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Aptavani-4
365
Questioner: If we cannot understand the other person's viewpoint, what should we do?
Dadashri: Stay silent (maun). It was because of maun that stupid people are considered wise. If someone says to you, "you have no sense in you." then just remain silent. And if at the time, you retaliate, he will remember it and think, "This one really is an idiot.'
In this Dushamkaal (present age), speech alone causes bondage (bandhan). In Sushamkaal (the previous age), it was the mind that created bondage. If it was not for words, moksha could be easily attained. Therefore, you must not utter a word about anyone. To say something bad about someone, is the same as throwing dirt on your own self. To utter a single word is very risky. When you speak wrongly, you are throwing dirt over yourself and even when you have wrong thoughts, you are throwing dirt on yourself. For these wrongs, you must do pratikraman (repent), so that you can free yourself from its effects. A Live Tape Recorder – What a Responsibility!
There are all kinds of devices such as tape recorders, transmitters, that exist today. Prominent people live in fear of someone recording their conversations. These devices are only meant to record words. The human mind and body, however, will record everything. Nevertheless, people are not afraid of this at all. When the other person is asleep, and you say, “He is worthless”, inside him, it gets 'taped’! At a later time, it will produce a result. So you must not say anything even about a sleeping person. Not even a single word. This machinery is such, that it will record everything. If you must speak, then say something good like, “You are really a great man.” If you uphold good inner intent (bhaav), you will be rewarded with happiness. But if you say something even slightly negative, whether you say it in the dark, or even when you are alone, the consequences of
