Human beings can be classified into three types:
- Adham (Low and mean)
- Madhyam (Average)
- Uttam (Noble).
Human body can be compared to a sacred vessel. ‘Uttam’ is one who makes proper use of this vessel gifted by God. ‘Adham’ is one who uses the body for un-sacred purpose without understanding its value. Madhyam is one who makes use of the body both for sacred and un- sacred purposes. (SSS Vol.31, p.300-301)
In this wide world amongst the vast humanity, we find three types of people: pushti jivas, samashti jivas, and pravaha jivas.
The first type, pushti jivas, are those who, because of meritorious deeds in past lives enjoy the grace of the Divine, though they do not engage themselves now in auspicious rites, study of scriptures, contact with saints, undertaking pilgrimages, etc. The merit of past lives makes them always happy in the company of the Divine. They dance in delight, experiencing divine bendiction. Just as you don’t need firewood after the cookng is finished, these people don’t need any spiritual sadhanas (spiritual exercises), since they have already attained the goal of all sadhanas. You may not find this type of person doing any spiritual exercises. Be they are leading a true life and experience Brahmananda, Nityananda, Advaitananda, and Paramananda. There is no need for such a person to undertake any spiritual pursuit.
The second type, samashti jivas, read a lot of scriptural texts and are keen on earning name and fame a scholars. Since they become proud of their scholarship, they do not make themselves fit to be recipients of divine grace. When they go on reading till the end of their lives, where is the time for practising the ideals? They may participate in seminars and meet noble souls, but they are far away from God’s grace because they have no time to think of God and enshrine him in their hearts. This is the plight of this second type of person, the samashti jivas.
The third type, classified as pravaha jivas, are always engaged in mundane activities in pursuit of physical comforts and worldly pleasures. They do not think of God and think that they are capable of achieving whatever they want. At least, wicked people think of God in difficult situations. The pravaha persons have no chance of realising the Divine at all. They are born again and again. They have no chance of liberation. Some may have good feelings latent in them. But they don’t join satsang and don’t adhere to good conduct and righteous action, though some may be conscious of the Divine residing in their heart. There is a small story to exemplify some exceptional cases of this type of person. (SSS Vol.31, 128-129)
Rama smiled and said in a soft voice to Ravana, ‘Fool! First listen to the words of moral counsel I am giving. There are three types of men in the world. The first are like the patali tree, which blossoms finely, but the blossoms do not turn into fruit. Those who indulge in mere speech and do not practise a mite of what they talk are of this type. The second group are like the plantain tree. It gives flowers and fruits, both. Those who speak and act, practise what they assert, these are of this type. The third type is like the jacktree — it has no flower. It has only fruits. The best type of men do not prattle or boast or talk high. They are silent workers who act with no boast. You are a mere braggart. Your immoral rule has brought ruin on your race.’ (RKRV Part II, pp. 253-254)