The Master, and the role of worship

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Included within the traditional knowledge that has been handed down from ancient times, is the knowledge of qualities. It is not included in the teachings comprising Karmayoga, but is the treasure house of advice (knowledge). This spiritual knowledge is prevalent only in India, and even in India, not all gain access to it, and people do not avail themselves of it. It is told, that as Lord Brahma was so engrossed in the work of creation, he could not deliver this ancient spiritual knowledge. Therefore, it was Lord Vishnu, who took over this responsibility.

The advice of the Master begins with the fact that the body is untrue. Those who behave according to the advice of the Master become proficient in the "Knowledge of Brahman." The Saints acquire their "saintliness," only after they imbibe this Knowledge. Those who do not know the "Self," are not "well known," in fact they are infamous. Even those who are predisposed to evil, have acquired their "evilness" only because of the Self, yet, they have failed to recognize It. The Self is truly selfless and qualityless.

Association and disassociation are the changing states of qualities. Darkness has never confronted the Sun in order to fight a duel, and yet the Sun has acquired the title, "the killer of darkness." Recognize that steadiness and unsteadiness are the qualities of the body. Understand that a river does not have this side or that. The bank of the river is only in relation to position. It is the property (qualities) of light, that makes this bank, or that bank, of the river apparent. No quality ever reaches the Self. Those who worship with great love, and listen to, and reflect upon spiritual discourse untiringly, embrace their "True Nature" (Swaroopa). When the seer, the seeing and the seen merge into one, the trio vanish, and the stateless state, "Parabrahman," is acquired.

Treat "reverence," and "being revered," as characteristics associated only with the body. While all are one with respect to the Self, being civil towards all, respecting elders, etc., are the duties and customs of the body. A human being should definitely be well behaved. The Self is Brahman but the body can never be so.

When notions of seperateness such as "reverence," and "the revered," exist no longer for one, the worship of the Master becomes even more important as a gesture of gratitude. This is because without worshipping the Master, a disciple cannot be rid of the pride for the body. It is because of the pride for the body, that one harbors thoughts such as "that which is mine, will always remain mine," and "that which belongs to others, will always remain theirs." So long as the feeling of "mine" (attachment) exists, ego persists.

In spite of being a Dnyani, a "Knower of Brahman," worships his Master. This is because although a disciple becomes proficient in the "Knowledge of Brahman," the Master is still held in highest reverence by him ("I" don't exist, nothing is "mine").

It is worship, which tears open the nets of illusion and puts a final end to ignorance. Become very happy, not only worshipping Him, but also singing His praises (bhajans, chants). He who wears the ornament of "Consciousness" is adorned by worship.

- Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj from a talk given September 30, 1933 on the spiritual classic Ecknathi Bhagawat.

Ecknathi Bhagawat is a book full of stories of Krishna that was written by Saint Ecknath.