03 Sep 2021
[Ms. Bhanu Samykya asked: Pādanamaskāram Swami, Swami, by seeing actions of great devotees (liberated souls), we (souls) have to learn so many things to implement practically. But, do You like a devotee imitating another devotee? What is the difference between imitating a devotee and learning from a devotee? Is imitating a way of learning? After knowing how a great devotee has behaved with Human Incarnation of God, do we have to keep it in mind and try to inculcate such mindset? Please enlighten me. - At Your Divine Lotus Feet, Bhanu Samykya.]
Swami Replied:- A straight answer can’t be given because in some contexts imitation of another devotee is good and in some other contexts, it is not good. You have to use your sharp analysis. Imitation also comes due to infinite love. Imitation comes in Monism also because the infinite love to God makes the devotee to behave like God and such imitation is based on love and not based on ego. In Brundaavanam, Gopikas were wandering with madness to God Krishna. One Gopika stood like Krishna putting her legs crossing each other and holding a sari wound as a ball was telling that she is Krishna lifting Govardhana hill. This is Monism based on love and is also referred in the Giita (Pūtā madbhāvamāgatāḥ…- Gītā). An Advaita philosopher saying that he is God is not such Monism based on love, but, it is based on ambition to become God. Hence, same concept is appreciable in one context and not appreciable in another context.
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