There are times in life when we must endure suffering due to no fault on our part - or so it seems. In painful circumstances, we naturally question, "Why me? Am I wrong? It's not my fault!" Such situations may feel like the very definition of suffering.
In the book "Fault is of the Sufferer", Gnani Purush (embodiment of Self knowledge) Dada Bhagwan provides spiritual solutions to common and everyday forms of suffering such as dealing with difficult people, facing unhealthy relationships, challenges in family relationships, and marriage problems.
Among the myriad of spiritual books available, Dadashri offers a unique resource - addressing the age-old question: "So, am I wrong, or am I faultless?" He provides profound insight into the law of karma - explaining who is "The Doer", who is at fault, and what is the cause in every instance of suffering.
Excerpt:
IN NATURE'S COURT
There are many judges in this world, but in the world of karma, there is only one natural judge and justice : 'The Fault Is of the Sufferer.' This justice, the only justice, governs the entire universe. The justice of the world is illusionary justice and it perpetuates the worldly life.
Nature's law governs this world at all times. Those who deserve merit receive their merit and those who deserve punishment are punished. Nothing operates outside the law of nature. The law of nature is completely just, but because one does not understand it, he does not accept it. When one's understanding becomes pure, he will be able to accept nature's justice. As long as one has a selfish outlook, justice cannot be seen.
WHERE IS THE NEED FOR SUFFERING FOR THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE?
The ownership of this world is ours. We are the masters of this universe. If this is so, then why do we suffer? We suffer because of our past mistakes. We are bound by our own mistakes. However once these mistakes are destroyed, we will be liberated. In reality, you are free, but you suffer bondage because of your mistakes.
What kind of justice prevails when you simultaneously play the role of the judge, the defendant, and the lawyer? This kind of justice will favor only you, and you will rule according to what suits you, causing you to continuously make mistakes and remain bound. The judge within you points out your mistakes and the lawyer within you defends them. In doing so, you become bound. For the sake of your liberation, you should find out who is at fault for the suffering you have to endure. The fault is always of the one who suffers. From the worldly perspective this may be considered unjust, but in God's justice, the fault is of the sufferer. No outside judge is required for God's justice.
People do not have the knowledge of the Reality of this world. They only have the knowledge of ignorance, the relative world, which causes them to wander endlessly, life after life. If someone steals your wallet, whose fault is it and why is that only your wallet was stolen and not anyone else's? Of the two parties involved (the perpetrator and the victim), who is the one that is suffering now? The mistake is of the one who suffers. I can see this in my Gnan exactly as it is, that the fault is of the sufferer.
SHOULD ONE TOLERATE OR FIND A SOLUTION?
It has been said that one should increase his level of tolerance, but how long can this last? For how long can one continue to tolerate? Tolerance is limited, whereas solutions through Gnanare permanent. Gnan is unlimited. This Gnanis such that you do not have to tolerate even to a slightest extent. Tolerance requires a lot of energy; its like melting steel with your eyes, it is impossible. But with Gnan you remain in bliss and attain freedom without having to practice tolerance. With Gnan, you can understand that your past karmic accounts are being settled and that you are being freed.
If a person suffers, it is because of his own mistakes. If a person enjoys happiness, it is the reward of his good deeds. The law of the world is such that it accuses the nimit (the apparent 'doer' - person who inflicts suffering). However, God's law, the Real Law, catches the real culprit. This law is exact and no one can ever change it. There is no law in this world that can inflict suffering upon anyone, not even the law of the government.
If you break something valuable will you experience suffering? If your son breaks something valuable, you will worry and suffer. If you accept that it is the result of your own past mistake, would you worry or suffer? You create suffering and worries by seeing faults in others. You become frustrated because you feel that you have to endure so much, but if you understand that whatever happens is the result of your own mistakes, there will be no suffering.
If someone blames you for something, surely you must be at fault somewhere? Why not destroy that mistake? In reality, no person in this world can cause hurt to another. This is how independent every living being is. If there is any suffering, it is because of one's own past mistakes. Once these mistakes are destroyed nothing is left pending.
Questioner : If one understands this science exactly, then all questions will be solved.
Dadashri : This is exactly the way it is. I have concluded this with Gnan,not with my intellect.
WHO IS AT FAULT, THE CULPRIT OR THE VICTIM?
Everyday you read about theft and various other crimes in the newspapers, but you should not become alarmed or anxious. Thoughts and worries about whether or not the same will happen to you are negative and these are the mistakes that bind you. Instead, why not just live positively and naturally?You will only be robbed if it is in your karmic account.If it is not in your karma, then no one in this world can touch you, so be fearless. The newspapers will print anything but you should not be afraid of the news. It should not worry you even if thousands of people were being robbed.
No one has any control over you.If you happen to get robbed, all you need to do is ask yourself who is really suffering and then move on.
The world is not meant for suffering, it is meant for enjoying.People receive that which is due to them according to their karmic account.Why are some people happy while others are suffering? It is because they have brought such accounts with them.
Many people have written the statement : 'The Fault is of the Sufferer' in large print, on their walls at home, so that they are reminded of who is at fault whenever they experience any suffering.
If a man remembers this sentence throughout his life and applies it to his life's circumstances with the correct understanding, he would not need a guru.These words alone will take him to moksha (final Liberation).
