Bhugate Usi Ki Bhul

This Jain text, titled "Bhugate Usi Ki Bhul" (He Who Suffers, It's His Own Mistake) by Dada Bhagwan, is a profound discourse on the principle of self-responsibility in facing life's adversities. The core message, repeated throughout the text, is that "He who suffers, it's his own mistake." This principle is presented not as a blame game, but as a fundamental law of karma and liberation.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key themes and arguments presented in the text:

The Central Principle: "He Who Suffers, It's His Own Mistake"

• Self-Accountability: The most prominent theme is that every suffering or hardship encountered in life is a direct consequence of one's own past actions or "mistakes." This applies universally, regardless of the apparent external circumstances.
• Liberation Through Self-Discovery: The text emphasizes that understanding and accepting this principle is a path to liberation (moksha). By identifying one's own mistakes as the root cause of suffering, individuals are empowered to rectify them and break free from the cycle of pain.
• Internal Investigation: When facing difficulties, the recommended approach is not to blame others or external factors, but to look inward and discover what personal error led to the current situation. This involves introspection and a continuous search for one's own faults.
• Freedom from External Bondage: The text asserts that individuals are bound by their own mistakes, not by other people. Once the mistakes are corrected, freedom is achieved.

The Nature of Mistakes and Suffering:

• Mistakes as the Cause of Suffering: The book clearly states that suffering arises solely from one's own mistakes. If there were no mistakes, no one could be forced to suffer.
• The Law of Karma: The principle is rooted in the Jain understanding of karma, where every action has a reaction. Suffering is seen as the ripening of past karmic seeds sown through one's own actions or omissions.
• The Illusion of External Blame: The text critiques the common human tendency to blame others for one's misfortunes. This tendency, driven by ego and self-justification, only perpetuates the cycle of suffering and prevents spiritual progress.
• Distinguishing Between External and Internal Justice: The text draws a distinction between human legal systems and the natural, karmic justice. While human law may focus on external offenders, the divine law of karma operates on the principle of "he who suffers, it's his own mistake."

Practical Application and Guidance:

• The "Lift" vs. "Staircase" Analogy: Dada Bhagwan's teachings, as presented, focus on an "akram marg" (shortcut or lift path) to spiritual realization, contrasting it with the "kram marg" (gradual or staircase path). The principle of "He Who Suffers, It's His Own Mistake" is presented as a key element of this shortcut.
• Correcting Mistakes Leads to Freedom: The path to liberation is not about punishing others or seeking external justice, but about correcting one's own mistakes. Once the mistakes are gone, the suffering ceases.
• Beyond Tolerance: The text differentiates between mere tolerance and spiritual understanding. Tolerance is seen as limited, while true understanding (knowledge) eliminates the need for tolerance altogether, leading to liberation with bliss.
• The Role of Knowledge: The ultimate solution lies in gaining self-knowledge and understanding the true nature of reality. This knowledge helps in seeing the truth of one's own actions and their consequences.
• The Importance of "I Don't Know" and "Humility": The introductory pages mention the importance of attitudes like "Param Vinay" (ultimate humility) and "I know nothing." These attitudes are conducive to accepting one's own mistakes.

Understanding Divine Justice and Reality:

• Nature's Court: The universe operates under a natural, impartial court where the only judge is the principle of "He Who Suffers, It's His Own Mistake."
• Cause and Effect: Every event, whether perceived as good or bad, is a result of a cause-and-effect chain, and ultimately traceable to one's own actions.
• The Illusion of Victimhood: The text challenges the perception of being a victim. When we feel wronged, it's often our own past actions that have created the circumstances or attracted the "nimitta" (instrumental cause).
• The Nature of "Accidents" and "Incidents": Even seemingly random events like accidents are viewed through the lens of karmic justice. The person affected is the one whose past karma has ripened.

Practical Examples and Anecdotes:

The text utilizes various examples to illustrate the principle:

• Pickpocketing: If a pocket is picked, the suffering individual is the one whose mistake led to the loss, not the pickpocket.
• Broken Teacup: If a teacup breaks, the fault lies with the person who breaks it, not someone else.
• Parent-Child Dynamics: A father suffering due to his son's misbehavior is suffering because of his own past actions that have created this karmic connection.
• The Woman at the Bus Stop: Even in a tragic accident where a woman is killed by a bus, the suffering is attributed to her own past mistakes, as she was the one who was at that specific place at that specific time. The driver, too, will face consequences for his own mistakes.
• Medical Situations: If a patient suffers from an injection, the pain is their own mistake. If a doctor suffers due to a patient's death during surgery, it's because of their own past karmic connections or actions.
• Cooking Mistakes: If curry is too salty or dal overturns, the person whose fault it is (e.g., who added too much salt or caused the overturning) is the one who will suffer the consequences (displeasure, wasted effort, etc.).

Conclusion:

"Bhugate Usi Ki Bhul" is a powerful call to self-awareness and self-mastery. By internalizing this principle, individuals can transform their perspective on suffering, move away from blame, and embark on a path of true spiritual progress. It teaches that understanding one's own mistakes is the key to resolving them and achieving ultimate freedom. The book offers a practical and scientific approach to understanding karma and spiritual liberation, aiming to simplify life's complexities and alleviate suffering.