Aptavani-4
153
that has occurred in the absence of prayer can be eliminated
through prayer. All this has arisen out of agnan (ignorance of the
Self). Paudgalik (of the non-Self complex) energies can be
removed with prayer. It is easy to slip, and it is difficult to climb
up. This is because, slipping involves paudgalik energies.
Questioner: What is prayer (prarthana)?
Dadashri: Pra + arthana = prarthana. Pra means
extra. It means to ask God for a greater meaning.
Questioner: Are the prayers of the world fruitful?
Dadashri: A prayer should be a true prayer, and a
person who makes such a prayer is very rare indeed.
Questioner: Can there be one out of a hundred?
Dadashri: Yes, there can be, if the one who is praying is
pure at heart; his prayer would be a true prayer. However, at the
time of praying, if his chit (inner component of gnan –
knowledge and darshan – vision) is absent then his prayer
cannot be considered a true prayer.
Questioner: Who should we pray for and how should
we pray?
Dadashri: Prayer means that one is searching for one’s
own self. God resides within the person himself, and because he
does not realize this, he goes to temples and derasars to
worship (bhakti) Him. Such worship is indirect devotion
(paroksh bhakti).
Prayer: Insistence on Truth!
Questioner: If one person strictly follows a path of
steadfast truth, while another does prayers, which one of the
two is right? Which one will find God first?
Dadashri: The one who prays.