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DISCOURSE 60
159
to the father's veiled faults? What do they gain by thus calumniating each other ? Nothing! Both will incur only loss.
At present, the circumstances are such that they encourage calumniation. When tensions and dissensions appear between husband and wife, they begin calumniating each other not only orally but also in writing. They go to courts and produce real or false evidence against each other. One gentleman while seeking a divorce from his wife said, “Our son is not born to me; he is born to our servant”.
Imagine how angry his wife would be on hearing this. That lady would certainly give publicity to all her husband's secrets; would she not?
From the Audience : She will surely speak of her husband's secrets. She must speak of them,
LET NOT YOUR SPEECH INFLAME ANGER
Maharajashri : You say, "She must speak of them;" but I do not say that. You should not utter anything that inspires anger and hatred and which affects love. It is never proper to antagonize anyone. If you develop hostility against others, it will cause worry, agitation and fear to you. Moreover, on account of the agitations caused by the feelings of hostility, you will not be able to carry out your spiritual austerities. You will be caught in some calamity or the other. On account of you, even the members of your family will have to bear with calamities. You must study the condition of the families of those who take interest in politics. In the political sphere, calumniation is common.
In these days of democratic government, it has become common for people to praise themselves; and to condemn others. The ruling party; and the opposition party keep searching for faults in each other; keep detecting each other's secrets. If they happen to get at any secret, they begin to condemn each other loudly. Calumniations are carried on through the press and on the public platform. They abuse their freedom of speech. Anyone may calumniate any other person irrespective of status.
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