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[17] Removing the Root Cause of Opinions
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Pratikraman
you have to divide it with that very large number. Hence multiplication will continue to occur, but we have the tool for dividing it. Having become a Purush (Self-realized), spiritual effort (purusharth) is our duty (dharma). When you see someone, you are bound to form an opinion. Thus, opinion gets formed and so You should immediately divide it by telling 'Chandulal, "This is wrong, why should you do that?', and so You will be free. Otherwise, opinions will be formed and bound. Once they are bound, they will give their fruit for sure.
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sometimes even before you see something, or someone. Therefore, opinion should be destroyed before it takes root. You should exercise extreme caution with regard to opinions. Nevertheless, you will still bind opinions, but they should be immediately destroyed. The prakruti (non-Self complex) creates opinions and pragnya shakti (the liberating energy of the Self) destroys them. The prakruti will continue to bind opinions for some time, but You should keep erasing them. Opinions are the underlying cause of this problem (bhanjghad).
If 'we' were to form an opinion about a person and if that person were to come here, he will see a change in our mind and he will not see equanimity (samata) in 'us.' Before he even sees 'us,' he will understand that there is some kind of change in us.' So opinions have this kind of effect. But when you let go of the opinion, then there is nothing there. We do not have any opinion about anyone and thus 'we' experience constant equanimity. Opinions are bound to be formed, because of the presence of the prakruti, and they will constantly be formed. You have to continue to let go of them.
Questioner: When you say 'it gives its fruits,' does that mean it makes one suffer?
Dadashri: What does 'give fruit' mean? It means that if you form an opinion about someone, it will continually have an affect on the other person, naturally. He, too, will immediately understand that you feel that way about him. But if you get rid of that opinion, then it will not affect your mind or his mind. If you 'divide by seven' as soon as the opinion is formed, then it will go away before it has any effect. Otherwise, nothing goes to waste and its effect cannot be stopped. Everyone's conduct is different towards us, but we do not have any opinion. "We realize that is just how it is. Do women not know what mother-in-laws are like in this Kaliyug (current time cycle era of lack of unity in thoughts, speech and acts)? So then why form any opinions? It is Kaliyug, so it is always like this.
Questioner: How do I get rid of opinions that have been formed?
Dadashri: To eliminate them. You should tell "Chandulal, "You have formed such an opinion about this person and it is completely wrong. How can you bind such an opinion?' You will become free from it when you say this to 'Chandulal.'
Divide, the Moment You Multiply
It is like this: whenever you multiply a number, with say seven, then you have to divide it by seven in order to return to the same number. You want to revert to the original number, do you not? You know that it has been multiplied with a certain number and so you should divide it by the same number. If you realize that it has been multiplied by a very large number, then
It is like this: if you get things and circumstances to your liking, it is merit karma (punya); and facing things and circumstances that you do not like is demerit karma (paap). Hence, when the unfolding (udaya) is of demerit karma, you will encounter things or circumstances that you do not like. Whose udaya is it? It is of paap (demerit karma). Now it will give bitter fruit, which will not last long, but if you form an opinion about your mother-in-law during that time, then it will have an effect on her which will continue for a long time. Hence, never form an
