42 - Discourses on Tantra Volume One

Chapter 11 The Acoustic Roots of the Indo-Aryan Alphabet (12)

Pa is the acoustic root of ghrńá vrtti [the propensity of hatred or revulsion].

The underlying weaknesses which cause immense harm to human beings are called ripus [enemies]. They are six in number: káma [longing for physicality], krodha [anger], lobha [avarice], mada [vanity], moha [blind attachment], and mátsarya [jealousy]. And when our various mental bondages exploit these ripus in order to tighten their grip on the mind, they become known as páshas [fetters]. These páshas are eight in number:

Ghrńá shauṋká bhayaḿ lajjá
Jugupsá ceti paiṋcamii;
Kulaḿ shiilaiṋca mánaiṋca
Aśt́ao pásháh prakiirttitáh.

[Hatred, doubt, fear, shyness, dissemblance, vanity of lineage, cultural superiority complex and egotism – these are the eight fetters.]

Pa is the acoustic root of the fetter of hatred. It is a defect not directly traceable to any one ripu, but stemming from more than one ripu. Although hatred and fear are related to other ripus, they are mainly related to the moha ripu, or propensity of blind attachment. [E.g., when one’s desire for something becomes frustrated, one may develop hatred for what was the object of desire.]

When one’s psychic attraction is toward the crude, the mind has a downward tendency (in Sanskrit the root-verb pat or patati carries this sense), which leads to one’s eventual downfall. But when the mind moves upward it is called anurakti [attraction for the Great]. The consummation of this attraction is devotion. For this the Sanskrit verb is úrdhva gam or úrdhva gacchati.

One who is weakened by excessive attachment to alcohol falls an easy prey to the fetters of hatred and fear. Moha ripu makes people the objects of hatred to others, and makes others the objects of fear to them. Such is the deceptive allurement of moha vrtti that people rush toward their objects of desire without any discrimination. I already explained the different types of moha while discussing the consonant na.

PHA

Pha is the acoustic root of bhaya vrtti [the propensity of fear]. Though fear is generally caused by more than one factor, it is mainly born of moha ripu.

Ba is the acoustic root of avajiṋá vrtti [indifference]. When one ignores something which is actually unacceptable, that is called upekśá, but when one neglects something which may actually have some value, that is called avajiṋá. Avajiṋá is somewhat similar in meaning to avahelá. Upekśá is not always used in a bad way, but avahelá certainly has a negative connotation. It is said,

Maetrii-karuńá-muditopekśáńáḿ-sukha-duhkha-puńyá -
Puńyaviśayánáḿ bhávanátashcittapra-sádanam.

Often when someone sees another person who is happy in life he or she feels pangs of jealousy; but this is not an ideal attitude. An ideal person will develop a benign attitude toward the happy person, saying, “That person is in such a happy frame of mind - may he stay that way forever.” And for those people who live in misery one should develop an attitude of compassion. One should never feel happy upon seeing the sorrows of others, but should think, “What a miserable life that person is leading. I hope things get better for him soon.”

Neither should one be jealous of a person who performs many virtuous deeds and charitable actions. Rather one should think well of the person since he or she is doing good work. “Let his intellect continue to inspire him to perform such virtuous actions. I fully support him.” And if someone is engaged in unrighteous deeds, his neighbours should ignore his dark side, and should not repeatedly condemn him. One should say, “Well, I’m not bothered by what he says or does – that’s his own business.” But this attitude of tolerance can only be accepted to a certain extent. If the person’s sinful or wicked actions harm society and disrupt social life, one can no longer afford to be indifferent.