This chapter is the English translation of Gujarati Book
               Title   -  Sadhak and Sathi
               Author  -  Shri Atmanandji (Dr. Soneji)



      CHAPTER:  23

      STRAIGHT-FORWARDNESS [SARALATA]


      BACKGROUND:

      The virtue of being straightforward or frank is the virtue that
      we also sometimes call the name "simplicity."  It means
      consistency in the activities of mind, speech and the body.
      (i.e.  to say exactly what is in one's mind and to do exactly
      what one says.)

      A good deal of progress in the practice of this virtue can be
      achieved, if we try sincerely to act upon our words and thus
      shed off any such tendencies as complexity, crookedness,
      deception, trickery, and so on from our day to day activities.
      Straightforwardness is the basic virtue of the true self.
      However, a person subjects himself to ignorance and greed, and
      follows the path of deceitful conduct.  He tells himself, "Who
      can read my mind?  I shall see to it that nobody knows my mind
      and shall achieve what I desire by deceptive talk and
      treacherous behavior."

      Such a person, creates so complex and so wide a network of
      deceptive worldly affairs around him, that he cannot manage to
      come out of it.  He therefore has to undergo various miseries.

      IMPORTANCE OF STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS

      Straightforwardness is a virtue which must be developed by all
      aspirants (Sadhakas).  Even medium-grade spirituality (Sadhana)
      does not dawn without straightforwardness.  Therefore, great
      sages have recommended Sadhakas to achieve straightforwardness.
      He who is not straightforward does not even gain entry onto the
      path of salvation, how can he then be fit for taking up
      religious vows?  Under the circumstances, acquisition of the
      virtue of straightforwardness is indispensable for every
      aspirant because of its multifarious utility in his life.

      The method of development of this virtue of straightforwardness
      is more or less on the same lines as has been described in the
      chapters on Forgiveness and Contentment.

      This will make the acquisition of the virtue of
      straightforwardness easy, by conquering its opposite, which is
      deceit.  Deceit may be likened to a thorn in the foot.  Once it
      pierces the skin, the person concerned loses his peace of mind
      and remains restless.

      Nobody ever trusts a deceitful person; even his family view him
      constantly with suspicion.

      Whatever promises a person may give, a constant fear persists
      among people of the possibility of a breach of trust.  Such a
      person fails to win any regard either in society or in the path
      of righteousness.

      The life of a straightforward person does becomes free from
      worry, natural, fearless, pious, and therefore righteous.
      Immense peace can be experienced with the development of
      straightforwardness in this life and therefore, all Sadhakas
      should continuously develop it with great zeal.

      GLORY OF STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS

      1. Unfortunate indeed is a person who has not calmed down his
         passions, no detachment in the life, and who is neither
         straightforward nor tolerant of afflictions.

      2. The person endowed with virtues like broad-based vision,
         impartiality, straightforwardness and control over all
         senses, deserves most to realize the ultimate Truth.

      3. All other virtues fail completely in a deceitful person.  A
         person of straightforwardness therefore, excludes all
         deceitful acts from his life.

      4. God will forgive all other vices but not that of deceit,
         especially when it is practiced in the name of religion or
         God.

      5. So many great people practiced straightforwardness through
         the medium of the company of children.

         Shree Telang Swami had a cart in which he seated children
         while he drew it.  He tried to study and acquire the simple
         and innocent temperament of children.

         Gladstone, once the Prime Minister of Britain, played with
         children and shared innocent joy with them.

         Lord Jesus Christ and great poet Nanalal have eulogized the
         simple nature of children.

         The Bhaktisutra states that the best devotee is one like a
         child.

         Thus children have inspired many great men to acquire
         straightforwardness.


      LIVING EXAMPLES OF STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS:

      [1]

      In Bombay, Shrimad Rajachandra and Mahatma Gandhi were once
      discussing compassion.  They pondered over it and discussed
      whether or not any item made from leather should be used.  It
      was resolved that in professional and industrial purposes,
      leather may be used, but not so in personal uses.

      Gandhi inquired, "What is there in the cap that you have put
      on?"

      Rajachandraji did not have even the slightest idea that his cap
      had leather strip in it; he never checked for it.

      Without argument, Shrimad Rajachandra removed the leather strip
      from his cap.

      This speaks volumes for his preparedness to learn in all,
      straightforwardness, even from small events of life.


      [2]

      Chironjabai was a great pious Jain lady who lived around the
      year 1900 near the city of Jhansi in northern India.  She lived
      a very religious life and was instrumental in the spiritual
      development of Shri Ganeshprasad Varniji, whom she had adopted
      as a religious son.

      Shri Varniji, a great saint, has written about one incident in
      his life regarding his mother Chiraunjibai.  He stated that,
      when his mother was about sixty years old, he had often took
      care of her when she was sick.  He then felt that if he had no
      mother, he would be able to progress on the path of the bliss of
      self-realization far more quickly.  Once he actually complained
      loudly, "In this life, no one is related to others spiritually,
      all are selfish.  I have simply wasted these years of my life!"

      The mother replied, "Dear boy!  Now I am old and of no use to
      you.  This is what you feel.  For the last thirty years, I have
      looked after you as a son, but all the while, your bliss only
      has been my purpose.  Now I am old, I can no more look after
      you.  Do what pleases you, but know one thing.  If you abandon
      me through anger or because you are tired, it will be only a
      pretense and your renunciation will be only a show. It will be
      without the spirit of quietude and detachment."

      Shri Verniji was simply stunned by these words.  He gave up the
      idea to separate himself from his respected mother.  He had not
      conquered deceit in the heart and only made a show of being free
      from deceit.  This was pretense on his part.  He now resolved to
      take recourse to the path of straightforwardness - the path of
      bliss for himself.