April 3, 2017 archive

Only a few selected persons among them can be called as devotees. The rest of them just come to Swamiji seeking his blessings for some particular reason, that’s all.

Glimpses of Bhaktimala

These are traditionalists. They possess a natural devotion towards God and Guru and towards good pious persons. They are experts in Guru bhakti. They do not have any selfish desires. They desire the company of great souls (satsang). They do not attach much weightage to materialistic successes or failures. They also would have acquired the capacity to treat praise and abuse equally. Such people are Swamiji’s dearest devotees. They do not have any expectations from Swamiji. In fact they do not even desire to be next to Swamiji at all times. They experience Swamiji’s presence with them wherever they are staying. This is a type of selfless devotion. Generally such people are also quite detached. They try to be like the lotus in the dirty pond.

• Glimpses of Bhaktimala 4

These are not mere teardrops. They are tears of joy. Such people, when they see Swamiji are able to experience the Absolute Truth. There will be no impurity in the minds of such people. They have total, pure devotion devoid of any desires. They are the greatest among devotees (bhaktas). Irrespective of whether the situations are favourable or unfavourable to them they remain devotees. They do not blame Swamiji. They do not seek anything either. Even if they face failures at all fronts they are contented. ‘Swamiji is with us-that is enough’ is their attitude. Swamiji too loves such devotees.

Glimpses of Bhaktimala 4

There is a very popular saying- first impression is the best impression. Swamiji is like a mirror. He reflects your feelings. People who have God-consciousness (daiva bhava) in them are able to perceive divinity in Swamiji as soon as they see Him for the very first time. People who have demonic feelings within them perceive even divinity as a demonic energy. ‘Yad bhaavam tad bhavati’ means ‘as you feel so shall you perceive’. Those who are able to see divinity in Swamiji even during their first meeting remain permanently with Swamiji and become his Soul mates (atma bandhu).

Solitude (ekanta) means being in a natural state (sahaja) of Samadhi. It has been Swamiji’s natural state for the past many incarnations. The main objective or aim of Swamiji is to uplift ordinary persons and bring them to his level. To Swamiji being alone and being in the midst of people is one and the same. He continues to experience ekanta even when he is surrounded by a crowd all around him. If Swamiji were to feel that being among people is disgusting then it means that he has not achieved true ekanta.