Gadhada Last Section Vach. 26 Vachanamrut Rahasyarth Pradeepika Tika

Someone may not be like this, but he may have only the virtue of a conviction about the soul (aatma-nishta). He may think, ‘I am a soul; I am Brahm. Therefore, auspicious or inauspicious activities cannot affect me in any manner, because I am totally detached from everything.’ He may have such a propensity. Also, he may inappropriately understand the glory of God and talk openly about God’s greatness in the following manner. ‘If one happens to contravene the religious decree in any manner, what is there to fear? God glory is extremely great.’ These two kinds of faults are a major hindrance in his adherence to the religious decree. It is better if he understands the true nature of having a conviction about the soul, properly appreciates the greatness of God, and in order to please God, firmly abides by the religious decrees of being free from lust (nishkam), devoid of greed (nirlobh), indifferent to taste (nihswad), avoidant of affinity (nihsneh), and bereft of pride (nirman). He should have the understanding, ‘if I abide by the religious decree, God will become extremely pleased with me; but if any transgression occurs in my adherence to it, God will become extremely displeased with me.’ If such an unyielding understanding has become established within someone’s heart, that disciple never contravenes the religious decree. In no way can material objects hinder such a person. However, if someone does not have such an understanding, regardless of the spiritual knowledge he has, or the devotion he performs, it is still possible that he can falter from the religious decree and be hindered by material objects. That is a fundamental principle.