॥ શ્રી સ્વામિનારાયણો વિજયતે ॥
ભગવાન સ્વામિનારાયણનાં
॥ વચનામૃત ॥
Gadhada I-56: Hollow Stones
Summary
- Of the four types of devotees mentioned in the Gitā, a gnāni is the best because:
- He behaves as brahmarup.
- He thoroughly understands the greatness of God.
- He has no desires except that of God.
- If a devotee of God:
- Exhibits gnān, vairāgya, and bhakti out of vanity:
- That is a great flaw.
- Just as a no water will come in a well when a stone-cutter strikes a stone and it sounds solid [sparks fly], similarly, he will not acquire any great virtues.
- He sees God’s form residing in his heart with an expression of disgust.
- If he has any virtues, they will diminish.
- His vanity only serves to strengthen his belief of being the body.
- The virtues of gnān, vairāgya and bhakti may make him appear virtuous superficially, but he does not have any inner-strength.
- Exhibits gnān, vairāgya, and bhakti with humility:
- Just as plentiful water will come in a well when a stone-cutter strikes a stone and it sounds hollow; similarly, he will acquire many great virtues.
- God resides in his heart with a pleased expression.
- His virtues grow more powerful.
- He is the best.
- Means to eradicating ego:
- Physically: realising the greatness of God’s devotees, bowing down to them, and serving them menially.
- Mentally: recognising thoughts of vanity when they arise in one’s heart and maintaining the force of thought.
- Upāsanā:
- Through the force of upāsanā, one attains countless types of greatness, highest state of enlightenment, and other powers.
- One realises the distinction between ātmā and non-ātmā and develops vairāgya.
- One should forsake dependence on the strength of other spiritual endeavours and rely on the strength of God’s upāsanā.
- One should increase the strength of their upāsanā of God by practising satsang.
- One who has firmness in upāsanā believes, “However a grave sinner a person may be, if he utters ‘Swaminarayan’ at the end of his life, he will attain God’s abode.”
History