Gadhada Last Section Vach. 18 Vachanamrut Rahasyarth Pradeepika Tika

Akhandanand Swami then asked, “Oh Maharaj! Once a soul has become a disciple of God, for how long does the influence of deeds performed during previous births remain?” Shreejimaharaj replied, “When that soul comes into contact with a Sat-purush and continues to associate with him, gradually, passions relating to past deeds become old. Eventually, those passions, which may lead him to endure birth and death, no longer remain active. It is like paddy that is three or fours years old. It may be suitable for eating, but if it is sown in the ground, it will not grow. Similarly, when the passions relating to previous deeds become exhausted, they are no longer able to cause further births and deaths. Someone may ask, ‘how does one know if the passions have become exhausted or not?’ Here is an example. Two people have armed themselves with swords and shields, and are fighting each other. Whilst each person is attacking the other, it can be said that the strength of both is the same. However, as soon as one person starts backing away, it is evident that he is being defeated. In the same manner, within a disciple of God, whilst thoughts about God and about sensations occur simultaneously, it should be realised that the passions are potent. However, when the thoughts relating to God cast aside the thoughts about the sensations, it should be known that the passions have become exhausted.”