33.1 In the Samvat year 1876, on the evening of Posh vad 5 [5th January, 1820], Shreeji Mahãrãj was sitting facing east on a decorated bedstead on the veranda outside the room next to the mandir of Shree Vãsudev-Nãrãyan in Dãdã Khãchar’s darbãr in Gadhadã. He was wearing a white khes and had covered Himself with a white chãdar. He had also tied a reto, with deep orange ends, around His head. A sabhã of munis, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him.
33.2 Muktãnand Swãmi then asked, “The shãstras have described countless spiritual activities that please Bhagvãn. Amongst them all, which one is so powerful that it alone earns as much bliss of Bhagvãn, as is earned by performing all spiritual activities combined? Please reveal it to us.”
33.3 Shreeji Mahãrãj replied, “Please listen as I tell you the one spiritual activity by which Bhagvãn can be pleased.” He then continued, “Accepting the firm refuge of Bhagvãn is the single, greatest activity amongst all spiritual activities for pleasing Bhagvãn. However, that refuge must be extremely firm and without any flaws.
33.4 “There are three types of refuge. One way of having the refuge of Bhagvãn is with blind faith. If a person has intense blind faith, then even if someone such as Brahmã were to attempt to deflect him from his refuge, he would not be deflected.
33.5 “The second type is firm refuge of Bhagvãn that is created out of love. Whoever has intense love for Bhagvãn, cannot even forcibly be attracted to any object other than Bhagvãn. This is known as firm refuge produced out of intense love.
33.6 “The third type is refuge with understanding. A person who has great intelligence understands the sagun-nirgun and anvay-vyatirek aspects of Bhagvãn. He understands entities that have been created by Bhagvãn’s Mãyã, as well as the ways Bhagvãn takes avatãrs on earth. He also understands how, at the time of creation of the universe, Bhagvãn behaves as Akshar, how Bhagvãn behaves as Prakruti-Purush, how Bhagvãn behaves as Virãt-Purush, how Bhagvãn behaves as Brahmã and other prajãpatis. He also understands how Bhagvãn works through those like Nãrad and the Sanakãdik, for the purpose of granting kalyãn to the jeevs. He understands all these methods.
33.7 “Moreover, he realises that Purushottam Bhagvãn is greater than everything and is absolutely unaffected. He who has such an understanding is said to have a firm refuge of Bhagvãn using his intelligence. If someone tries to discourage him, or even if he tries to discourage himself, such refuge never fades away. Also, regardless of whether Bhagvãn – assuming a human svarup – displays His divine power or acts powerless, such a person’s intellect would not hold any doubts.”
33.8 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “If you allow me, I wish to ask a question.”
33.9 Muktãnand Swãmi replied, “Mahãrãj, please do ask.”
33.10 Shreeji Mahãrãj then asked, “Of the three characteristics I have just described to you, which is your strength? Although a combination of all three is found in all bhaktas of Bhagvãn, the characteristic that is strongest, is said to be the strength they posses. So, of the three – blind faith, love, and understanding – which is your strength?”
33.11 Muktãnand Swãmi and Brahmãnand Swãmi both replied, “Our characteristic is of understanding.”
33.12 Then, the other sãdhus also stated their own strengths.
End of Vachanãmrut Gadhadã I || 33 || 33 ||