There are two kinds of mukti [liberation]. One is called Videh Mukti and the other Janma Mukti. King Janak [father of Sita, Ram's wife] was a Videh Mukta, which means that he was not in the least affected by any outward situation. He also had no feeling [sensations] regarding his body; Janak placed one foot in burning fire and the other in icy cold water and did not feel either.
Sai Baba was also a Videh Mukta. It is said that Sai would often use his bare hand as a ladle while serving a boiling dish of food.
The deepest meaning of Janma Mukta is to remain emancipated from birth, like Ram, Krishna or Christ. The Videh Mukta has one disadvantage — he cannot take upon himself the suffering of another. Suppose you have a severe headache. To relieve you of it, a Sadguru must suffer the same amount of agony — he must have a similar headache. But when the Videh Mukta has no outward feelings, how can he free anyone from a headache? How can he free anyone from anything when he does not feel pain? How can he suffer for another being when he is unconscious of physical suffering?
Adi then asked how such a being could be called a Perfect Master when he is not able to suffer for others.
Baba replied, "He can take upon himself the suffering of others but in small portions."
The conversation turned to the types of spiritually advanced souls or Maha Purushs , who after traversing the spiritual planes realize God and become perfect. Baba explained:
The game of atya-patya was played many centuries ago in India by rishis [ascetics] and munis [silent recluses] who invented the game to represent spirituality. The middle line [extending vertically end to end] represents maya, and the other straight lines represent lust, anger, greed, et cetera.
One type of Maha Purush, who goes beyond lust, anger and greed, crosses over to the next side — meaning he realizes God and stays drowned in infinity. This type of Realized person is of no direct help to others in gaining that which he has gained.1
Another type of Maha Purush is he who, crossing through all the lines, reaches the other side and returns to the original starting point — passing through all the lines once more. This 'going back' is for others. So this one who returns is called a salik (Sadguru, Qutub), who in the twinkling of an eye can take others to the Goal.
Footnotes
- 1.This type of Maha Purush is known as a Brahmi-bhoot or majzoob.