Aptavani-4
87
(8)
Contempt – Dismiss with Scorn
You Fear That What You Despise
You will fear anyone or anything that you have contempt
for. Why do you fear the policeman? It is because you have
scorn for him. Whatever you disdain, will cause you fear. If
you have scorn for mosquitoes, they will not leave you alone
at night.
If you have contempt for courts or lawyers, you will have
a fear of entering the courthouse.
Why do you not fear someone you know? It is because
you do not feel any scorn for him.
Questioner: Does contempt come first, or does fear
come first?
Dadashri: First there is contempt. It is not fear that
comes first. How is that? Somewhere, you may have heard that
policemen are really bad. So you have a prior knowledge
because of which you develop contempt for them. That scorn
gives rise to fear which increases gradually over time. Then
when you see a policeman, you become nervous, even if he
approaches to ask you for an address.
Questioner: If scorn (tiraskar) gives rise to fear then
what does attachment (raag) lead to?
Dadashri: Infatuation (murchha; illusory attachment) and
unconsciousness occur. When both of these go away, you
become vitarag.