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Aptavani-8
Questioner: Of course.
Dadashri: What sorts of intrinsic properties (gunadharma) do they have?
Questioner: Chetan can move about and it has feelings.
Dadashri: Even machines can move about. Scooters, engines and cars all move around, do they not? These fabricated mechanical dolls, do they not also move? You cannot call something a living being (jiva), just because it moves around. If you could recognize the Atma through its ability to move, then even machines move as well. How else can you tell if something has Atma?
Questioner: We do all kinds of activities (kriya).
Dadashri: All kinds of activities, even that is not helpful. Machines can do all sorts of activities (kriya).
Questioner: Machines carry out activity, but they cannot display sympathy (daya) or love (prem), can they?
Dadashri: Yes, that is the difference. So, wherever there is knowledge (gnan) and ignorance (agnan); if it is ignorance, it is ignorance, and if it is knowledge it is knowledge, but wherever there is any knowledge or any ignorance or any kindness, there is Atma there. You would call that the confirmation. Otherwise, even machines have motion and move about, do they not?
Now if there is no kindness (daya), and the person curses and swears, is the Atma present there?
Questioner: The Atma is always there.
Dadashri: So even when there is no mercy (daya), would there be Atma there?
Questioner: Yes, machines would not show feelings of kindness or anger!
