Way of Life Part 1

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 191

DISCOURSE 11
181
reality you can get some satisfaction from seeing his idol. Only those who believe in love and who have experienced it can understand the value of idol-worship. Those who do not understand the principle of love cannot understand the meaning and value of idol-worship. Those who love the Paramatma cannot have any mental peace, if they do not have the Darshan of the Paramatma at the three fixed timings of the day. Therefore, the principle of having a darshan of the Paramatma has been described. You should not visit the temple to satisfy the prescriptions relating to your visit at the three fixed times of the day. Your love for the Paramatma should draw you towards the temple of the Paramatma. You should be overwhelmed with the emotion of devotion when you see the Paramatma. Tears should well up in your eyes. Yes. We will attain so much delight that it cannot be described in words. You will go to the temple to see the Paramatma. How can you have a darshan of Paramatma ? You stand before the idol of the Paramatma with your eyes meeting his eyes; is that not so ?
From the Audience: It is not possible Maharaj Sahib. We can have a darshan of the Paramatma in that manner, only in those temples where the people are small in number. In crowded temples, we cannot see the Paramatma fully because people rush around us.
WEALTHY AND NOBLE HOUSE-HUOLDERS MUST HAVE A ROOM FOR THE PARAMATMA IN THEIR HOUSES :
Maharajashri : You have spoken the truth. Selfish people come and crowd round the Paramatma. There can be no sense in selfishness. Those who perform worship do not have even the sense that they should stand in a line. Those devotees do not seem to think, "We are not the only devotees in the temple. There are others also who have come to have a darshan of the Lord". Therefore, if you want to have a thorough darshan of the Lord, you must have a separate room in your house for worshipping the Paramatma. When you build a bungalow, you build a bed-room, a drawing-room, a kitchen, a bath-room etc;