Why do we repent after we do something wrong?

The interrogative title of our article is not only a staunch question on our humanity but also a deep inquiry into our soul integrity, which ultimately can be the path to our salvation if addressed properly. Before diving into the divine outcome of our quest, let us first reframe our question to fathom who we are.

First and foremost, let’s ‘remove’ why, and re-ask our consciousness “Do we repent after we do something wrong?” And if the answer to this newly framed question is – yes-, then and only then, we are amongst those few in this Kaliyuga, who heartily yearn for liberation. The gravity of reframing this question lies in the so-called euphoria of an advanced society, wherein almost every human, though grappled in the bubble of vices, feels elated on a progressive path!

This answer confirms that we are certainly a member of a so-thought-outcast community, who aren’t the joyful ones, but are we among those, who are trapped in the self-doubt of why we did a wrong deed? With the inception of this thought, we do prove that we are aware of what is right and what is wrong, and also that there is surely an associated ‘X Factor’, which blinds our decision-making and binds us to do wrong, even when we do not want to. So, this then leads to an emotional, and sometimes even psychological cycle of repentance, which brings us to the genesis of our original question- “Why do we repent after we do something wrong?’

Until and unless we have developed the right understanding, when generally at a very basic level, the answer is, to overcome our “childhood fear”, associated with the deep-rooted principle of ‘reward for good deeds and punishment for wrongdoings.’ Be it at our own home, school, and college, or even our professional arena, the following framework is rock-solid.

“As you sow, so shall you reap, if you made others sigh, you would certainly weep!”

This, since our childhood, has paved the path of the karma boomerang theory into our consciousness, and that is the reason why we suffer the burden of our wrongdoings in the form of guilt, and we also fear the punishment that shall be meted out on us by the almighty Karma King. This drags us deeper into the abysmal trench of guilt.

Today, many are trying hard to find the answer on how to come out of the burden of that wrongdoing, how to come out of that trench of guilt. So, is there any solution to solve this puzzle that has arisen within and which is also responsible for our agony?

Yes, the answer to this puzzle lies in the Akram Vignan, divinely propagated by Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan, an enlightened being. One of the jewels of Akram Vignan, the ‘Pratikraman’, is a divine tool that Dadashri gifted us to release us from the very bondages that make us do wrong things. Param Pujya Dadashri gives us the right understanding of how to use this tool effectively, so that we do not get caught in the trap of guilt, and at the same time can repent rightly so that the very reasons, the right reasons that provoked us to do something wrong are uprooted from source. Along with this, He also teaches us ‘Pratyakhyan’ which ensures that we have sealed the scope of doing something wrong like this in the future too. So come, let’s learn more about these Akram Pearls and get bathed in the holy pratikraman, that helps dissolve the bondages that invoked wrongdoings.

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan states that:

1) It is natural for a person to make a mistake (do something wrong). What is the way to become free from that? Only the Gnani Purush [the Enlightened One] can show it, (which is) ‘Pratikraman’. [2083]

2) If anger-pride-deceit-greed occurs, let them occur. There is nothing wrong if you have thoughts of bad conduct; do not be afraid. However, you must repent (do pratikraman) and turn it around, this will result in a high level of Dharmadhyan [auspicious contemplation].[1991]

3) People in the world ask for forgiveness, but [true] ‘pratikraman’ does not happen by doing that. That is like when people casually say ‘sorry’ or ‘thank you’. There is no significance in that; the significance is of ‘Alochana-Pratikraman-Pratyakhyan’ (acknowledgment of the mistake, repentance and asking for forgiveness for the mistake, remorse, and avowal not to repeat the mistake, respectively).

4) Do pratikraman (repentance coupled with apology) for what comes to memory. Do Pratyakhyan (avowal to not repeat a mistake) for a desire that arises.[3755]

5) The words that we speak, come forth even when we do not wish to. The Prakruti [our relative self] dances and such a storm arises. It is only when countless ‘pratikraman’ are done, will the Prakruti stops! [2093]

6) Karma that has been bound in a state of elation is destroyed through repentance.[3747]

7) A man who repents after doing any (wrong) action, will certainly become pure one day, that is definite.

To read more, visit: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/spiritual-science/pratikraman-asking-for-forgiveness/how-to-repent-for-your-sins/