Aptavani-4 Aptavani-4 | Page 38

When one says, “I ‘see’ all the living beings in the universe as Godly forms (Bhagwat swaroop)”, then it would also include all the ‘relative’ religions of the world. The Self can be studied (swadhyaya) once the Self is known. Whatever is done without knowing the Self is the study of paradhyaya (study of the non- Self)! It is considered as awakening to the Self, when that which was believed to be the ‘Knower’ (Gnata) for an infinite period of time, comes to be known as gneya (that which is to be known). Liberation from ignorance of the Self is the religion of moksha (moksha dharma). After liberation from ignorance, the science (vignan) that arises is moksha! [19] The True Path of Worship Until the God that sits resplendently within, is experienced directly (pratyaksh darshan), the indirect (paroksh) prayer of someone who sits in front of an idol, will reach the present God. For that reason: ‘Oh Vitarag Lord! You reside within me, but I am unable to experience that; therefore, I am doing Your darshan. The Gnani Purush has taught me this, so I am doing the darshan accordingly. Please grant me Your grace so that I may know ‘my’ own ‘Self’.’ ~ Gnani Purush Dadashri This is how the darshan should be done everywhere. For the purpose of attaining God, whatever is done through the five senses, is bhakti (worship). One can attain God by doing direct worship (pratyaksh bhakti). With indirect worship (paroksh bhakti), there is a gradual progress upwards. Direct worship means to worship the one in whom God has manifested fully. This will result in moksha. 37