Aptavani 02

Author(s): Dada Bhagwan
Publisher: Mahavideh Foundation

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Nature of religion (Dharma) What is the definition of dharma (religion)?
That which reverts to its original nature (dharma) and then brings forth the result, is called religion. That means it takes hold within and decreases the kashaya (anger, pride, deceit and greed) within.
The nature of anger, pride, deceit and greed (kashaya bhaav) is such that they will not decrease. Rather, they keep increasing within. They will not decrease by one's own efforts. They will decrease through religion (dharma) as defined above. Where will one attain such a religion? From a Gnani Purush. It should be a religion certified by the Gnani. Thereafter, use of just two words of the Gnani Purush, words that are laden with the energy that brings exact results (vachanbad), words that awaken and maintain awakened awareness (jagruti), will shatter the veils of ignorance to release tremendous energies from within.
That which brings forth results is religion (dharma). That which does not bring forth a result is not religion (adharma).
What is the result? Religion decreases one's kashays. They become lighter, lesser and ultimately they leave. As they decrease and lessen, one's inner energy and bliss increases. One becomes aware of the amazing inner energies that express. Where did all these energies come from? That is dharma (religion). If not, the spinning toy (term Dadashri uses for the plight of the human being who enters one life after the other by creating karmas through ignorance, the analogy being the spinning top which stops spinning at death) remains the same
Aptavani-2
until the time of death (nanami). How can one call that religion? What does it mean 'to become the religion and then bring forth result'? What result is to be expected? Is it to learn how to take a vow, discipline, penance? No, none of these. It means to be rid of anger, pride, illusionary attachment, deceit and greed (kashays). To be rid of these kashays is called dharma (religion). Then some say, what about these daily introspective periods (samayiks), meditation sessions (dhyan), listening to discourses (pravachans)? Is that not religion? The Lord says, no that is not religion. The Lord advises you to ask these teachers of religion if they experience kashays with their disciples. The master will then reply that none of the disciples follow their instructions to do samayik and therefore they get very upset from within. Now, is that dharma? Are they following religion? No, on the contrary they are only increasing the kashays.
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Religion does not exist in samayiks (introspection) etc. Religion exists in the expression of meaningful results. Religion means that which eradicate kashays and their intents. These kashaya bhaavs cannot be killed even if one tries to; they cannot be peeled away no matter how much one tries to do so. They are very resistant to eradication.
When the religion attains its final and full result, then one becomes the embodiment of religion (dharma swaroop).