58.1 In the Samvat year 1881, on Shrãvan sud 4 [29th July 1824], Swãmi Shree Sahajãnandji Mahãrãj was sitting on a mattress with a large, cylindrical pillow that had been placed on a decorated bedstead on the veranda outside the east-facing rooms of Dãdã Khãchar’s darbãr in Gadhadã. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. A sabhã of munis, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him.
58.2 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj asked, “How do the sampradãys of the great ãchãryas flourish for a long period of time?”
58.3 Muktãnand Swãmi answered, “Firstly, by the shãstras of the sampradãy; secondly, by following the dharma of a person’s varna and ãshram as prescribed in the shãstras; and thirdly, by total belief in a person’s ishta-dev. A sampradãy flourishes by these three factors.”
58.4 Shreeji Mahãrãj then asked the same question to Brahmãnand Swãmi and Nityãnand Swãmi. They also gave the same reply.
58.5 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “Here, allow me to answer the question. A sampradãy flourishes by knowing the following: The purpose for which the ishta-dev of the sampradãy took birth on earth; and after taking birth, the various charitras He performed, as well as the ways in which He behaved. Through His behaviour, dharma as well as the greatness of that ishta-dev is naturally revealed. In this way, a sampradãy is advanced by the shãstras which narrate the charitras of its ishta-dev from His birth up until His passing away. Regardless of whether those shãstras are in Sanskrit or in a different language, only those shãstras will advance the sampradãy, not others.
58.6 “For example, those who worship Rãm Bhagvãn will be inspired only by the Vãlmiki Rãmãyan ; and those who worship Shree Krishna Bhagvãn will be inspired only by the tenth and eleventh skandhs of the Shreemad Bhãgvat. The Veds will not inspire those who worship Rãm Bhagvãn or Shree Krishna Bhagvãn. Ultimately, only the shãstras of a person’s own sampradãy will advance the sampradãy.”
58.7 Having said this, “Shreeji Mahãrãj then commanded Muktãnand Swãmi: “You too should continuously preach and write shãstras related to your sampradãy and your ishta-dev for the rest of your life. This is my ãgnã to you for as long as you live.”
58.8 With great respect for these words of Shreeji Mahãrãj, Muktãnand Swãmi promised to devoutly abide by them. Then, folding his hands, he bowed before Shreeji Mahãrãj.
End of Vachanãmrut Gadhadã II || 58 || 191 ||