Gadhadã I-28 A Smouldering Log; Progressing and Regressing

Gadhadã I-28

A Smouldering Log; Progressing and Regressing

1    On Posh sudi 14, Samvat 1876 [30 December 1819], Shriji Mahãrãj was sitting on a large, decorated cot on the veranda outside the room in line with the room of Shri Vãsudev-Nãrãyan in Dãdã Khãchar’s darbãr in Gadhadã. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. At that time, the sadhus had sat down to eat in his presence.

2   Thereupon Shriji Mahãrãj said, “When a satsangi is likely to regress in the Satsang fellowship, vicious desires steadily flourish within him. At first, he begins to perceive flaws in all  satsangis day by day. In his heart, he feels, ‘All of these satsangis lack understanding; only I have true understanding.’ In this way, he considers himself to be superior to all. Such a person remains constantly uneasy, day and night. He cannot sit peacefully anywhere during the day; nor can he sleep at night. Moreover, his anger never subsides. In fact, he constantly smoulders like a half-burnt log. A person who behaves in this manner should be known to be on the verge of falling out of Satsang. No matter how many days he spends in Satsang, he will never experience peace in his heart; ultimately, he will fall from Satsang.

3   “Conversely, when a person is likely to progress in Satsang, pure desires steadily flourish within him. Day by day, he sees only virtues in all satsangis. He views all devotees as superior to himself and considers himself to be insignificant. Moreover, he experiences the bliss of Satsang in his heart 24 hours a day. Such characteristics indicate that pure desires have flourished. In fact, the more such a person practises satsang, the more he benefits; and eventually, he attains profound greatness.”

4   Having delivered this discourse, Shriji Mahãrãj bid ‘Jai Sachchidãnand’ to all and returned to his seat.

Negative Influence in Satsang; Not Uttering Discouraging Words

Gadhadã I-17

Negative Influence in Satsang; 

Not Uttering Discouraging Words

1    On Mãgshar vadi 5, Samvat 1876 [6 December 1819], Shriji Mahãrãj was sitting in a west-facing room of Dãdã Khãchar’s darbãr in Gadhadã. He was wearing a white khes and had covered himself with a white cotton cloth. He had also tied a white pãgh around his head, and a tassel of yellow flowers was inserted into that pãgh. Wearing a garland of yellow flowers, Mahãrãj was seated in this manner in a very cheerful mood while a passage from the Shrimad Bhãgvat was being read.

2   At that time, Shriji Mahãrãj called for Muktãnand Swãmi, Gopãlãnand Swãmi and some other sadhus.Addressing them, he said, “In our Satsang fellowship, a small element of negative influence remains, which I wish to eliminate today. I want to conduct this matter in such a manner that it encompasses all satsangis, paramhansas, sãnkhya-yogis and karma-yogis.

3   “Now, what is this negative influence in Satsang? Well, those who preach in Satsang speak discouragingly. That is the negative influence in Satsang. What do they say? They say, ‘Who can follow God’s commands thoroughly? Who can possibly observe the religious vows perfectly? No one. Therefore, we should observe only as much as we possibly can. After all, God is the redeemer of even the wicked, and so he will grant liberation to us as well.’

4    “Moreover, they say, ‘Attempting to behold God’s form in the heart is not possible by one’s own efforts. It is only beheld by those whom God helps out of compassion.’ With such complacent words, they discourage others from practising dharma, gnãn, vairãgya, bhakti, and other spiritual endeavours for pleasing God.

5    “Therefore, from this day onwards, no one in our Satsang fellowship should utter such discouraging words. Instead, always speak courageously. Those who do speak such words should be known as impotents. In fact, on days when one speaks such discouraging words, one should observe a fast.”

H Vachanãmrut Gadhadã I-17 H 17H