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Aptavani-9
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Aptavani-9
temptation (alacha) but if someone were to even utter my name in a negative manner, I would let him have it! Many people would make comments behind my back like, 'he is a troublemaker' or 'Don't even talk about him, just leave him alone, he is cantankerous and bad tempered!' They used all kinds of adjectives for me! I knew what adjectives they were using for me, behind my back. But I had no attachment and that was the main attribute in me. The current glorious state (of a Gnani) is due to this very attribute. A person with attachment, no matter how wise, is deeply entrenched in the worldly life. 'We' were without attachment so life has been fun all along. Attachment verily is the cause of worldly life. The ego is not the cause of worldly life.
I too feel now that I have straightened up. No one has to straighten me.
Questioner: How did you become straight, Dada?
Dadashri: People of the world beat me one way or another; through their devious and worldly ways, they trapped me one way or another and shaped me up.
Questioner: Has this cleansing (straightening) been ongoing from your previous lives?
Dadashri: This had been happening from many previous lives and that is why I became completely straight in this life. Otherwise, the stock of India is obstinate by nature, you can never find straightness in India. Some are even born upside down, feet first and there are others who are obstinate even in their mother's womb; they hurt their mothers even when they are in the womb! Some change to the wrong position in the womb; they hurt their mother to the point of dying during delivery. even to the point of hurting the reputation of the obstetrician in the process.
Questioner: But he does not have any desire to do all that. Does that not happen on it own?
Dadashri: It happens because he is obstinate by nature. He becomes obstinate wherever he goes. Even in the womb! And a straight person will be straight wherever he goes.
Questioner: People of India are obstinate and yet they are deserving of moksha!
Dadashri: It is like this; only those who are obstinate go to moksha. Who becomes obstinate, is it the one with understanding or the one without understanding? Would the one with understanding be the one to become obstinate?
Questioner: But all that understanding is wrong is it not Dada?
Dadashri: It is because the understanding is obstructed. There is no obstinacy in people of foreign countries. They say it as it is.
Questioner: Dada can you explain what you mean by this understanding being obstructed?
Dadashri: Our increased understanding becomes an obstruction. If this understanding does not become helpful to you, then it will take you on the wrong path.
You will find a solution when your obstinacy goes away. Obstinacy is essentially the ego; it is an offshoot of the ego.
The ego is the basis Do you like obstinacy? Questioner: I do not like it but it does not go away.
Dadashri: I will get rid of it for you. You are aware that obstinacy arises within you and that it does not go away, are you not? That itself is awakened awareness (jagruti). Otherwise, one is not aware at all of obstinacy when it arises. The awareness of obstinacy arising is not there at all. If you ask someone, 'Why are you being obstinate?' he will tell you, you are the one who is obstinate.' Would he not immediately