Asserted Topics:
The Padakhar nature, or the extremely vengeful and spiteful nature.
Main Points:
- A person with a Kharili (extremely angry) nature like a bison cannot be called a Sant (saint).
- If a devotee realizes the greatness of Bhagwan (God), this Kharili nature will be eradicated.
Commentary:
This Vachanamrut is referred to as the Padakhar discourse. In the nature of a bison (Padakhar), there is intense enmity and hatred toward others of its kind or even toward different species. Once it holds onto hatred or vengeance, it does not diminish even after many years; instead, it only intensifies. The enmity only ends when one of the two dies. Both sides wish for the other’s death and think about how they can bring it about. Such a deeply ingrained and intense form of enmity is called “Padakhar” in colloquial terms. The word Khar comes from the regional language, signifying an extreme level of anger and resentment, even stronger than mere grudge or prejudice.
Some individuals possess an inherently Kharili (extremely angry) nature. This Khar tendency is not based on reason, nor does it rely on a particular trigger; it stems purely from their inner nature. Even the slightest cause—or none at all—can provoke a person with a Kharili nature, making them intolerant of another’s presence. This means they cannot tolerate someone of equal status or rights. In their mind, the other person should not exist at all. Why should the other person not exist? They have no valid reason, and if they do, it is not justifiable. Yet, their desire is so strong that they want the other person’s existence to vanish. Depending on their power, they either want the person out of sight, far away, or, ideally, completely erased. This type of nature is called the Padakhar nature.
In this Vachanamrut, Maharaj asked Nityanand Swami and Brahmanand Swami, “Can someone who holds deep grudges, like a bison (Padakhar), and continues to harbor such extreme anger be called a Sant?” Both Sadgurus responded that such a person cannot be called a Sant. In reality, such behavior is often found in the selfish world, but it should not exist in the life of a saint. However, Maharaj’s question suggests that He had witnessed this behavior somewhere, which is why He posed this question.
It is astonishing that even after entering the spiritual realm, many people work tirelessly, day and night, to satisfy their Padakhar (vengeful) nature. In such cases, the Santo (saints) say, “Maharaj, although they have become sadhus, they cannot truly be called Sants.”
Then Muktanand Swami asked Maharaj, “O Maharaj! If a devotee of Bhagwan (God) begins to see faults in another devotee, and as a result, resentment arises in their heart, what is the remedy to overcome this? In short, how can one remove the Padakhar nature?” Maharaj replied, “One whose heart is filled with devotion to Bhagwan and who has realized the greatness of Bhagwan will not perceive faults in another devotee, nor will they develop feelings of resentment. Resentment arises only when there is a material object, selfish interest, or attachment that serves as a common center of focus for many people.”
When does one group develop enmity towards another? It occurs when there is a shared center of selfish interest or enjoyment. Among many devotees, the focus of worship and goal is solely Maharaj, yet no Padakhar nature arises in them. Instead, unity develops around the shared center. In this unity, feelings of love and affection for one another emerge, and a sense of oneness and familial bond (Mamta) grows.
When Maharaj asks the question, “Can such a person be called a Sant?” He is inquiring whether the Padakhar (vengeful) nature can arise even within a society united by a spiritual center like Maharaj Himself. Certainly, it should not arise. This spiritual center is meant to suppress such vengeful tendencies. If such a tendency still arises, it means that the person is not truly living with the purpose of the spiritual center. Though they reside in the spiritual sphere, they have established some worldly center in their heart that fosters the Padakhar nature. Otherwise, such tendencies would not arise. Maharaj explains that if a person’s heart is filled with devotion to Bhagwan (God) and they understand His greatness, they will not bear resentment. However, if their heart is fixated on worldly, selfish interests, then resentment is inevitable—whether they are a Sant or a Haribhakt (devotee).
Maharaj further says that because Uddhavji knew the greatness of Bhagwan, he asked to be born as a creeper, blade of grass, or bunch of flowers upon which the dust of the Gopis’ (cowherd women’s) feet would fall. This is because Uddhavji and the Gopis had the same focus of devotion—Shree Krishna. Their center of devotion was not worldly interest or pleasure. Even after becoming saints or devotees, resentment arises only when the heart remains focused on the material world. They have learned to understand and value the greatness of the world, but not the greatness of Bhagwan.
Therefore, the only remedy to remove such tendencies is to understand the greatness of Bhagwan’s devotees. This is how the Padakhar nature diminishes. This is not like other enemies, such as lust, which can be reduced through fasting. This can only be reduced by changing one’s center of worship. Maharaj says that faults or flaws do not arise. On the contrary, one who has attained a relationship with Bhagwan considers even trees and creepers that have such a relationship to be extremely fortunate. So, what can be said about a human who worships Bhagwan, follows the Panch Vartman (five sacred vows), and observes proper conduct? If one does not understand the greatness of Bhagwan and His devotees, then even in Satsang (spiritual fellowship), resentment and enmity will arise. Maharaj goes as far as to say that if someone does not know the greatness of Bhagwan and His devotees, even though they may be part of Satsang, they are still partly turned away from God. Only one who fully understands this greatness is a true Satsangi (devotee).