Devotee: Many believers (asthikas) in this world are changing into atheists (nasthikas) on account of such people, aren’t they, Swami? Is there
no weapon to put down these people, who, without any regard for their own
learning and without any effort to know the reality, abuse the outstanding
sages?
Swami: Why?
There is. “A load of rags is placed on a ragged
saddle,” is the saying. The
words of such people will be listened to only by such people; no real believer
will associate with them. Even if they do, they will move far away as soon as
they understand that those stories are fictitious.
So, the weapon to put down these
people is in their own hands. Haven’t you heard the story of Bhasmasura? He
placed his hand on everyone’s head and reduced them to ashes; finally, he placed
his hand on his own head and reduced himself to ashes! Similarly, accusing others, they themselves will be finally accused by their own words.
Those who find fault with the Lord are of four types:
1. People who have no interest at all in matters
related to God.
2. People who, on account of individual spite,
cannot endure another’s greatness.
3. People who have neither personal experience nor
contact nor knowledge of anything and so merely manufacture stories based on
hearsay to which they have become enslaved.
4. People who come with some worldly desire and who
accuse the Lord, as an excuse for the failure caused by their own destiny.
Only these four types of people clamor as you say; the others won’t shout
or jump about like puppets.
Even if they don’t have personal experience, when
they hear such stories, they will just analyze them within themselves and arrive
at conclusions for their own satisfaction. They won’t abuse others.
It is not the correct path to disbelieve one’s own mind and give room
therein to another’s words. Besides, there is no profit in discussing with those
who don’t know the Reality.
As a matter of fact, Reality does not admit of any
discussion at all. To argue with those who don’t know either but who are in the
intermediate stage is like seeing the trunk and believing it to be the entire
body, as in the story of the blind men and the elephant.
Well. Note this! It is not good to spend time in this type of conversation.
Abuse and fault finding are natural and common.
Knowing this, those who aspire
to become true devotees should search only for bases on which to build their
bliss (ananda).
All available time should be used for holy purposes; it should not be wasted.
You have nothing to do with the good and the bad in others. Instead of wasting
time, utilise it to discard the bad and develop the good in you.
Ask me about some spiritual exercise or instruction that you need, and seek
something that is worthwhile. Hereafter don’t bring me such stories of fault finding indulged in by others. You shouldn’t take in such things.
Author's Brief note
In the last para, Swami has said it all.
One has to take the essence of this para / this pour / this command of Swami in broader sense than only about fault finding about others.
Swami is saying, through these lines, perhaps the following inner essence
"Ask me for what I have descended on this earth, ask me for spiritual wisdom, ask me for instructions on spiritual transformation, ask me for more and more strength to grow spiritually. As I always say, I have come to give you salvation and you seem to be satisfied only asking for laddu from me / chocolates from me / at the highest level, a necklace or a ring manifested by me. I can give all these, but make use of your little life and follow my instructions, follow all vahinis, follow my discourses and come near me, O mankind"
Love.
