In the beginning of the universe, God Himself assumes different forms and at the time of its dissolution, only God remains. Thus, at the beginning and at the end, when there is none besides God, how can someone else besides God, be in the middle? This creation has evolved out of God Himself only. There was no other material with Him besides Himself. Therefore, the whole universe is nothing besides His manifestation.
As in the case of ornaments made of gold, there is nothing besides gold, as in the earthenware vessels there is nothing besides clay, and in toys made of sugar, there is nothing besides sugar, so in the universe, there is nothing besides God. So long as a man is preoccupied with the beauty and forms of ornaments, he does not pay attention to the purity of gold. Similarly, so long as a man attaches importance to the world, he does not discern God, he does not perceive that “All is God.”
A Yogi, identified with Brahma, attains the Beatitude of Brahma (Gita 5/24); the Yogi who has become one with Brahma, gains Supreme Bliss (Gita 6/27); and knowing the Lord, in essence, he enters into Him (Gita 18/54, 18/55). According to the Gita, the above mentioned, are three states which change. But ‘All is God’ is not a state, this is reality, in which there is never any change. Whatever appears as the world, is nothing besides God. The Lord Himself declares –
‘Whatever is perceived with mind, tongue, eyes and other sense-organs, is nothing besides Me. There is no entity besides Me, Understand this fact carefully.’ (Srimad Bhagavat 11/13/24). Thus, according to His declaration a man of wisdom (i.e. the follower of divine love), sees the Lord everywhere, ‘He sees Me, present in all beings and all beings existing in Me.” (Gita 6/30). ‘He (the Yogi), though engaged in all forms of activities, dwells in Me.’ (Gita 6/31).
If a person gets the desired thing, he feels very happy. Thus, we may very well imagine how happy a devotee would feel, who beholds God in everything. Overwhelmed with joy, the devotee of God while describing the name, qualities, influence and sport of the Lord, and remembering these time and again, laughs, weeps, dances, sings aloud and becomes calm and quiet, and thus sanctifies the entire universe. Thus, he becomes full to the brim with divine bliss, and then for him, nothing further remains to be done, to be known and to be achieved.
For such a devotee, following the Discipline of Devotion, the so-called world, becomes divine. Being absorbed in God, the body of a devotee also becomes divine (unearthly), as Meerabai’s body merged into God’s form. In devotion towards the Lord, first there are three different entities – service, servant (devotee) and master (God). But when there is complete devotion, the devotee in the form of service merges into the master, and only the master (God) remains. Such devotees, who are ever engrossed in devotion to God, leave an indelible impression upon creatures, by their presence, touch and talk etc.
As long as men have a desire to enjoy sensual pleasures, they cannot realize reality about the world. But when this desire is renounced, they perceive the world as a manifestation of the Lord.
Narayan ! Narayan !! Narayan !!!
From ‘All is God’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji published in ‘Kalyan Kalpataru’ Edition – Feb 2015.
Comments are closed.