Mahatmya
Mahatmya is defined as realising the glory of God & His devotees, and having deep respect for devotees of God. One can experience the bliss of Akshardham if one remains submerged in Mahatmya and continues to serve with humility.
To accept that the swaroopo with whom we have become attached are divine, innocent instruments of the Lord; they have a constant communion with God and through them our soul will be redeemed – that is mahatmya.
Swaroop-nishtha is the firm, un-wavering mahatmya as explained above. It is trust and faith in the swaroop. Is our faith strong? If it is then we should experience the bliss of Akshardham from this very moment.
We believe our faith to be strong and our mahatmya adequate. So we shall say that: “After so many years in the company of the swaroopo how can anyone question our swaroop-nishtha?”
The answer to this is that: “If the swaroop–nishtha has been applied in our daily lives, then we would have attained the virtues of the Gunatit Swaroop.” Can any of us say with conviction that we are experiencing the same level of happiness as the swaroop and that we are able to convey the same happiness to others?
We, as sincere sadhako should truthfully ask ourselves these questions. We may come to the conclusion that we have not yet attained the level of swaroop-nishtha as described in Vachnamrut G. I. 62. Then what should we do?
From this moment, we must begin to accept the ‘greatness’ of the swaroop. How can this be achieved?
- To believe that the swaroop is the almighty controller of everything and everyone, He instigates all circumstances affecting any devotees. He is omnipresent. Thus, it is impossible for anyone to act against His will.
- To accept that even the newest devotee in the satsang is controlled by the swaroop, is true swaroop-nishtha. If we believe this whole-heartedly then we would not take manushya-bhav in the devotee. Often we may perceive a devotee acting in a manner which would not please his guru. Although we realise that he is not acting independently, we are still unable to accept that his actions are being inspired by his guru. In this case, does the fault lie with guru? If we blame the guru for the devotee’s action then we have taken manushya-bhav in the swaroop. We should endeavour to realise the mahatmya of the swaroop as per Vachnamrut G. I. 62. If we remain sub-merged in the mahatmya and live as inspired by the Lord, serve Him with faith and devotion then the purification of our soul will be achieved easily.