Aptavani-6
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whereas the ‘wedge’ in others is straight. The one with a straight
‘wedge’ will be able to remove it easily himself, whereas the one
with a crooked one, no matter which way he pulls, it will not
come out. Our ‘wedge’ was straight and it dislodged instantly.
‘We’ know no crooked ways or deceit. ‘Ours’ was absolutely
open and clear! Whereas you, you might have learned some
crookedness and deceit. Although you come from a good family,
what can you do when some of the crookedness set in during
your childhood? If a nail is crooked, then it will take strength
and time to remove.
Women by nature have some deceit (kapat) within. They
are not straightforward within, which is the reason why they
have become female in this life. Now, after attaining the Self,
there is no such thing as the female gender, is there? But because
the ‘nails’ are crooked, removing them takes time, does it not?
It wouldn’t take much time if they were in straight! The men are
naïve and straightforward (bhoda). A woman can easily convince
a man, and she will know it too. She will know that she has
convinced him so now he will go out. A slight deceit (kapat)
resulted in Tirthankara Mallinath to be born as a woman in the
final life! This happened even though deception occurred naturally
and spontaneously! Deceit (kapat) will not spare anyone! After
attaining Self-realization, one is no longer a male or a female.
One has become Shuddhatma!
The Influence of Wrong Company
Despite not having the desire, a man goes out and inevitably
falls into bad company (kusang); one is never immune from the
influence of bad company. Many people claim that in spite of
being in the company of people who drink alcohol, they will
never drink. But from the very start of moving in such company,
they begin to drink. The nature of any interaction or association
cannot refrain from painting its true colors on you. So abandon
such company.