Page 68 - Journey to Infinity

not called so. The word Moodha is used for them. Those who are outwardly bereft of the faculty of understanding are called Moodha. They have not yet risen higher than the animal level. All the rest — scholars, kings, laymen, the rich, ministers, intelligent men and logicians are ignorant. They are called ignorant and are fit to be called so.
They have their abode over the gross body and carry on the ordinary affairs of life. They restrict themselves to physical and mental activities. They strengthen the impressions of the body and mind, ideas and feelings, rules and regulations. The term ‘ignorant’ is quite apt for them.
Devotees, saints, pious men etc. all these people are ignorant. They are called body-minded, desire-minded, and multiplicity-minded. The world of the bodies is the plane of multiplicity. Their attention is always fixed on this. Even the religious persons do not think of any other thing except the world, bodies and desires. Their heaven is nothing but sense-enjoyment, and enjoyment of pleasure with the fairies and slaves. Those who aim at attaining heaven think that it is a subtle form of this world, and they are engaged in strengthening this aspiration. Likewise, those who aspire forVaikunth think it to be a place of enjoyment. Such persons too are unable to see higher than body and senses. That is why persons having some knowledge and understanding are called ignorant. They alone are called ignorant in whom the conviction regarding this world and the other world is strengthened. This world and the other world are one and the same. Both are the worlds of multi- feelings.
Firstly, religious men, saints and devotees of God — none of them have any knowledge of God. Secondly, their God enjoys no better position than that of a great man. Observe the words of prayer of these men. Some have called Him Master, Tyrant, Judge and some others have called Him as Merciful, Kind and Gracious. All these are the qualities of men. Thirdly, these persons have not seen God with His eyes, but He has remained for them an object of flattery and an instru¬ment of getting their sensual desire fulfilled. This very flattery is called ‘prayer’ and ‘devotion’ by some. It is a matter to be thought over. Here is the prayer of the devotees:
“Oh! Creator! You are the bestower of mercy to the world. Give me work. Give me abode of wealth. Give me pleasure and happiness. Give me honour. Oh! Lord of Vaikunth! I
shall chant your name. Give me Dharma