Assorted Topics:
People naturally have vices inherent within them. The key is to find a way to eliminate these internal enemies and progress in life.
Key Points:
- It is best not to harbour envy.
- When is it allowable to harbour envy?
Explanation
Shreeji Maharaj says that His disciples should not be jealous of one another. This is because jealousy is the biggest and very subtle inner enemy. It does not matter if the person is a child or grown adult, man or woman, rich or poor; jealousy is within everyone. In Vach.G.L.8, jealousy is defined as the inability of one to stand the success of another. Excessive jealousy results in revenge and anger, destroying a person inwardly and outwardly. In the Sankhya Karika, it is said:
अन्योन्याभिभववृत्तयः
Anyonyābhibhavavṛttayaḥ
In other words, people are naturally unable to accept another person’s success and are only satisfied when they see them fall.
When a person cannot tolerate the success of others is called Matsar, and when it festers internally, it begins to take the form of Asuyā. When one feels annoyance in his heart, it is Master, and when that thought begins pointing out negative attributes in someone, it is called Asuyā (Envy). When a person slowly and silently starts activities against the other person, it is Īrṣyā (Jealousy). Taking this further, when one stands against or does activities against someone publically, it is called Droh (Betrayal). As it grows, the next stage is krodh (anger), followed by Vēr (revenge). Jealousy grows within a person like a planted seed; once planted, the seed grows based on what is poured into it.
The following are three categories of inner enemies:
- God Created: Kām (lust) and other related internal enemies are created by God. God has made this for the purpose of this Universe. Therefore, it cannot be destroyed. However, devotees are asked not to get entangled in these internal weaknesses.
- Man Created: Envy, Jealousy and others are internal enemies created by Man. They are not created to sustain the Universe. Instead, individuals create them to nurture their egos. Hence, it can only be destroyed by themselves.
- Nature Created: Hunger, thirst, sleep, and others. A person cannot get rid of these natural sentiments until death, so one cannot completely get rid of them. But it needs to be moderated by devotees of God.
Here in this Vachanāmrut, Shreeji Maharaj says to not harbour jealousy, to which Anandānand Swami replies. “Maharaj, yet jealousy still persists.” These Santos did not have these deficiencies, but for the good of the devotees, they made these statements. Even if it is believed that this was not true, that does not diminish their value. Being open-hearted and confessing about inner enemies is a sign of sādhanā (practice to overcome). Shreeji Maharaj provides an incredibly sophisticated and simple response. If it’s too difficult to be free from jealousy, then it should be like that of Nãradji.
In the Upanishad and Yog Shāstras, there are four means through which antahkaran (conscience) can be purified, i.e. Friendship, Sympathy, Kindness and disconnection. Here
समानेषु मैत्री न तु इर्ष्या
samāneṣu maitrī na tu irṣyā
When two people are similar in skills to one another, these individuals should befriend each other. Usually, when two people are identical to one another, it is easier to become envious. Jealousy starts when two people are identical to one another. When jealousy grows internally, that is when Shreeji Maharaj says, a person with jealousy will not be able to tolerate the success of another”. Jealousy commences when the two people compete with one another, and it is hard to eradicate once this happens.
As we have seen earlier, This emotion begins with the three attributes of Maya and enters into the senses and conscience. So how is it possible for a person to eradicate it in a short period of time? Therefore, Swamiji quickly says that “Maharaj, and yet jealousy still persists”. Further extending this topic from the Yogsutra and Upanishads, Maharaj provides a very eloquent solution. Where there is envy, it is hard to extend a hand of friendship. Hence Maharaj does not give a solution of friendship; instead, He says to harbour envy like Nāradji.
In other words, the action of Nāradji, which Maharaj narrates in Vachanāmrut, can be called competition. A jealous person will find it very easy to compete with the person they are jealous of instead of attempting to extend a hand of friendship. Competition and jealousy align with each other well, but they are very different in terms of their results/fruits. Thus, moulding the flow of jealousy to the competition will significantly benefit the spiritual path. This is also very beneficial for the people who may not be performing any tasks or very little. If competition and jealousy are examined closely, then the truth of the matter becomes more apparent.
| Jealousy | Competition |
| Jealousy is vice. Jealousy is looking at the negative aspects of someone. Jealousy is when one does not move forward and just wants others to be brought down. Enviable eyes destroy the good virtues of the person they are with Enviable people have negative attitudes. Jealousy is a destroyer. Jealousy destroys strength. Jealousy does not result in successful results. Jealousy does not progress one on the spiritual path; instead, it lets one fall from the path of God. Enviable hearts are on fire. The rest of the Jealousy is with destruction and degeneration. The fruits of Jealousy are Annoyance, melancholy and clash. Jealousy is described in the parable of Indra and King Dilip (Father of King Dasharath) | Competition is a virtue. Competitors identify the positive virtues in their counterparts Competitors want to succeed by rightfully beating out their counterparts Competitors focus on developing their virtues. Competitors are bursting with vitality and positive energy. Competition is productive.Competition builds strength. Competition always results in success Competition is not the best, yet it progresses on the path of God. Competitors are enthusiastic and happy. The end of the competition is with progress and the acquisition of new virtues. The fruits of competition are satisfaction, enthusiasm etc. Competition alludes to the parable of Nāradji and Tumbdu. Discussed in the current Vachanāmrut |
Similarity
- Envy and Competition occur between two people
- Envy and Competition originate when there is a lack of similarity in attributes and values between people.
- Both parties want to beat each other.
- Both parties cannot bear to see the success of the other side.
The aforementioned points create the line of distinction between competition and jealousy. Shreeji Maharaj says that those who walk on the path of God should not harbour jealousy. This is because jealousy is damaging. Moreover, jealousy towards another devotee of God should not happen at all. In reality, there should be no competition between two devotees of God.If the goal is to progress further, then a person needs to develop a constructive and welcoming mindset. Unfortunately, a person succumbs to these inner sentiments and cannot remove jealousy from within them. Now competition that does not yield jealousy is permissible as per the Vachanāmrut. However, sometimes in competition, jealousy is created without realisation. Hence devotees need always to remain alert.