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[1] The True Nature of Pratikraman
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Seeker: How does one know that atikraman has occurred?
Dadashri: You will know and so will the other person. You will know it from the expression on his face and you will be affected too. It will affect you both. That is why pratikraman should be done.
If a policeman tries to stop you and you do not stop; that is considered atikraman and for that you have to do pratikraman. Otherwise, you will have to go to court.
When we eat, it is not considered atikraman. Is having your hair cut considered atikraman?
Questioner: No.
Dadashri: Is shaving atikraman?
Questioner: No.
Dadashri: When you brush your teeth in the morning, is that atikraman?
Questioner: No, not even that.
Dadashri: Anger, pride, deceit and greed are all considered atikraman, so if you do pratikraman, they will leave. If you do pratikraman immediately after atikraman, the anger, pride, deceit and greed will disappear.
Endless Projections Due to Jolts of Ignorance
Every living being (jiva) is 'projecting' (planning, intention, bhaav), not due to its natural disposition but due to external forces. And we should continue doing pratikraman. This occurs due to the force of ignorance (agnan - ignorance of the Self) due to circumstances. We should keep doing pratikraman.
There is not only one type of projection; there are endless kinds. Whenever one encounters anything, he will not refrain
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Pratikraman
from projecting (doing bhaav). If one is on a bridge he will say, 'Why did they construct this bridge so high?' He will question that. Hey! What concern is it of yours? Are you married to the bridge? The moment he embarks upon the bridge, he starts this foolishness. The bridge is meant for getting across. There is no other concern with it and yet what does he do? 'Why did they have to build this bridge so high?" Do people say such things or not?
Seeker: Yes, they do, and in just five minutes, five thousand phases arise.
Dadashri: You say five thousand, but five minutes means three hundred seconds. Then there are endless samaya (the smallest indivisible time unit) in that second. Therefore, so many phases can arise in a second. This is how one continues to do endless atikraman.
The worldly life has arisen by atikraman and is destroyed by pratikraman.
The Real Meaning of Pratikraman
Questioner: If something unpleasant is occurring, and if I tolerate it, is that what you call pratikraman? (6)
Dadashri: No, you should not 'tolerate' but you should do pratikraman.
Questioner: So what is pratikraman?
Dadashri: If a person insults you, you should understand who the real culprit is behind the insult. Is it the one who insults or is it the one who feels insulted? This should be determined first. You should understand that the person who insults you is not at fault, not even to the slightest degree. He is merely a nimit (someone instrumental in the process) and it is due to the unfolding of your very own karma that the two of you are brought together. The fault is your own and you should do pratikraman if any
