Upto now we talked about, Guru and disciples. Now Samarth Ramdas turned towards teachings. In this world there are many types of preachings and advices available. Many initiate through ‘advice of Hymns’. Some do chanting of name of God. Some chant the hymn of Oomkar. The chanting of hymns of God Shiv, Goddess Bhavani, God Vishnu, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Hymns of Avadhut- God Datta, God Ganesh, God Sun, God Hanumant, Hymns of Raghunath, there are many hyms for pursuing the efforts to reach the destination of truth. Their power is also great. Similarly there are many names of Gods to be remembered and chanted frequently, such as ‘Vithal Vithal’ ‘Narayan Narayan’ ‘Ram Ram’ ‘Oom Oom’. Many suggest chanting of names of God. Many suggest practice of penance. The path of Action, the path of Worship and devotion. The Yogic exercises of whole body. ‘Natural Breathing exercises’ are some such advices. But all of them are futile without the real knowledge. To conclude, it may be said that there are many teachings but the real teaching is to obtain the truth, self knowledge. Now let us listen further about what is the knowledge of self.

All people are eager to understand clear knowledge. Some think that to know past, future and present is the true knowledge. The study of Vedas, Knowledge of trades and profession, the selection of men, the choice of garments, knowledge of fruits and flowers, various hymns, technique, the assessment and words, the evaluation of meaning, the examinations of voice, the examination of writing, all this cannot be called the KNOWLEDGE. Fourteen disciplines of knowledge and powers achieved cannot be called the knowledge. The knowledge of self can be called true, where the Illusory world gets totally vanished, where one achieves the fusion of himself with God, all prevading principles in nature. The knowledge of self, means, one should see oneself. One should recognize the true face of self, universal self, where the Dualism vanishes. The things generated by five elements melt away. The mind and intellect non exist. All witness state of elevation of mind, is also considered there as knowledge of objects. This all witnessing stage is Dual existence, and true knowledge in the unity of man with God. In this stage one revels to oneself, that one is the Brahma, all pervaslve. While searching for the roots of self, the ignorance is totally annihilated. Great sages, saints and our ancestors, crossed over the ocean of mundance material world, with the help of knowledge of self.

The fruits of all efforts are seen in gaining knowledge. The blessings of Satguru, facilitates man to gain the total knowledge without studying Vedas. The blessings of Satguru open the treasures of knowledge to everybody, who seeks and pursues the path of truth. Samarth Ramdas says that contents of Vedas, deep meaning of life, the experience of absolute truth is gained by devotee, by blessing of satguru. Shri Samarth tells the ‘secrets’ of meaningful living, based on his own experience. He says, OH! Disciple, you yourself are the Brahma. Do not have any doubts about it. The five elements are created here and they will automatically get destroyed at the end of epoch. The original -‘Prakruti’- power of manifestation and ‘Purush’ the creator also melt into the state of all embracing cosmos - essence of as well as cause of universe. Once the scene is destroyed, one does not survive physically. In the state of union, the unity is present from the beginning. When there was no world, from then this unity is prevalent. Once the fire of knowledge is kindled, the ‘Appearances’ vanishes and the root of separate existence breaks down. Therefore, be loyal to Guru. For consolidating this loyalty, sing the songs of Raghunath, songs of praise of Good spiritual Guide and gain peace of mind. The man who is attached to the ego of his body, has no chance of escaping the cycle of birth and death. The disciple should reside in a lone place. He should seek shelter in the state of understanding himself vis a vis universal self. He should comprehend the pure pursuit of truth. Listening time and again pondering over whatever is heard gives satisfaction. Once a man has absorbed , complete knowledge of cause and essence of this universal self, the body inculcates the whole ascetic fervour prominently.
Shri Samarth tells further, that one gets, according to what he mediates. If one gives up evil education and develop the good motivated education, one will be renowned, rapidly in the world. When one is suffering from the fever of ignorance, then he sees confusion everywhere. But once medicine of knowledge is taken, all diseases run away. True, pure, unpolluted, principle of nature is revealed to the seeker. Ordinary common man, who is trapped in the bonds of mundane materials affairs, gradually progresses himself in the stages of aspiration for salvation, practitioner of means of reaching ultimate, and the stage of accomplished one, who ultimately become part and parcel of omniscient, omnipotent, universal God.

In this world there is no body other than Bonded, Aspirant, for salvation, perseverant for salvation, Accomplisher, and Accomplished person. Shri Samarth Ramdas, introduces all these persons in detail. The bonded person is he, who does not understand himself, who does not understand the prudence, who does not understand Devotion or knowledge, who does not understand religious or otherwise who does not follow true Shastra, Who does not know mercy of living being, renunciation and mediation the root cause of birth, who is totally attached to mundane worldly affairs.
The Bonded person is he who does not have kindness, campassion, ardent, desire, friendship. Such person is evil mannered, corrupt, talkative, full of pride, arrogant. He has very much ego, hypocracy. He is very much passionate, full of ego, ill behaviour, betrayer, wicked, sorcer, full of lust and passion, foolish, knee deep in family affairs and full of several vices.
The Bonded person is further descirbed as he who knows welll the means of livelihood, but he is totally indifferent and with no respect towards spiritual elevation. He has very much respect for family life. He has shackies of intellect tied down to physical body. He has always rosary in hands for repeated muttering the name of money. He always thinks of woman before his eyes. He has contempt towards, company of gentlemen. He signs the song of praise, by body, utterance and mind, the money and maiden. This is the picture of persons around like us. The man is bound little by little to such an extent but he does not remember anything else, than selfishness. Still gradually, after bearing with three types of tortures, the change in his intellect is visible. This is the effect of discourse and he starts taking a turn. He repent in his heart. He thinks enough of this mundane family life. The toils and moils of family activities are futile and tiresome. He thinks, that he has wasted his life. By remembering the sins committed, he remembers the pain inflicted by death king. Question haunts him, how should he cross this ocean of mundane affairs of world? He repent for his unnecessary reproach and blame to saints. He blamed gentlemen by concealing the defects of himself. He did not respect the guests. The mind was roaming the evil paths from time to time. He always behaved in lust, passion and pride. Then how the life can be meaningful? The truth was uprooted, falsehood was told to people, several misdeeds were committed for mess of pottage. Such a repented person is called ardent seeker of salvation.
Now he starts towards pious path. He desires the company of saints. He carries on his family life, but by remaining detached. He recognises his vices and desires to come out of the morass. This is the stage of ardent aspiring for salvation, in one’s life. He surrenders to saints. He gets rid of his super-ego, and blames himself, time and again he is ‘Mumukshu’ the aspirant for self-liberation.
One further step of Accomplisher, is that he renounces the vices and prefers the company of saints. By listening to preaching of knowledge, his attachment of family life waned. For getting firm resolve, he continues to practice his efforts to reach the truth. He is called an Accomplisher. With the help off prudence, he gives up, "I, my,….ego" and retains the intellect to know the self. The accomplisher, is he, who is immersed in listening, reflecting, devotion of good all the time. He gives up ‘Dualism’ and remains firmly with feeling of unity with God. He tries to reach of "Samadhi"-Sublimation with universal self ; for the sake of union with God. He accepts the virtues of excellent sadhus, through their discourse and makes conscious efforts to be one with universal self .
The person is called, the Accomplisher, who gets the experience in his mind of supreme being, which stops the utterence, when to be talked, which stops the intellect, when understanding, which cannot be obtained inspite of efforts. After taking variety of experience, getting self revelations, one who is lost in the face of universal self is called the accomplisher, seeking emancipation from distinct personal existence. Whoever is making efforts for removal of all doubts is an Accomplisher. This Accomplisher, contempts six enemies of manpassions and desires. He practices rites and rituals of his religious worship with ardent intent. He concentrates his mind on his universal self and makes, the pain losing it s meaning by its impact. He gives importance and prestigeous place to constant efforts.
He makes friendship with studies. He is accompanied by the consistent efforts. He goes ahead on the path of pursuit of emancipation. The Accomplisher, who with his alertness, discriminates between shallow and substance, who gives up attachment to body and keeps the company of saints, who consciously gets freed from bonds of temptations of material worldly affairs, will definitely reach his destination The TRUTH.

Samarth Ramdas, repeatedly explains that one cannot become accomplisher without sacrifice. It is true that sacrifice means giving up everything. But for ‘family men’ it is not necessary to leave their family and go in the forest. They should follow the pious path. They should give up the evil ways. One must continue his life with family but one must not get lost himself totally in temptations of family life. He should carry on his daily family life with aloofness. He should not lead his family life only for its sake. On his own he should give up lust and passion. The man advances on the path of spiritual elevation. What is it, that should be renounced? Gradually man must give up the defect and deficiency. Do not allow any deficiency to be felt. Give up the doubt means to make efforts in full faith. To give up Ignorance means to light the path with knowledge. This feeling of renunciation is applicable to both persons, Whether he is family-man or non-longing, detached saint or preacher, the sacrifice, in the inner mind is same for both.
The Nonlonging, desireless, preacher, has to sacrifice more in outward appearance too. The family man also has to continue to renounce certain external temptation too. How can one listen to discourse everyday, without sacrificing other activity in life? Once this retention of mind expands, the progress of Accomplisher is on right track and in due course, Accomplisher reaches the stage of "Accomplished Achieved" state.

You must be eager to know, how to identify the ‘Accomplished’ person, about whom you have heard, so many times. Samarth Ramdas, explains "Sadhu became Brahma- the ultimate | The doubt has gone beyond this cosmos | Who has made a definite decision about HIMSELF | such person is called ‘Siddha’- the Accomplished’. With the elimination of Doubts, the Accomplisher, transforms himself in the ‘ACCOMPLISHED’. Without a FIRM RESOLVE ON TRUTH, rites and observances, pilgrimage to pious place, search for universal self, devotion, love, life, all actions are totally futile. The boasting without firm decision is considered as distortion of speakers’ speech. One will not get satisfaction, when doubts persist. Naturally, the listener asks, Swamiji, OH! Swamiji, how to make a firm decision? Of what should be one’s firm decision?

Samarth tells about the DECISION. Who is the principal God? How is HE to be recognised is the DECISION. Do not get confused with many Gods. Who has created this world, is the principal God, whom we should know. This is the main decision. The Principal God and True Devotee must be understood. First know who is your God, then see, who are you? Give up any doubts and remain engrossed and immersed in ‘Self-face-self’ -` Give up the doubts, and their trappings and make a decision of Emancipation. "Who am I! I am God!" Such should be one’s decision and then one should rest in peace. This is the ideal of one’s life so he preaches. ‘Never forget I am the SOUL’. To complete this decision, surrender yourself to saints, then doubts will vanish. Such man is called an "ACCOM- PLISHED PERSON". He is free from doubts, body, attachment, engrossed in universal self. In a way, the Accomplished person is experiencing The Truth, plain pure and sublime, without any attributes and shape, How can the characteristics of human body be attached to Siddha state? Accomplished person has become the indicator of highest state of human achievement.
In order to become one with universal self, one must have full knowledge of self. It is obvious that one must know the leader of the place, the king or president of the country where he resides. Due to this, the stay becomes happy. Accordingly, the person who lives in this world, ought to know fully, the omnipotent God, the protector of the world. He should accordingly make his life meaningful. If a person does not understand, let him keep the company of saints and try to know. The saints, stay along and amidst all people but he talks of different things. In their minds, the knowledge dawns. Understanding of attributeless superior-soul is the real knowledge. All other knowledge is the education for means of livelihood. It becomes futile. Such knowledge is available with saints and as a result they are fully satisfied. If one patient goes to other patient, how can his health improve? What can one get, if he begs with other beggar? When one person with attachment to body, goes to another such bonded person how can he get himself liberated? Therefore make all efforts, and find out the knowledgeable person and get the salvation.
It is natural to enquire, about the advice, which leads one to salvation. How can the task be achieved, by following different opinions? The advice sans know- ledge of Brahma - absolute truth, is as good as outer covers without grain in them. So one must know something about the state of selfless - self, beyond attributes. The world is created by five elements of nature. Still this arrangement does not last permanently. Before and after the human life, there is a stateless, principle of absolute truth and in between time there is, the dealing of five basic elements- Earth, Water, Light, Wind and Sky plus three virtues, pious, selfless, average self centred, third class nuisance value character. All these combine into eight type natural universal surrounding. This visual world is simply a show. According to scriptures of Vedas, this visual world is bound to be vanished. The stateless, absolute Brahma, is of course permanent, as is known by knowledgeable persons. This truth is not broken by weapons, it does not burn by fire, it is not soluble in either water or other liquid. It has no colour. It does not decrease. It does not remain concealed. It is different from all. But Brahma is all pervading. The substance is all secret, non substance is open. This thought should be absorbed by prudent thinking. Try to achieve, whatever is difficult to achieve, under the guidance of spiritual head. For this purpose, it is necessary to listen carefully to spiritual discourse. Non expressed truth, is truly, without any colour, face but it is the nature of common men, that they consider as many gods as many villages. Every village has its Deity, depending upon the faith of the villagers. This is the manifestation of worship of virtue- full-deity. After knowing firmly about the God, start search for God-sans form, virtue, affection-that means search for yourself to understand yourself. Brahma and body, look like same, but it is not true. The ultimate truth is separate from the human body. When we think of human body, we see every where the spread of principle. The sum and substance arising of this universal principle, is in the form of SOUL. There is absoultely no place, for selfishness and pride. There- fore there is nothing further to see. After loosening the bundle of thoughts, how can one see that bundle? The accumulation of principles which has formed into body, when looked at property, one gets convinced that the SOUL is one. When there is no room for ‘ physical self’, the dominent thought as there is question of birth and death! By thought ‘I am the Soul’ ‘birth and death’ do not survive. Man achieves the liberation when he reaches a stage beyond mere concern towards his body. The state- less soul, is one only. Experience it from time to time and swim over this mundane world. To address and offer oneself to self, not to remain independent of self, is called self-statements. Listen intently to spiritual thought, Do service at feet of Great good guru, Address to yourself and then get the blessings of spiritual guide and gain, pure thought, permanently.

Once, the thought ‘I am the Soul’ is firmly rooted the comprehesion dawns in mind, the ‘I’ and ‘Universal I’ meet each other. The unhappiness of family life, withers away. The body is left to its destiny and it is known as self knowledge. As a result ‘God and Devotee’ become one. The doubts about birth and death, has gone away from mind and the principal God is reached.
So many comparisons are made with, unending, stateless, principle of truth. The soul is like the sky, sublime, steady and present ever. It does not break the biggest in the big and minutest in the mini, ‘Virtueless Truth’ does exist.
It is not felt. It does not rise nor it is set. There is no creation or seperation, That which is present in front, that non-extinguishing principle of absolute truth and the Illusion, which is with all affectations but which is temporary, are blended together in the visual world. The Yogeshwar-the God of God-knows the principles governing this mire. Choice prudence of ‘water and milk’ should be used for solution of just order. In the non-dynamic, five elements of world, the Soul is present all pervading. This can be understood., on the basis of prudence, balance of mind. Just like tasting the sugarcane juice and throwing the squeezed bagasse, take merriment of ‘God’ rather than the world; what example should be given for Soul? Is there anybody like the Soul? Perhaps one may compare it with sky! The sky is present, before the earthern pot is made, the sky is present in the pot also, Even if the pot breaks down sky is not destroyed. Once again it is seen. ‘Brahma’ is like this. ‘Non-moving’ and ‘Non-changing’. In between, world universe, is created. Before this whole world, ‘Brahma’ is present and after destruction of the world, there is present this indestructible Truth. On the basis of understanding of Divine concept, one gains the benefit of knowing the self, Because of Mixture of natural elements, the body is born. Once the search for truth is over, the self ego goes away, when one looks towards body with prudence, the tempting circumstances melt away. One gets revelation that, ‘I am nobody’. While searching for one self, one knows that ‘I am false-ego is false’ One these principles influencing daily living, are lowering their impact, the non-virtue state of reality, dawns-with the help of eternal principles. The ‘Dual-existence’ feeling goes away and one enjoys the bliss of good guru. But a person surrounded by, temptations, attachment, passions, ego and other manifestations from five basic elements, and deceived because of doubts, has forgotten himself starts asking ‘Who I am?’ with prudence the answer comes out ‘I am HE’. Once a person, becomes one with God-All pervasive, the question and answer of ‘Who I am? I am He’ get receded. Then you may be able to experience the parmanent state of truth, while you are in this human body itself’ Shri Samarth Ramdas, is again and again preaching this, so that deep rooted misgiving can be removed from one’s mind.

It was the effort of Shri Samarth Ramdas, to remove one’s doubts by his guidance. Thereafter once again he explaind the ‘Brahma’ in different dimension. By measuring time he is explaining the history of creation of universe. Seventeen lakhs twenty eight thousand years of Krut-epoch; twelve lakhs ninety six thousand years of Treta epoch; Eight lakh sixty four thousand years of Dwapar-epoch; have passed. Four lakh thirty two thousand years of Kali-epoch make in all Forty three lakh twenty thousand years. All these one thousand ‘Four epochs’ make one day of Lord Brahma. One thousand such Brahma days make one moment of Lord Vishnu and such one thousand Vishnu days, make one moment of GOD. The half of moment of power is made up of one thousand years of God. Such is the measurement of time given in scriptures. Such Unlimited power is aggregated to make plenty of world arrangement. Still steadiness of Brahma state, is not broken. The Ultimate Brahma, has no state; but it is always said, that ‘Brahma is not that, Brahma is not that’ In the 17^th century, while writing this book, four thousand seven hundred sixty years of Kali-epoch, have passed and four lakh, twenty seven thousand two hundred forty years are in balance. Samarth says that afterwards, there will be the mixture of different ‘Varnas’ of Hindu society. In such a big universe, one is bigger than another. Some say, Vishnu is superior. Same say shankar is superior. Some say Goddess Power is superior to all. People become obstinate about their own method of worship and thereby remain, egoistic. Without saints, there is no reply of Truth. Sadhu’s decision is definite, that soul pervades everywhere. Anything else, is Illusory. Moving and non moving world. Four division army, is given in the picture without the lifeforce. How can one say who is big and who is small? In the dream, lot many things can be seen; small or big concepts, but when you see after waking up there is nothing! Sadhu says, that in all peoples’ heart, the main God, have been occupying the place. There is no creation for, attributeless and formless, Brahma, nor it has any extinction. Name, Face and Place are merely guessworks. When the deluge takes place, their end is definite. Whoever studies and narrates the principles of ‘Brahma’, he knows total Brahma. Know him as Brahmin, knower of Brahma-the Truth.

When this exposition of Brahma was heard, the listeners started enquiring. How is this Brahma and Illusion? Shri Samarth replies. Brahma is beyond attributes, beyond form, Whereas Illusion is with attributes and in a form. Brahma is limitless, Illusion is limited . The feelings of Illusion is not ‘Brahma’ The destruction of Illusion is at the end of epoch. Brahma is indestructible. Illusion has ‘face’. Brahma is faceless, nameless. The Illusory state is spread everywhere, the state of Brahma is remaining covered; But saints are able to pick it up and separate. Samarth requests everyone, that everyone should give up Illusion and experience the Brahma-ultimate Truth. The analysis of Illusion and Brahma, stopsbirth and death cycle. What one surrenders before saints, the benefit of salvation is definite.
The explanation of Brahma-the Truth is over. Persons know about Illusory power also. But a common listener still doubts and he asks, sir! You are telling that Illusion is falsity, but the scene which we are watching by our own eyes, how can it be falsity? How can we call the visual world seen by eyes, to be false? Samarth Ramdas replies to this query further. In Bhagwat Gita, there is one quotation ‘Jeeva Bhutas-sanatan’ As a result this world looks like true. Similarly there is another quotation ‘Whatever is seen is bound to end’. So this visual world looks false. How to make judicious selection of what is true and what is false? Such question arises before all. In this world there are knowledgeable and ignorant, both types of people. The ignorant people think that this world is permanent. The God, Religion, observences, pilgrim points, all are true. The worship of photo frame is all foolishness. If this world is not going to last and survive the great Deluge, then what is the point in worshipping the God? Why there should be sacred bath, songs of god, pilgrimage of pious places? In Guru Gita, meditation of Good Great guru is stated. How can there be the Illusory nature of world present? The sage, recognises Great Guru and knows well that surrounding world is an Illusion. However listener is not ready to accept this explanation. He asks, a question. How can one consider the quotation of Lord Shrikrishna "Jeeva-Bhutas Sanatan" as false? Then Shri Samarth says, ‘OH! Brother! You have not understood the pith and substance of statement of Lord Krishna; so you have unnecessarily doubted this statement. "Ashwatha-Sarvirkshanam’ ….is what gopal says…. ‘Nainam Chindanti Shastrani nainum Dahati pawak’ …is the quotation from Geeta. ‘Holy Figtree breaks, burns, drowns, mixes! The how can both be same. Shri Krishna says, ‘I am the mind, of all senses.’ I am myself a mind. Then why should any one care for fickle minds’ whims? Still Lord Krisna has showed the way of worship. Superficially, it appears that there is a Difference between Vedas. Scriptures and Remembrances, but with the Guidance of Good Guru, the things are clarified. When you will take experience you will know it yourself.
The world of ideas, imagination and concept is limitless. How can it be called as true? Man imagines and makes Gods. One day those gods are broken and devotees become unhappy. The heretic has broken the God, deliberately. One God is trampled upon by one. People imagine, God of silk, of stones, of soil but real God can be obtained from true meditation, who fulfills all wishes of man. Whatever was to happen has already happened. Whatever was not to be altered, that remained as it is due to wishes of God. This is our idea that according to our previous, action, we get the fruits. But the sign of God is different. Because of cover of illusion, we feel the earth to be true. It is versatile but false; one must know this to be correct decision. God is beyond, the five basic elements of nature. But before and after this visual world, there is an eternal God. There are eight worlds of Imagination. The universe of imagination, world of words, Actual world; the world of Pictures, world of dreams, world of Gandharva, the world of delirium in high temperature, the world limited to eye vision power, All this world is going to be destroyed. Which will you say as true and which false? So, sing the song of God and His attributes, and ultimately reach stateless state of ultimate truth ‘The company of saints, explains truth. Experience it yourself’.

The doubt of disciple is not yet removed. He asks a question. OH! Swamiji! I have understood that this world is a myth. But inspite of this, I am actually seeing this world? What about this? Assume that this world is falsity, then why should. I sing the song of God? Still doubt persists. What is the gain of living beings by practising worship? What does this virtuous-Devotion, give to devotees? Because of respect for Swamiji we are not asking but we have not yet understood the same.

Samarth says, ‘Sing the songs praising God, considering it to be the instruction of Guru. Obeying the order of Guru, is paramount duty of seeker of Truth. Still the disciple, asks, Why Guru is saying So? What is the revelation from worship? Has God, changed, any fortune of individual?. Is there any example like this? It is truly an order of Swamiji but we do not understand the fruits? Samarth asks you are all intelligent; gentlemen. Don’t you think that you have to do something? You have to pass urine and stools everyday and perform daily routine. Can you get relief from this routine? Keeping the people happy and pleased, to understand what is ours and what if belonging to other; and to stop singing songs of God? In what way there is wisom in it? One cannot give up daily action, routine. You surrender before the wealthy, Employers! You are accepting humility and submission before them. Then How can you afford to have non-recognition of God who is the Almighty protector?