Amdavad-7

Amdāvād-7

On Fāgun vadi 7, Samvat 1882 [30 March 1826], Swāmi Shri Sahajānandji Mahārāj was having the Vāsudev Māhātmya read on the medi above the gate of the mandir of Shri Narnārāyan in Amdāvād. Thereafter, in the evening, He got up and sat facing east on a large, decorated cot under the neem tree near the gate. Around His head He had tied a pink pāgh, in which tassels of roses had been inserted. He was also lavishly adorned with garlands of roses. In addition to this, He had covered Himself with a white blanket and was wearing a white survāl. At that time, an assembly of munis as well as devotees from various places had gathered before Him.

Thereupon Prāgji Dave asked Shriji Mahārāj, “Mahārāj, by what means can one’s mind become firmly fixed on You so that it does not become adulterous by straying elsewhere?”

Shriji Mahārāj began by saying, “Please listen as I answer your question.” He then continued, “By realizing the greatness of God, one’s mind becomes fixed on Him. Now I shall explain how that greatness should be understood.

“I had previously asked Rāmānand Swāmi at Lādhā Brāhmin’s house in Piplānā, ‘Are you truly God or are you merely called God?’ Rāmānand Swāmi did not reply then. Later in Samvat 1869, I had fallen ill. During My illness, I went to Kshir-sāgar where Shesh-shāyi Nārāyan rests upon Shesh and saw Rāmānand Swāmi there. He was wearing a white dhotiyu and had covered himself with a white cloth. I also saw many others sitting near the holy feet of Shesh-shāyi Nārāyan. There, I asked Nārāyan, ‘Who is this Rāmānand Swāmi?’ Nārāyan replied, ‘He is a knower of Brahma.’ After he said this, Rāmānand Swāmi merged into the body of Nārāyan, and I then returned to My physical body.

“Then, when I looked within, I saw the source of the divine sound of pranav. While I was looking at it, Nandishwar, the bull, approached Me. I mounted upon it and went to Shiv in Kailās. There, Garud arrived. So I mounted upon it and began to travel to Vaikunth and Brahmadhām. But as Garud was unable to fly to Brahmadhām, I went alone to the abode of Shri Purushottam Nārāyan, which transcends everything. There, I saw that it was I who was Purushottam; I did not see anyone eminent apart from Myself. In this manner, I travelled to these places and finally returned to My body.

“Then, when I looked within again, I realized that I am the creator, sustainer and destroyer of all of the brahmānds. In those countless brahmānds, it is by My divine light that countless Shivs, countless Brahmās, countless Kailāses, countless Vaikunths, Golok, Brahmapur, as well as countless millions of other realms are radiant.

“What am I like? Well, if I were to shake the earth with the toe of My foot, the worlds of countless brahmānds would begin to shake. It is also by My light that the sun, the moon, the stars, etc., are radiant. So, if one develops the conviction of My form in this manner, one’s mind becomes fixed on Me - God - and would never stray anywhere else. Moreover, I will grant My supreme abode to all who come to My refuge and understand this. In addition, I will make them virtually antaryāmi and powerful enough to create, sustain and destroy brahmānds. However, after receiving such powers, one should not become egotistical and think, ‘I alone am great,’ and neglect the manifest rishi-form of Shri Narnārāyan. Instead, one should realize, ‘It is by the compassion of Shri Narnārāyan that I have attained such greatness.’” Thus, Shriji Mahārāj concluded the question-answer dialogue.

On Fagun vadi 7, Samvat 1882 [30 March 1826], Swami Shri Sahajanandji Maharaj was having the Vasudev Mahatmya read on the medi above the gate of the mandir of Shri Narnarayan in Amdavad. Thereafter, in the evening, He got up and sat facing east on a large, decorated cot under the neem tree near the gate. Around His head He had tied a pink pagh, in which tassels of roses had been inserted. He was also lavishly adorned with garlands of roses. In addition to this, He had covered Himself with a white blanket and was wearing a white surval. At that time, an assembly of munis as well as devotees from various places had gathered before Him.

Thereupon Pragji Dave asked Shriji Maharaj, “Maharaj, by what means can one’s mind become firmly fixed on You so that it does not become adulterous by straying elsewhere?”

Shriji Maharaj began by saying, “Please listen as I answer your question.” He then continued, “By realizing the greatness of God, one’s mind becomes fixed on Him. Now I shall explain how that greatness should be understood.

“I had previously asked Ramanand Swami at Ladha Brahmin’s house in Piplana, ‘Are you truly God or are you merely called God?’ Ramanand Swami did not reply then. Later in Samvat 1869, I had fallen ill. During My illness, I went to Kshir-sagar where Shesh-shayi Narayan rests upon Shesh and saw Ramanand Swami there. He was wearing a white dhotiyu and had covered himself with a white cloth. I also saw many others sitting near the holy feet of Shesh-shayi Narayan. There, I asked Narayan, ‘Who is this Ramanand Swami?’ Narayan replied, ‘He is a knower of Brahma.’ After he said this, Ramanand Swami merged into the body of Narayan, and I then returned to My physical body.

“Then, when I looked within, I saw the source of the divine sound of pranav. While I was looking at it, Nandishwar, the bull, approached Me. I mounted upon it and went to Shiv in Kailas. There, Garud arrived. So I mounted upon it and began to travel to Vaikunth and Brahmadham. But as Garud was unable to fly to Brahmadham, I went alone to the abode of Shri Purushottam Narayan, which transcends everything. There, I saw that it was I who was Purushottam; I did not see anyone eminent apart from Myself. In this manner, I travelled to these places and finally returned to My body.

“Then, when I looked within again, I realized that I am the creator, sustainer and destroyer of all of the brahmands. In those countless brahmands, it is by My divine light that countless Shivs, countless Brahmas, countless Kailases, countless Vaikunths, Golok, Brahmapur, as well as countless millions of other realms are radiant.

“What am I like? Well, if I were to shake the earth with the toe of My foot, the worlds of countless brahmands would begin to shake. It is also by My light that the sun, the moon, the stars, etc., are radiant. So, if one develops the conviction of My form in this manner, one’s mind becomes fixed on Me - God - and would never stray anywhere else. Moreover, I will grant My supreme abode to all who come to My refuge and understand this. In addition, I will make them virtually antaryami and powerful enough to create, sustain and destroy brahmands. However, after receiving such powers, one should not become egotistical and think, ‘I alone am great,’ and neglect the manifest rishi-form of Shri Narnarayan. Instead, one should realize, ‘It is by the compassion of Shri Narnarayan that I have attained such greatness.’” Thus, Shriji Maharaj concluded the question-answer dialogue.