Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Itasca

Jay Shree Swaminarayan

Swaminarayan Bhagwan and Monism

Chapter-39

On the third day of the first fortnight of the month of Magh in Samvat 1876, Shriji Maharaj was seated on a cot under the margosa tree near the temple of Shri Vasudev Narayan in the Durbar of Shri Dada Khachar at Gadhada. A white side cloth was wrapped about his neck and had covered his body with a white cotton shawl. He had put On a white turban. Nosegays of yellow flowers were hanging from his turban. He was garlanded with the garlands of yellow flowers. Munis and Bhaktas from the various places were assembled before him.

Then Shriji Maharaj asked a question to a Brahmin who professed to be a pure Vedantin. You confirm that Brahm alone is the ultimate truth and Jiva, Iswara, Maya, Jagat, the Vedas, scriptures, purans are all illusory. This theory is not quite tenable but I shall, however be glad to hear from you your theory with the authority of scriptures written by Bhagwan Ved Vyas, who according to us is the final authority. The Brahmin, then entered into polemical discussion with Maharaj but could not support his theory logically.

Then Shriji Maharaj, explaining further, said, "The state of release of a soul falls into two catagories, namely Savikalpa and Nirvikalpa. The released souls who have attained the Savikalpa state can visuialise the Jiva, Iswara, Maya and the Brahman - who is their supporter as separate even like a man who is standing on Mount Meru can see the other mountains, trees and the surface of the earth - all as separate. Again a man who is on the pinnacle of Mount Lokalok visualises the mountains trees and all else as the earth only but not separately. Similarly, the released souls who have attained the Nirvikalpa state pronounce the truth that Brahman alone is there but Jiva and Maya are not separate from Brahman, because he speaks from his knowledge which has obliterated from his view the other elements, even though they exist separately. Therefore, Brahman alone is the ultimate truth, is the theory propounded by the released souls who have attained the Nirvikalpa state, and it is true. Again the theory that Jiva, Ishwara, Maya, the Vedas, scriptures separately exists is also true in as much as that is propounded by a released soul who has attained the Savikalpa state and who theretore does visualise them separately. The released soul elevated to Nirvikalpa state pronounces everything except Brahman as false, because of his Nirvikalpa state wherein differences do not exist. But the difference is there which is also the truth in as much as it is observed by the released soul of the Savikalpa state.

"Again one who is seated in the chariot of the Sun God knows no darkness and no night and one who is on earth knows both day and night, Similerly the Nirvikalpa state obliterates all differences and the Savikalpa state retains them. One who knows the esoteric meaning of the scriptures has the wisdom to interpret the scriptures correctly so that contradictions may not create any ambiguity. One who has no such knowledge professes to know no contradictions and indulges in verbosity. His judgement is that Guru, Shishya, Jiva, Iswara, Maya, Jagat, the Vedas, the Purans the scriptures are all illusory. He is a great fool. So saying, He said to the Brahmin, "I have given you the correct interpretation of the meaning of scriptures. If you have any doubt you may ask me again." The Brahmin with all humility said, "Oh Maharaj! Oh God! Oh Lord ! You are God incarnate. You manifest yourself - on earth for redeeming the Jivas. Therefore, what has been said by you is the uhimale truth. He then saught the shelter of the Master.

Thus Ends Vachanamrit : Gadhada First - 39.

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