It is very difficult to judge a Jivanmukta. A Shakespeare only can understand a Shakespeare. A Jesus only can understand a Jesus. A man of experience who has mixed with Sadhus and Sannyasins and lived with them for a number of years may arrive at certain definite conclusions and infer something. But he may or may not be accurate.
Only a Jivanmukta with his eye of intuition (Divya Drishti) can directly see and understand a Jivanmukta. A Sadhu may be physically nude. He may not keep anything with him. He may use his hands as the begging bowl and live underneath a tree.
He may live in a forest. Yet he may be the greatest scoundrel; he may be the most worldly minded man with internal and external attachments. He may dance in joy when he gets an eight-anna piece for his opium-smoking. His mind may be full of distractions and disturbances. Whereas a man may live in the bustle of a town or city.
He may lead the life of a Big Babu. He may wear fashionable dress. He may eat dainties. Yet he may have the least attachment and craving for anything. Sri Ramanuja lived amidst luxuries. He preached a life of enjoyment. Raja Janaka had his royal pleasures. And yet he said: "My Wealth is boundless, yet I have nothing.
Even if the whole of Mithila were burnt to ashes nothing of mine will be burnt." Householders make wrong judgments in deciding the nature of Jivanmukta. They take into consideration only the external conditions of a Jivanmukta. Even educated people commit mistakes in this regard. One cannot estimate the advancement of a Jivanmukta by a simple casual talk for an hour or two.
One has to live with him for a long time and then alone one will be able to draw some accurate conclusions. There had been instances of realized persons who had elephants, horses and all royal paraphernalia without being affected in the least by these external objects.
They had always Jnana Nishta and Svaroopa Stithi (established in knowledge of Brahman) amidst multifarious activities. This is the integral development. This is the gist of the Bhagvad Gita. This is the central teaching of Lord Krishna. What is wanted is mental nudity. Jnana is purely an internal state.
The external marks are no sure criterion. So do not look into the external things of a Jivanmukta. A man may take any kind of food, he may dress in any way he likes, he may part his hair in any manner he finds it convenient.
These are all non-essentials. Always look into his internal mental state. Do not judge a man by his Siddhis (psychic powers). Another great blunder people generally commit is that they judge the enlightenment of Jivanmuktas by the Siddhis they display. Siddhis are side-lights. They are invitation from Devatas.
They have nothing to do with Atmic realization. A Sadhu may manifest Siddhis due to strong passions and intense desires, and if that be the case he is undoubtedly a big householder only. But this does not mean that a person manifesting Siddhis is not a Jivanmukta.
There are several instances of such persons who have exhibited several Siddhis purely for the elevation and uplift of the world, but never for selfish motives. The ways of a Jnani are mysterious. Many do not recognize a Jivanmukta. Real aspirants know him at once without any difficulty. They follow him.
They live in close contact with him. He who has mastery over the mind and Indriyas, he who always dwells on the inner Atman is the real Jivanmukta, Nityamukta, a great master, the real hero indeed.
He who is calm, collect, controlled and contented, he who dwells in solitude, he who has given up seeking pleasure outside in sensual objects but seeks bliss and peace inwardly in Atman that shines in the chambers of the heart by constant and intense meditation after withdrawing the Indriyas, is really a Jivanmukta. Such a man must be adored.
He who comes in contact with such a person is a blessed soul indeed. Verily this man also will be spiritualized and elevated quickly.
The great soul who does not offend anybody in thought, words or deed, and who is not hurt even a bit by the taunts, censures, insults and injuries by others is the real Jivanmukta.
He who dwells or lives in the Supreme Self only, he who delights and rejoices within the Atman cannot hurt others and cannot be hurt by others.
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