5.1 In the Samvat year 1877, on Ãso vad 14 [4th November, 1820], Swãmi Shree Sahajãnandji Mahãrãj was sitting on a bedstead with a canopy on the veranda outside the north-facing rooms of Vastã Khãchar’s darbãr in Kãriyãni. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. A sabhã of munis, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him.
5.2 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “I wish to ask a question.”
5.3 The munis responded by saying, “Mahãrãj, please do ask.”
5.4 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj asked, “Bhagvãn assumes an avatãr on earth to grant kalyãn to the jeevs. But, is He not capable of granting kalyãn while remaining in His dhãm, without assuming an avatãr? After all, Bhagvãn can grant kalyãn in any way He wishes. Then, what is the purpose of Him assuming an avatãr on earth? Furthermore, if Bhagvãn can only grant kalyãn when He assumes an avatãr, and He is incapable of granting kalyãn in any other way, it would suggest that this is a weakness of Bhagvãn. But in reality, Bhagvãn is capable of granting kalyãn to the jeevs by assuming an avatãr, and He is also capable of granting kalyãn to the jeevs without assuming an avatãr. Then, what is the purpose of Bhagvãn assuming an avatãr on earth? That is the question.”
5.5 The senior sãdhus answered according to their own understanding, but were unable to answer Shreeji Mahãrãj’s question adequately. As Shreeji Mahãrãj raised doubts to their answers, their answers were all disproved. The munis then folded their hands and requested, “Mahãrãj, only you are capable of answering this question.”
5.6 Shreeji Mahãrãj then explained, “Bhagvãn assumes an avatãr for only one reason: Having surrendered Himself to the bhakti of those bhaktas who have intense love for Him, Bhagvãn assumes whichever svarup the bhaktas wish for in order to grant them bliss. He then fulfils all the desires of His bhaktas. Since the bhaktas have a physical body, Bhagvãn also assumes a physical body, and showers love upon those bhaktas. In addition to this, He suppresses His powers and behaves with the bhaktas as a son, or as a close companion, or as a friend, or as a relative. Because of this, the bhakta may not maintain much courtesy with Bhagvãn. Nonetheless, Bhagvãn showers His love upon the bhakta in whichever way He desires.
5.7 “Therefore, the only reason Bhagvãn assumes an avatãr is to fulfil the desires of His beloved bhaktas. Along with this, He grants kalyãn to innumerable other jeevs and also establishes dharma. Now, if there is any doubt in what I have just said, please speak.”
5.8 The munis replied, “Mahãrãj, your reply is most appropriate.”
End of Vachanãmrut Kãriyãni || 5 || 101 ||