(Vachanamrut Gadhada I 56: Hollow Stones)

Extract: 

On the evening of Mahā vadi 12, Samvat 1876 [11 February 1820], Shriji 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 khes and had covered Himself with an orange reto interlaced with golden and silver threads. He had also tied a reto with a deep orange border around His head. At that time, an assembly of munis as well as devotees from various places had gathered before Him. After singing the ‘Nārāyan’ dhunya, some munis were singing devotional songs to the accompaniment of a jhānjh and mrudang.

…

If impurities are added to 24-carat gold, it becomes 22-carat. Adding more impurities renders it 18-carat. Adding even more impurities renders it 12-carat gold. In the same way, as impurities in the form of vanity mix with that devotee’s gnān, vairāgya and bhakti, the purity of all three gradually decreases. Thus, gnān, vairāgya and bhakti devoid of [ego] are like 24-carat gold.

In satsang, similar to everyday life, ego is a major concern. Ego can lead to one’s downfall in life and in satsang. Our ego is such that it makes us think highly of ourselves, never perceiving flaws within ourselves and not allowing us to progress and develop within satsang, as we think we are already great. Conversely, our ego leads us to find flaws in others, which eventually leads to seeing flaws within the Satpurush – Swamishri – and Maharaj. Our ego is such that it can blind us from what we actually need to do – bhakti of God. 

Prasang

A barber named Karsan used to serve the sadhus at Junagadh mandir. However, he increased his rate by one paise per person. Consequently, Gunatitanand Swami refused to pay Karsan the increased rate. Soon, though, the sadhus felt uncomfortable without their monthly shave. In response, Gunatitanand Swami asked Pragji Bhakta (Bhagatji Maharaj) to do Karsan’s job and act as the barber for the sadhus. Even though during those times, performing such service was considered a lowly task, Pragji Bhakta immediately went to town and bought a razor. He first served Gunatitanand Swami and then the rest of the sadhus. However, not just on this occasion, but for almost six long months, Pragji Bhakta performed the role of a barber, and he did this without feeling ashamed. Instead, in the forefront of his mind, he knew he was pleasing his guru, Gunatitanand Swami. 

Pragji Bhakta went about amicably performing the seva that had been assigned to him, no matter how lowly it was. Gunatitanand Swami expressed and displayed great happiness toward Pragji Bhakta.  

Discussion Points:

1. In Satsang and in life, we often think very highly of ourselves. We think we are too smart or too good. As such, we think certain tasks are below us. We may think that our seva does not involve cleaning bathrooms and vasans. We let our ego get in the way of what we see as “menial” seva. If we look at the lives of Bhagatji Maharaj and our gurus, they have all gone to great lengths to do such “menial” seva. What is the difference between us and our gurus? Are we at a higher level in satsang that we cannot perform these sevas? Or do we simply not understand the value?
   1. Are there certain sevas that are higher than others? How do we shift our perspective, so we do not see certain sevas as “menial?” 
2. We often feel we are “too good” for certain things. We find ourselves using our education, or other achievements, as an excuse. Why is this?
   1. Where does ego come into play? How do we control this ego when performing our bhakti? 

Conclusion

1. Following in the mould of Swamishri and our gurus, we need to keep a few things in mind:
   1. We should do antardrashti about how Swamishri is the one who inspires us with the talent and skills necessary for us to overcome obstacles and succeed in our seva and bhakti. This will help us overcome the ego we possess, in terms of our abilities to do our seva better than anyone else could.
   2. We should actively accept constructive criticism and pass on praise. 
      1. In our lives, we tend to do the opposite. Instead, we need to reverse this trend and focus on bettering ourselves, by accepting constructive criticism and not having our egos inflated and by passing praise on to Swamishri, P. Santo and our respective haribhaktas.
   3. We should actively search for “menial” sevas, as described above, with the thought in mind that these sevas will make us humble.
   4. We should constantly remind ourselves of the bigger picture:  I am to do what is assigned to me as my primary seva and bhakti and do it to the fullest, always remembering that I am doing what Swamishri and the sanstha want me to do right now. Let me make the most of this opportunity I have to make Swamishri raaji. 
   5. The final thing we have to ask ourselves is: If our very guru, the one we are willing to do anything for, is so nirmani, then why are we left stroking our egos? We have the perfect example in front of us. Now all that is left is that we follow in the footsteps of our guru, on a path away from our ego.