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Vachanamrut Gadhada I 51: Only a Diamond Can Cut a Diamond
Extract:
On the night of Mahā vadi 2, Samvat 1876 [1 February 1820], Swāmi Shri Sahajānandji Mahārāj was sitting on a large, decorated cot on the veranda outside the west-facing rooms in front of the mandir of Shri Vāsudevnārāyan in Dādā Khāchar’s darbār in Gadhadā. He was wearing a white survāl and a white angarkhu. He had also tied a white pāgh around His head. At that time, an assembly of munis as well as devotees from various places had gathered before Him.
Thereupon Purnānand Swāmi asked, “The ten indriyas are produced from rajogun, and the four antahkarans are produced from sattvagun; thus, all of the indriyas and antahkarans are māyik. God, however, transcends māyā. How, then, can one cultivate the conviction of God through the māyik antahkarans? Also, how can one perceive God with one’s māyik eyes and other indriyas?”
Shriji Mahārāj then explained, “The answer to that is as follows. The surface area of the pruthvi is 500,000,000 yojans. On it, are various objects such as trees, mountains, pots, clothes, etc. That pruthvi exists within all of those objects, and it also exists distinctly by its own self.
However, pruthvi itself comes from a part of jal. Jal is produced from a part of tej. This pattern continues with vāyu and ākāsh. All existence is interconnected ākāsh is obtained from tāmas-ahamkār, which, along with other elements, originates from mahattattva. Mahattattva is obtained from Pradhān-Prakruti, which dissolves into a portion of Purush during destruction and re-emerges during creation. From the viewpoint of Purush. Countless Purushes come from a portion of mahāmāyā. Mahāmāyā, in turn, originates from a part of Mahā-Purush.
That Mahā-Purush, in turn, rose from a small region of Akshar - the abode of Purushottam Bhagwān. Thus, if one looks from the perspective of Akshar, neither Mahā-Purush nor anything else exists - there is only Akshar. But above that, Akshar is Purushottam Bhagwān, who transcends even Akshar. That Purushottam Bhagwān is the all-doer - responsible for the creation, sustenance and dissolution of everything - and is also the cause of all. Now, a cause always pervades its effect, and simultaneously, also remains distinct from it. Thus, if one looks from the perspective of Purushottam Bhagwān - the cause of all - then nothing else appears to exist except Purushottam Bhagwān.
“It is this very God who, out of compassion for the liberation of the jivas, gives darshan in a manifested form to all of the people on this earth. At that time, if a person realizes this greatness of Purushottam Bhagwān by profound association with the Sant, then all of his indriyas and antahkarans become divine like Purushottam Bhagwān’s indriyas and antahkaran. Then, through those indriyas and antahkarans, he can develop the conviction of that God. For example, a diamond can be cut only by a diamond; it can never be cut by anything else. Similarly, the conviction of God can only be cultivated through God. In the same way, the darshan of God is also possible only through God, but it is not possible through the māyik indriyas and antahkarans.”
The unwavering conviction in God can only be nurtured through the divine guidance of God Himself. Emphasising this, it's crucial to recognise why we believe in Maharaj and Swami. This profound belief is grounded in the words of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj. The essence lies in having complete faith, a 100% trust, in their words, which forms the foundation of our spiritual understanding and connection with Maharaj and Swami.
Discussion Points:
- How does Maharaj explain the connection between all things in the universe
- What do all of these things come to form?
- Why do you think Maharaj resides with us through the pragat satpurush?
- Why do you think he takes a human form?
- Shriji Mahārāj uses the analogy of cutting a diamond to explain that the conviction of God can only be cultivated through God. Discuss the significance of this analogy and its effect on our understanding?
- How can we apply these teachings in our lives?
Activity:
- Reflect on your spiritual journey, focusing on moments influenced by Maharaj and Swami. Write down instances of positive changes and insights on a piece of paper.
- Think of how Mahant Swami Maharaj coming to London in 2023 affected your life, and if you made some changes in your life that have helped you in your life.