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Bhagwan Swaminarayan conveyed spiritual truths in the Vachanamrut
through
lucid and vivid analogies.
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Introduction
The effectiveness of communication is assessed by the ease with which
a message is understood and received for personal integration. Great
teachers are renowned for their ability to explain complex ideas in
an easy-to-understand way. No matter how involved the idea, with the
teacher's command of the subject matter and his effective communication
skills, the listener is able to comprehend the idea as easily and
effortlessly as he swallows ice cream.
The best teachers are admired for their skill in reducing intricate
and bulky ideas into a manageable size for even novice students who
have no background of the subject.
Even a cursory study of the Vachanamrut, the main scripture of the
Swaminarayan Sampraday, which contain the discourses of Bhagwan Swaminarayan,
is enough to convince just how adept and effective a teacher He was.
At a time when the illiterate population of India was twice the literate
population, Bhagwan Swaminarayan's simple and lucid teaching style
appealed to all stratas of society. From the totally uneducated to
distinguished scholars, He conveyed profound spiritual and philosophical
ideas so successfully that countless were inspired to live these ideals.
Of the varied techniques used by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, His use of
analogies was original, versatile and effective. Using analogies based
on day-to-day objects, and often using the same analogy to convey
several different ideas, His clarity of thought and effective expression
of ideas is apparent, even today, for all to see.
Foundations
of Satsang
In the Vachanamrut, Bhagwan Swaminarayan has used dozens of analogies.
They have been recorded over a span of ten years 1820-1830 and can
be grouped under various subject headings. In this article we take
a look at the subject of abhav/avgun, that is, spreading
details of other people's negative habits and traits.
In Vachanamrut Loya-5, Shriji Maharaj asks, "Whose foundation
in Satsang becomes solid and whose does not?" He Himself replies,
"Just as Dattãtreya imbibed the virtues of the five bhuts,
the moon, various animals, a prostitute, a virgin, his own body and
others, similarly, only if a person has the disposition of imbibing
the virtues of a sãdhu does his foundation in Satsang become
solid. If a person does not have such a disposition, then even though
he remains in Satsang, his foundation is not firm."
The message here is that by appreciating and adopting the virtues
of others, one's own spiritual foundations are strengthened. Buildings
built upon sturdy foundations are more resilient to natural forces
than buildings built upon shaky foundations. Similarly, one who develops
a habit of seeking out positive traits in others and imbibing them
in his life will be more resilient to the ups-and-downs of daily Satsang
life. However, one who has a tendency to merely search for the negative
traits in others will suffer from a weak footing in Satsang.
It is often plain for everyone to see that a particular person harbors
a particular negative trait, or avgun. It is sometimes so obvious
that it jumps right out at us. Is this, then, known as 'taking avgun'?
In these situations, and other more subtle cases, the mere act of
noticing such negative qualities is not taking avgun. However,
to spread this observation or knowledge to others or to contemplate
it in one's mind to the extent that one becomes averse to that person
is called taking avgun. The important thing to learn is that
one's observation should be reported to one's seniors and the responsibility
to root out the problem should be left to them. Once reported, one
should not circulate details of others' negative qualities.
Such unwarranted gossip has the effect of creating enemies, disunity
and instability. These factors combine to hinder one's own spiritual
development. Thus, it is to prevent such unwanted consequences that
Shriji Maharaj has, in over 80 Vachanamruts, warned against taking
the avgun of others and has encouraged the adoption of others'
guns. He has emphasized His view by the use of vivid analogies
to point out the harm in taking avguns.
Half-Burnt
Log of Wood
In Vachanamrut Gadhada I-28, Shriji Maharaj says, "When a satsangi
is likely to regress in the Satsang fellowship, vicious desires steadily
flourish within him.
At
first, he begins to perceive flaws in all of the satsangis day by
day. In his heart, he feels, 'All of these satsangis lack understanding;
only I have true understanding.' In this way, he considers himself
to be superior to all. Such a person remains constantly uneasy, day
and night. He cannot sit peacefully anywhere during the day; nor can
he sleep at night. Moreover, his anger never subsides. In fact, he
constantly smolders like a half-burnt log. A person who behaves in
this manner should be known to be on the verge of falling out of Satsang.
No matter how many days he spends in Satsang, he will never experience
peace in his heart; ultimately, he will fall from Satsang."
In this analogy, Shriji Maharaj uses the example of a smoldering log
of wood, which is the cause of much irritation and discomfort because
of the smoke it gives off. The smoke irritates the eyes and throat
and results in much trouble. Similarly, a person who takes avguns
of others is simmering with malice. His words spread trouble. His
damaging remarks cause discomfort and he himself feels uncomfortable.
Just like the smoldering log which is unable to burn out completely
or be extinguished, a person who takes avguns is neither able
to extinguish his habit nor fully restrain himself from irritating
others. Thus, such a person, will sooner or later fall from the spiritual
path.
Poisoned Milk
The poisoned milk analogy has been used by Shriji Maharaj on seven
occasions throughout the Vachanamrut - each time to explain a different
concept.
In
Vachanamrut Gadhada I-35, Shriji Maharaj says, "Suppose there
is some tasty buffalo-milk in which sãkar has been dissolved.
Now if a snake's venom were to fall in it, then that same milk and
sãkar would become poisonous. Thereafter, whoever drinks it
would die. Similarly, such a person may be highly intelligent, but
he has perceived a flaw in the great Sant or God. This drawback, in
the form of perceiving a flaw, has entered his mind and is comparable
to the snake's venom. So how can he possibly walk on the path of liberation?
In fact, even if someone were to listen to his talks, the listener's
mind would also fall back from Satsang. Moreover, wherever a person
possessing such a polluted intellect takes birth, he always maligns
God or His devotees. Conversely, a person whose intellect is not polluted
in this manner, even if he has little intelligence, does not falter
in safeguarding his own liberation."
Here, the milk represents the sharp intelligence of a person and the
snake venom represents the negative habit of taking avgun which
has infected that person. So, even though such a person is smart,
his harmful habit poisons his mind, ultimately leading to his spiritual
ruin - just as someone who drinks the poisoned milk will die. The
key to keeping the mind pure is to avoid, totally, taking the avgun
of others.
Decapitation
Shriji Maharaj explains in Vachanamrut Loya-7, "One who harbors
an aversion towards the Sant is unable to become pure by any form
of atonement.
In
fact, release from the sins of lust and other vices is possible, but
release from the sin of maligning the Sant is not possible. For example,
if a person contracts tuberculosis, no medicine would be able to cure
the disease; he would definitely die. Similarly, one who harbors an
aversion towards the Sant should be known as having tuberculosis;
he will certainly fall from Satsang sometime in the future. Furthermore,
even if a person's hands, feet, nose, eyes, fingers and other body
parts are severed, he still cannot be described as dead. However,
when the head is severed from the body, he is described as dead. Similarly,
he who perceives flaws in a devotee of God has had his head severed.
If he lapses in following other religious vows, then his limbs can
be said to be severed - but he will still live. That is, he will survive
in Satsang. But a person who has perceived flaws in the Sant will
certainly, at some time, fall from Satsang. He should be known to
have his head severed."
Although observance of ones dharma is a must for spiritual progress,
Shriji Maharaj uses this analogy to emphasize the essential need to
avoid taking avguns of others. The fact that lapses in dharma
can be atoned for is illustrated by Shriji Maharaj's comparison of
such lapses to merely a non-fatal injury to the body - it causes pain
and damage - but does not cause death.
However, taking avgun of others is likened to having one's
head chopped off and indicates certain spiritual death. It is fatal
to one's chances of spiritual progress.
Fish Out of
Water
In the same Vachanamrut, Loya-1, Shriji Maharaj further explains,
"As long as the aversion towards the Sant is not removed from
the person's heart, he would experience extreme remorse, just like
a fish would suffer without water."
Here, Shriji Maharaj explains that just as a fish which is displaced
from its life-supporting water environment struggles to survive, a
person who harbors avguns for others will similarly struggle
to survive in Satsang.
Rabid Dog
In Vachanamrut Gadhada III-12, Shriji Maharaj says, "Even though
he may be called a satsangi, a person who has perceived faults in
God or His Bhakta should be known to be like a rabid dog. Just as
one who is touched by the saliva of a rabid dog also becomes rabid,
similarly, if one listens to the talks of or keeps affection for one
who has perceived faults in God or His Bhakta, then both the person
who keeps the affection as well as the listener become like a non-believer."
As
everyone knows a rabid dog is a menace to all. Whoever it bites will
be infected with rabies - which without treatment is often fatal.
This analogy highlights just how dangerous and infective people who
take avguns are. They themselves are already infected with
this dangerous habit and whoever they bite - through their talks -
are also likely to become infected with negative thoughts that will
ultimately lead to their spiritual demise. Thus, like rabid dogs they
are a menace to all who come in their contact.
Discussion
Through all these analogies, and others, Shriji Maharaj has shown
us the path of spiritual survival and progress. By indulging in taking
avguns we invite decline, so the obvious path to follow is
to seek out and adopt the virtues (guns) of others to strengthen
our foundations and enhance our spiritual standing.
Thus, the tendency to take avguns of others prevents the enjoyment
of Satsang. Yogiji Maharaj used to say that the 'taste' of Satsang
is like the taste of sweet kesar mangoes. However, the habit of taking
avguns sours the taste - that is, it sours our enjoyment of
Satsang.
Even though Shriji Maharaj launched these ideas and concepts nearly
200 years ago, they are still as relevant today. They are the bedrock
of harmony in one's professional and personal life. Everyone is well
aware of the effect of office gossip. Such rumors generate nothing
but enmity, distrust and disunity, thus affecting one's output.
The principle, in theory, is simple but the temptation to draw attention
to others' negative qualities is often overwhelming and even those
of high spiritual standing have succumbed to it, and consequently
fallen from Satsang. Constant awareness is necessary to ensure that
one's hard-earned spiritual merits are not wiped out by the trivial
and inconsequential habits and traits of others.
The dark side of human nature is to see or find faults in others.
To lessen and eradicate this fatal attribute one has to engage oneself
to satsang, reading, discourses and, introspection, prayer and confession
to the Satpurush.
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