Brahm-anandi bano
We are all sadhaks. Our ultimate goal is to achieve a state of mind where we are in constant communion with God – a state of brahm-anandi conscience. We should be our own guru, introspect calmly and thoroughly, then ask ourselves:
Am I a Vishay-anandi?
(one who derives happiness from worldly pleasures).
Am I a bhajan-anandi?
(one who derives happiness from devotion and worship).
Am I an Atmanandi?
(one who derives happiness from the fulfillment of his wishes)
Am I a Brahm-anandi?
(one who derives happiness from being an instrument of God – act as inspired by God).
- Vishay-anandi: One who is led by his desires and acts accordingly – i.e. may have the desire to eat, drink, go out etc… all the desires stem from the needs of his physical body. He will act accordingly without considering any other factors, (i.e. – will this please my guru?). All such actions are carried out with the intention of appearing virtuous.
- Bhajan-anandi: One who is a devotee/worshipper for selfish reasons. He prays and worships God in order to appear pious, virtuous or to gain worldly, materialistic objects. He prays to realise his ambitions of becoming wealthy or famous. He believes God is paroksh (a divine entity which has no form). Thus he will achieve fame, wealth and worldly happiness but his mind and soul will not be redeemed or purified. His ego will not be annihilated.
- Atmanandi: One who has recognised that the parbrahm pratyaksh (God) dwells in a Gunatit Swaroop and worships them accordingly. He prays to that Swaroop to satisfy his worldly desires, i.e. for miracles, health, wealth, fame and desires for a wife, child etc. So long as these wishes are granted, he will rejoice and praise the Lord. However, these gains are worthless and perishable and according to the law of karma they may even be lost. If this happens, he will once again begin his quest to acquire them and will derive happiness when regained. The atamanandiremains caught up in this vicious circle.
- Brahm-anandi: One who considers himself a slave of a Gunatit Swaroop. He is but a mere ray of light, a shadow of the Gunatit Swaroop who perseveres to live according to His inspiration and for the sole purpose of pleasing Him. He derives his happiness from living each moment in this manner for the service of the Gunatit Swaroop. He prays ardently for the purification of the panch-dosh (man, swad, snéha, lobh, kam), ego, crude nature and characteristics which act as obstacles from maintaining nirdoshbhav in the Pratyaksh Swaroop. He prays until he witnesses their destruction and thanks the Lord for having shown him his faults and having purified them. Thus a Brahm-anandiderives happiness from having witnessed and experienced the ‘leela’ of Maharaj.
We should analyse ourselves critically and note at what stage we are from achieving our goals. We should make a mental note of this and strive to reach further then we currently have. To help us achieve this, we should endeavour to take part in more séva, do good deeds (satkarma) to help others, remain submerged in the murti of the pratyaksh-swaroop (smruti)and seek spiritual guidance (samagam). We should not let this opportunity pass-by because we have the best, most unique and precious chance – a once in a lifetime chance, which may not come again.