288
Aptavani-9
The growing pride gives rise to greed
Questioner: From the kashayas of sexuality-anger-
illusion-greed and pride (kaam-krodha-moha-lobh and mada
or maan respectively), which one is the worst?
Dadashri: Pride (mada) is the worst.
Questioner: Why is pride the worst? Is greed not the
worst?
Dadashri: Should we not look at what supports all the
other kashayas? It is based on pride (mada, maan). Nothing
would stick around if that support were not there.
Questioner: Then what is mada?
Dadashri: What do they call a baby elephant?
Questioner: Madaniyu (mada-niyu).
Dadashri: That is it.
Questioner: All these things can be brought under
control, but not greed (lobh), correct?
Dadashri: But if the one having greed is brought under
control, then everything will automatically come under control,
will it not? Have I ever told anyone to get rid of his greed? I
catch the one responsible for greed and throw him off his throne
and then everything collapses! As soon as the king is killed, his
army scatters away. When there is talk amongst the soldiers
about the king dying, none of them will stay to fight. Therefore,
the king has to be captured, that is all. If there is mada (pride)
then there will be greed (lobh), otherwise there will not be any
greed, will there? Greed will not remain if mada (pride) leaves.
Those who are poor do not have any greed do they? There is
no pride so where is the greed?
Pride, verily is himsak-bhaav
Anger-pride-deceit-greed (krodha-maan-maya-lobh) are