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(Vachanamrut Gadhada I 29: Intensifying the Force of Dharma, Gnān, Vairāgya and Bhakti; Prārabdha, Grace and Personal Endeavor)
Extract:
Shriji Mahārāj then said, “Please ask a question.”
Thereupon Gopālānand Swāmi asked, “How can the force of bhakti coupled with dharma, gnān and vairāgya be intensified?”
Shriji Mahārāj replied, “There are four means to accomplish this: One is a pure place, the second is an auspicious time, the third is pious actions, and the fourth is the company of a holy person. Of these, the influence of actions is slight, whereas the influences of place, time and company are more powerful. Why? Because, if a place is pure, and the time is pure and one also keeps the company of a sādhu like yourself, then actions will naturally be pure as well. Conversely, if a place is impure - like the region of Sindh, if the time is impure, or of those who consume alcohol and meat, then actions will certainly be impure as well. Therefore, one should stay where there is a pure place and should abandon - by whatever means necessary - a place where the time has become unfavorable. One should keep the company of devotees of God as well as the company of the Sant who is a knower of Brahma and who observes the five religious vows.As a result, a devotee’s bhakti for God gains tremendous vigor. This is the answer to your question.” Thereafter Muktānand Swāmi asked, “Mahārāj, initially a devotee may be very impure at heart, but he later becomes extremely pure. Is this due to his previous sanskārs, the grace of God or the devotee’s personal endeavors?”
Shriji Mahārāj explained, “The good or bad that occurs due to one’s previous sanskārs is apparent to everyone in the world. For instance, the case of Bharatji becoming attached to a deer can be understood to be due to prārabdha. Or if a poor person were to receive a large kingdom, then everyone would come to know of it. That should be known as prārabdha.”
Discussion Points:
- What are the four means that Shriji Mahārāj mentions to intensify the force of bhakti?
- What do you think is meant by the company of a holy person?
- Who is this person in our lives?
- Can you think of examples for each of the other means, where do we see them in our lives?
- How can a place/location be impure, can you think of some reasons?
- According to Mahārāj, what are the factors that contribute to a devotee's transformation from being impure to extremely pure?
- How can we keep away from bad things and worldly pleasures?
Activity:
- Make a list of the things that help to keep us pure, maybe talk about the things we eat or don’t eat or the places we go, etc.