Pratikramana Freedom Through Apology and Repentance

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

Page 32

Pratikraman
Pratikraman
opinions held within. It is not acceptable to have an opinion of any kind.
By doing pratikraman one attains the ultimate thing. Technically pratikraman is required but scientifically it is not necessary.
Questioner: How is it scientific?
Dadashri: Scientifically it is all a discharge. Everything that happens is an effect of past life causes. After this Gnan, you become completely separate from Chandulal. So why then do you need to do pratikraman? The state of separation does not remain because of the lack of exact awareness of the separation. Pratikraman erases all opinions. If pratikraman is not done, all opinions that have become ingrained within you will not leave. By doing pratikraman, you are distancing yourself from these opinions.
The mind is composed and constructed through opinions. So as many opinions you have, that much of a mind you will have.
Questioner: Since we were on the subject, I had to mention this.
Dadashri: 'T' (The Self) do not drink tea, but sometimes circumstances lead me (A.M.Patel) to do so. These circumstances are not under my control and so I am forced to drink tea. But I (A. M. Patel) do not drink without doing pratyakhan first, otherwise the one who likes tea will continue to do so. Pratyakhyan is like smearing oil on a surface so that nothing will adhere to it.
This is worth understanding. Do pratyakhyan whenever you do all these acts, even which do not hurt others, like drinking tea etc. Pratikraman should be done whenever atikraman has occurred. Drinking tea is not considered atikraman. You are
ompelled to drink tea and that would not be considered atikraman, but if you do not do pratyakhyan, then a little of it will 'stick' to you. From now on remember to do pratyakhyan.(P.187)
I have very rare times of physical suffering. There was an entire month after my car accident, when it seemed that this light was going to extinguish.
Questioner: Nothing like that is going to happen Dada.
Dadashri: No. But did Hiraba (Dada's wife) not pass away? Would the same not befall this body? What kind of karma was it that brought physical suffering?
Questioner: The karma of physical suffering.
Dadashri: People assume that I have been suffering, but I am not affected by any suffering. Nor does it affect the Tirthankaras. I felt no sorrow when Hiraba passed away. I am not affected by anything. People think that I experience grief and sorrow, but sorrow has never touched me for the last twenty years, not even for a moment. And that is precisely the Science that I am
I do not have any objection to your addiction, but you must do pratikraman for it. Confess to God that it is wrong for you to drink, you are sincerely sorry for the act and ask for the strength to not drink again. Do this much for your own sake.
People generally make matters worse by raising objections and criticizing the one who is an addict. All I have to say is that it does not matter how grave a mistake has been made, but you must do pratikraman for it.
(P.186)
Questioner: This morning, Dada, you said that before drinking tea you do pratyakhyan (I will never do it again)
Dadashri: Ah Yes!