11.1 In the Samvat year 1883, on Ashãdh sud 3 [27th June 1827], Swãmi Shree Sahajãnandji Mahãrãj was sitting 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.
11.2 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “I wish to ask the following question: Is there one method to overcome both the indriyas and the mind? Or is the method to overcome the indriyas different from the means to overcome the mind? That is the question.”
11.3 The senior paramhans replied according to their understanding, but they were unable to give a precise answer.
11.4 So, Shreeji Mahãrãj said Himself, “The answer is that the indriyas are overcome by vairãgya, svadharma, tap, and niyams; and the mind is overcome by the nine types of bhakti coupled with the knowledge of Bhagvãn’s greatness.”
11.5 Muktãnand Swãmi then asked, “How can the type of bliss that a bhakta of Bhagvãn enjoys in nirvikalp samãdhi be enjoyed even without samãdhi?”
11.6 Shreeji Mahãrãj replied, “If the bhakta has profound attachment and deep love for Bhagvãn and His bhaktas, just like the attachment and love that he has for his own body, then the type of bliss that prevails in nirvikalp samãdhi will continue to remain forever, even without that samãdhi. That is the only answer.”
11.7 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj asked paramhans, “What type of understanding must a bhakta have, where he will in no way recede from the path of kalyãn regardless of the unpleasant circumstances he may encounter, and where he develops such firmness that he will not be affected by any obstacles whatsoever?”
11.8 The senior sãdhus attempted to answer according to their understanding, but Shreeji Mahãrãj’s question was not completely answered.
11.9 So, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “The answer to this is as follows: If a person is profoundly attached to Bhagvãn and His bhaktas, just as he is attached to his body, then he will not be affected by any obstacles. In fact, regardless of the extent of unpleasant circumstances he may encounter, he will not turn away from Bhagvãn and His bhaktas.”
11.10 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj addressed the paramhans again. He said, “When Sitãji was exiled to the forest by Rãmchandraji, she felt great sorrow. Lakshmanji was also very unhappy. But then Sitãji explained to Lakshmanji, ‘I am not crying because of my own grief; I am crying for the grief of Rãmchandraji. He is extremely compassionate, and since he has exiled me to the forest out of fear of public accusation, he must be thinking, “I have sent Sitã to the forest without any fault of her own.” Knowing this and being compassionate, he must be experiencing severe grief in his mind. So, please tell Rãmchandraji, “Sitã is not distressed; she will go to Vãlmiki Rushi’s ãshram and happily engage in your worship there. So, do not feel any sorrow on account of Sitã’s distress.” Please pass this message to Rãmchandraji. Sitãji sent this message with Lakshmanji, but in no way did she perceive faults in Rãmchandraji.
11.11 “Now, one bhakta is such that he does not perceive faults in Bhagvãn and His bhaktas, but his vairãgya and dharma are moderate. On the other hand, another bhakta has intense vairãgya and dharma, but does not have an understanding like that of Sitã. Of these two types of bhaktas, which type should a person lovingly keep the company of?”
11.12 Chaitanyãnand Swãmi replied, “A person should only keep the company – with intense love – of someone who has an understanding like Sitãji, even though that person’s dharma and vairãgya may be moderate. He should not keep the company of someone, who perceives faults in Bhagvãn and His bhaktas, even though that person may have intense vairãgya and dharma.”
11.13 Hearing this, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “The answer is correct.”
End of Vachanãmrut Gadhadã III || 11 || 245 ||