Q: What are the fundamental tests for discovering men of great spirituality, since some are reported to behave like insane people?
A: The jnani’s mind is known only to the jnani. One must be a jnani oneself in order to understand another jnani.
However the peace of mind which permeates the saint’s atmosphere is the only means by which the seeker understands the greatness of the saint.
His words or actions or appearance are no indication of his greatness, for they are ordinarily beyond the comprehension of common people.
Q: Why is it said in scriptures that the sage is like a child?
A: A child and a jnani are similar in a way. Incidents interest a child only so long as they last. It ceases to think of them after they have passed away. So then, it is apparent that they do not leave any impression on the child and it is not affected by them mentally. So it is with a jnani.
Q: You are Bhagavan. So you should know when I shall get jnana. Tell me when I shall be a jnani.
A: If I am Bhagavan there is no one besides the Self – therefore no jnani or ajnani. If otherwise, I am as good as you are and know as much as yourself. Either way I cannot answer your question.
Coming here, some people do not ask about themselves. They ask: ‘Does the jivan mukta see the world? Is he affected by karma? What is liberation after being disembodied? Is one liberated only after being disembodied or even while alive in the body? Should the body of the sage resolve itself in light or disappear from view in any other manner? Can he be liberated though the body is left behind as a corpse?’
Their questions are endless. Why worry oneself in so many ways? Does liberation consist in knowing these things?
Therefore I say to them, ‘Leave liberation alone. Is there bondage? Know this. See yourself first and foremost.’
A: The jnani’s mind is known only to the jnani. One must be a jnani oneself in order to understand another jnani.
However the peace of mind which permeates the saint’s atmosphere is the only means by which the seeker understands the greatness of the saint.
His words or actions or appearance are no indication of his greatness, for they are ordinarily beyond the comprehension of common people.
Q: Why is it said in scriptures that the sage is like a child?
A: A child and a jnani are similar in a way. Incidents interest a child only so long as they last. It ceases to think of them after they have passed away. So then, it is apparent that they do not leave any impression on the child and it is not affected by them mentally. So it is with a jnani.
Q: You are Bhagavan. So you should know when I shall get jnana. Tell me when I shall be a jnani.
A: If I am Bhagavan there is no one besides the Self – therefore no jnani or ajnani. If otherwise, I am as good as you are and know as much as yourself. Either way I cannot answer your question.
Coming here, some people do not ask about themselves. They ask: ‘Does the jivan mukta see the world? Is he affected by karma? What is liberation after being disembodied? Is one liberated only after being disembodied or even while alive in the body? Should the body of the sage resolve itself in light or disappear from view in any other manner? Can he be liberated though the body is left behind as a corpse?’
Their questions are endless. Why worry oneself in so many ways? Does liberation consist in knowing these things?
Therefore I say to them, ‘Leave liberation alone. Is there bondage? Know this. See yourself first and foremost.’
-6-
SOURCE:
Self-Enquiry 