________________
Aptavani-8
203
Dadashri: This belief about the Atma (Self), not having any attributes (gunas), is a belief that is fraught with mistakes. Even a stone does not lack qualities in this world. That stone can even be used in construction or for throwing (dhekhado), can it not?
Therefore, the Atma is the Absolute Soul (Parmatma). It possesses many infinite attributes (gunas). I am going to explain to you what 'without attributes' (nirguna) means. The writers of the scriptures (shastras), had said 'without attributes' (nirguna), but people interpreted it in their own language. If you understand it in your own language, would you be likely to receive any benefit?
Questioner: No.
Dadashri: What are they trying to say? That, with regards to the attributes of the non-Self (gunas of the prakruti), the Atma (the Self), is without attributes (nirguna). Not a single attribute (guna) of the non-Self complex (prakruti) is found in the Atma. However, it has an abundance of its own natural attributes (swabhavik gunas). Did you understand this? The Atma (the Self) does not have a single attribute (guna) of the non-Self complex (prakruti) in it, which is why it is called nirguna (without attributes).
In This World, Nothing Is Without Attributes
Questioner: But they say that no matter how you worship Brahma (Atma) the formless (nirakar), which is without attributes (nirguna); that is the way he will present himself right in front of you. That means through the means of a vision with form (sakaar swaroop), one can have such a darshan.
Dadashri: This is how it was: the Brahma (Atma) that was given to these people; was really the Brahma of illusion (bhramanaa). Atma (Brahma) is really not without attributes (nirguna). This is an illusion of the illusion (bhramanaa noh
