Gadhada II-7

A Poor Man

On the night of Shrāvan sudi 11, Samvat 1878 [9 August 1821], Swāmi Shri Sahajānandji Mahārāj was sitting in front of the mandir of Shri Vāsudevnārāyan in Dādā Khāchar’s darbār in Gadhadā. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. At that time, an assembly of paramhansas as well as devotees from various places had gathered before Him.

Thereupon Muktānand Swāmi asked Shriji Mahārāj, “A devotee of God resolves in his mind, ‘I do not want to retain a single swabhāv which may hinder me in worshipping God,’ and yet, such inappropriate swabhāvs do remain. What is the reason for this?”

Shriji Mahārāj replied, “If a person has a deficiency of vairāgya, then even if he has the shraddhā to eradicate his swabhāvs, still they will not be eradicated. For example, a poor man may wish for lots of sumptuous food and lavish clothes, but how can he acquire them? Similarly, one who lacks vairāgya may wish in his heart to acquire the virtues of a sādhu, but it is very difficult for him to do so.”

Muktānand Swāmi then asked, “If a person does not possess vairāgya, what means should he adopt to eradicate those vicious natures?”

Shriji Mahārāj replied, “If a person lacking vairāgya intensely serves a great Sant and obediently perseveres in his observance of the injunctions of God, then God will look upon him with an eye of compassion and feel, ‘This poor fellow lacks vairāgya, and lust, anger, etc., are harassing him very much. So now, may all those vicious natures be eradicated.’ As a result, they will be eradicated immediately. In comparison, if he were to endeavor in other ways, those swabhāvs may be eradicated, but after a great deal of time and effort - either in this life or in later lives. If such vicious natures are eradicated instantly, then it should be known that they have been eradicated by the grace of God.”

On the night of Shravan sudi 11, Samvat 1878 [9 August 1821], Swami Shri Sahajanandji Maharaj was sitting in front of the mandir of Shri Vasudevnarayan in Dada Khachar’s darbar in Gadhada. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. At that time, an assembly of paramhansas as well as devotees from various places had gathered before Him.

Thereupon Muktanand Swami asked Shriji Maharaj, “A devotee of God resolves in his mind, ‘I do not want to retain a single swabhav which may hinder me in worshipping God,’ and yet, such inappropriate swabhavs do remain. What is the reason for this?”

Shriji Maharaj replied, “If a person has a deficiency of vairagya, then even if he has the shraddha to eradicate his swabhavs, still they will not be eradicated. For example, a poor man may wish for lots of sumptuous food and lavish clothes, but how can he acquire them? Similarly, one who lacks vairagya may wish in his heart to acquire the virtues of a sadhu, but it is very difficult for him to do so.”

Muktanand Swami then asked, “If a person does not possess vairagya, what means should he adopt to eradicate those vicious natures?”

Shriji Maharaj replied, “If a person lacking vairagya intensely serves a great Sant and obediently perseveres in his observance of the injunctions of God, then God will look upon him with an eye of compassion and feel, ‘This poor fellow lacks vairagya, and lust, anger, etc., are harassing him very much. So now, may all those vicious natures be eradicated.’ As a result, they will be eradicated immediately. In comparison, if he were to endeavor in other ways, those swabhavs may be eradicated, but after a great deal of time and effort - either in this life or in later lives. If such vicious natures are eradicated instantly, then it should be known that they have been eradicated by the grace of God.”