Essence of All Religion

Author(s): Dada Bhagwan
Publisher: Dada Bhagwan Foundation

Page 11

The essence of all religion
SYAAD-VAAD VANI, VARTAN, MANNAN... [Speech, action and thoughts accepted by all]
Questioner : Now can you explain what is meant by "Give me the strength not to hurt any one's ego by, syaadvaad vani, syaadvaad vartan ane syaadvaad mannan?"
Dadashri : Syaadvaad means to know the viewpoint, of the other person. We should know the viewpoint of the person who is talking.
Questioner : Does syaadvaad mean to understand other's viewpoint?
Dadashri: Understanding the other person's viewpoint and interacting with him appropriately is called syaadvaad. You should interact with him in such a way that it does not hurt his viewpoint. Even when you talk to a thief, you should not hurt his viewpoint. That is syaadvaad.
What I say is accepted by all regardless of their religious beliefs. This is because their viewpoint is not hurt.
Questioner : If there is a thief amongst us and we tell him that it is wrong to steal, he would be hurt, wouldn't he?
The essence of all religion ask him whether he enjoys his business of stealing and whether he likes it. He would be at ease with me and would not be afraid of me. He would be honest with me. It is because of fear that people lie. Then I would ask him if he knew what the potential consequences of his actions are going to be.
I never look at him as a thief. If I had such an opinion, then it would have an effect on him. Everyone believes that he is doing his duty. Syaadvaad vani does not hurt anyone. Syaadvaad vani is perfect. Every person has a different prakruti (inherent nature, characteristic tendencies), and syaadvaad vani does not hurt anyone's prakruti.
Questioner : What is syaadvaad mannan?
Dadashri : Syaadvaad mannan means that no one should be hurt through your thoughts. What I say applies to your actions and your thoughts. Both your words and your thoughts should be free from any intention to hurt. Thoughts do reach the other person. You can tell this by looking at the disgruntled expression on the face of a person around you even though you have not said anything to him.
Questioner: Do we have to do pratikraman whenever we have a bad thought about someone?
Dadashri : Yes, the other person's mind is affected. But when you do pratikraman, his mind and attitude towards you will improve. You must not think negative about anyone. Everyone should take care of their own self. That is all. There is nothing else to fret about. NOT TO HURT THE FOUNDATION OF
ANY RELIGION..... Questioner : "Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mane koi pan
Dadashri : No, you should not say that, instead you should make him aware of the consequences of his stealing. You can say that much. Syaadvaad words will not hurt his ego and he will listen. Otherwise he would not bother to listen to you and your words will be wasted. Your efforts will be in vain and he may harbor revenge against you.
People say that it is wrong to steal, but a thief believes that stealing is his profession. If someone were to bring a thief to me I would put my arm on his shoulder and in privacy