39.1 In the Samvat year 1880, on Bhãdarvã vad 10 [29th September 1823], Shreeji Mahãrãj arrived at Lakshmi-Vãdi on horseback from Dãdã Khãchar’s darbãr in Gadhadã. There, He sat on a decorated bedstead that had been placed on the platform. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. A sabhã of paramhans, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him.
39.2 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “Please reveal to me the qualities which are natural to you – qualities which do not decrease even under the influence of unpleasant desh, kãl, kriyã, and sang.”
39.3 Shreeji Mahãrãj then began Himself, “Here, let me first tell you the qualities that are natural to me.” He then said, “Firstly, it is my nature that regardless of how much physical contact of the panch-vishays I encounter, I do not have any desire for them in my mind – not even in my dreams.
39.4 “Secondly, regardless of how much pravrutti I may be physically involved in, when I look within towards my ãtmã, all my vruttis withdraw into my ãtmã – just like a tortoise withdraws its limbs – and I experience profound bliss.
39.5 “Thirdly, I have a very strong belief that Bhagvãn possesses a svarup. I believe that Shree Krishna Vãsudev resides in His Akshardhãm – which is full of chaitanya and full of divine light – and possesses an eternal and definite svarup. Bhagvãn is also the all-doer, since that which is nirãkãr can accomplish nothing. In fact, my belief that Bhagvãn possesses a svarup is so firm that even though I have read and heard many Vedãnt shãstras, my belief has not been changed.
39.6 “Fourthly, if I come to know of any man or woman that is pretentiously offering bhakti to Bhagvãn merely as an outward show, and that person is not a genuine bhakta of Bhagvãn, then my mind is not pleased upon seeing such a person. Also, I never feel comfortable with that person, because my mind only becomes pleased when I see a genuine bhakta of Bhagvãn, and I am only comfortable with such people.
39.7 “I have described to you these four qualities that are natural to me. Now, all of you may tell me yours.”
39.8 Then, the senior paramhans and bhaktas described the qualities they possessed.
39.9 Shreeji Mahãrãj then said, “For those who are senior amongst you, the observance of the vow of nishkãm is an absolute must. It may be fine if a person has a deficiency in some other aspect, but firmness in nishkãm is absolutely essential, as the example set by the seniors is what is followed by everyone else.”
39.10 After delivering this talk, Shreeji Mahãrãj returned to Dãdã Khãchar’s darbãr, performed the ãrti, and joined in the ‘Nãrãyan’ dhun and prayers. Then, a sabhã of all the sãdhus and bhaktas was held there.
39.11 At that time, Shreeji Mahãrãj asked the senior paramhans, “I have greatly explained the importance of the fifth and tenth skandhs of the Shreemad Bhãgvat. Now, I would like all of you to explain the fundamental principle of those two skandhs as you have come to understand it.”
39.12 All the senior paramhans offered explanations according to their own understanding.
39.13 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “Here, allow me to tell you the fundamental principle of those two skandhs. But first of all, what can be called a fundamental principle? Well, when a fundamental principle is explained to even the most learned scholars, scriptural readers, or highly intelligent people, they would have to agree with it. In no way could they doubt, ‘This might not be so’. That is what can be called a fundamental principle.
39.14 “Now, the fundamental principle of the tenth skandh is as follows: He whom the Upanishads (Vedãnt) and the Shrutis and Smrutis describe as being brahm, luminous, the embodiment of gnãn, the essence, subtle; and who is described as niranjan, kshetragna, the cause of all, Parbrahm, Purushottam, Vãsudev, Vishnu, Nãrãyan, and nirgun – is this pratyaksha svarup of Shree Krishna Vãsudev, the son of Vasudev. Therefore, wherever there are passages containing shloks in the tenth skandh, the words of those shloks refer to this pratyaksha svarup of Shree Krishna Bhagvãn; there is no mention of anyone more superior to Shree Krishna Bhagvãn. The tenth skandh also mentions that only Shree Krishna Bhagvãn is the cause of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the whole universe.
39.15 “The greatness of Shree Krishna Bhagvãn is narrated in the fifth skandh. Also mentioned are the many different svarups assumed by Shree Krishna Bhagvãn in various khands for the sustenance of the world and for the sake of bestowing bliss upon his bhaktas. In addition, all those who abide by the niyams prescribed by Shree Krishna Bhagvãn attain a great status, whereas those who do not abide by those niyams fall from their status, even if they are great. It is also said that if a common person disobeys those niyams, he will certainly fall back.
39.16 “That same Shree Krishna Vãsudev, who as a child gave the spectacular darshan of the pratyaksha four-armed svarup to Vasudev and Devki, is in fact the svarup of the eternal Vãsudev.
39.17 “Furthermore, that Shree Krishna Bhagvãn had behaved according to dharma, arth, and kãm. All those who narrate or even listen to the charitras of Bhagvãn in which He followed dharma, arth, and kãm, will be released from all of their sins and will attain Akshardhãm. Also, the birth, actions, and murti of that Vãsudev Bhagvãn are all divya. In fact, and Vãsudev Bhagvãn alone is sarvopari.
39.18 “This is the fundamental principle of those two skandhs. Even those who have attained the brahm-rup state, like Shukji, must also worship and offer bhakti to Shree Krishna Bhagvãn. Also, as mentioned in the tenth skandh, even those like Shukji should narrate and listen to the charitras of Bhagvãn. In fact, Shukji himself has said,
39.19 “A person should also keep a firm belief regarding the svarup of that Vãsudev Bhagvãn. If a person has a firm belief of the svarup of Bhagvãn, and if he happens to commit some sin, then he will be freed of that sin – because there is always some form of prãyshchit prescribed for committing a sin. However, to realise Bhagvãn as nirãkãr is a sin much greater than even the five great sins. There is no prãyshchit for that sin.
39.20 “Conversely, if a person realises Bhagvãn to possess a sãkãr and has a firm belief of this, then even if he happens to commit a sin, there is nothing to worry about. By the grace of Bhagvãn, all of those sins will be burnt and his jeev will attain Bhagvãn.
39.21 “Therefore, a person should keep a firm belief of the svarup of Bhagvãn and firmly worship Him. This is my message to you. So, please remember these words firmly in your lives.”
39.22 Having given this advice to everyone, Shreeji Mahãrãj departed to have His meal.
End of Vachanãmrut Gadhadã II || 39 || 172 ||