20
Non-Violence
Questioner: I understand. Compared to farmers,
businessmen commit a greater sin, but even more than the
businessmen, it is the people who sit at home that commit the
greater sin. Sins are committed through the mind and not the
body.
Dadashri: You have to understand this. Others do not have
to understand it necessarily. Let them believe what they want to;
whatever their belief it is correct for them. But for your purpose,
you have to understand what I am saying.
Questioner: What should we do when we have to spray
the cotton crop with insecticide? Is there not violence in it?
Dadashri: Any work that is unavoidable must be done
with the contingent of pratikraman (apology coupled with remorse
for any wrongdoing).
You do not know how to conduct yourself in this worldly
life, but once I show you the way, you will stop binding new sin.
If you are a farmer, when you plough land and harvest crops
you are bound to bind sin because you destroy countless lives.
For this very reason, I am showing you how this sin can be reduced.
I am giving you the medicine to wash away your sin and if you use
it, you will incur a lesser liability and will be able to enjoy worldly
happiness.
All farmers incur a liability from the violence involved in the
nature of their work, which is why every farmer must pray to the
Lord for forgiveness and do pratikraman for ten minutes each
day for committing such violence.
Merit Karma and Sin Do Not Affect the Self-Realized
Questioner: Is it not a sin to use insecticides in farming? Is
the manufacturing of insecticides a sin?
Dadashri: Yes it is, because it is made with the intention of