55.1 In the Samvat year 1876, on Mahã vad 11 [10th February, 1820], Shreeji Mahãrãj was sitting on the east-facing veranda of His own residence in Dãdã Khãchar’s darbãr in Gadhadã. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. A sabhã of sants, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him.
55.2 Then, Shreeji Mahãrãj said, “Please begin a question-answer discussion.”
55.3 Muktãnand Swãmi then asked, “Why is a person unable to remain determined in bhajan, smaran, and the vartmãns?”
55.4 Shreeji Mahãrãj explained, “A person’s determination does not remain steady due to the influence of unpleasant desh, kãl, kriyã, and sang. There are three levels of this determination: uttam, madhyam, and kanishth. If there are extremely unpleasant desh, kãl, kriyã, and sang, then even the uttam level determination is dissolved. Then, what can be said of the madhyam and kanishth levels of determination?
55.5 “However, if a person’s determination remains exactly the same, despite the influence of extremely unpleasant desh, kãl, kriyã, and sang, then the force of good deeds and merits previously performed by him must be extremely powerful. On the other hand, a person’s intellect may become polluted despite extremely pleasant desh, kãl, kriyã, and sang. This is because he must have committed a great sin, or must have insulted a great bhakta of Bhagvãn, either in a past life or in this life. Therefore, despite association with pleasant desh, kãl, kriyã, and sang, his mind has still become polluted.
55.6 “If a person serves a great sant attentively, his sins will be burnt and reduced to ashes. On the other hand, if a person associates with a great sinner, then his own sins increase, and any religious deeds that he may have performed, will also be destroyed. Also, a person who puts his arms around the necks of prostitutes drinking alcohol, and then blames Bhagvãn by thinking, ‘Why did Bhagvãn not keep my mind stable?’ should be known as an utter fool.”
End of Vachanãmrut Gadhadã I || 55 || 55 ||