278
Aptavani-9
Questioner: Does respect not make a person fall?
Dadashri: Rather it is the abhimaan (extra or excessive
pride) that makes one fall. So there is nothing wrong with
enjoying maan (respect) others give you, however at the same
time you should maintain the awareness of ‘this should not be
so.’ Now, ‘we’ have given you the freedom to accept respect
but you should not become attached (have raag) to those who
give you respect. There is no restriction on accepting respect but
you should not have any attachment (raag) for the one who
gives you respect.
Deceit in pride (kapat in maan): Distortion
of pride (vikruti of maan)
Questioner: Does enjoying respect not weaken the
awareness (jagruti) Dada?
Dadashri: It will definitely reduce the awareness (jagruti).
Awareness will not arise where there is deceit in pride – where
there is kapat in maan. When one’s deceit is operational in his
pride, he cannot see his pride.
Distortion of pride: Intoxication of ego (keyf)
Questioner: There is no problem in enjoying respect
(maan) that comes spontaneously and naturally. But then there
is a possibility of it becoming complex and distorted (vikruti),
and then will arise the desire for respect. Is this likely to happen?
Dadashri: Something of the sort happens but there
should not be any desire (ichchha) at all. Desire is harmful.
Questioner: What kinds of distortion (vikruti) of pride
and how far does it stretch?
Dadashri: There are many kinds of distortions of pride
and that is what makes one fall. There is nothing wrong in
enjoying respect. If someone tells you, ‘Welcome sir…welcome’,
then enjoy that respect. You will feel good inside; enjoy it with