________________
Aptavani-4
359
with the incomplete understanding insists: 'I am the one who is right', then you should just say, "Yes, you are correct," and move on. In understanding the Truth (Sat; eternal), there should be no controversy.
You must not have the belief: 'Mine is right'. If you continue to believe, 'It is mine, so it is right.' you could say that you are afflicted with a disease. If indeed you are right, the other person would accept what you say without fail. And if he does not do that, then you should just let it go. When I say something, the other person's Atma will most certainly agree to it. When he does not agree, it is because of his obstinacy. Mistake cannot occur because this speech does not belong to me. Where there is, 'This is my speech', mistakes will occur.
If someone went out to give spiritual discourse (updesha) in this day and age, he is likely to get himself bound. To give updesha (preach) in the presence of kashays (anger, pride, deceit and greed) is a sign of going to hell. At best, it can be tolerated from a person whose kashays are relatively mild. Otherwise, however, this carries a very heavy liability.
What does kashay-free speech mean? It is where one does not have the 'ownership' of his speech. If one is the owner of speech, one will say, "I spoke so well! Did you like it?" So he 'cashes' in his check. 'We' are not the owner of the speech, or of the mind, or even of the body.
When does syadvaad (that which does not hurt) speech arise? When the role of the ego comes to an end. When you see the whole world as faultless (nirdosh), and not a single being is seen at fault at all! I do not even see a thief as being at fault. People say stealing is a crime. But the way a thief looks at it, is that he is merely carrying out his duty (dharma; role). If someone brought him to me, I would put my arm on his shoulder and ask him in private, "Son, do you like this business? Does it please you?" Then he would open up to me. He would not feel
