________________
[2]
Recording of Speech as Codes Questioner: What is the method for one to improve his
speech?
Dadashri: This is the place; your being in front of the Gnani is the way to improve speech. Here you should keep asking questions again and again and arrive at the solutions and closure.
'Gross circumstances, subtle circumstances and circumstances of speech are (of) the non-Self (par) and are dependent on the non-Self (paradhin)."
When only this simple sentence remains in your understanding and awareness, then no matter what another person says, it will not have any effect. This sentence is not an imaginary sentence. It is exact. I am telling you that which is 'exact' and as it is. I am not telling you to follow my words by respecting them. 'Exact' is only this - that which is 'exact' is only this way: You suffer because you do not understand the facts as they are.
Questioner: I am able to maintain equanimity through Gnan when someone says anything negative to me. But the main question that remains is, when I speak something bitter and hurtful and then take the support of this great sentence, *Gross circumstances, subtle circumstances and circumstances of speech are of the non-self and are dependent on the non-Self,' - does that mean I am getting the wrong license (misusing Gnan)?
Dadashri: One should never take the support of that sentence at such times, should one? For times like that, you have
20
been given the support of pratikraman. You should do pratikraman if you say hurtful things to others. And when the other person says anything hurtful, there is no hurt at all within you if you take the support of the Gnan sentence.
Aptavani-6
When you do pratikraman for saying hurtful things, it will allay the hurt you feel for having done so. So this is how everything is resolved.
Questioner: Speech is inert (jada), yet why is it so
effective?
Dadashri: Speech is inert, yet it is the most effective of all. It is the reason the world perpetuates. The very nature of speech is that it is effective.
Questioner: How is one to bring about control over
speech?
Dadashri: In taking a vow of silence from the Gnani, one can attain control over speech. Otherwise, one can try to become silent on his own, but that is not under his control. And the unfolding of circumstance of silence, the udaya of silence, will not come on its own. This is because the udaya of silence is dependent upon scientific circumstantial evidences (vyavasthit). Therefore, silence adopted after taking the Agna of the Gnani is beneficial. The other way to control speech is through pratikraman (ask for forgiveness from the pure Soul of the one you have 'hurt,' coupled with remorse of the wrongdoing). Speech is a taped record; only that which has been 'printed' (taped within) will come forth, not more, not less. Therefore, these two are the only ways to control speech.
Questioner: What is the meaning of, 'It has been taped'?
Dadashri: When a boss speaks very fast and the secretary writes everything down, how is he writing all that down? What language is that?