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The next step is to go from the knowledge of the unlimited to the experience of the unlimited. Then the devotee is no longer different from the Deity. He is one with God.
‘tato maam tattvato jnaatva visate tadanantaram.’
The knower of Brahman ipso facto becomes Brahman. Prior to that, when practising devotion, it is enough if one has knowledge of a sort of God. Without such knowledge there can be no devotion. Starting with devotion to God limited by name and form, if one later realizes the unlimited nature of God, the limited will then be transcended.
Yet, to realize the unlimited, one must start with devotion to the limited. Upon the realization of the true nature of God through such bhakti, one ceases to be separate from Him: visate tadanantaram.
That very moment, one becomes that God. The bhakta turned jnaani merges in the waters of the Infinite like a block of ice in water. The distinction of limited ice and unlimited water vanishes.
Rivers have different names and forms before they enter the ocean. Once they flow into it, their individualities disappear in the all-encompassing waters of the ocean.
Thus, the Lord instructs us through Arjuna as to what we should do in the different levels that we are in. To Arjuna, He says: In your Present level your duty is to fight; tasmaat yuddhyasva bhaarata. Do not give way to grief.
The Lord's instruction is suited to the status of each person and the stage that he has attained.
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