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तुम्हारी चालाकी ही तुम्हारा बंधन है; जो सरल है वो स्वतंत्र है || आचार्य प्रशांत (2015)
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5 years ago
Success and Failure
Inner Voice
External Influence
Cleverness
Simplicity
Freedom
Action (Karma)
God
Description

Acharya Prashant responds to a questioner who, despite facing continuous failures for several years, feels unaffected and as if he is not part of the game. The speaker clarifies that it is not entirely true that the questioner is unaffected, as the very act of asking this question indicates some impact. He explains that while the questioner may not feel like a failure from within, there are certainly external voices around him that want to make him feel that way. These external voices, representing society, are the ones telling him that something is wrong. The speaker elaborates that the reason the questioner feels carefree is due to a real, inner presence that is helping him. This inner being is making him unconcerned, telling him to be happy and absorbed in the moment, as success and failure do not hold any special meaning. However, the questioner's surrender to this inner voice is not yet complete, which is why he can still hear the conflicting external voices. These external voices first define success and failure and then declare that success is a great thing. They essentially tell you to become their slave by first defining a goal and then making you feel worthless if you don't achieve it. Acharya Prashant contrasts this with the voice of the inner being, or God, which is the true determinant of action. This inner voice simply says, "Do," without providing reasons, incentives, or threats. It does not promise success or warn of failure; the joy is in the action itself. He warns against mistaking the clever external voices for the inner voice of conscience, as society's voice can disguise itself as one's own. The speaker concludes by presenting a choice between cleverness and fun (masti). Cleverness is the trap, the hell. The one who is simple is free. The ultimate success is achieved by those who forget the game of success and failure. The path to this is to become simple, innocent, and straight, letting go of the deceit in the mind and the hypocrisy in the eyes.