Gadhada II-43

Brahmaswarup Love

On Posh sudi 4, Samvat 1880 [5 January 1824], Swāmi Shri Sahajānandji Mahārāj was seated on a cushion with a cylindrical pillow at the residence of the Ayodhyāwāsis in Dādā Khāchar’s darbār in Gadhadā. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. At that time, Premānand Swāmi was singing devotional songs to the accompaniment of a sarodā, while munis as well as devotees from various places had gathered before Him in an assembly.

Thereupon Shriji Mahārāj said, “Let us conduct a question-answer session.” So saying, Shriji Mahārāj Himself asked, “A devotee of God who is gunātit behaves only as the ātmā, above the influence of the three gunas - i.e., above sattvagun in the form of vairāgya, above rajogun in the form of desires for vishays, and above tamogun in the form of passiveness. He harbors absolutely no thoughts and experiences a deep sleep-like state. Now, does such a nirgun devotee who behaves as the ātmā in this manner have love for God or not? That is the question.”

Muktānand Swāmi replied, “One who behaves as the ātmā does have love for God.”

Hearing the reply, Shriji Mahārāj asked, “Is the love of such a devotee who behaves as the ātmā of the same qualities as the ātmā or different?”

Muktānand Swāmi replied, “That love is of the same qualities as the ātmā.”

Shriji Mahārāj then explained, “Regarding the love developed for God while behaving as the ātmā, Madhvāchārya, Nimbārk and Vallabhāchārya have all described that love as brahmaswarup. Therefore, only one who has love for God having become gunātit is brahmaswarup. Such is the principle of the great āchāryas.”

On Posh sudi 4, Samvat 1880 [5 January 1824], Swami Shri Sahajanandji Maharaj was seated on a cushion with a cylindrical pillow at the residence of the Ayodhyawasis in Dada Khachar’s darbar in Gadhada. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. At that time, Premanand Swami was singing devotional songs to the accompaniment of a saroda, while munis as well as devotees from various places had gathered before Him in an assembly.

Thereupon Shriji Maharaj said, “Let us conduct a question-answer session.” So saying, Shriji Maharaj Himself asked, “A devotee of God who is gunatit behaves only as the atma, above the influence of the three gunas - i.e., above sattvagun in the form of vairagya, above rajogun in the form of desires for vishays, and above tamogun in the form of passiveness. He harbors absolutely no thoughts and experiences a deep sleep-like state. Now, does such a nirgun devotee who behaves as the atma in this manner have love for God or not? That is the question.”

Muktanand Swami replied, “One who behaves as the atma does have love for God.”

Hearing the reply, Shriji Maharaj asked, “Is the love of such a devotee who behaves as the atma of the same qualities as the atma or different?”

Muktanand Swami replied, “That love is of the same qualities as the atma.”

Shriji Maharaj then explained, “Regarding the love developed for God while behaving as the atma, Madhvacharya, Nimbark and Vallabhacharya have all described that love as brahmaswarup. Therefore, only one who has love for God having become gunatit is brahmaswarup. Such is the principle of the great acharyas.”