Vicharmala Granth Satik Pustak 1 to 8

Author(s): Anathdas Sadhu, Govinddas Sadhu
Publisher: Heeralal Dhole

Page 84

VICHAR MALA.
72
nation the physical body and the rest arc. productive of happiness, but with the reality of its receptacle or site, Self, being discovered, that body is reduced and can produce no more happiness.
A person without knowledge of that substrate, vehicle, or site is thus spoken of disparagingly :
:
Who knows not his own nature,
Call him stupid. Just as a
Gardener engaged in watering the leaves and branches, But not the root of a tree.
A person unacquainted with Brahma which is naturally, without the envelopment of ignorance, undertakes sacrificial offerings and other works, with a motive of being benefited thereby, or worships other Devas, and not Brahma, from want of knowing It to be the substrate; but what does he know of that worship and sacrifice? He knows not that they are productive of results which are subject to destruction like ordinary acts-trade, agriculture etc. But it may be objected, since Brahma is all-pervading, whatever a person worships is no other but Brahma; hence there can be no interdiction of worshiping any Deva, a person may fix his choice upon; though this holds true, yet as these works cannot cause destruction of ignorance, nor the acquisition of felicity, which is only to be derived from emancipation through knowledge, and becoming one with Brahma, therefore it is imperative, that a person should have Self-knowledge, as is said in the Panchadasi, "As a person cannot derive any fruit by simply watering the branches and leaves of a tree and not its root." [So one without Self-knowledge can never be released.]
The next question which engages the attention is whether Devas and other substances are naturally discovered in Brahma or occasionally? If the former they cannot be destroyed; and as they are removed therefore they are occasional; if so what is the cause? What ought to be said?
X