22.1 In the Samvat year 1876, at noon on Posh sud 4 [20th December, 1819], Shreeji Mahãrãj was seated 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 tassel of flowers had been inserted in His pãgh, and bunches of flowers had been placed above both of His ears. He was also wearing a garland of guldãvadi flowers around His neck. A sabhã of paramhans, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him. The paramhans were singing kirtans.
22.2 Shreeji Mahãrãj then said, “Please listen. I wish to tell you something.”
22.3 Hearing this, the paramhans stopped singing and prepared themselves to listen.
22.4 Shreeji Mahãrãj continued, “If a person does not remember Bhagvãn while singing kirtans to the accompaniment of a mrudang, a sãrangi, a sarodã, and other musical instruments, then that singing is as good as not having sung at all. There are many people in the world who sing and play instruments without remembering Bhagvãn, but they do not attain peace of mind. Therefore, whichever activity a person performs – whether it is singing kirtans, reciting Bhagvãn’s name, or singing the Nãrãyan dhun, – he should only perform that activity while remembering the murti of Bhagvãn.
22.5 “If a person specifically attempts to engage himself in bhajan, he may only be able to focus his vrutti on Bhagvãn. However, after completing those acts of bhajan if he does not keep vrutti in Bhagvãn while performing daily duties, his vrutti will not be steady on the murti of Bhagvãn even if he attempts to engage in bhajan again. Therefore, a person should practice maintaining his vrutti on the svarup of Bhagvãn while walking, eating, and drinking – in fact, during all activities. If he does this, his vrutti becomes fixed on Bhagvãn when he engages in bhajan as well. Moreover, when his vrutti begins to remain on Bhagvãn, it remains so even during other work. If a person is stupid and ignorant, then he will not be able to keep vrutti in Bhagvãn, even when he does bhajan. Therefore, a bhakta of Bhagvãn should carefully practice maintaining his vrutti on the murti of Bhagvãn.”
22.6 Having said this, Shreeji Mahãrãj requested, “Now please sing kirtans.”
End of Vachanãmrut Gadhadã I || 22 || 22 ||