________________
(8)
Contempt - Dismiss with Scorn
You Fear That What You Despise
You will fear anyone or anything that you have contempt for. Why do you fear the policeman? It is because you have scorn for him. Whatever you disdain, will cause you fear. If you have scorn for mosquitoes, they will not leave you alone at night.
If you have contempt for courts or lawyers, you will have a fear of entering the courthouse.
Why do you not fear someone you know? It is because you do not feel any scorn for him.
Questioner: Does contempt come first, or does fear come first?
Dadashri: First there is contempt. It is not fear that comes first. How is that? Somewhere, you may have heard that policemen are really bad. So you have a prior knowledge because of which you develop contempt for them. That scorn gives rise to fear which increases gradually over time. Then when you see a policeman, you become nervous, even if he approaches to ask you for an address.
Questioner: If scorn (tiraskar) gives rise to fear then what does attachment (raag) lead to?
Dadashri: Infatuation (murchha; illusory attachment) and unconsciousness occur. When both of these go away, you become vitarag.