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(Vachanamrut Gadhada I 30: Thoughts that Leave a Lasting Impression)
Extract:
On Posh vadi 1, Samvat 1876 [1 January 1820], Shriji Mahārāj was sitting on a large, decorated cot on the veranda outside the room facing north, in line with the mandir of Shri Vāsudevnārāyan in Dādā Khāchar’s darbār in Gadhadā. He was wearing a white khes and had covered Himself with a white cotton cloth. He had also tied a white feto around His head. Around His neck were garlands of white flowers, and tassels of white flowers were dangling from both of His ears. He was also wearing a string of white flowers around His wrists. At that time, while some munis were singing devotional songs, other munis as well as devotees from various places had gathered before Him in an assembly.
Shriji Mahārāj then requested, “Please begin a question-answer dialogue.”
Thereupon Dinānāth Bhatt asked, “Mahārāj, at times, thousands of thoughts arise, yet they do not leave a lasting impression in the mind. At other times, however, only an insignificant thought arises, yet it leaves a strong impression on the mind. What is the reason for this? Also, by what means can a devotee eradicate such disturbing thoughts?”
Shriji Mahārāj answered, “The reason is the influence of the gunas. Thoughts occurring when tamogun is predominant induce a state similar to that of deep sleep. Therefore those thoughts do not leave a lasting impression in the mind. When sattvagun prevails, one experiences a state of awareness; so, any disturbing thoughts that occur at that time are dispelled by contemplation. Therefore, those thoughts do not leave a lasting impression either. However, thoughts that arise when rajogun is prevalent do leave a lasting impression in the mind. Therefore, the reason some thoughts do leave a lasting impression in the mind and others do not is due to the prevalence of the various gunas.
If an intelligent person reflects on this matter and examines his thoughts whenever they arise, he will be able to recognize which guna is predominant in him at that particular time. However, subtle thoughts that arise repeatedly from moment to moment cannot be grasped by anyone. At the most, someone intelligent like yourself may be able to discern two, three, or four of the more superficial thoughts that arise during the course of a day.”
Discussion Points:
- What are the three guns as described by maharaj?
- According to Shriji Mahārāj, why do some thoughts not leave a lasting impression in the mind?
- Think about what Maharaj says about the 3 guns
- What happens when thoughts occur in tamogun?
- What happens when thoughts occur in sattvagun?
- What happens when thoughts occur in rajogun?
- What does Maharaj say an intelligent person does?
- He would reflect on these thoughts
- This is also known as doing Antardrashti (Introspection)
Activity - Antardrashti:
- Try reflecting on the thoughts you’ve had everyday before going to bed
- Think about what you’ve done that day
- Think about what you can learn from that day
- What changes will you make tomorrow?