3.Perception of God Himself in His Idol (Part - I)

If divinity is perceived in an idol of Shriji Maharaj, then personified divine form of God could be realized in an idol. Shriji Maharaj is always present in His personified divine form in His idol.

1. 7th Vachanamrit was being read. Here, it is described that Ultimate salvation could be achieved, when a seeker experiences (perceives) God through his senses, heart (soul) and direct (experienced) knowledge. Then Purani Hariprasaddasji asked, when Maharaj was present in His human form. He could be perceived through senses, but today how to perceive Maharaj through senses?

Bapashri replied, when Shriji Maharaj wished experience Me in My human form, He appeared in His human form. Then He wished again, experience Me in My idol form. So, today He is present in His idol form. He should be perceived in His idol form through senses, and the significance of idol and greatness of idol should be experienced in one’s heart with the help of Muktas. While meditating the idol should be visualized as divine. On meditating in this manner, one attains realization and gets liberated. In case, if realization is not attained but a seeker has proper knowledge of divine form of Shriji Maharaj, then he attains salvation. 1/37/73.

2. An idol and personified divine form of Dham are the same. A seeker who does not perceive them as one, is distracted, and he is an atheist. No attention should be paid to his statements. An Idol does not speak. But it looks after the devotees, because if it speaks with some and does not speak with other, then there would be partiality. Therefore, either a seeker is eligible or non-eligible it appears same to all of them. Hence, Shriji Maharaj does not speak through an idol, but He is always present in His idol. 1/54/103.

3. For a seeker who is practicing various means, contact of a Mukta is more important then idol. This has been mentioned by Shriji Maharaj in 10th Vachanamrit of Vadtal. But a Mukta should not be considered superior to idol. He is preferable to understand proper knowledge. An idol is our worshipping God and a Mukta is a devotee. Some modern seekers meditate upon Muktas considering them superior to idol of Maharaj. They are ignorant. They have not met any Mukta and they have not understood the principle of Shriji Maharaj and His great Muktas. The physical and spiritual attributes could be understood only when a seeker comes across an Anandimukta or Param Ekantik Mukta of Shriji Maharaj and real knowledge is imparted by them. Then he can understand the truth about Shriji Maharaj. A Mukta should never be meditated upon. A real Mukta never encourages anyone to meditate upon him. He never disobeys the command of Shriji Maharaj. He always unites a seeker with idol form of Shriji Maharaj and he would never separate a seeker from idol form of Shriji Maharaj. 1/54/103.

4. When Shriji Maharaj left His human body, Dada Khachar was so distressed that he tried to jump into funeral pyre. Shri Gopalanand Swami consoled him, Shriji Maharaj is always present in Satsang. He has not left us behind. Please visit the place where we used to sit with Maharaj. He would appear in front of you. Dada Khachar went there and Shriji Maharaj appeared in front of him. Shriji Maharaj spoke, I am immortal. Earlier I appeared only in human form. Now I will appear in four forms. I am always present in My divine form in Satsang. Therefore, please do not feel that I have left you. With these words, He put on the garland, which He was wearing in Dada Khachar’s neck and said, visualize Me in your soul. Then Dada Khachar meditated upon Maharaj in his soul. He realized Maharaj in His divine luminous form in his soul. When he woke up from the meditation, he asked Maharaj, beloved Maharaj! What are Your four forms? Which form should be meditated upon? Shriji Maharaj replied, I am present in the form of My idols, My saints, My Preceptors (Acharyas) and Shikshapatri, Vachanamrit etc. scriptures. These are My four forms. My idol form should be meditated upon; My glory should be understood through knowledge and teachings imparted by My saints and My saints should be served food, clothes etc. My Acharyas would initiate My devotees and they should be served by offering grains, money etc. My teachings described in scriptures should be followed. After saying this Shriji Maharaj disappeared. Then Dada Khachar approached Swamishri and described everything in detail. Swamishri said, if an idol is perceived genuinely as divine form of God, and if one gets absorbed in that idol and forgets everything else, then an idol appears as divine form of God and it speaks, talks, eats and fulfills all his heartfelt desires. Therefore, an idol should be perceived as divine form of God and it should be worshipped and meditated upon. We should not be distracted under the influence of present day modern seekers. 1/54/104.

5. If a seeker can perceive today’s saints as the saints which were with Maharaj and idol form of Shriji Maharaj as divine as Murti of Maharaj, then he could attain divine attributes. 1/63/121.

6. Where is God at the moment?

Bapashri spoke, Shriji Maharaj and Muktas are present in this assembly. I swear, if I am lying. If a seeker could realize even on his deathbed that an idol is divine form of God and not just metal or stone and even this assembly is divine, then Shriji Maharaj takes him to His abode immediately. Therefore, idol of God and Muktas should be considered divine. They liberate a seeker. If a seeker is desirous of liberation by performing means only, then it is difficult to attain. Once the cart of a farmer was stuck in the mud. He chased away everybody and tried to pull out the cart all alone. But is it possible? Similarly, if a seeker finds faults in a Mukta, then he is left alone. What could he attain on his own? Therefore, salvation could be attained, if each and everyone is considered divine. 1/125/219.

7. Murti of Akshardham appears in human form as well as in the form of an idol. Such understanding would make one progress. After installing an idol in the temple, one should not doubt about the gracefulness of the idol, (whether the idol is graceful or not) because Murti of Akshardham and an idol both are same. There is no difference at all. If a seeker differentiates between them, then he regresses on the path of spiritual progress, and he does not attain bliss of Murti. 1/171/320.

8. The idols are installed in our temples by virtuous Muktas, so that some people say that God appears due to virtuous Muktas. That means Muktas are superior to God, so what is the truth?

Bapashri spoke, Shriji Maharaj Himself resides in Murti due to affection of His virtuous Muktas. But Muktas are surrendered to God and Murti is the Ultimate Supreme God. Real Muktas consider Murti as their Master. Present day modern seekers who follow and practice various means, consider Muktas superior to an idol (Murti). But their understanding is wrong. 1/176/332.

9. If a person who installs an idol considers himself superior to idol, then what happens to him?

Bapashri replied, a person who is bonded by three worldly attributes considers himself superior to an idol form of God and declares it in front of other people, is just an atheist. Neither he gets liberated nor a seeker who listens to him and believes him attains liberation. 1/176/332.

10. Some people describe a saint superior to idol form of God, so what is the truth?

Bapashri spoke, this implies that he has not understood the concept of divine form of Shriji Maharaj, because he has not yet found a spiritually accomplished Mukta. Therefore, he describes whatever he has understood through his mundane intellect. Actually idol is Shriji Maharaj Himself. 1/190/357.

11. If a seeker does not consider an idol as divine form of God and crave to get united with Murti, then he feels disappointed. Therefore, an idol should be perceived as divine form of God and one should get united with Murti, divine form of God through meditation. Attachment to past, present and future should be renounced. Beautification of body should be avoided and we should get united with Murti of Maharaj ceaselessly. We cannot renounce a single material pleasure and we want to attain Murti. How is it possible? If you plant a poisonous seed, then leaves, branches, petals all are poisonous. So, avoid planting poisonous trees and contemplate Murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan continuously. If a seeker can identify a saint who can help him to attain unity with divine form of Shriji Maharaj and remain in contact of such saints, then he can attain all the desired pleasures. If he endeavours sincerely, then he can attain Murti. Therefore, one should make sincere efforts. 1/250/505.

12. 7th Vachanamrit of Loya was being read. Here, it is described that Murti of Akshardham, human form of Shriji Maharaj and idol form of Shriji Maharaj are all same. Then a saint asked, a person who has Darshan of Shriji Maharaj in His human form, but he is not aware of glory of Shriji Maharaj, attains salvation in his succeeding births. Similarly is it possible to attain salvation by having Darshan of idol form of Shriji Maharaj?

Bapashri replied, salvation could be attained through Darshan of idol form of Shriji Maharaj. If a seeker has Darshan with proper understanding of glory of idol form of Shriji Maharaj, then he can attain, Ultimate salvation during this birth itself. 1/251/506.