Aptavani-4
365
Questioner: If we cannot understand the other person’s
viewpoint, what should we do?
Dadashri: Stay silent (maun). It was because of maun
that stupid people are considered wise. If someone says to you,
“you have no sense in you.” then just remain silent. And if at the
time, you retaliate, he will remember it and think, ‘This one really
is an idiot.’
In this Dushamkaal (present age), speech alone causes
bondage (bandhan). In Sushamkaal (the previous age), it was
the mind that created bondage. If it was not for words, moksha
could be easily attained. Therefore, you must not utter a word
about anyone. To say something bad about someone, is the
same as throwing dirt on your own self. To utter a single word
is very risky. When you speak wrongly, you are throwing dirt
over yourself and even when you have wrong thoughts, you are
throwing dirt on yourself. For these wrongs, you must do
pratikraman (repent), so that you can free yourself from its
effects.
A Live Tape Recorder – What a Responsibility!
There are all kinds of devices such as tape recorders,
transmitters, that exist today. Prominent people live in fear of
someone recording their conversations. These devices are only
meant to record words. The human mind and body, however,
will record everything. Nevertheless, people are not afraid of
this at all. When the other person is asleep, and you say, “He
is worthless”, inside him, it gets ‘taped’! At a later time, it will
produce a result. So you must not say anything even about a
sleeping person. Not even a single word. This machinery is such,
that it will record everything. If you must speak, then say
something good like, “You are really a great man.” If you uphold
good inner intent (bhaav), you will be rewarded with happiness.
But if you say something even slightly negative, whether you say
it in the dark, or even when you are alone, the consequences of