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Removing the Root Cause of Opinions
Pratikraman for Prejudice
Questioner: You have told us to do pratikraman. If we were to do pratikraman, day and night, every moment of the day, then that pratikraman is for the mistakes of only one lifetime, is that not so? (297)
Dadashri: What does pratikraman mean? It means that you should not have an opinion. It means that you have changed your opinion. You have no opinion anymore. Pratikraman is to be done to get rid of the opinion, 'This is right,' in anything wrong that you do; the pratikraman that, 'I am repentant for it, and affirming that I will not repeat it.' So pratikraman is only to get rid of the opinion.
Questioner: But, since meeting You, the opinions have already changed.
Dadashri: That is fine, but you should still go ahead and do pratikraman.
Questioner: If there is any prejudice or a strong opinion, will it go away with repeated pratikraman?
Dadashri: Yes, it will.
Questioner: Should I do pratikraman for every time any strong opinion or prejudice arises?
Dadashri: If you keep doing pratikraman, it will wash off everything. What gives rise to prejudices? Repeated
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Pratikraman
atikraman in the form of recurrent negative opinions about someone gives rise to prejudices. There are so many people out there, but why did he encounter only you? (298)
Forgive the Thief but Do Not Keep His Company
Dadashri: If your anger hurts someone or causes him harm, then tell 'Chandulal,' 'Hey! Chandulal, do pratikraman; ask for forgiveness.' If someone is being awkward with you and you bow down to him, he will do further atikraman, 'See, you finally came to your senses!" Who is he to bring anyone to their senses? Decrease your association with people like that. But you have to forgive his wrongdoing. No matter what his intent when he comes to you, whether good or bad, you have to know how to deal with him. If his prakruti (the non-Self complex) is awkward and difficult, then you should not bother with him.
If you know that it is his nature to steal, and you have known him to steal for the last ten years, should you trust him just because he begs for your forgiveness? You cannot place trust in him. You can tell him that you do not have any bad feelings towards him and that he has your forgiveness, but that is as far as you can go with such a person. You cannot afford to place trust in him or become involved with him. On the other hand, if you were to become his friend, then it would be wrong not to trust him or become suspicious of him based on your previous opinions. It is best that you not associate with him, but if you do, you should not have any prejudice towards him. Just keep in mind that whatever occurs is correct.
Unfailing Weapon of Pratikraman to Erase Opinions
Questioner: Still, what if I form a negative opinion about
him?
Dadashri: Then you should ask for forgiveness. You should ask for forgiveness from whomever you have formed a negative
