The Three Causes of Sin
By Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti
Note: An abridged version of this discourse appears in the chapter “The Three Causes of Sin” in The Great Universe.
Note: This is the extracted notes from the original discourse "The Three Causes of Sin" for class.
Human beings are social beings, hence, they have to follow certain social codes. But they must follow some spiritual codes as well. Because of illusion or some other reasons, if people break these codes, these “dos” and “don’ts”, sometimes we call it “sin” or Pápa and at other times, “crime” or Aparádha. If the violation is in the spiritual code, rather the religious code, it is termed as “sin”. If the violation is against the legal code it is known as “crime”.
Sin is sometimes based entirely on dogmas and not on cardinal human values. Wise people will never entertain a conception of sin based on religious dogma. Rather, they will judge with discrimination the correctness of the code according to cardinal human values.
Vyása said in the Puránas:
Aśtádashapuráneśu Vyásasya vacanádvayam
Paropakárah puńyáya pápáya parapiid́anam.
That is, that action which checks the progress of the society is sin, and that which accelerates social progress is virtue.
Cardinal human values are the silver lining between the psycho-spiritual world and the spiritual world. They are not based on religious dogma. Hence, people should revolt against dogma and follow values rooted in rationality and humanity.
In Sanskrit:
- What should be done but is not done is called Pratyaváya.
- What should not be done but is done is called Pápa.
- The combined term is Pátaka.
The Three Causes of Sin
- Shortage of physical and psychic pabula: Without basic necessities and intellectual resources, people lose their moral compass. In poverty and ignorance, people commit sins and crimes.
- Non-utilization of over-accumulated physical and psychic pabula: Excess without use leads to mental degeneration. The wealthy become parasites and exploiters if they don’t utilize wealth and intellect for collective welfare.
- Stagnancy in the physical and psychic strata: Lack of progressive movement leads to dogma, decay, and societal obstruction. Dynamism is life; stagnancy is death.
Second Cause Expanded
The greed of the have’s enslaves the have-not’s. Over-accumulation leads to addiction, aimlessness, and even suicide. The over-rich mislead the poor and misutilize wealth.
Third Cause Expanded
True progress occurs only in the spiritual realm. Physical and intellectual activity without spiritual direction is like running in circles. Stagnancy caused by blind traditionalism must be uprooted. Dogma must be broken with force, if necessary.
Bhayáńáḿ bhayaḿ bhiiśańaḿ bhiiśańánáḿ
Gatih prańináḿ pávanaḿ pávanánám.
He is the fear of fear – the purifier of all. He is the destination of all movement.
The Role of Sadvipras
- To remove shortage, minimum requirements must be guaranteed to all – physically and intellectually.
- To address over-accumulation, conscious spiritual and intellectual leadership is necessary.
- To combat stagnancy, dogmas must be smashed with the sledgehammer of truth and dynamism.
Without the Sadvipra – the spiritual revolutionary – society cannot move forward. Dogmatic-minded people obstruct progress. If the Sadvipras do not act, society will perish.
Let the Sadvipras Arise!
30 May 1970, Muzaffarpur
