A devotee’s question: “Is it necessary to be ananya (exclusive) to a prachārak (preacher)? Let me rephrase. Is it necessary to stay and do sādhana (spiritual practice) with only one prachārak? Is it necessary to do sevā (service) with only one prachārak? If Maharaji is the Guru, isn’t it the same whether I do sevā through one prachārak or I do it through multiple? Or are the results different? Why or why not?”
Swami Nikhilanand Ji’s answer: So here I would just say, let’s say you live in an area where a prachārak comes. So that prachārak is coming to promote Maharaj Ji’s mission and spread Maharaj Ji’s teachings. So it’s an opportunity for you also to help out. You can be part of the team. So maybe you could see the prachārak as the prachār (preaching) team leader, like a department head who comes and organizes and helps promote Maharaj Ji’s mission. So if you want to be part of that team to serve Maharaj Ji by promoting his mission and spreading his teachings, then do it. That’s great. You’re getting an opportunity to do ‘tan ki sevā’ (physical service). It’s such a great opportunity.
But again, don’t think of it as ‘serving’ the prachārak. The prachārak is serving Maharaj Ji and is leading a team, maybe a small team, maybe a big team, who are doing some prachār in that area. But everybody is serving Shree Maharaj Ji. Nobody is serving any prachārak. As I said, “No prachārak can do anything for you.” All that we do is repeat Maharaj Ji’s teachings. And that’s our good luck to get the chance to do that sevā. So it’s your good luck also if you get some chance to do some sevā, participating in some prachār, maybe supporting a prachārak in their efforts, but you’re serving Maharaj Ji, and you’re not under any prachārak.
But if you’re in a locality where that prachārak comes, then that’s great. That’s a good support to your devotion, giving you a chance to do physical seva. And of course, prachāraks need the help as well in doing their sevā, in doing the prachār of Shree Maharaj Ji. So just work as a team. And regarding the question of one prachārak or multiple prachāraks, again, from a logistical point of view, there may be complications in trying to do too much, but there is no requirement of being ananya to any prachārak. You’re ananya to Maharaj Ji. That’s it.
And if you find it more simple to be affiliated with one prachārak as a part of that team, helping in that way, and that’s easier for you and helpful to your devotion, then do that. If it’s not helpful, then don’t be a part of any prachār team. And if it’s helpful to you to help multiple prachāraks who all come to your area, then do that. Whatever benefits your devotion the most.
But there’s no such thing as being ananya to a prachārak.
Be ananya to Shree Maharaj Ji.
