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Aptavani-1
one is in pursuit of worldly (relative) knowledge. There is no
knowledge of the Self in that pursuit.
In fact, the real Self is untainted or untouched by any
object of sense-pleasure (nirvishayee - not in any subject). It is
absolutely unaffected by anything that is in the realm of the non-
Self. It is the mind, speech and body that indulge in vishayas.
When the Self becomes completely dissociated from these three,
final liberation is attained.
Vishaya : Sexual Indulgence
There is a great deal of misunderstanding regarding vishaya
(sex) in the world. The scriptures state that sexuality is the
poison that prevents liberation. Many people state the same. I
am the only one who says that sexual indulgence is not the
poison but one’s lack of fear in sexual indulgence is the poison.
So beware of sexual indulgence. Fearless indulgence in sex is
venom. When can one be fearless in sexual indulgence? It is
when one does not instinctively retract his feet out of the way
of two or three approaching snakes. If one has no fear of
snakes and does not pull his feet up, that is a sign of the
absolute Gnani. Until you are an absolute Gnani, you will retract
your feet in fear. That is why I give you a thermometer as to
when you can remain fearless in sexual indulgence. If you can
remain fearless amidst snakes, then you can remain fearless in
sex. But if you are fearful, then be fearful of sex too. All in all
you cannot remain fearless in sexual indulgence. Lord Mahavir
too feared it. I too am fearful of it. To be fearless in sex is to
be reckless.
You should neither revere sexuality, nor should you fear
or detest it. But how do you behave when you are confronted
with a snake? You act cautiously. Similarly be very cautious in
all sexual matters. Do not become fearless here.
Revering sexuality begets only more sexuality. Acquisition