Ashwin Krishna Amavasya, Mangalvar, Vikram Samvat 2068
There is No Delay in Attaining Spiritual Enlightenment
(continued)
Listener - Maharajji, what about indirect and direct knowledge?
Swamiji – See ! Right now do not bring up any talk about books and their contents. If you wish to silence me by quoting books in testimony of your argument, then I will become silent. What else will happen? However, will it bear any fruit? Will it solve the problem? No, the problem will rather become more complicated. I frankly want to say that knowledge neither is nor can be indirect. Knowledge is always direct. If it is knowledge, how can it be indirect? And if it is indirect, how can it be knowledge? Think over the topic seriously, as I have done. Scriptural Text Books prove to be useful, but they are more harmful than useful. When I make this utterance, I seem to be an atheist. But after thinking, I have come to the conclusion that, if you want to attain spiritual enlightenment or salvation, stop such discussions and arguments. Experience or knowledge is never indirect.
Listener - If a person assumes some thing, is it not indirect knowledge?
Swamiji - This is not something assumed, this is what you have merely learnt. There is a difference between what you assume, what you learn and what you know. A parrot learns to utter "Radhe Krishna, Gopi Krishna", the names of God. But does it mean that it has gained indirect knowledge? No, it can't be so; there can't be indirect knowledge. Whatever is indirect, can never be knowledge. The inner sense and other sense organs are the axis; how can that which is beyond their access be knowledge? This is a process. If you follow this process it is also O.K. This process consists of different steps such as discrimination, dispassion, possession of six divine traits (tranquility, self-control, indifference, endurance, faith, composure and desire for salvation). Then he should practice hearing of the scriptures, cognition, and constant musing. After it he should renounce affinity for the entire creation so that only Pure-Consciousness may remain. This is a very long path which does not lead to instantaneous perfection or spiritual enlightenment.
Listener - Maharajji, You said that we are not bodies; the body is different from the soul. We accept it because You say so.
Swamiji - This is no acceptance at all, this is mere learning. Even if you don't experience, you should have a firm conviction (assumption) like Parvati who declared - "It is my firm conviction that I'll marry only Lord Shankaraeven though millions of births may pass otherwise I'll remain a virgin. I'll not ignore Narada's preaching even if Lord Shankara Himself asks me a hundred times to do the contrary" (Manasa 1/80/3)
According to her God may err but Narada can't. This is called conviction (assumption). We should have a firm conviction that the "body" and "I" are different. Even if Brahma, the creator may declare That "I" and "my body" are one, I'll not agree with him because he may err in his judgment. We may not understand it but it is a fact that we are different from our bodies. Such firm conviction like knowledge leads to salvation or spiritual enlightenment. You marry a girl and accept her as your wife or not? Tell me whether you have any doubt or think contrary or have opposite notion to this? Tell me, what is there besides belief, acceptance and conviction in it? A chaste wife becomes a "sati", burns herself bravely on the funeral pyre of her dead husband, only because of a strong belief. Even on burning, the fire does not appear to be bad.
(to be continued) From book "Ease of God Realization" in English by Swami Ramsukhdasji.
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If in doubt regarding the translation, please read the original Hindi message by Swamiji.
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FOR MESSAGE IN HINDI PLEASE VISITDate : 25th September, 2011 – Bhagwat Praapti ki Sugamta
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Ram Ram
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