Now, let us look at another form of evidence called inference. Maharaji Kripalu says that even though God is not a subject of inference, nevertheless, this process can be used to some extent to establish His existence.
1. By seeing orderly arrangements in the universe we can infer that this is possible only under the supreme governance of an omniscient all-powerful God, because man is incapable of even comprehending the mechanism of the universe.
2.Creation of the sun, moon and other planets is beyond the capability of the most intelligent scientists. What to speak of creation, even the complete knowledge of the outer layer of these planets is not yet achieved.
3.The sun, moon etc., their movements and existence are governed by definite laws, whose controller must definitely be all-powerful God.
4.The maintenance and sustenance of the planets and galaxies etc. refers to a super diligent overseer who could only be God.
5.Creating the rules, and then using and enforcing them in the universe must be the work of all-knowing God.
Execution of a work is only possible when all of its necessities including the required substance are present: viz, doer of the work, knowledge of the work, desire to do the work, decision, performance and execution. The creation of such an incredible universe would also require all of them, and this could only be possible through an all-knowing, omnipresent and all powerful Gracious God. If someone says that he believes all of these powers to be present in ‘nature,’ he is then using the word ‘nature’ as a synonym for ‘God.’ Then we have no objection. We can add a new word ‘Nature’ as a name of God because God is described as having infinite names and forms. “Krishnaya namaha. Vasudev namah.” However, if nature is accepted as inert, then it would not be able to create the universe, and we will have to accept the existence of God for the purpose of creation.
In India, two schools of philosophy, Nyay and Vaisheshik, have used this method of inference to establish that there must be an all-powerful, all-competent God to create this universe. In the world there are works of man and those of God. The works of man are to be seen daily, but those that are beyond the capability of man: the rivers, mountains, sun, moon etc., are the work of God. “Na pranibudhi…”
The process of inference can be understood by this reasoning, “Parvato vahniman…” If you see smoke coming from a particular mountain, you can infer that there must be a fire, because, as a rule, wherever there is smoke, there must be fire.
Our experience tells us that for any work to be completed several conditions need to be fulfilled. In the creation of a clay pot, if it was asked how was it made, the normal reply would be, “It was made of clay.” But, did the clay become a pot by itself? No, a more specific reply will have to be given that the clay, the potter’s wheel along with the potter are required to create a pot. But, even the potter must have the appropriate skill or else the pot will not be made. Therefore, the ability to make the pot is also required. But, even if there is ability, but no desire to make the pot, and therefore no decision and no effort, no pot will be made. Thus, to make a pot one needs clay, a potter, knowledge of pot making, the desire to make a pot, the resolution to make the pot, the required effort and its completion. All the six are required just to make one small pot.
Now, just think, that if there are these six requirements to make a pot, then how can these requirements be ignored in the creation of the limitless and extraordinary universe? If someone were to claim that a map of the world was made without an artist, the speaker would be considered insane by an intelligent person. Then, how could the universe come into being by itself? The scriptures therefore use the process of inference to establish the existence of God as the creator of this universe.
All the scriptures say that God is omnipresent in the world, but the senses cannot perceive Him because they are mayic. The Saints like Tulsidas, Surdas, Meerabai, etc. had obtained the Divine vision, hence they were experiencing the Blissful form of God everywhere. However, when they revealed their true Divine experiences to us, we did not believe them.
God is the possessor of many kinds of opposite attributes. Therefore it becomes difficult for a material mind to comprehend Him. However, He can be attained by the one on whom He bestows His Grace. By His Grace the material senses, mind and intellect become Divine and then they can perceive His Divine personality
A beautiful description of my Guru, Shri Maharaj ji, follows these comments. It was published by a fellow devotee. It is a faithful and touching description of his amazing life.
