Questioner: Do we need a Nimit (a person who is instrumental)in order to realise the Self?
Dadashri: Nothing can happen without a nimit. Only as an exception can it happen without a nimit to someone rare. And when it does, they are called swayam-buddha (spontaneous Self-realisation). Even those who are swayam-buddha, would had to have met a Gnani in their past life. Nothing can happen without a nimit. One must have upadaan (spiritual readiness) as well as a nimit.

‘One who abandons the nimit, emphasising one’s own readiness exclusively;

Does not attain liberation and remains established in illusion.’ – Shrimad Rajchandra

Therefore, you need a nimit first. Even if one’s upadaan is not awakened, Gnan will awaken it. But without a nimit, nothing can be done.

Questioner: What if you have a hundred per cent conviction that the experience of the Self does not ever happen through a nimit (another person)?
Dadashri: Then you will never experience the Self. You may have tremendous upadaan, but if you cannot find a nimit, then you will never experience the Self. The nimit is vital!

Questioner: So, we have to accept that experience of the Self can only happen through a nimit?
Dadashri: Here is how it is. Everyone must keep his upadaan awakened, and many do. But what can they do without a nimit? There is no other way.

Questioner: Does one meet a nimit through his merit karma (punya) or through his purusharth (effort)?
Dadashri: Through his merit karma (punya). Otherwise, even if he does purusharth of running from one upashraya (place where monks stay for a short time) to another for infinite lives, he will still not find a nimit. Whereas with merit karma; he may meet him (the nimit) on the street. There one needs punya-anubandhi-punya (merit karma that binds more new merit karmas, these are the highest kind of merit karma).

The Self And Punya

Questioner: Does the Atma (Self) have a connection with merit karmas (punya)?
Dadashri: There is no connection. However, as long as one believes, ‘I am doing this,’ there is a connection. When the ‘right belief’, “I am not the ‘doer’,” is established, then there is no longer a connection between the Atma
(the Self) and punya (merit karma).

Questioner: What should one do in order to increase one’s merit karma (punya)?
Dadashri: You must be obliging towards others all day long. Using your mind, body and speech with unity for the sake of others is called merit karma (punya).

Questioner: What if, while doing good for others, we ruin things for ourselves.
Dadashri: You will not spoil anything for yourself; I ‘guarantee’ you that.

Questioner: The current times are such that no matter what you do, whether you do the prayer beads, or you do chanting of mantra (japa), you do penance (tapa), or worship, etc, there is still no peace – what is that?
Dadashri: That only means that you have not found the right path yet; therefore, change the path.

For more information on Dadashri’s spiritual science, visit dadabhagwan.org