ESSENCE OF ALL RELIGIONS
From
morning until night, in the home or outside, people are constantly saying that
although they do not wish to do something, it happens all the same. Sometimes
they want to do something, but it does not happen. They have a great
bhaavna (deep inner intent), their resolve to do something is strong and
the effort too is made, but still it does not happen.
It
is the complaint of many religious instructors to their followers that whatever
they are being told is not getting digested. Even the listeners are frustrated and
confused. They wonder why despite being so deeply involved in religion and
religious practices, it does not show in their behavior. What is the reason
behind this? What is the
impediment? Is there any way to
overcome the mistake?
Pujya
Dadashri, recognised the limitations of the human beings of this age. He
provided them with a fitting answer using a new approach that employs a
scientific method. Pujya Dadashri
has clarified this mystery. He says
that all conduct and behavior is a result of past life causes. It is an effect.
Bhaav is a new term that denotes deep inner intent, which is not readily
apparent. This bhaav is a cause. No
one can bring about any changes in the result. If the cause changes, the result will
change. In order to change causes, one must make changes in the bhaav. To change this bhaav, Dadashri has
taught us these nine Kalams. Pujya
Dadashri has extracted the essence of the all scriptures and presented it to us,
in the form of these Nine Kalams. These nine kalams are the keys to bring about
a change in the bhaav at the fundamental level. Extensive study of scriptures
will not bring about such changes in bhaav. Thousands of people have benefited
from the simple message of these kalams. New internal causes are completely
changed and in addition one attains inner peace in this life. One stops seeing faults in others.
The main goal becomes the pursuit of eternal peace.
To
become filled with the special powers that are presently lacking within one, all
you have to do is keep asking for strength from the God within. The results come
forth naturally.
Pujya Dadashri says that “All my life I
have followed these nine kalams and that is my real wealth. I now share it with
you. They are for the salvation of the world. These kalams have become a
constant part of my inner life for the past forty years.
Many
seekers believe that they know everything there is to know about these
nine kalams. They would say,’I am
living my life like that’. But if you were to ask him, ‘Do you ever hurt
anyone?’ The people around him
would say yes. This means that they really do not know the truth of the matter.
Furthermore, merely knowing cannot be of help to them. Here, whatever the Gnani Purush has
achieved in life, his experience-linked-speech becomes the medium through which
results can be acquired. The key bhaavs must be designed by the Gnani
Purush. Only then meaningful
results will come forth. These nine kalams recited with a prayerful attitude
will wash away all negativity in your life. The path to liberation will become
easy.
Dr. Niruben Amin
NOTE ABOUT THIS TRANSLATION
Ambalal
M. Patel , Gnani Purush, also commonly known as Dadashri or Dada always used to
say that it is not possible to exactly translate his satsang about the Science
of Self- realization and the art of worldly interaction in English. Some of the
depth of meaning would be lost. He stressed the importance of learning
Gujarati
to understand all his teachings exactly.
Dadashri
did grant his blessings to convey his teachings to the world through
translations in English and other languages.
This
is an humble attempt to present to the world the essence of the teachings of The
Gnani Purush Dadashri. A lot of
care has been taken to preserve the tone and message of the satsang. This is not
a literal translation of his words. Many persons have worked diligently for this
work and we thank them all.
This
is an elementary introduction to the vast treasure of his teachings. Please note that any errors encountered
in the translation are entirely those of the translators.
Introduction
of The Gnani
On a June evening in 1958 at
around six o'clock, Ambalal Muljibhai Patel, a family man, contractor by
profession, was sitting on a bench of a busy platform number three at Surat
train station. Surat is a city in south Gujarat, a western state in India. What
happened within the next forty-eight minutes was phenomenal. Spontaneous
Self-realization occurred within Ambalal M. Patel. During this his ego melted
totally and completely. From that time onwards he became completely detached
from all thoughts, speech and acts of Ambalal and he became a living instrument
of The Lord for salvation of the world through the path of knowledge. He called
this Lord, Dada Bhagwan. ‘, This Lord is fully manifest within me,’ he told, to
all he met. Furthermore he added that, ‘ the same Lord, Dada Bhagwan exists in
all living beings. The difference between you and me is that in me, The Lord has
expressed fully in me and in you he is yet to manifest. ' Who are we? What is
God? Who runs this world? What is karma? What is liberation? Etc. All the
world's spiritual questions were answered. Thus nature offered absolute vision
to the world through the medium of Shree Ambalal Muljibhai Patel.
Ambalal was born in Tarasali a suburb of
the city of Baroda and raised in Bhadran, Central Gujarat. Although a contractor
by profession, and married to Hiraba, his life at home and with the world was
exemplary prior to his Self Realisation. After becoming Self realized and
attaining the state of a Gnani, (The Awakened One, Jnani in Hindi) his body
became a public charitable trust.
Throughout his whole life he
lived by the principle that there should not be any commerce in religion, and in
all commerce there must be religion. Also he never took any money from anyone
for his own use. He used the profits from his business to take his devotees for
pilgrimage in various parts of India.
His words became the
foundation for the new direct step less path to realization called Akram Vignan.
Through his divine original scientific experiment (The Gnan Vidhi) he imparted
this knowledge to others within two hours. Thousands have received his grace
through this process and thousands continue to do so even now. He called it
Akram Vignan (Step less Science, elevator path). Akram means without steps and
kram means to rise step by step. Akram means lift or elevator path. Kram here
means orderly, step by step spiritual progress. Akram is now recognized as a
direct shortcut to the bliss of the Self.
A shortcut.
When he explained others who
'Dada Bhagwan' is he would say:
‘What
you see here is not 'Dada Bhagwan.' What you see is 'A. M. Patel.' I am a Gnani
Purush and He that is manifest within, is 'Dada Bhagwan'. He is the Lord
within. He is within you and
everyone else. He has not yet manifest within you, whereas within me he is fully
manifest. I myself am not a Bhagwan. I bow down to the Dada Bhagwan within
me.’
‘I am personally going to
impart siddhis(special spiritual powers) to a few people. After I leave, will
there not be a need for them? People of future generations will need this path,
won’t they?’
~ Dadashri
Param Pujya Dadashri used to
go from town to town and country to country to give satsang and impart the
knowledge of the Self as well as knowledge of harmonious worldly interaction to
all who came to see him. In his final days in fall of 1987, he graced Dr.
Niruben Amin, and gave her the siddhis to continue his
Work.
After Param Pujya Dadashri
left his mortal body on January 2, 1988. Dr. Niruben continues his Work,
traveling within India to cities and villages; and abroad in the USA, Canada, UK
and Africa. She is Dadashri’s representative of Akram Vignan. She has been
instrumental in expanding the key role of Akram Vignan as the simple and direct
path to Self Realization for modern times. Thousands of spiritual seekers have
taken advantage of this opportunity and are established in the experience of
pure Soul while carrying out their worldly duties. They experience freedom, here
and now, while living their daily life.
Powerful words in scriptures
help the seeker in increasing the desire for liberation and thus they represent
the path. The knowledge of the Self is the final goal of all seeking. Without
the knowledge of the Self there is no liberation. This knowledge of the Self
(Atmagnan) does not exist in books. It exists in the heart of a Gnani. Hence the
knowledge of the Self can only be acquired by meeting a Gnani. Through the
scientific approach of the Akram Vignan, even today one can attain Atma Gnan,
but it can only occur by meeting a living Atma Gnani and receiving the Atma
Gnan(Knowledge of The Self). Only a lit candle can light another
candle.
I am giving you this booklet to read. Please read
it.
Questioner: Yes, I
will.
Dadashri: This is a medicine to remove all
obstacles in life. It is in the form of nine kalams (dikshavakya a
sentence which liberates. Precise orderly writing that leads to total freedom
from all obstacles of worldly life). This medicine is just to be taken in the
form of reading. You do not have to do anything. This medicine will work if it
is taken. Continue your current religious practices. These kalams are in
the form of nine bhavna ( deep inner intent).
Please read these nine kalams.
Questioner: Nine
kalams….
1.
Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mune koi pan deh-dhari jivatma no
kinchit matra pan aham Na dubhai, Na dubhavai, ke dubhava pratye Na anumodai,
evi param Shakti aapo.
Mane koi deh-dhari jivatma
no kinchit matra pan ahum Na dubhai evi syaad-vaad Vani, syaad-vaad vartan ane
syaad-vaad manan karvani param Shakti aapo.
Dearest Dada Bhagwan! Give me the infinite inner strength not
to hurt, cause someone to hurt, nor provoke anyone to hurt the ego of any living
being, even to the slightest extent.
Give me the infinite
strength not to hurt the ego of any living being and to conduct my speech,
thoughts and action in a manner that is accepted by all.
2.
Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mane koi pan dharma nu kinchit matra pan
praman no dubhai, Na dubhavai, ke dubhava pratye no anumodai, evi param Shakti
aapo.
Mune koi pan dharma nu,
kinchit matra pan praman na dubhai, evi syaad-vaad vani, syaad-vaad vartan ane
syaad-vaad mannan karvaani param shakti aapo.
Dearest Dada Bhagwan! Give me the infinite inner strength not
to hurt, nor cause someone to hurt, nor provoke anyone to hurt even to the
slightest extent, the foundation of any religion.
Give me the infinite
strength not to hurt, even to the slightest extent, the foundation of any
religion and that I conduct my speech, thoughts and action in a manner that is
accepted by all.
3. Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mane koi pan deh-dhari oopdeshak, sadhu,
sadhvi, aacharya no, avarnavaad, apraadh, avinay na karvaani param shakti
aapo.
Dearest Dada Bhagwan! Give me the infinite inner strength not
to criticize, offend or insult any living monk, nun, preacher or religious
head.
4.
Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mane koi pan deh-dhari jivatma pratye,
kinchit matra pan abhaav, tiraskaar, kyaareya pan na karaaya, na karavaay, ke
karta pratye na anumodai evi param shakti aapo.
Dearest Dada Bhagwan! Give me the infinite inner strength not
to; nor cause someone to; nor to provoke anyone to dislike or hate any living
being, even to the slightest extent.
5. Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mane koi pan deh- dhari jivatma saathe
kyaareya pan katthor bhaasha, tunteeli bhaasha na bolai, na bolavai, ke bolva
pratye na anumodai evi param shakti aapo.
Koi katthor bhaasha,
tunteeli bhaasha bole, to mane mrudu-rujhu bhaasha bolvaani shakti aapo.
Dearest Dada Bhagwan! Give me the infinite inner strength not
to speak, nor cause someone to speak, nor provoke anyone to speak any harsh or
hurtful language towards any living being, even to the slightest
extent.
If someone speaks in a harsh
and hurtful language, please give me the strength to speak softly and kindly in
reply.
6.
Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mane koi pan deh-dhaari jivatma pratye
streeh, purush, agur napunsak, gummeh te ling-dhari hoi, toh tenah sambhandi
kinchit matra pan vishay-vikaar sambhandi dosho, iccha-o, chesta-o, ke vichaar
sambhandhi dosho na karai, na karvai, ke karta pratye na anumodai, evi param
shakti aapo. Man nirantar nirvikaar
rahevaani param shakti aapo.
Dearest Dada Bhagwan! Give me the infinite inner strength not
to have, nor cause someone to have, nor provoke anyone to have any sexual
desires, feelings or gestures towards any living being, be it male, female or of
neutral gender. Give me the supreme
strength to be free of sexual desires, forever.
7. Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mane koi pan rus ma lubdha- panoo Na
karai evi param shakti aapo.
samrusi khoraak levai, evi param shakti aapo.
Dearest Dada Bhagwan! Give me the infinite inner strength to
control my excessive temptation towards food. Give me the strength to take
well-balanced and wholesome food.
8. Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mane koi pan deh-dhari jivaatma no; pratyaksh agar paroksh, jeevant agar
mrutyu paamelano, koi no, kinchit matra pan avarnavaad, apraadh, avinay Na karai
, na karaavai, ke karta prayte na anumodai, evi param shakti
aapo.
Dearest Dada Bhagwan! Give me the infinite inner strength not
to, nor cause anyone to, nor provoke anyone to, criticize, offend or insult any
being; be he or she present, or not present, living or dead.
9. Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mune jagat kalyaan karvaanu nimit
banvaani param shakti aapo, shakti aapo, shakti aapo.
Dearest Dada Bhagwan! Give
me the infinite inner strength to become an instrument in the path of
Self-Realization for the world.
These nine kalams should be
read three times a day.
Ask the above from Dada
Bhagwan (The Lord within you). This should not slip into a daily routine of
recital. These sentences should come from your heart. Experience these bhavna
with alert awareness from within.
These
nine sentences encompass the essence of all the scriptures of the
world.
EGO IS NOT TO BE
HURT…
Questioner: Please explain the meaning
of the first kalam.
Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mune koi pan deh-dhari jivatma no
kinchit matra pan aham Na dubhai, Na dubhavai, ke dubhava pratye Na anumodai,
evi param Shakti aapo.
Mane koi deh-dhari jivatma
no kinchit matra pan ahum Na dubhai evi syaad-vaad Vani, syaad-vaad vartan ane
syaad-vaad manan karvani param Shakti aapo.
Dearest Dada Bhagwan! Give me the infinite inner strength not
to hurt, cause someone to hurt, nor provoke anyone to hurt the ego of any living
being, even to the slightest extent.
Give me the infinite
strength not to hurt the ego of any living being and to conduct my speech,
thoughts and action in a manner that is accepted by all.
Dadashri: We ask for syaadvaad (universally accepted, accepted from all
view points ) vaani ( speech ), so that no one's ego is
hurt. This kind of speech will come through you gradually. This current speech
of mine, is the result of previous bhaavna (invocation of deepest feelings with
awareness).
Questioner: By asking not to hurt anyone's ego, does
it not mean that we are supporting that individual’s ego?
Dadashri: No, you are not
supporting any ego. Rather, no one’s ego should be hurt. I am not telling you to protect the ego
of others. They are naturally protected. Do not become an instrument in hurting
their ego. All you have to have is
a deep desire not to cause even
the slightest hurt to any living being. Make sure you do not hurt their
ego.
Questioner: In daily
business, it is difficult to avoid hurting the ego of some individuals, however
much we try.
Dadashri: That is not called
hurting someone's ego. Ego is hurt for instance when you tell someone," Shut up
and sit down." You should not hurt someone’s ego in this manner. And as far as
your business is concerned, when you say that you hurt someone’s ego, it is
really not the ego that is hurt. It is the mind which is
hurt.
Questioner: Ego is not a good
thing, is it? Then what is wrong in hurting it?
Dadashri: You should not hurt
his ego because he believes that he is the ego. He is everything he does. Whatever he
does, he believes he is doing it. That is why you cannot hurt it. That is why
even at home you should not scold anyone. You should make sure that nobody's ego
is hurt. When a person’s ego is
hurt, he becomes estranged and will not come close to you again. You should not demean someone by calling
him useless. Yes, you may scold him, as long as you do not hurt his ego. It is
fine if he gets hit on the head, as long as his ego is not hurt.
You should not have contempt for anyone, even for a laborer. Contempt hurts ego. If you do not need his services,
then tell him gently,' Brother, I do
not need you.' If necessary, settle the matter by giving
him some money. You may recover the money but you should not hurt his
ego. Otherwise he will harbor revenge against you. This will hinder your
salvation.
This is a very subtle point. If you hurt someone’s ego, then you have to
ask for inner strength (in accordance with this kalam) from the Lord within. The opinion
you had previously, of hurting someone's ego, has now changed. You are not held
responsible for your actions. Your actions are contrary to your intent or bhaav
of not hurting anyone. The actions are a result, not under your
control.
Questioner: What is meant by,
being separated from one’s opinion?
Dadashri: 'Dada Bhagwan', the
Lord within now knows that you no longer have intentions of hurting anyone's
ego. It still happens. In contrast, the people in the world
hurt others and are in agreement with their actions. Through the bhavna
of this kalam, your opinion is separated from our actions. Therefore, you
are free from any future negative consequences.
You do not have to do anything.
All you have to do is ask for the strength. The
result of this bhavna will come in time.
Questioner: Asking for
strength from within is fine. But what must be done to ensure that we do not
hurt anyone’s ego?
Dadashri: No, nothing needs to be done. All you have to do is to read the kalam. There is nothing else you have to
do. Your action of hurting the
other person’s ego is an effect (result, fruit, discharge) of causes (charge,
seeds) sowed in your past life. The result cannot be changed. The cause can be changed with awareness.
The change of opinion changes the cause. That is why your responsibility ends if
you recite this kalam.
Questioner: And this should
be said sincerely.
Dadashri: All this has to be
done sincerely. Whoever says the kalam is doing so with sincerity. His
opinion has been separated. This is
the highest science.
You don't have to do any of it, but simply recite the nine kalams. Just ask for strength: ' Dada
Bhagwan, give me strength. All I want is strength.' You will receive this strength and your
responsibility will end.
The entire world teaches
you, 'Don’t do this, don’t do that!’ You would say this to the world, “ It is
not my intention to hurt others, but I end up hurting them any way. Therefore
your teaching does not work for me.” This approach fails to improve the present
or the future. This bhavna of the nine kalams works for improvement of the
present and the future.
Questioner: Whenever the
other person’s ego is hurt, at that time I realize that it is my own ego that
has spoken.
Dadashri: No, there is no
need to come to that conclusion. What does our internal awareness tell us? Our
path to salvation is a path of introspection. Inner awareness should remain
constantly. Pratikraman should be done immediately when someone's ego is
hurt. I also do pratikraman
whenever, I hurt someone’s ego.
So, in the morning the first thing you should say is,' I do not want to
hurt any living being to the slightest extent through my mind, speech or
action’. Repeat this five times before leaving home and then if someone gets hurt by you unintentionally, do
pratikraman for it, as soon as
possible.
What is Pratikraman? It is
like washing off a stain the moment it occurs. After that there is no problem.
Who does not do pratikraman? The one
who is not aware of cause and effect, and karma. Those who have received Gnan
(knowledge of the Self), do shoot-on-sight pratikraman. The followers of the
twenty-four tirthankaras did exactly the same. Today people cannot do that and
so God (Lord Mahavir) has laid down these raishi(at night)-devshi (in the morning), pakshik (every 15 days) and samvatsari (yearly) pratikraman during paryushan (yearly event of intense
introspection amongst Jains).
SYAAD-VAAD VANI, VARTAN,
MANNAN…
[Speech, action and thoughts
accepted by all]
Questioner: Now can you
explain what is meant by ‘Give me the strength not to hurt any one’s ego by,
syaadvaad vani, syaadvaad vartan and syaadvaad
mannan?”
Dadashri: Syaadvaad means to
know the viewpoint, of the other person. We should know the viewpoint of the
person who is talking.
Questioner: Does syaadvaad mean to understand other’s
viewpoint?
Dadashri: Understanding the
other person’s viewpoint and interacting with him appropriately is called syaadvaad. You should interact with him
in such a way that it does not hurt his viewpoint. Even when you talk to a thief, you
should not hurt his viewpoint. That is syaadvaad.
What I say is accepted by
all regardless of their religious beliefs. This is because their viewpoint is
not hurt.
Questioner: If there is a thief amongst
us and we tell him that it is wrong to steal, he would be hurt, wouldn't
he?
Dadashri: No, you should not
say that. You may say, ' These are the
consequences of stealing, do as you see fit.' You can say that much. Syaadvaad words will not hurt his ego, and he will
listen. Otherwise he would not
bother to listen to you and your words will be wasted. Your efforts will be in
vain. He may harbor revenge against you.
People say that it is wrong to steal, but a thief may believe that
stealing is his profession. If
someone were to bring a thief to me I would put my arm on his shoulder and in
privacy ask him, ' Do you enjoy this business of stealing? Do you like it?' He would at ease with me and is not
afraid of me. He will be honest with me. It is because of fear that a person
lies. Then I would ask him, ‘Do you know the potential consequences of your
actions?’
I never look at him as a
thief. If I had such an opinion
then it would have an effect on him. Everyone thinks that he is doing his
duty. Syaadvaad vani does not hurt
anyone. Syaadvaad vani is perfect. Every person has a different prakruti (inherent nature,
characteristic tendencies), and syaadvaad vani does not hurt anyone’s prakruti.
Questioner: What is syaadvaad mannan?
Dadashri: Syaadvaad
mannan
means that no one’s religious foundation should be hurt through your thoughts.
What I say applies to your actions and your thoughts. Both your words and your
thoughts should be free from any intention to hurt. Thoughts do reach the other
person. You can tell this by looking at the disgruntled facial express of a
person around you to whom you have not even uttered a word.
Questioner: Do we have to do pratikraman
whenever we have a bad thought about someone?
Dadashri: Yes, the other
person’s mind is affected. But when you do
pratikraman, his mind and attitude towards you will improve. You must not think negative about
anyone. Everyone should take care of his own self. That is all. There is nothing
else to fret about.
NOT TO HURT THE FOUNDATION
OF ANY RELIGION…..
Questioner: "Hae Dada Bhagwan! Mane koi
pan dharmanu kinchit matra pan praman na dubhai; na dubhavai, ke dubhava pratye
na anumodai evi param shakti aapo.
Mane koi pan dharmanu, kinchit matra pan praman na dubhai, evi syaadvaad
vani, syaadvaad vartan ane syaadvaad mannan karvani param shakti aapo."
[Dearest Dada Bhagwan! Give me the infinite inner strength not to hurt,
nor cause someone to hurt, nor provoke anyone into hurting, even to the
slightest extent, the foundation of any religion.
Give me the infinite inner strength not to hurt even to the slightest
extent the foundation of any religion and that I conduct my speech, thoughts and
actions in a manner that is accepted by all.
Dadashri: You should not hurt the
foundation of anyone’s religion. You should not feel that his religion is wrong.
‘One’ as a number counts, does it not?
Questioner: Yes.
Dadashri: Then, 'two' also a number, is it
not?
Questioner: Yes, it
is.
Dadashri: Do you know what those who are at “100”, say?
They say, “Our religion is right, yours is wrong.” You should not say this. All
are correct. “1”, is correct according to the level of “1”; “2”, is correct
according to the level of “2”. All are correct according to their level. That
which accepts all levels is syaadvaad. To accept a thing in its totality
as it is, is syaadvaad. To reject parts of it is wrong. The one
who is at 360 degrees sees everyone as correct at their own degrees.
So we cannot say that Islam is wrong. Every religion is correct. We cannot
tell anyone that his religion is wrong. How can we tell someone who eats meat
that he is wrong? He will say
that his religion allows eating meat. Therefore we cannot say 'no'. That is his
belief and his conviction. We cannot hurt anyone's belief. But if our own people
eat meat, we should tell him,' My dear, this is not a good thing.' We cannot
object if they still want to go ahead and do it. We should explain to them that
this is not going to help them.
Syaadvaad means not hurting the
foundation of any religion.
Whatever portion of it is true, call it true and whatever portion of it
is false, call it false. That is called not hurting the foundation. One should
not hurt the foundation of Christianity or Islam or any religion, because they
are all contained within 360 degrees. Real is the center and all these are
relative views. For the one
who is in the center all the relative views are correct.
This is syaadvaad path. Every religion has to be
accepted. We have to accept slaps from the other person because no one is at
fault. If you see someone’s fault, it is your own fault. Our intellect makes us
see fault in others.
AVARNAVAAD, APARAADH,
AVINAY
(to criticize, offend,
insult)
Questioner: Can you explain the exact meaning of the word avarnavaad