Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Itasca

Jay Shree Swaminarayan

Who is the most ignorant ?

Chapter-20

Self realisation.

On the second day of the first fortnight of the month of Paush of Samvant 1876, Shriji Maharaj was seated in the verandah facing east on a thick mattress in the Darbar of Shri Dada Khachar at Gadhada. He had put on a white turban and nosegays of yellow flowers were suspended from it. He was garlended by the garlands of yellow flowers. His ears were decorated with the curls of yellow and white flowers. He had covered his body with a cotton shawl. His neck was covered by a side cloth with black border. Scriptures were being read before him. Paramhams and the devotees from the different placed were seated before him.

Then Shri Sahajanandji Maharaj said, 'Now, listen to my Question.' Then, all the devotees upon that, said with the folded hands, 'You may, please ask.' Shriji Maharaj then asked, 'Who is the most ignorant among the ignorant ?' All of the members thought over it but could not reply, where upon Shriji Maharaj said, 'Let me answer this'. All the devotees were then pleased and said, 'This question can properly be answered by you only,' Shriji Maharaj then said, 'The Jiva who resides in this body sees outwordly the form of beaty or the decayed forms, goes through the different stages of childhood, youth and old age and sees various other objects but does not try to see his own self. He with an outword vision sees everything outside but does not draw inward to see himself. Such a Jiva, can be said to be dwelling in utter darkness. He is interested in enjoying the outward charms through his eyes, his ears, touch and taste but does not try to receive enjoyment from his own inner self and the beauty of that self. He therefore lacks a1l spiritual wisdom, lacks sence, is the king of all fools and vilest of the vile.'

Then Shukmuni raised a doubt, 'Is it within ones own powers to see his own self ? If it is really so, how would he remain such ignorant ?' Shriji Maharaj then replied, 'One, who has joined this holy Satsang by heart and soul, it is within his own power to see his own self. When did he ever make such an endeavour that he could not realise his own self ? Jiva, in the grip of Maya draws inward in the dream state and the state of deep sleep. But he has never drawn his sence inward for such self realisation. One who has the glory of Lord in his heart, when thinking about his infinite powers, draws inward and finds himself extremely luminous and within such luminious self finds Purushottam Bhagwan seated there. He thus enjoys the bliss of God as formerly enjoyed by Narad and Sanaks and experiences unhampered inner happiness. Therefore, a devotee who has such deficiency lacks spiritual endeavour.'

Thus Ends Vachanamrit : Gadhada First - 20.

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