69.1 In the Samvat year 1876, on Chaitra sud 12 [26th March, 1820], Swãmi Shree Sahajãnandji Mahãrãj was sitting on a decorated bedstead on the veranda outside the west-facing rooms in front on the mandir of Shree Vãsudev-Nãrãyan in Dãdã Khãchar’s darbãr in Gadhadã. He was dressed entirely in white clothes. A sabhã of munis, as well as haribhaktas from various places, had gathered before Him.
69.2 Following the sandhyã ãrti of Shree Vãsudev-Nãrãyan and the ‘Nãrãyan’ dhun, Shreeji Mahãrãj asked the munis, “What exactly is dharma? Please base your reply on the shãstras. The question arises because even the kings of the past who indulged in violence, did not harm those who took their refuge, nor did they allow harm to others. So, is the sin committed by killing others, considered the same as the sin of killing a person who has sought his refuge?”
69.3 The munis attempted to reply according to their own understanding, but due to queries raised by Shreeji Mahãrãj, no one was able to offer a satisfactory answer. All the munis then said, “Mahãrãj, we would like to put the same question to you. Violence (hinsã) performed on animals, as part of a sacrifice or some other ritual, is considered to be dharma. But, non-violence (ahinsã) is also considered to be dharma. Please clarify this.”
69.4 Shreeji Mahãrãj then explained, “Dharma involving violence is for the attainment of dharma, arth, and kãm. Moreover, the dharma which permits violence is for the purpose of limiting violence. Non-violence, on the other hand, is for the attainment of kalyãn – which is the dharma of a sãdhu. Dharma involving violence is for fulfilling worldly desires, but it is not for the attainment of kalyãn, whereas non-violence is solely for the purpose of attaining kalyãn.
69.5 “Therefore, for both grahasthas and tyãgis only non-violence has been cited for the attainment of kalyãn. For example, Uparichar-Vasu Rãjã ruled over a kingdom and still followed a non-violent lifestyle. Therefore, a sãdhu should not bear hatred towards anyone by thought, word, or deed. Neither should he keep any form of aggression. Instead, he should behave as a dãs of a dãs with all.
69.6 “In comparison, having an aggressive personality is the dharma of a wicked person, and behaving in a calm manner is the dharma of a sãdhu. Someone may then ask, ‘How is it possible to maintain the characteristics of a sãdhu, while trying to make thousands of people follow their niyams?’ Well, the reply to the question is that Yudhishthir Rãjã reigned over a kingdom stretching for thousands of miles, yet he managed to maintain the qualities of a sãdhu. Conversely, there may be thousands like Bhimsen who intimidate others and are unable to change their ways despite being lectured. In fact, there is no shortage of people with such an aggressive nature; there are countless such people. However, to be a sãdhu, is indeed very difficult.”
End of Vachanãmrut Gadhadã I || 69 || 69 ||