The Body, KusangKusangThe association of an evil person.Tap to open in glossary →, And Past Sanskãrs
In the SamvatSamvatThe calendar established by Indian emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain following his victory 56 BCE. It is a lunar calendar based on ancient Hindu tradition. The Vikram Samvat calendar is 56.7 years ahead of the solar Gregorian calendar. The calendar most commonly used is the Kãrtiki Samvat, which begins on the first day of Kãrtik. However, the Vachanãmrut is written using the Ashãdhi Samvat, which begins on the first day of Ãshãdh.Tap to open in glossary → year 1876, at the time of the sandhyãsandhyã1) Evening. 2) The forth ãrti of the day, performed in the evening.Tap to open in glossary → ãrtiãrtiA form of worship, in which lighted wicks, soaked in ghee, are gently waved before the murti of Bhagvãn, and is accompanied by a song that praises Him. The flame acquires the power of Bhagvãn. Bhaktas then pass their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead – the blessings of Bhagvãn passTap to open in glossary → on FãganFãganNinth month of the Ãshãdhi Samvat year, normally falling between February and March.Tap to open in glossary → sudsudBright half of a Hindu lunar month in which the moon is in its waxing phase. The days between Amãs up to and including Punam. Also called shukla paksh.Tap to open in glossary → 5 [18th February, 1820], Shreeji Mahãrãj was sitting in the residential hall of the paramhansparamhans1) Supreme swan. A male sãdhu of the highest order,Tap to open in glossary → in Dãdã KhãcharDãdã KhãcharA devotee in whose residential darbar in Gadhada Swaminarayan Bhagwan stayed for extended periods; the great majority of the Vachanamrut's Gadhada-section discourses (Gadhada I, II, and III) were given there, as the text itself repeatedly records ("in Dada Khachar's darbar in Gadhada").Tap to open in glossary →’s darbãrdarbãrCourt of residence belonging to a king or ruler, traditionally with a central courtyard surrounded by rooms with balconies.Tap to open in glossary → in Gadhadã. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. A sabhãsabhãAssembly. A group of satsangis listening to kathã or singing kirtans.Tap to open in glossary → of munis, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him.
Shreeji Mahãrãj then said, “Please ask a question.”
Then, Muktãnand SwãmiMuktãnand SwãmiOne of the five principal paramhansas -- along with Gopalanand Swami, Nityanand Swami, Brahmanand Swami, and Shukanand Swami -- who recorded Swaminarayan Bhagwan's discourses word for word, compiling them into the Vachanamrut. Originally a shishya of Ramanand Swami; Nilkanth Brahmachari first met him at Lojpur.Tap to open in glossary → asked, “Mahãrãj, when a bhaktabhaktaDevotee of Bhagvãn. A follower of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → of BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → engages in bhajanbhajanWorship.Tap to open in glossary → and smaransmaranRemembrance. To remember.Tap to open in glossary → of BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →, he is disturbed by the forces of rajo-gunrajo-gunQuality of passion. One of the three gun of Mãyã (Prakruti) characterised by incoherence and desires for the vishays. When rajo-gun prevails, the antah-karan becomes polluted and many disturbing thoughts regarding desires for the vishays arise, making it difficult to worship Bhagvãn’s murti. Also, when rajo-gun is predominant, the rewards of any karmas performed by a jeev are experienced in the svapna state. The products of rajo-gun include lust, and desires for enjoying sense pleasures. [Kãriyãni – 1] [Gadhadã II – 43].Tap to open in glossary → and tamo-guntamo-gunQuality of darkness. One of the three gun of Mãyã (Prakruti) characterised by unconsciousness and ignorance. When tamo-gun prevails, no thoughts arise in the antah-karan, and a person experiences a feeling of emptiness. Also, when tamo-gun is predominant, the rewards of any karmas performed by a jeev are experienced during the state of sushupti. The products of tamo-gun include laziness, sleep, anger, and greed. [Kãriyãni – 1] [Gadhadã II – 43].Tap to open in glossary → in his heart. As a result, he is unable to experience the bliss of bhajanbhajanWorship.Tap to open in glossary → and smaransmaranRemembrance. To remember.Tap to open in glossary →. So, how can a person overcome the force of rajo-gunrajo-gunQuality of passion. One of the three gun of Mãyã (Prakruti) characterised by incoherence and desires for the vishays. When rajo-gun prevails, the antah-karan becomes polluted and many disturbing thoughts regarding desires for the vishays arise, making it difficult to worship Bhagvãn’s murti. Also, when rajo-gun is predominant, the rewards of any karmas performed by a jeev are experienced in the svapna state. The products of rajo-gun include lust, and desires for enjoying sense pleasures. [Kãriyãni – 1] [Gadhadã II – 43].Tap to open in glossary → and tamo-guntamo-gunQuality of darkness. One of the three gun of Mãyã (Prakruti) characterised by unconsciousness and ignorance. When tamo-gun prevails, no thoughts arise in the antah-karan, and a person experiences a feeling of emptiness. Also, when tamo-gun is predominant, the rewards of any karmas performed by a jeev are experienced during the state of sushupti. The products of tamo-gun include laziness, sleep, anger, and greed. [Kãriyãni – 1] [Gadhadã II – 43].Tap to open in glossary →?”
Shreeji Mahãrãj explained, “The influence of the gungun1) Good quality or trait. (pronounced goon) 2) Principle quality of Prakruti or Mãyã. There are three in total: sattva-gun (goodness and awareness), rajo- gun (passion and desires), and tamo-gun (darkness, ignorance, and laziness). All beings are affected by the influence of one or a combination of these three gun of Mãyã until they become gunãtit. The gun bring out different types of moods in a person: a person in sattva-gun is calm, and peaceful; a person in rajo-gunTap to open in glossary → is due to three factors – the body, kusangkusangThe association of an evil person.Tap to open in glossary →, and past sanskãrs. Of these, the gungun1) Good quality or trait. (pronounced goon) 2) Principle quality of Prakruti or Mãyã. There are three in total: sattva-gun (goodness and awareness), rajo- gun (passion and desires), and tamo-gun (darkness, ignorance, and laziness). All beings are affected by the influence of one or a combination of these three gun of Mãyã until they become gunãtit. The gun bring out different types of moods in a person: a person in sattva-gun is calm, and peaceful; a person in rajo-gunTap to open in glossary → that arise due to the body are overcome by reflecting upon the ãtmããtmã1) The pure jeev, which is distinct from the three bodies and three mental states, and distinct from the indriyas, the antah-karans, worldly desires, or any other traces of Mãyã. It is imperishable and eternal, does not undergo births or deaths, and it leaves a physical body after that body dies and assumes another physical body. Infinite in number. 2) That which pervades, inspires, and controls.Tap to open in glossary → and the non-ãtmããtmã1) The pure jeev, which is distinct from the three bodies and three mental states, and distinct from the indriyas, the antah-karans, worldly desires, or any other traces of Mãyã. It is imperishable and eternal, does not undergo births or deaths, and it leaves a physical body after that body dies and assumes another physical body. Infinite in number. 2) That which pervades, inspires, and controls.Tap to open in glossary →. GunGun1) Good quality or trait. (pronounced goon) 2) Principle quality of Prakruti or Mãyã. There are three in total: sattva-gun (goodness and awareness), rajo- gun (passion and desires), and tamo-gun (darkness, ignorance, and laziness). All beings are affected by the influence of one or a combination of these three gun of Mãyã until they become gunãtit. The gun bring out different types of moods in a person: a person in sattva-gun is calm, and peaceful; a person in rajo-gunTap to open in glossary → that have arisen due to kusangkusangThe association of an evil person.Tap to open in glossary → are eradicated by keeping the company of a sãdhusãdhuMale person who has abandoned worldly duties and has chosen a strict life of religious activities under strict vows of poverty, brahm-chãrya, and obedience. A tyãgi.Tap to open in glossary →. Should these two methods fail to eradicate the force of rajo-gunrajo-gunQuality of passion. One of the three gun of Mãyã (Prakruti) characterised by incoherence and desires for the vishays. When rajo-gun prevails, the antah-karan becomes polluted and many disturbing thoughts regarding desires for the vishays arise, making it difficult to worship Bhagvãn’s murti. Also, when rajo-gun is predominant, the rewards of any karmas performed by a jeev are experienced in the svapna state. The products of rajo-gun include lust, and desires for enjoying sense pleasures. [Kãriyãni – 1] [Gadhadã II – 43].Tap to open in glossary → and tamo-guntamo-gunQuality of darkness. One of the three gun of Mãyã (Prakruti) characterised by unconsciousness and ignorance. When tamo-gun prevails, no thoughts arise in the antah-karan, and a person experiences a feeling of emptiness. Also, when tamo-gun is predominant, the rewards of any karmas performed by a jeev are experienced during the state of sushupti. The products of tamo-gun include laziness, sleep, anger, and greed. [Kãriyãni – 1] [Gadhadã II – 43].Tap to open in glossary →, then the problem lies in the influence of some unpleasant sanskãrs of the past; they are very difficult to eradicate.”
Ãnandãnand Swãmi then asked, “How can such unpleasant sanskãrs of the past be eradicated?”
Shreeji Mahãrãj answered, “If an extremely great santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary → becomes pleased upon a person, then regardless of how unpleasant the person’s sanskãrs may be, they are all destroyed. Moreover, if a great santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary → is pleased, a beggar can become a king. No matter how unpleasant a person’s prãrabdhaprãrabdhaFate. Destiny.Tap to open in glossary → may be, it becomes pleasant. Also, he avoids any terrible hardships that lie ahead.”
Ãnandãnand Swãmi asked further, “How can a person please such a great santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary →?”
Shreeji Mahãrãj explained, “First of all, he must be honest with a great santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary →. He must also abandon kãmkãm1) Lust. Passion. Desire. [Gadhadã I – 73] 2) One of the four purushãrths, allowing for the fulfilment of a person's personal and social desires.Tap to open in glossary →, krodhkrodhAnger. [Loyã – 1]Tap to open in glossary →, lobhlobhGreed. Craving for wealth.Tap to open in glossary →, mohmohInfatuation. Attraction.Tap to open in glossary →, madmadArrogance.Tap to open in glossary →, matsarmatsarJealousy of objects. Jealousy that arises in a person when someone else has a better object or item than himself. [Kãriyãni – 6].Tap to open in glossary →, ãshããshãTo want. Desire.Tap to open in glossary →, trushnãtrushnãCraving. Desire.Tap to open in glossary →, ahankãrahankãr1) Ego. The sense of ‘I-ness’. 2) One of the four antah-karans, with the functions of giving rise to the sense of self and individual existence. It is a product of maha-tattva from which the remaining tattvas are produced. By nature, it is passive, dense, and totally ignorant.Tap to open in glossary →, and irshyãirshyãJealousy of a quality of or skill. A person with irshyã cannot tolerate others being honoured and cannot tolerate their greatness; and they act to harm the person they are jealous of. [Sãrangpur – 8].Tap to open in glossary →. Moreover, he should behave as a dãsdãsA servant.Tap to open in glossary → of a santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary →, and maintain a constant effort to eradicate pride from his heart. While doing so internally, he should physically continue to bow to everyone as well. As a result, the great santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary → will become pleased with him.”
Mahãnubhavãnand Swãmi then asked, “Mahãrãj, while staying in satsangsatsang1) True company. The practice of associating with Bhagvãn’s sant, other satsangis, the ãtmã, and the sacred shãstras, and also observing vartmãns and niyams. 2) Also refers to the sampradãy, which is the presence of good company.Tap to open in glossary →, how can a person eradicate all of his faults? Also, how can a person’s bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → towards BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → continue to flourish day by day?”
Shreeji Mahãrãj replied, “The more a person continues to perceive the gungun1) Good quality or trait. (pronounced goon) 2) Principle quality of Prakruti or Mãyã. There are three in total: sattva-gun (goodness and awareness), rajo- gun (passion and desires), and tamo-gun (darkness, ignorance, and laziness). All beings are affected by the influence of one or a combination of these three gun of Mãyã until they become gunãtit. The gun bring out different types of moods in a person: a person in sattva-gun is calm, and peaceful; a person in rajo-gunTap to open in glossary → of the great santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary →, the more his bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → begins to flourish. If he realises the truly great santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary → to be completely nishkãminishkãmiWithout lust.Tap to open in glossary →, then even if he has as much kãmkãm1) Lust. Passion. Desire. [Gadhadã I – 73] 2) One of the four purushãrths, allowing for the fulfilment of a person's personal and social desires.Tap to open in glossary → as a dog, he will also become nishkãminishkãmiWithout lust.Tap to open in glossary →. Conversely, if he perceives the avgun of kãmkãm1) Lust. Passion. Desire. [Gadhadã I – 73] 2) One of the four purushãrths, allowing for the fulfilment of a person's personal and social desires.Tap to open in glossary → in the great santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary →, then no matter how nishkãm he may be, he becomes full of intense kãmkãm1) Lust. Passion. Desire. [Gadhadã I – 73] 2) One of the four purushãrths, allowing for the fulfilment of a person's personal and social desires.Tap to open in glossary →. In the same way, if a person views the great santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary → to be full of krodhkrodhAnger. [Loyã – 1]Tap to open in glossary → or lobhlobhGreed. Craving for wealth.Tap to open in glossary →, then he will also become full of krodhkrodhAnger. [Loyã – 1]Tap to open in glossary → and lobhlobhGreed. Craving for wealth.Tap to open in glossary →. Therefore, if a person understands the great santsantA sãdhu. A tyãgi. In the Vachanãmrut, sant refers to sat- purush.Tap to open in glossary → to be absolutely free of kãmkãm1) Lust. Passion. Desire. [Gadhadã I – 73] 2) One of the four purushãrths, allowing for the fulfilment of a person's personal and social desires.Tap to open in glossary →, lobhlobhGreed. Craving for wealth.Tap to open in glossary →, svãdsvãdCraving for taste.Tap to open in glossary →, mãnmãnPride. When a person wants someone else to acknowledge them as superior.Tap to open in glossary →, and snehsnehAffection. Love.Tap to open in glossary →, he will also become free of all of those evil natures and become a faithful bhaktabhaktaDevotee of Bhagvãn. A follower of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →.
“What are the characteristics of such a faithful bhaktabhaktaDevotee of Bhagvãn. A follower of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →? Well, just as he has a natural dislike for objects that cause misery, similarly he has a natural dislike for the attractive five vishays (shabdashabdaA sound. One of the panch-vishays. Shabda is the physical element of ãkãsh, and is perceived by the ears. Shabda is indicator of all objects, the cause of all social interactions, and reveals the nature and class of the speaker.Tap to open in glossary →, sparshsparshA touch. One of the panch-vishays. Sparsh is the physical element of vãyu, and is perceived by the skin. The characteristics of sparsh are softness, hardness, cold, and heat.Tap to open in glossary →, ruprupA sight. One of the panch-vishays. Rup is the physical element of tej, and is perceived by the eyes. Rup reveals the appearance of all objects, and resides in all objects in a small form, and changes as objects change.Tap to open in glossary →, rasrasA taste. One of the panch-vishays. It is the physical element of jal, and is perceived by the tongue. The characteristics of ras are sweetness, spiciness, distastefulness, bitterness, sourness, and saltiness.Tap to open in glossary →, and gandhgandhA smell. One of the panch-vishays. Gandh is the physical element of pruthvi, and is perceived by the nose. The characteristics of gandh are fragrance and stench.Tap to open in glossary →). Moreover, he has firm nishchaynishchayUnfaltering faith in Bhagvãn, no matter what is seen or heard.Tap to open in glossary → in BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → alone. Such a person should be known as a faithful haribhaktaharibhaktaA bhakta of Shree Hari. A bhakta of Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →.
“The only way of becoming such a faithful bhaktabhaktaDevotee of Bhagvãn. A follower of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →, is by behaving as a dãsdãsA servant.Tap to open in glossary → of the dãsdãsA servant.Tap to open in glossary → of BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →, and by realising, ‘All these bhaktas are great, and I am inferior compared to them all’. Realising this, he behaves as a dãsdãsA servant.Tap to open in glossary → of the bhaktas of BhagvãnBhagvãnGod. Supreme being. Lord of all. Bhagvãn is unparalleled, omnipotent and the all-doer, omniscient, omnipresent, the ocean of all forms of bliss, does not have any attributes of Mãyã, is divine, and is always taking birth on earth for His bhaktas. Resides within the ãtmã. Also called Parbrahm, Paramãtmã, Purushottam, Krishna Nãrãyan, and Swãminãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →. All the evil natures of a person who behaves in this way are destroyed; and day by day, glorious qualities, such as gnãngnãn1) Knowledge. Spiritual knowledge leading to kalyãn. In particular, the knowledge of the ãtmã, and Bhagvãn’s svarup and His greatness. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. 2) Also used to mean ãtmã-nishthã or ãtmã-gnãn.Tap to open in glossary →, vairãgyavairãgyaDetachment. A hatred or strong dislike for the world and its mãyik pleasures (the panch-vishays). Remaining detached from the body and the brahmãnd, and from all things that are the products of Prakruti. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma.Tap to open in glossary →, and bhaktibhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary →, continue to flourish within him.” || End of VachanãmrutVachanãmrutAmrut in the form of words. A collection of 273 spiritual talks delivered by Swãminãrãyan Bhagvãn, that were carefully noted and collated by His senior sãdhus in His presence, and were authenticated by Him. Central philosophical shãstra of the Swãminãrãyan Sampradãy that summarises the essence of all Hindu shãstras.Tap to open in glossary → Gadhadã I || 58 || 58 ||