How to Remove Mental Defects?
Upon hearing whose nectar-filled words-words that dispel the illusion of Brahma (the Absolute) and foster the awakening of divine wisdom-let us sing: Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram (repeatedly). Here, there are spiritual seekers (sadhaks) of all levels; not everyone requires the exact same thing. A poor person, for instance, has a primary need: wealth. As you know, there are many people who are deeply distressed by a lack of money. While a shortage of wealth can be vexing even for the rich-acting almost like a disease-there are those who truly suffer from a genuine lack of funds, unable to adequately meet their basic necessities. Their needs, too, must be fulfilled; to that end, we should work honestly and diligently, never sitting idle.
That is why we once heard a saint say:
"If your karma is flawed, or if unfortunate destinies have been inscribed upon your forehead, then engage in such strenuous labor that sweat breaks out upon your brow-for that very sweat will wash away the inauspicious markings from your fate."
Secondly, refrain from committing sins. If you act contrary to the accepted norms of society, you will remain plagued by shame and an inner sense of inferiority. If one does not indulge in vices-such as intoxication-what harm can possibly befall them? It is the lives of those who indulge in intoxicants that become ruined; what harm could possibly come to those who abstain? Similarly, when we engage in unethical conduct in the pursuit of pleasure, we are not only deprived of true happiness, but we also become inwardly shackled by psychological complexes. These complexes linger in our memory even at the moment of death, and deep within, a sense of inferiority continues to torment us. Those whose lives are free from such grave moral flaws experience no inner guilt; they live with great fearlessness, living without anxiety and free from inner conflict.
Therefore, I offer you this second request-though whether you choose to accept or reject it is entirely up to you. This is not a decree of governance; governance is the domain of the government, which forcibly enacts laws and compels citizens to obey them. If the District Collector were to issue an order, it would be mandatory to comply. However, when a saint offers spiritual counsel, one should follow it-yet it is not strictly mandatory that you do so. If you choose not to follow it, I cannot punish you; however, the adverse consequences of your non-compliance-if not today, then surely tomorrow-will ultimately be yours to bear.
Thus, as my revered Guru used to say:
"Whosoever heeded the words of the saints, for them, salvation was attained."
Indeed, for all those who listened to the wisdom of the saints, their ultimate well-being was secured. And now, just a moment ago, you-Shastri-ji... We were just hearing about the essence of this truth: Bin satsang vivek na hoi-without the company of the virtuous (Satsang), true discernment (Vivek) does not arise. Satsang vivek nirmalam nan dayam-these are the two "eyes" a person ought to possess. First, one should ideally possess some measure of personal intellect and discernment; but even if one lacks that, one should certainly possess the discernment gained through Satsang.
