Vachanamrut Essence

Gadhadā I-47

1. Characteristics of those who possess the four types of firmness:

1. One with firmness in observance of dharma:

1. Abides by the disciplines related to the dharma of his caste and āshram.
2. Lovingly engages in performing menial service to God and His devotees.
3. Is inclined toward activities related to God.
4. Enjoys listening to and reading scriptures expounding bhāgwat dharma.

2. One with firmness in realising oneself as ātmā:

1. Always behaves as the ātmā.
2. Understands God to forever possess a form, is all-transcending, and is divine; he engages in listening to and discoursing about this.
3. Talks about and listens to talks expounding the pure nature of his own ātmā, as well as talks of Paramātmā. He also enjoys scriptures that contain such talks.

3. One with firmness in vairāgya:

1. Has a dislike for all worldly objects except God’s form.
2. Never remembers his home, his family or other objects that he has renounced.
3. Likes the company of devotees who are renunciants.
4. Offers bhakti to God in a manner that does not conflict with his renunciation.
5. Talks predominantly about renunciation and has a liking for scriptures propounding renunciation.

4. One with firmness in bhakti:

1. Has intense love only for God.
2. Is unable to focus his mind’s vrutti towards anything other than God.
3. Enjoys listening to the human-like actions and incidents of God.
4. Enjoys listening to scriptures describing God’s form.
5. Only develops affection towards devotees who have love for God.
6. Always engages in some activity that is related to God.

2. When one person is firm in all four, he is known as Param-Bhāgwat or Ekāntik Bhakta.
3. This talk is like a mirror [in that it reveals one’s own inclination as it is]; therefore, one should reflect on this talk and cultivate their inclination.