that I have given is the Gnan-yoga (yoga to attain Self-knowledge) itself. And now, to follow the Agnas as worship and devotion to Agnas is Bhaktiyoga (yoga to worship Self). Thus, Knowledge and worship are both included. Now, moksha will be attained in no time if you conduct according to what Gnani says. Questioner: After attaining this Gnan, I don t have proper understanding about karma-yoga (yoga to do karma).

10 Dadashri: There is no karma-yoga here. Karma will be done only if there is a doer, will it not? In that step-by-step (Kramic) path there is karma-yoga as long as there is the doer. And here, the doer is not there and therefore karmas are not bound. Here, karmas are exhausted, karmas are getting discharged. Relative self is worshipping the Self Gnan-yoga begins after the awareness of own Self-form is attained. Thereafter, real worship begins. When Gnan is worshipped, keval Gnan (absolute Knowledge) is attained. Questioner: Does it mean that the real worship is to have the awareness of one s own Self-form and to have continuation of that awareness? Dadashri: That is considered as the highest connection. That may not be attained. Those who may believe that we have attained it, that is all a wrong belief. It is not something that can be achieved by one s own self because the man looking in one direction and try looking in another direction; he can t look in both directions at the same time. The man whose vision is on one side can t see the other side; he can t look in both directions at the same time. So the other direction is not seen. And nothing more needs to be done after that (seeing the Self only) is attained. Questioner: Ultimately, whose worship is to be done? Is the (relative) self, doing worship of the Self?! Dadashri: Yes, but how can the (relative) self, worship the Self without knowing It? Until the Self is made known, this devotion can t be done. And the worship done without knowing own Self-form; this indirect worship is ignorant worship. After attaining this knowledge, swa-ramanta (dwelling in the Self; Self-bliss) prevails now and this swa-ramanta is considered a true worship. And if swaramanta has not arisen and one worships Dada, it is considered live and direct (pratyaksha) worship. That will take one into swa-ramanta (dwelling in the Self). After I give this Gnan, everyone remains in constant awareness of Self twentyfour hours a day, or some have constant awareness of Dada. Therefore, the worship continues all the time for them, and not for just one hour. Questioner: What does it mean when Dada is remembered all the time?

11 Dadashri: It is called nididhyasan (contemplation, visualization). Nididhyasan helps attain that form and all the energy [of Dada] can be attained. Nididhyasan keeps increasing by listening and thinking about this [Dada s speech]. Questioner: Does it mean that devotion to Dada is known as worship and devotion to pure Soul (Shuddhatma ) is known as Gnan? Dadashri: It is different for us here. Here, for us, even if you chant Dada, Dada, it is considered Gnan. And in Kramic path this chanting is known as worship. What we do here is not known as worship, it is considered nididhyasan. Nididhyasan is considered higher than worship. In nididhyasan, there is indeed oneness and state of unity is attained at that time; whereas in worshipping, there will be not attain that even after many life times of worshipping! Questioner: There cannot be any worshipping without the Gnan, can it? Is that what You are saying? Dadashri: But in Kramic path, such is the knowledge of worship they have. Therefore, whatever level of the teacher one has found, he worships that. He has attained that much knowledge, he worships accordingly. Whatever knowledge he attains in the first standard, he worships accordingly. The knowledge keeps changing with every standard and the worshipping also arises accordingly. However, one s own Self s worship is being done here. And even if one says Dada, Dada, his own Self s worship is being done. All these people who worship Dada are actually doing their own Self s worship. They are not worshipping me (A.M. Patel). You too are worshipping your Self, you are not worshipping me. It may appear that you are worshipping Dada (A.M.Patel) but it is Your worship, nothing for me is being done. This path is such that you are doing what you are doing for Yourself only. While doing Arati (ritual of lamp waving ceremony) you are indeed doing Your own Arati. Questioner: After doing Self s worship, does one become that Self-form? Dadashri: For how long is that worship done? It is for as long as we become stained (there is karmic bondage). Otherwise, we are indeed that Self-form. We had gone in the wrong direction (away from the Self), so this is done turn around.

12 Therefore, worshipping the Self is only to turn around. By doing this, we attain that Self-form, one attains that which he worships. To worship means to become that form. What is the English word for worship? To approach near and near; to go nearer and nearer and to become that form! The closer one gets, the more he becomes that form. Whom or whatever one worships, he becomes that form. If you worship this Dada, you will indeed become that form. If you worship Atmagnani (Self-enlightened One) now, it will take you to Atmagnan (Self-knowledge). Here it is indeed worship of the Self! All these self-efforts (purusharth) that are being done in religions are like exercise in farming. The seed that is sewn gives return 50 to 100 folds. It is a farming exercise in religion! One sows seed for something in his next life, and then he takes hundred times as much in return in the next life. The religions that are followed outside are all commotions of rituals, there are all kinds of rituals practiced, they are all religious farming. Questioner: There is some farming in our (Akram path) also, is it not? Do we not do Arati and Vidhi? Dadashri: How can there be farming in our path? The self has already become the Self! Questioner: Is it not farming when Arati is done? Dadashri: The Arati that is done here, it is Arati of the Self. You are doing Arati of your own Self, every person is doing the Arti of his own Self. The pados (spiritual songs about Dada s Gnan ) that we sing here; what are they? It is kirtan bhakti (singing the glorification of the Supreme Lord) of one s own Self. Here for us, there are no relative things other than the Self. Those who are not aware that the devotional worship of own Self is being done are incurring a loss. There will be loss if the awareness is not there, right? One loses out as long as he is not aware of that. Once that awareness is attained, he will not allow such loss to occur. Here everything is for the Self. All this is not for me, it is not for A. M. Patel. And Dada is sitting in everyone. He is not sitting only in me;

13 He is sitting in every one of you. And this is indeed the worship of that Dada and Arati and Vidhi are for that Dada. And that is why everyone experiences the bliss. I too, bow down to Dada and that is why everyone feels sudden bliss at that time; why is that? That is because if this was the relative self-form (physical) Dada then people would feel that he is singing his own praise. No, it is not like that. That is because this is not for the physical body! Questioner: But that is your understanding. But in the outer appearance it appears that other way. Dadashri: That is indeed what it will appear on the outside, will it not? We have given this vision of the Knowledge (of the Self) and they won t have that understanding, will they? The people from outside will indeed see it otherwise. Lord Krishna has also sung the same; in Gita, same thing has been sung. But people will not understand, will they? They keep chanting, Lord Krishna, Lord Krishna. Hey, You are indeed Lord Krishna! But how can they understand unless they are given the Gnan (knowledge of the Self)? Here for us, all the activities are done for Self and not for others. When you say, I bow down to Dada Bhagwan, when you say, Asim Jay Jaykar Ho is chanted, do you not feel inner unveiling at that time? Questioner: Yes, it does. Dadashri: That is because it is about your own Self, Dada is sitting within everyone, and it is indeed that Dada that one keeps worshipping. And one sings pados ( ), it is the kirtan bhakti (singing the glorification of the Supreme Lord) of the Self (within him). If one understands this, it can get his work done, can it not? That is why we keep saying that is for one s own Self. The listener is doing religious discourses [satsang] of his own Self and the one singing is also doing satsang of his own Self. There is nothing here for non-self (others) is being done. This science is such that no one needs to do anything for others. One s relative self is doing for real Self only. And then to attain the Absolute state.

14 Questioner: You say that after giving a seat in the lift (putting one on Akram path; giving the Gnan), there is a setting established within that one can remain conflict free. That is not possible without the process of the Knowledge, is it? Dadashri: That is correct. It is very difficult by any other way. Questioner: So, is it necessary to meet with You in person? Dadashri: It is, but it is not necessary for everyone! No matter which way, if one worships (follows) just one sentence, he can attain bliss. Only those who indeed want to attain the Absolute state need to meet with Me! The rest, if they worship (follow) even one sentence, even one word; they will experience the bliss. That is considered following the Gnan! What is considered Gnan (Self-knowledge)? It is that what presents itself at the time when needed. And if it it is not present when needed, it is indeed known as ignorance (agnan). Questioner: Does worship not prevail along with the Gnan? Dadashri: Yes, there is always devotion (worship) along with the Gnan, that is indeed its the natural characteristic. Without devotion, it won t work. In the absence of devotion, knowledge becomes support less. Therefore, devotion or worship is required. But whose worship is to be done? It is the worship of the Knowledge [of Self]! And the Real is indeed the Absolute Knowledge. And because people don t understand the Gnan, we have to say that Gnan (Selfknowledge) itself is indeed the Absolute Knowledge and Absolute Knowledge itself is the Self (Atma). Yes, Absolute Knowledge is indeed Atma. The world is in such a state, what you see on the outside, because of devotion to [Self]-ignorance. However, worshipping this Self-knowledge that we have given, together with the five principles (Agnas) we have given, is the worship of the Gnan. Questioner: But how is the worship of that Gnan done?

15 Dadashri: When one follows the five Agnas and remains steadfast in every word, then worship of the Gnan can occur. And following Dada s Agnas does not mean that they are the Agnas of this A. M. Patel. These are the Agnas of Dada Bhagwan who is the Lord of the fourteen worlds (Lokas), that I guarantee you. It is just that all these facts are disclosed through Me. Therefore, you are to follow the Agnas. We do indeed want to accomplish the ultimate closure for this Gnan. Should this Gnan be put aside? We may put aside other things for a while. Questioner: We can t put this Gnan aside. Dadashri: Yes, there has to be devotion to devotion to (worship of). If that is done, then the work will be attained. Questioner: If the words that Gnani buzz in the mind; does devotion (worship) happen through that? Dadashri: Yes, that too is considered devotion to (worship of) the Gnan. One will experience the effect of belly ache, but he will not let the mind affect him. Belly ache is felt in the body and body will suffer and its effect will be seen on the face. But one should not let the effect of mind show on his face. That is how separate the mind is. The body and the face are similar (parts of the same body), and therefore if there is stomach ache, its effect will be seen on the face. And the mind is so far away that its effect will not show (on the face), if one is comes into the Se one is in a state of Gnan-worship (the Self). That is because the mind is be always bound by knowledge. There is nothing in this world that can bind the mind. What does binding the mind mean? If you spill this water, it will spread all over the floor. But if a pot is placed underneath and it is poured in it, will the water be bound or not? Questioner: It will be bound. Dadashri: Similarly, mind can be bound with the Knowledge. Nothing else can bind the mind. This Self-knowledge is such that it can bind the mind. Then, all the work will get done. If the mind remains bound, other things won t cause much of a problem. Did you understand what causes the binding of mind?

16 Questioner: Knowledge does. Dadashri: Yes, there are no other means in the world to bind this mind. Without Self-knowledge the mind can t be bound. Therefore, by remaining in Gnan bhakti (Knowledge-worship, remain in the Self), mind can be bound. Gnani too praises Gnan bhakti! Therefore worship of (devotion to) is necessary. This Gnan and devotion to it is necessary. Everyone can do Gnani s worship because Gnani is visible, so everyone can worship Him. But Gnan (Knowledge) can bring result if there is devotion to it. Therefore, worship of a Gnani is different and worship of Gnan is different. Questioner: Worshipping a Gnani and worshipping the Gnan; what is the difference in the result of these two? Dadashri: Worshipping a Gnani will result in all the grace for you, and worshipping (devotion to) the Gnan, the mind and everything else will be bound. The mind will be so bound that it will not jump around. It may occasionally scream, it may show all different things but those will not be allowed to touch you. Questioner: When grace is attained, all this will be attained as a result of it, will it not? Dadashri: When grace is attained, all this becomes easy and straight ford. Everything can be attained through grace. But worshipping (devotion to) the Gnan makes everything regular within. Even those who worship Gnani will eventually have to do worship (devotion to) the Gnan. Questioner: Therefore, moksha is indeed through Gnan, is it not? Dadashri: Yes, moksha is indeed only trough Gnan. Gnani is only instrumental (nimit) in it. Moksha is only through Gnan, and therefore worshipping (devotion to) the Gnan is necessary. Liberation is attained by devotion of the liberated One! Questioner: Is attaining jivan-mukta (freedom from cycle of birth and death) state the main intention here?

17 Dadashri: Attaining freedom from the cycle of birth and death is the only intention. And for that, devotion to the one who has attained freedom from cycle of birth- death is to be done. And if one has devotion to ignorant (agnani, Selfignorant), he will become ignorant! We have to ask him, Sir, are you free from cycle of birth- death? Asking this question first and then do his devotion. Do not get attached to just any mendicant (bava, the one who has renounced the world). These bavas wear certain attires or robes, what do we know the reason for which they are wandering around? Questioner: He is not going to say, I have not attained freedom from cycle of birth- death; he will say, I am free ; won t he? Dadashri: He might say so but we know how to test him, do we not! Do you know who is able to attain freedom from cycle of birth- death? The one who has no egoism is known as the one who is free from cycle of birth-death (jivan-mukta). And there, if you irritate him a little by saying, You are telling lies! it is over.and then you will know that he is not authentic. You will know that he is like the imitation currency (false and useless)! However, there can be no one out there who is jivan-mukta! Once in a while, there may be one such individual in the entire world! Disrespecting a burnt mind! Questioner: What is the distance between Self and moksha? Dadashri: The distance is only as much as the obstructions that have been formed; the distance is as much as the ignorance of Self. And Gnani-Purush can remove this Self-ignorance. The obstructions can be removed by Gnani-Purush, but certain obstructions are beyond Gnani s ability and they can t be removed; these are the obstructions in which the state of humility is compromised. Humility is the main thing, ultimate humility (param vinay)! Not a single wrong thought or wrong conception should be there for Gnani. What will be result of wrong conception? Questioner: It will throw one very far away. Dadashri: Yes, one has is no wrong conception about his mother, then how can he have wrong conception about Gnani? Instead, it is better to have less contact. There will be no thoughts about Gnani when contact is less, will there?! Otherwise,

18 what is gained will be lost. Do Pratikraman (recall the mistake, repent for it and resolve not to repeat it); if wrong thought about us comes to mind. Mind will destroy the foundation that is Gnani Purush. One cannot tell what the mind will do. That is because the fault is of the ignorance, is it not? There are many types of minds. A scorched mind can scorch anyone, it can scorch even Lord Mahavir! People have all different types of minds! In the company of disrespectful people If a respectful person (devotee) is in the crowd of disrespectful people, the devotee will be made strong in his devotion by those people. As those people speak negative, the devotee will become stronger. Such is the state of the devotee. He doesn t have to become strong on his own. Those people will say things that will make him stronger. Have you experienced this? Questioner: Yes. Dadashri: You have benefitted greatly from that. So thank everyone at home. Now, help them attain the benefit of satsang (company of Self-realised) and straighten them. You should just thank them. But how will you reward this obligation? You re-settle them again and again. They may fall but you help them back up again. There is no disrespect where the (Agnas) are followed! There is indeed no need to know more, just understand these five principles (Agnas). One just have to understand these five sentences of ours. Disrespect (viradhana) does not indeed happen. How can there be disrespect (viradhana) when there is no krodh (anger with violence). Anger is shown and yet Dada says that this is not anger, it is gusso (anger without violent intent). Then how can there be disrespect shown? Do you understand this or not? Questioner: That is true, but that is considered disrespect, is it not? Dadashri: It is not considered a disrespect. That is his (karmic) discharge. If he does not have the awareness in it, he does not gain anything, but nothing else. He does not indeed gain anything. Otherwise, he would have definitely gained!

19 Questioner: But will there not be even some loss [damage]? Dadashri: The damage will occur if he himself causes damage, will it not? If he incurs a loss, there may be loss! But, he will not do that, he won t do that as far as possible. Only a rare individual will do that. I have not seen anyone doing it. All that doubt (confusion) is in your mind that you showed disrespect towards us. Questioner: If pratikraman is done after the disrespect is shown, then there will not be any conflict in the mind. Then the question does not remain after the pratikraman is done. Dadashri: If disrespect was shown towards us, it would be instantly purified. Then the disrespect part will not leave him alone, will it? If anyone has doubt about us, will it leave him alone? It will harass him even in sleep, won t it? Yes, therefore, our is a pure account, and that will make everyone pure. Questioner: Then it is like the philosopher s stone (that concerts other metals into gold when touched). Dadashri: Yes, it is like the philosopher s stone. It gives instant result. But instead of getting in that, see that you continue to follow the five Agnas. It is not worth interfering into anything else. Questioner: There is no suspicion towards Dada, what is the reason for that? Dadashri: Yes, and there is no problem even if there is suspicion. If suspicion does arise, it is indeed your own foolishness. Questioner: But there is indeed no suspicion at all. Dadashri: Yes, no suspicion is occurring. And yet, it may happen to some rare individual. It is his own weaknesses in that. Devotion to Dada is itself the cause for moksha!! Questioner: If there is any avinaya (disrespect, impoliteness) occurring while talking to You and in asking questions; there may be no intention to be impolite and yet impoliteness does indeed occur in talking and in behavior; we are not doing any viradhana, are we?

20 Dadashri: If you show disrespect during conversation, we stop the conversation because we know that it is going in the wrong direction. Questioner: But if we show disrespect, what then? Dadashri: You don t have the paramanus (subatomic particles) to disrespect us. Such doubt will never arise within Us. There can be no disrespect (viradhana) for the one to whom you show devotion (do aradhana of) all day long! Devotion to Dada is the same as devotion to pure Soul. And it is also the devotion to the Supreme Soul (Paramatma, Absolute Self), and that indeed is the cause for moksha. As a result of previous karmas There is not much avinaya or viradhana there, but one feels that in his mind that viradhana has occurred. But actually, it is not viradhana (disrespect). It may seem, in your mind that disrespect was shown (viradhana occurred) but it is actually not the case. It is the result from the past life, they are the effects of the non-selfcomplex (paudgalik), they are not the result of today (current life). It would be considered as viradhana if it is the result of today. Why are they result of past karma? That is because he repents afterwards. If disrespect is shown and one repents for it, it is considered a result of previous karma. However, this disrespect will hinder the Knowledge, it won t hinder the Vision! And the disrespect resulting from present period will hinder Knowledge-Vision-Conduct, all that. Devotion to religious practices is also against the Self! Therefore, As long as the eternal element of Self is not identified, all the religious practices are false. These are all religious practices. They are tools (sadhans), not that to be attained (the Self, sadhya). The religious practices that do not yield the result of attaining Self are all wrong, imaginary and against the Self. If you keep walking on a path, if you do not reach your destination, it is an opposite road! If you show devotion to where there is spirituality (Self-path), you can attain the spirituality (Self). Where proper spiritual path is present, there is no talk of sexuality there; there is no theft, violence, falsehood or hoarding. If you sit where these things are not there, you can progress. Decotion to the one without I-ness!

21 No one but Gnani Purush is nirvikalp (without I-ness, egoless). Yes, those who are blessed by Gnani can become free of I-ness (nirvikalpi, egoless). That is because those who show devotion to the One without I-ness can become free of I-ness and those who show devotion to the vikalpi ( I am Chandulal, with ego) will become vikalpi. Devotion to own Self-form! Gnani Purush does not have any raag-dwesh (attachment-abhorrence), and therefore, the world will remain out of his memory (vismrut). Memory is dependent on attachment-abhorrence. Now, this is not written in any scriptures, is it? In the scriptures, they write to do something to increase the memory, do they not? And what do those who revere the scriptures say? They say that it is worth doing something to forget the world! What makes one forget the world is the ultimate spiritual-instrument. Now, the world can t be forgotten just like that. World can t be forgotten without entering the memory into some place. Hence, unless the true devotion has started, false devotion will not go away. Hence, once the devotion to and prevalence in own Self-form starts, this world can be forgotten. As long as prevalence in Self-form continues, the world remains forgotten. Otherwise, the entire world is playing with toys. And then the world can t be forgotten as long as there is prevalence in the non-self complex. How can the Self be attained unless it is given by Gnani Purush? Self-prevalence can t begin unless Self is attained and until then, the world can t be forgotten. This is a very different kind of science. And that is indeed the devotion to Vitarag Lord! If true devotion is done, artadhyan (adverse internal meditation that hurts the self) and raudradhyan (adverse internal meditation that hurts the self and the others) will go away. And it is decided that moksha will happen if artadyan and raudradhyan are gone. Questioner: I want to understand devotion to the point.

22 Dadashri: Where does your dhyan (attention, meditation, contemplation) prevail right now? Does the contemplation prevail in I am pure Soul or in I am Chandubhai? Questioner: Oh! Chandubhai is gone already Dadashri: Then, that is devotion itself!! One who was doing devotion to attachment-abhorrence is now doing the devotion to non-attachment (vitatagata). The very state of lagutam (lower, I am Chandubhai ) is the giver of the gurutam (higher, I am Shuddhatma ) state, and that other gurutam that, I am something will destroy it. If you want gurutam state, have devotion to the lagutam state. Questioner: Dadaji, Jai Sacchidanand. We wordhip Dada Bhagwan Dadashri: Yes, Jai Sacchidanand. Are you bowing down to Vitrag Lord (the One free of all attachments)? Then that is good! When you say, Namo Vitragay, it reaches the main (real) place. It reaches to all the Vitrag Lords. If anyone wants to ask a question, any question about spirituality, you may ask. Ladies, you too should ask. Yes, if you want to go to moksha, ask. What do I want to become Dada Bhagwan for? Dada Bhagwan has manifested within and I too bow down to Him. I lack four degrees and I bow to Him for my own self-interest. And I teach you to go on this path, I have seen that God myself, I have seen the Absolute Self, I have seen the Lord of fourteen world, I live with Him. I talk to Him and I worship Him and I teach you to worship Him. Devotion and worship of the Self! Worldly life is for experiencing (of good and bad karmas), there should be no devotion to worldly life. Worldly life is not to be worshipped. When will there be an end to profit-loss (gain-loss) in this worldly life? Questioner: What is the difference between devotion (aradhavu) and worshipping (bhajvu)?

23 Dadashri: Devotion means the vision goes there frequently and worship means constant engrossment! Worldly life means that it runs by itself, it is not worth allowing chit to go there. But here one feels, What will happen? What is going to happen to me? Hey, what is going to happen to what continues to happen (on its own)! Why are you interfering in what is happening? Devotion and worship is to be done of one s own Self. This worldly life runs naturally by itself. You don t have to take give any solution for it, it conducts itself. When you sit in a bus, do you worry whether the wheels are turning or not?! What happens when you do? We don t think of the worldly life and yet it runs quite well (on its own). This birth is just for the experiencing [result of good and bad karmas]. There are two types of experiences. Sometimes, one feels cold and sometimes hot, sometimes bitter is felt and sometimes sweet! This is how to prevail in the bliss of the pure Soul! Only this Real is worth devotion and worth prevailing in! To prevail in pure Soul means to have constant contemplation of pure Soul. Prevail in the Selfbliss, nothing else is to be done now. Questioner: Does one we have to Know the relative and Know the Real? Dadashri: No, devotion to Real is to be done and relative is to be Known! Questioner: How is prevailing in the Self to be done? Dadashri: There are two to four ways of prevailing. If one does not know any other ways, saying, I am pure Soul, I am pure Soul for an hour or two will do. And by doing this prevailing in the Self will increase. Questioner: Prevailing in Self can be various ways, right? Dadashri: One does what one knows. If it is at a gross level, one can keep saying, I am pure Soul, I am pure Soul, or one can take a note book and keep writing, I am pure Soul. What happens by doing this? Body prevails in that, speech prevails in that and the mind too prevails in that.

24 And some, worldly interaction would be going on, on the outside, and yet in their mind if they really prevail in pure Soul or get engrossed in the pure Soul s attributes such as I have infinite Knowledge, I have infinite energy ; that is considered as the prayer to the liberated Souls (Siddha-stuti). In the beginning it is done at a gross level and prevalence in the non-self complex starts to diminish. By keep doing that it becomes subtle, and if Self s attributes are being spoken, it is considered true prevalence in Self. That gives on the moment (instant) result! The bliss of the Self is experienced. Namaskar Viddhi washes off viradhana! This Namaskar Vidhi (process of bowing down) that we do pleases God very much, all the deities are very pleased with it. No one can go to moksha while scorning another living being. So do you know what types of behavioral religion has been created here? In our Namaskar Vidhi that we speak, we bow down to every living being. Why is that? At some point in the past, while in company of some ascetics, we may have shown disrespect to these living beings; disrespect to female deities or other forms of disrespect that, We don t believe in this, we do this way. Did all this happen or not? Questioner: It must have indeed happened. Dadashri: And now if we remain silent after it has happened, pratikraman for them is considered as not done. So when we bow down in reverence (say Namaskar) to the living beings in all four life forms (hell, heaven, human, animal), collective pratikraman is done. Questioner: The path to ultimate Liberation [moksha] is path of freedom and there can be no expectations in it. Why then is it necessary to please the ruling deities? Dadashri: The reason for pleasing the ruling (shashan) deities (dev-devis) is that the humans of the current era had shown disrespect in the past, they are purvaviradhak. Purva-viradhak means is that they had instigated in the past life and that is why they were wandering till now. We are to show devotion to the deities so that there won t be any claim from them, they won t interfere in our path and they will let us go and help us. If we had fought with the people of a certain town and if our inner-intent is respectful, the conflict will be healed, and the work on the contrary

25 will be done better. Similarly, by showing devotion to the entire world, not only to the deities but devotion to every living being will bring good results. The ruling deities always help if there are any obstacles in the discipline and in the religion that we follow! And this moksha-path is such that from here, direct moksha can t be attained, it will take one or two more rebirths (before attaining moksha). There is no direct moksha from here in this current era. The oddity of this time period is such that one has brought with him compressed karmas so that his work will not be done even by travelling by plain. Even after moving around on bicycle or walking around whole day, the job is not done. And therefore, one or two lives worth of karmas remain pending. So then, this can be called moksha, can it not? And here, the experience of moksha is already done and the awareness of separation (of Real- Self and relative-self] has happened. One attains the awareness that, I have become separated. And non-disrespect intent towards the one ignorant of the Self! Our mahatmas were told these words and sent to one maharaj (saintly person), Devotional intent towards all the enlightened Ones (Gnanis) and no-disrespect intent towards all Self-ignorant people (agnanis). They were sent with this condition. And I will also bow down and you bow down to him. We don t bow down as such but this is our Akram path so we can bow down as a worldly interaction that, Chandubhai, do the darshan. You have to tell Chandubhai to do darshan in maharaj (saintly person)! Disrespect for satsang! This spiritual discourse (satsang) is going on right now and you should listen to it. You can keep looking at these photos that are hanging here later. Look at them when there is free time. But right now satsang is going on. So listen to the satsang. Not paying attention to satsang is considered disrespectful (viradhana). Questioner: I am not ignoring the satsang. Dadashri: Yes, right now satsang is going on and if you look at the photos, it is called as ignoring. What is there to see? Questioner: I like that photo very much.

26 Dadashri: Dada is sitting here in person, do his Darshan (bow down in reverence)! And if photos attracts you, let us have them removed! The thing is, attraction is to be done towards the Self. These photos are for a vyavahar (for worldly interaction), it is vyavahar! You can do its darshan when we are out of town. Lack of understanding leads to all kinds of disrespect! When you say, Why can I not know?, then it will happen, you will learn. But if you say, I can t learn, then the lock is closed on it. Being the Absolute Supreme Self (Paramatma), how can you say, I don t know? Even if the spiritual song (pad) is sung out of tune, it is alright. If you make fun of someone singing or make other comments, it is considered viradhana (disrespect). The song has no value. That is considered doing viradhana. Viradhana will cause you to sing out of tune. And if you show praise to someone who is singing that, It is nice, very nice, you too will sing well even if you didn t know before. One should show respect and devotion. To whatever devotion is shown, it will become regular within you. Questioner: When we are singing the pad, when we are singing together as a group, some people are talking and only some people are singing; is it considered disrespect? Dadashri: It is considered disrespect towards the Gnani. It considered disrespect towards the Gnan (Self-knowledge) and to satsang (company of Self-realized ones). This disrespect is wrong. It will not obstruct the Vision, however it is still considered wrong. One should not get involved in idle conversation either. When one comes here in satsang, don t get involved in other matters because in satsang, these things should not take place. You sing when everyone sings. You may sing softly. Sing softly even if you don t feel like singing but get involved in it and that would be considered singing. Getting involved in other things is considered disrespect. While doing Arati if you do something else, it is considered as showing disrespect. Questioner: Yes, many people talk on the side while Arati is going on. Dadashri: That should not happen.