A person walking past a sign inviting her to attend a Divine Saint's discourse
Question :
I have heard numerous discourses by Shri Maharaj Ji, over a period of many years, and yet, oftentimes, I find myself not fully agreeing with Shri Maharaj Ji. I find that at times, I understand and agree more with the spiritual perspectives shared by other speakers and authors. At other times, I feel that I get a better appreciation of Shri Maharaj Ji’s philosophy after reading the works of other authors and philosophers.
Everyone has a unique style of teaching and each of us have a different style of learning. If my method of comprehension is different from how Shri Maharaj Ji imparts education, would it be considered wrong if I learn about God from other sources?
I have heard numerous discourses by Shri Maharaj Ji, over a period of many years, and yet, oftentimes, I find myself not fully agreeing with Shri Maharaj Ji. I find that at times, I understand and agree more with the spiritual perspectives shared by other speakers and authors. At other times, I feel that I get a better appreciation of Shri Maharaj Ji’s philosophy after reading the works of other authors and philosophers.
Everyone has a unique style of teaching and each of us have a different style of learning. If my method of comprehension is different from how Shri Maharaj Ji imparts education, would it be considered wrong if I learn about God from other sources?
Answer :
The scriptures state:
The scriptures state:
यावत्पापैस्तु मलिनं हृदयं तावदेव हि ।
yāvatpāpaistu malinaṃ hṛdayaṃ tāvadeva hi ।
न शासत्रे सत्यता बुद्धिः, सद्बुद्धिः सद्गुरौ तथा ॥
na śāsatre satyatā buddhiḥ, sadbuddhiḥ sadgurau tathā ॥
yāvatpāpaistu malinaṃ hṛdayaṃ tāvadeva hi ।
न शासत्रे सत्यता बुद्धिः, सद्बुद्धिः सद्गुरौ तथा ॥
na śāsatre satyatā buddhiḥ, sadbuddhiḥ sadgurau tathā ॥
“As long as the mind is overcome with material attachments, one can neither have faith in the words of scriptures nor respect for the saints."
It is natural for people to either agree or disagree with a spiritual concept, based on their individual level of understanding. It is also true that as one continues to learn more about God, their love for God continues to grow. The spiritual knowledge gained through the process, helps them not only to sustain but grow their love for God even during adverse situations.
The level of spiritual comprehension varies from person to person. In scriptural terms, this variance can be explained by one's sanskars as well as the circumstances and the decisions made by the individual.
For spiritual awakening (to know more about God), a wise person ought to reflect on one important point, ”What is my inherent and only desire”? Only after you have reflected enough to know the answer to this question, will you be able to choose the right master, whose teachings will appeal to you.
Shri Maharaj Ji always explains spiritual concepts using references from the authentic ancient scriptures such as the Vedas, Bhagawat, Gita, Brahma-Sutra, Ramcharit Manas and many more. The core message in his philosophy is that all living beings - ranging from an insignificant ant to Brahma, the creator of the Brahmand, want to attain happiness and happiness alone.
It is natural for people to either agree or disagree with a spiritual concept, based on their individual level of understanding. It is also true that as one continues to learn more about God, their love for God continues to grow. The spiritual knowledge gained through the process, helps them not only to sustain but grow their love for God even during adverse situations.
The level of spiritual comprehension varies from person to person. In scriptural terms, this variance can be explained by one's sanskars as well as the circumstances and the decisions made by the individual.
For spiritual awakening (to know more about God), a wise person ought to reflect on one important point, ”What is my inherent and only desire”? Only after you have reflected enough to know the answer to this question, will you be able to choose the right master, whose teachings will appeal to you.
Shri Maharaj Ji always explains spiritual concepts using references from the authentic ancient scriptures such as the Vedas, Bhagawat, Gita, Brahma-Sutra, Ramcharit Manas and many more. The core message in his philosophy is that all living beings - ranging from an insignificant ant to Brahma, the creator of the Brahmand, want to attain happiness and happiness alone.
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Now, you may say that you do not fully agree with this statement - well, let's analyze your karma (both mental and/or physical) during the course of the day, to understand the underlying intent behind those actions? You will be surprised at the contradictory actions you engage in during the day. For example, you may love to sleep and hence attain pleasure in sleeping but after sleeping for a long time, you get bored and hence get up from the bed and indulge in various other activities to attain pleasure. Similarly, someone else may love sweets but after eating enough sweets, they may develop a distaste for the same thing and even start throwing up if forced to consume more of the same dessert. Hence this confirms the authenticity of the perspective that everything we think and do is to attain happiness and happiness alone.
Once we understand this fact, the next question arises - where is Happiness? All scriptures unanimously assert that “God is Happiness”. आनंदो ब्रह्मेति व्यजानात्।
ānaṃdo brahmeti vyajānāt |
After too much indulgence a person may develop a distaste for the same sweet she usually craves
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There are only 3 eternal entities, Jeevatma, Paramatma and Maya. We, the living beings, are Jeevatma. Sansaar-The World is the manifestation of Maya; and the third entity is Paramatma. Though He cannot be seen and perceived through our material senses, mind and intellect, yet, seeing the orderliness and the magnificence of the creation, it can be inferred that there must be a Lord of the universe. That personality who has created and sustains this magnificent universe is known as God.
So we, the individual beings, are seekers of Happiness and have been searching for that happiness in this material world since time immemorial. It is also our firm belief that one day we will attain that happiness. Our scriptures assert that the material world is a manifestation of Maya and Maya itself is inert and hence devoid of happiness.
Happiness is defined in the Vedas as, Unlimited -
So we, the individual beings, are seekers of Happiness and have been searching for that happiness in this material world since time immemorial. It is also our firm belief that one day we will attain that happiness. Our scriptures assert that the material world is a manifestation of Maya and Maya itself is inert and hence devoid of happiness.
Happiness is defined in the Vedas as, Unlimited -
यो वै भूमा तत्सुखम् |
yo vai bhūmā tatsukham।
yo vai bhūmā tatsukham।
“That which is limitless is Happiness”. True bliss can never be overpowered by unhappiness, discontentment or sorrow.
Whoever attains God, becomes blissful forever.
Whoever attains God, becomes blissful forever.
Happiness in the world is elusive - the more we get, the more our needs keep increasing
True Happiness is unlimited and everlasting. The glimpse of happiness that we get in this world, is limited and short-lived and ultimately leads to misery. For example, when an economically poor person buys a bicycle after saving up for it for years, he is overjoyed with his purchase, but his happiness is very short-lived and lasts only until he sees his neighbor riding a motorcycle and now he desires to have a motorcycle. If and when he eventually buys a motorcycle, he desires for a more comfortable mode of transport like a four wheeler. If however, he is unable to buy the motorcycle, he either gets frustrated or angry. So, happiness in the world is elusive. It is like a mirage in the desert.
Despite having this knowledge, we material beings are deluded. We don’t take advantage of the scriptural knowledge provided by our Trikaal darshi (those who can see the past, present and the future) seers and sages. In every living being, Intellect is the highest faculty of the mind that enables us to understand and comprehend difficult concepts. However, our intellect is so limited that it cannot comprehend all that is present in this material world, yet, we claim to comprehend the divine and go one step further to use that very limited material mind and intellect to find faults with the teachings of Omniscient saints.
Despite having this knowledge, we material beings are deluded. We don’t take advantage of the scriptural knowledge provided by our Trikaal darshi (those who can see the past, present and the future) seers and sages. In every living being, Intellect is the highest faculty of the mind that enables us to understand and comprehend difficult concepts. However, our intellect is so limited that it cannot comprehend all that is present in this material world, yet, we claim to comprehend the divine and go one step further to use that very limited material mind and intellect to find faults with the teachings of Omniscient saints.
Let us be honest with ourselves. We know that Kaliyug is fraught with stories of imposters. Do we want to trust just about anyone and allow ourselves to get duped? Absolutely Not!
Our ever-merciful divine father, knew very well the dilemma that we will be faced with in determining who is genuine saint and who is not. So he went to great lengths to describe in the scriptures the characteristics of a real saint so we can differentiate between a saint and an imposter. Now, it is incumbent upon us to make the effort to know those characteristics and surrender only to a genuine saint. If we are true seekers of happiness and have as yet been unable to find that right kind of happiness, which can never be overcome by unhappiness, which lasts forever and is ever-increasing, only then will we make the effort to know those characteristics.
Hence, dear aspirant! cast away your pride - at least while acquiring scriptural knowledge. Our material mind cannot comprehend the divine knowledge of the scriptures. Only the greatest saints can reconcile the entire knowledge of all the scriptures and present the gist of their divine understanding in a language that can be easily understood by a layman.
Each of the past Jagadgurus have been masters of their philosophies and Shri Maharaj Ji is not only a Jagadguru, but a 'Jagadguruttam' which means “best of all Jagadgurus”, as he reconciled the philosophies of all previous Jagadgurus.
For every point He puts forth in His discourse, He provides evidence from several scriptures. In addition, to help us relate to the point He explains the same point with logic and instances from our day-to-day life.
Knowledge can never be attained when the student underestimates the knowledge of the teacher. One has to be humble and inquisitive to gain true knowledge from the saints and scriptures. The Gita says,
Our ever-merciful divine father, knew very well the dilemma that we will be faced with in determining who is genuine saint and who is not. So he went to great lengths to describe in the scriptures the characteristics of a real saint so we can differentiate between a saint and an imposter. Now, it is incumbent upon us to make the effort to know those characteristics and surrender only to a genuine saint. If we are true seekers of happiness and have as yet been unable to find that right kind of happiness, which can never be overcome by unhappiness, which lasts forever and is ever-increasing, only then will we make the effort to know those characteristics.
Hence, dear aspirant! cast away your pride - at least while acquiring scriptural knowledge. Our material mind cannot comprehend the divine knowledge of the scriptures. Only the greatest saints can reconcile the entire knowledge of all the scriptures and present the gist of their divine understanding in a language that can be easily understood by a layman.
Each of the past Jagadgurus have been masters of their philosophies and Shri Maharaj Ji is not only a Jagadguru, but a 'Jagadguruttam' which means “best of all Jagadgurus”, as he reconciled the philosophies of all previous Jagadgurus.
For every point He puts forth in His discourse, He provides evidence from several scriptures. In addition, to help us relate to the point He explains the same point with logic and instances from our day-to-day life.
Knowledge can never be attained when the student underestimates the knowledge of the teacher. One has to be humble and inquisitive to gain true knowledge from the saints and scriptures. The Gita says,
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया ।
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिन: ॥
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिन: ॥
भगवद् गीता ४.३४
tadviddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā ।
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṃ jñāninastattvadarśina ॥
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṃ jñāninastattvadarśina ॥
Bhagavad Gītā 4.34
Most revered Jagadgurus and Bhakti Saints
"Go to a saint in a surrendered mind, humbly ask him questions with an inquisitive mind and serve him according to his wish to gain maximum benefit of the association of that saint".
Reading all the scriptures and books written by different saints doesn't provide clarity. Instead it further confuses our mind. Although each and every word written in our holy scriptures is irrefutable, yet we do not have the capacity to understand their seemingly contradictory words. So reading books from other material beings will also not enable us to attain bliss.
And even if those authors are saints, then know that they have realized God by following specific modalities mentioned in our scriptures. Like Soordas Ji worshipped Shri Krishna with mainly Vatsalya Bhav, Tulsidas Ji worshipped Shri Ram with Dasya Bhav and Meera Bai worshipped Shri Krishna with Madhurya Bhav.
Even the philosophy of all the previous four Jagadgurus are different. Anyone who studies the different literatures from these saints, would not be able to reconcile and understand them, rather would get more confused.
Reading all the scriptures and books written by different saints doesn't provide clarity. Instead it further confuses our mind. Although each and every word written in our holy scriptures is irrefutable, yet we do not have the capacity to understand their seemingly contradictory words. So reading books from other material beings will also not enable us to attain bliss.
And even if those authors are saints, then know that they have realized God by following specific modalities mentioned in our scriptures. Like Soordas Ji worshipped Shri Krishna with mainly Vatsalya Bhav, Tulsidas Ji worshipped Shri Ram with Dasya Bhav and Meera Bai worshipped Shri Krishna with Madhurya Bhav.
Even the philosophy of all the previous four Jagadgurus are different. Anyone who studies the different literatures from these saints, would not be able to reconcile and understand them, rather would get more confused.
मुनि बहु मत बहु पंथ पुरानन, जहाँ तहाँ झगरो सो ।
muni bahu mata bahu paṃtha purānana, jahām̐ tahām̐ jhagaro so ।
muni bahu mata bahu paṃtha purānana, jahām̐ tahām̐ jhagaro so ।
"The saints and Puranas (scriptures), have many seemingly contradictory views."
श्रुति पुरान बहु कहेउ उपाई । छूट न अधिक अधिक अरुझाई ।
śruti purāna bahu kaheu upāī । chūṭa na adhika adhika arujhāī ।
śruti purāna bahu kaheu upāī । chūṭa na adhika adhika arujhāī ।
“Shrutis and Puranas recommend many ways to get rid of our ignorance. However, these methods may often appear contradictory, and reading about all the different paths, may further confuse our mind, instead of providing clarity”.
An advice to all: ranking our Vedic scriptures as good, better or best is a great spiritual transgression.
So, I humbly request you not to read too many books. Contemplate deeply on your aim of life; select one saint, who is Shrotriya and Brahmanishtha as your Guru and follow his instructions wholeheartedly. Only then would it be possible for you to realize God.
So, I humbly request you not to read too many books. Contemplate deeply on your aim of life; select one saint, who is Shrotriya and Brahmanishtha as your Guru and follow his instructions wholeheartedly. Only then would it be possible for you to realize God.
एक भरोसो एक बल, एक आस विश्वास ।
eka bharoso eka bala, eka āsa viśvāsa ।
eka bharoso eka bala, eka āsa viśvāsa ।
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“Trust and perform exclusive devotion to one deity only to become successful.”
We must give up the habit of scrutinizing and measuring a saint's wisdom with our extremely limited knowledge. Life is short and our journey is long. Do not waste even a moment. Choose one path and one guru, follow Him wholeheartedly. A Guru does more than God for an aspirant. A paras stone turns pure iron into gold, but Guru turns the iron into paras. He accepts the fallen souls, removes their ignorance from innumerable past lives, and prepares the jeev to meet Brahma-Supreme God. Guru tells us that God has always been waiting with His arms outstretched to embrace us. जानत तुमहिं तुमहिं है जाई ॥
jānata tumahiṃ tumahiṃ hai jāī ॥ “The more one knows about God, the more one becomes like God”.
In my opinion just like an elementary school student cannot assess the knowledge of his teacher, a jeev cannot recognize a genuine saint. So, if you have not found a saint yet, humbly cry out to the Supreme Lord and plead with him to introduce you to a true saint. God is your well wisher. He will send you the right guide. God almighty will also convince you from within your heart that "this is the real saint whom God has sent to guide me on the path of spirituality". Then just follow the saint's advice to reach the ultimate goal of your life, God realization.
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Krishna, our divine beloved, is waiting to embrace the soul surrendered to Him
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