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DISCOURSE 8
129
have begun to perform your spiritual austerities without caring for such things as a proper seat, a proper time, a proper place and a proper Mudra (posture) etc and without the necessary purity. You also feel happy about such activities. You also feel a little proud of having performed them. Is it not true ? You feel proud of the activities carried out not in accordance with the prescriptions. "I have performed so many spiritual austerities." You think so; and that is false pride. Refrain from feeling proud thus; otherwise you will be plunged in the ocean of Samsar.
Neglect of prescriptions is but disrespect to those prescriptions. Negligence and disregard of this kind are the enemies of spiritual activities. You go to the temple of the Paramatma; do you not? You go there inspired by your love and devotion for the Paramatma; is that not so ? If you love the Paramatma, then, it is natural that you should love his temple. How do you go to the temple ? At what time? What kind of dress do you wear when you visit the temple ? What substances do you take with you? Have you acquired the knowledge relating to the manner in which you should have a darshan of the Lord and worship him? Do you know how you should stand in the temple; how you should sit; how you should speak and how you should come out of the temple etc.
WHEN DO YOU EXPERIENCE EXULTATION IN SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES ?.
From the Audience : We do not have any such knowledge. We go there casually.
Maharajashri : You are so elderly; and you have been visiting the temple for so many years; yet you have not acquired this knowledge. It is really a pity! Now, I understand why even after you go to the temple, your heart remains dry and dreary and why you do not experience an emotional exultation.
Having a darshan of the Paramatma is an austerity. It is a spiritual activity. If this activity should be called Dharma
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