67.1 In the Samvat year 1881, on Mahã vad 3 [6th February 1825], Swãmi Shree Sahajãnandji Mahãrãj was sitting on a mattress with a large, cylindrical pillow that had been placed on a decorated bedstead on the platform near the Gangãjaliyo well adjacent to His residence in 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 in a sabhã. Some of the sãdhus were singing a vishnupad to the accompaniment of a sarodã and dukad.
67.2 After thinking about the kirtans, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “I wish to ask all the sãdhus the following question: A bhakta of Bhagvãn leaves his body, becomes brahm-rup, and attains the dhãm of Bhagvãn. Then, what is the difference between that bhakta and Bhagvãn, whereby the master-servant relationship between them still remains? After all, that bhakta of Bhagvãn then becomes independent, just like Bhagvãn. He also becomes free from the restraints of Kãl, karma, and Mãyã – just like Bhagvãn. Therefore, what difference remains so that the master-servant relationship is maintained? This is my question.”
67.3 The paramhans answered according to their understanding, but they could not give a precise answer to Shreeji Mahãrãj’s question. So, all the sãdhus said, “Mahãrãj, your question will only be answered when you yourself answer it.”
67.4 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj explained, “The answer is as follows: In whatever way a bhakta of Bhagvãn has understood Bhagvãn –‘Bhagvãn possesses this many powers; He possesses this much charm; He is the embodiment of bliss’ – that is the extent to which he has understood the greatness of Bhagvãn. Then, when that bhakta leaves his body and goes to the dhãm of Bhagvãn, he attains charm and powers based on the extent to which he has realised the majesty of Bhagvãn. Despite this, that bhakta still feels Bhagvãn’s majesty (His powers and charm) to be much greater. He then realises, ‘Bhagvãn has granted me just as many divya powers and as much charm as I had realised in Him. Yet, Bhagvãn’s divya powers and charm appear to be totally limitless. Like me, countless others have also attained qualities similar to that of Bhagvãn, but no one is capable of becoming like Bhagvãn’.
67.5 “This is because not even Shesh, Shãrada, Brahmã, the other devs, or the four Veds can understand the vastness of Bhagvãn’s greatness, His qualities, His actions, His birth, His power, His charm, His blissful nature, or His countless other kalyãn-kãri. In fact, Bhagvãn Himself cannot understand the limits of His own greatness. Therefore, Bhagvãn, with all of His powers, is beyond all limits.
67.6 “By worshipping that Bhagvãn, countless millions of Vaishnavs have become like Bhagvãn. However, Bhagvãn’s majesty has not diminished even slightly. For example, even if there were an ocean filled with sweet water from which all humans, animals, and birds could drink as much as they wished, and from which vessels could be filled, the water would still not decrease because of the vastness of the ocean. Similarly, Bhagvãn’s greatness is infinite; there is no way in which it can either increase or decrease. For this reason, those bhaktas of Bhagvãn who become brahm-svarup, still behave as Bhagvãn’s servants and engage in His worship. In this way, bhaktas of Bhagvãn attain qualities similar to those of Bhagvãn; but, the master-servant relationship between them is maintained. That is the answer to the question.”
End of Vachanãmrut Gadhadã II || 67 || 200 ||