286 Aptavani-1
The power of the Self that illuminates the entire universe is called Keval Gnan.
What is the function of this Pragna? Pragna acts like a wife who is devoted and dedicated to the goal of her husband. Pragna shows what is helpful to the self in the path to full enlightenment and protects the self from that which is harmful with reference to liberation. Whatever external circumstances present, it is pragna that makes you deal with them, with equanimity, and then she returns to the Self( shukla dhyan). So it carries out all external, as well as internal functions, just like an interim government. This work continues until the establishment of a fully independent government.
What is pragna? It is that which prevents the non-self to become one with the Self and conversely it will not let the awakened Self slip into the non-self. It is an integral part of the Self and it ceaselessly works towards the liberation of the self. A person’ s conduct continues to change with progressive expression of pragna. As one’ s conduct changes, one feels one’ s burden become lighter. Pragna keeps the two departments, home-the Self and foreign-the non-self, separate. That is Atmacharitra, the conduct of the enlightened Self. This conduct keeps the non-self and the Self, separate.
When I give Gnan, there is a direct experience of the Self. This direct experience is associated with the establishment of the right belief, which is permanent. This is parmaarth samkit( the right belief of the Self). That is why pragna-bhaav arises within you. Everything in this world is unsteady, temporary and transitory, whereas the pragna-bhaav is the part that remains still and steady. With pragna you do not have to‘ climb steps’( effort required as in the traditional kramic path to liberation). Pragna takes you up on an elevator all the way to ultimate liberation. All the bhaavs- deep inner intent and feelings- are