Gadhada Last Section Vach. 18 Vachanamrut Rahasyarth Pradeepika Tika

Then, Shreejimaharaj asked the paramhansas a question, “How is it possible for other disciples to discern that a particular disciple of God has become free from any kind of arrogance about his own body (deh-abhiman) and that he detests the five sensations?” Muktanand Swami then pleaded, “Oh Maharaj! It will not be possible for us to answer Your question, so have mercy and give the answer.” So then, Shreejimaharaj explained, “A disciple of God, who may be either a gruhasth or ascetic (tyagi), may have become free from arrogance about his body and detest the five sensations in him, but then, by the command of the Lord, he may have to behave as if he is arrogant about the body and indulge in the five sensations in whichever manner is appropriate for him. Here is an example to explain. A frail animal can be made to stand by propping it up with logs and holding it by the horns and tail. However, it remains standing only whilst it is held onto. As soon as it is let go, the animal falls to the ground. In the same manner, a person who is free from worldly passions enjoins himself with activities as much as the Lord commands him to do so. Also, a person may have a bow and arrow in his hands. The bow remains taut for as long as the person is pulling the bowstring. As soon as he lets go of it, the bow becomes slack again. Similarly, a person who has become free from passions enjoins himself in worldly issues as much as the Lord commands him to do so, and does not do anything that contravenes the Lord’s commands. However, the person who remains attached to the passions cannot become detached from worldly matters by himself, and furthermore, he cannot become free from them even when the Lord commands him to do so. Those are the characteristics of a person who is free from passions, and someone who remains attached to the passions.”