॥ શ્રી સ્વામિનારાયણો વિજયતે ॥

ભગવાન સ્વામિનારાયણનાં

॥ વચનામૃત ॥

Gadhada II-57: The Example of a Lizard; A ‘Cat-like’ Devotee

Summary

1. One should become brahmarup and develop affection for God.
2. Ātmā has no māyā, but it may seem ātmā has māyā due to ignorance.
3. The reason for cultivating ātmā-realization:

1. So that in no way does one perceive any fault in God.
2. Just as any insect that comes near light, a lizard kills it; in the same way, the thought that rests within the light of the ātmā destroys everything apart from the ātmā.

4. True renunciation is, if there were an object that appears to be dearer other than God, one would completely discard it.
5. A person may outwardly renounce many other things but if he cannot discard an object that hinders him in worshipping God, then his renunciation is useless.
6. If a person truly loves God having realized God is the source of immense bliss, he would never develop love for anything else.
7. A devotee who develops affection for objects other than God:

1. Possesses an utterly petty mentality.
2. Believes that there are pleasures in such miseries and thus develops affection for worthless objects.
3. He is nothing but a ‘cat-like’ [hypocritical, pretentious] devotee.

8. A genuine devotee of God:

1. There is no object more dear to Him than God.
2. He possesses gnān, vairāgya, bhakti and dharma.
3. He bears no cowardice in talking about God, even if he faces hindrances.

9. Whoever has even a little affection for God will not regress on the path liberation.