Pratikraman: The Key That Resolves All Conflicts (Full Version) Pratikraman: The Key That Resolves All Conflicts | Page 353

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Pratikraman
Causal and Effect Violence
Questioner: Are the consequences of ‘violence in effect’
(dravya himsa) and ‘causal seed of violence’ (bhaav himsa)
the same?
Dadashri: Causal seed of himsa cannot be seen because
it is subtle. Only effect himsa (dravya; violence) is visible; it can
be experienced through mind, speech and body. In causal
(bhaav) violence, there is subtle intent of violence present,
whereas in the effect (dravya) violence, it is evident in front of
you. When you say that, ‘I want to save living beings,’ it is
called intent of non-violence (bhaav ahimsa). Thereafter, you
are not responsible whether this occurs or not. If you say that
life is worth preserving and, thereafter, if violence occurs, then
you are not responsible for it. Nevertheless, you should repent
and do pratikraman. Doing this eliminates the liability. (278)
Special Pratikraman for the Farmers
Questioner: I have read in your book the prayer which
says, ‘Through this mind, speech and body, let me not hurt, even
to the slightest degree, any living entity.’ I am a farmer and I
grow tobacco. While the plants are growing, I should constantly
pinch off new tender leaves from the stalks. Would that not hurt
the plant? Is that not a paap (sin, demerit karma)? We do this
to thousands of our plants! How can we put an end to this
wrongful act?
Dadashri: You should feel repentance for the act. You
should repent and feel, ‘Why has this painful task fallen upon
me?’ That is all. You can continue with your work then. Internally,
you are repenting that it is not your wish to do this.
Questioner: Yes, but are we still committing a sin?
Dadashri: Yes, it is a sin. But you should not concern
yourself with that. Do not look at the sinful act. Just commit to
the decision that things should not be the way they are. Stand