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(20) Awareness When Words are Flowing in Speech...
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Pratikraman
instrumental (nimit) in hurting anyone. And if someone continues to hurt, that is his own karma. Make sure that you do not become the nimit for his pain.
Questioner: Still, what if in fury, or passion, I end up saying something hurtful?
Dadashri: Then do pratikraman. Pratikraman is Necessary Even if You Are Joking
When you raise your voice and someone gets hurt or, alas, even if you were joking with someone and that person is a little weak and puts up with your joking, then you have done atikraman. 'We' do joke with people but it is innocent fun and jokes. 'We'joke to remove their disease and to make them stronger. We have some fun and joy, and at the same time that person continues to make progress. But 'our' joke does not hurt him. Should there not be some joking and fun like that? He too will understand that we are joking and that we are not poking fun at him.
Now, whenever 'we' make fun of someone, we have to do pratikraman for that also. We are not exempt from that.
Questioner: Yes, but that's just simply having fun. Surely there is no problem with that.
(340) Dadashri: No, but even then 'we' have to do pratikraman. It is not so necessary for you, but it is imperative for 'us.' If we do not do pratikraman, then the words from this taped record (speech of the Gnani) would not come out as clear.
Questioner: Your pratikraman must be occurring on the spot, a 'shoot-on-sight' pratikraman!
Dadashri: Yes. In that we have no bad intent, yet it is considered a kashay (inner enemy) of laughter. Even though
'we' are not making fun of him, it is considered a kashay of laughing. That poor man is naïve, is that why you are poking fun at him?' But 'we do pratikraman.
Even 'we' have a little fun in that. When 'wepoke fun at them, there is a little enjoyment in it, but at the same time 'we' have a little fun with the knowledge that he is going to come out strong from this, so let things be. Everything will work out.'
Questioner: But the laughter you got at his expense: what kind of pratikraman does it call for?
Dadashri: Yes, it is pratikraman of compassion; it is for his progress. Other people will come and tell 'us,' 'Why don't you say something like that to me?' I tell them, "We cannot tell you. They do not need help to progress; they will do it on their own. They are capable of grasping everything through their wisdom. But 'we' have to do pratikraman. Is that not a wonder? There is Grave Danger in Making Fun of People
I too used to make fun of all sorts of people, from the ordinary to the very prominent and successful ones, from all walks of life. Egoistic intellect-laden people have a tendency to make fun of others. Is such an ego not futile? Is that not misuse of one's intellect? It is a sign of misguided intellect to make fun of others.
Questioner: Even now I feel like making fun of people.
Dadashri: There is grave danger in making fun at the expense of other people. One always has the capability of making fun through his intellect (buddhi), but it also carries a grave danger along with it. 'We took on a grave liability 'our' entire life in this regard.
Questioner: What are the consequences of making fun of others?
Dadashri: It is better to slap someone than to make fun
