Vachanamrut Essence

Gadhadā II-12

1. None of the vicious natures [such as lust, anger, ego] lies within the jiva; but the jiva has merely believed itself to possess them out of its own foolishness.
2. If a king possess little or no intelligence, the people in the village would not obey his orders. As a result, the king would become depressed and powerless and sit idly. Similarly, the jiva in this body is like a king; but if the jiva becomes powerless, then the indriyas, antahkaran, and vicious natures would not let the jiva exercise authority.
3. One who aspires for their liberation should learn the art of ruling in the following way:

1. Understand the greatness of God thoroughly.
2. Believe one’s true self is the ātmā, which is greater than the indriyas, antahkaran, and the five prāns; and I am their controller.
3. Exercise control over one’s indriyas, allowing them to follow the path of God [sights, smells, words, tastes, touch related to God] but not on an unrighteous path.

4. Vigilantly endeavouring in this way is the greatest of all spiritual endeavours for attaining liberation.