Freedom from Cruelty
ॐ Upon entering the mystical path of Śaivadharma “freedom from cruelty” out of all the
principles to be observed by the yogin is quintessential. The Divine does not exactly punish the individual in the human sense but rather the individual is punishing himself because he has done wrong by going against grace. That which is beneficial represents Śiva’s grace. It is the individual’s ignorant ways that cause his world to contract and self-destruct. Like water and oil, hatefulness, misery, and cruelty do not mix with knowledge, enjoyment, and expansion because they simply don’t coexist biologically, emotionally, cognitively and energetically. In this context, once the individual causes unnecessary harm to others or himself, whatever means he is using can no longer be called intelligence or knowledge (in the spiritual sense), even if it is derived from it originally.
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If an individual lacks discretion and reaches a hellish place in his life, it is because his tamasic qualities and tendencies have brought him into this mental hell by his own doing. We must take responsibility for our actions and stop blaming others or even our surroundings. When people blame others for their ignorance it is a state of delusion. Many people never face their own problems and just lie to themselves ant others while procrastinating, that is just how it is. Each
individual has a different story, and no story is equal. Bigots are to be blamed for their bigotry individually. Otherwise, we can blame the guy who taught the fool to be a bigot and then blame the guy who made the guy who made a bigot, how far back should we go? I can blame his grandfather for hating my grandfather, but where does that lead to ultimately?
We should remember our past and learn from it, surely. However all individuals must take responsibility for their actions and their consequences, regardless of those people who died in the past. Learning does not mean holding grudges and ill feelings of hatred or revenge. Wisdom is the best learning. It is even better than knowledge from books. Wisdom tells us to forgive all and love all while surrendering to the way of Universal Law or Dharma. All individuals must take responsibility for their actions. When we blame “Asian people”, “Black people”, “White people, “Women” or “Men” what we are doing is putting people in groups, which removes the individual
responsibility of the ‘blamed’ and the ‘blamer’ too.
Each society has a scapegoat. It is too easy to blame victims, instead of trying to understand a situation for what it is. It is also too easy to blame a leader for example, for the existence of bigots. Ignorant fools that follow a delusional king need to look at themselves in the mirror first; and those pointing the finger at the king need to realize: ignorance, violence, and stupidity must
be treated on an individual level. A society must first heal from within the person and no other way. Ignorant people were there before and here today. What I am saying is, let’s look at the problems as they are and try to understand…instead of always taking sides and blaming people we never met!
Maheshvara is the embodiment of auspiciousness, it is man’s ignorance and arrogance that leads him into a pit. Destroying and uprooting anger and cruelty is not a dogmatic or moralistic attitude but a method. This powerful means to an inner transformation which is removing cruelty
from one’s intentions and actions brings freedom to the individual making the world a better
place by the simple law of causality.
How many hypocrites claim to be religious or spiritual and yet are bound by the shackles of
narrow-mindedness, hate, wrong knowledge, and ignorant behavior? To cause harm to others in the name of self- righteousness might just be the most preposterous proposition imaginable and
yet our history and present are filled with such abhorrence.
Lord Śiva is the compassionate One and the source of compassion itself; it is in actuality the free will that he has given to us and that we abuse which allows this delusional unfavorable human behavior to happen. Since increasing one’s perception and liberation of the individual from
limitations and obstructions using yogic methods and study of the scriptural injunctions is not only the goal itself but the path too, it is of paramount importance for spiritual seekers to stabilize their Citta or inner being. And how can we do this? By avoiding to fall into the participation of any form of unnecessary ignorance or cruelty whatsoever.
Ignorance decreases automatically when knowledge increases in the student. Cultivating focus, wisdom and the right perspective causes us to make the right decisions. This takes the individual
where he wants to go instead of landing in a dead-end or a sidetrack. Making conscious and practical efforts to destroy tendencies that don’t serve our purpose is Dharma. Lord Śiva destroys such obstacles in the lives of those who, out of the pureness and humility of their hearts, seek
upliftment, beauty, truth, and knowledge..
“To obey the command of Śiva is beneficial, and whatever is beneficial represents his grace. He is benevolent to all besides being graceful to all. The meaning of the word Uprkara (benevolence) means Anugraha or grace. Since that too benefits a person, therefore Śiva is
benevolent to all.” –Śiva Mahapurana (Vayaviya Samhita, Ch.31)
“Evil is not caused by Maheshvara but by the ignorance of the one who is engaged in the evil activity. As in the case of a person who, because of doubt, mistakes nectar for poison.” –
Abhinavagupta’s Gitartha Samgraha
“Where there is true knowledge, there is no place for anger.” Tantralokah
