Anarth-Offenses

Most people sharpen their focus on the practice of devotion but tend to ignore the importance of abstention. Some abstentions are obvious and might be easier to follow, such as avoiding the company of non-believers, lying, stealing, etc.

However, there are other offenses that seem minor or might happen without our knowledge.

All offenses are known as anarth (Devanagari: अनर्थ ISO15919: anartha) and pose a significant hindrance in sadhana. 

Anarth is classified primarily into the following four categories 

Anarth due to good deeds

Performing Vedic rituals and adhering to the Varnashram dharma is called punya. Performing punya gives rise to a feeling of virtuousness. This feeling of virtuousness can lead to a desire for material rewards and celestial pleasures.

When the desire for rewards in terms of celestial opulence becomes the primary motivation for following the Varnashram dharma, the purity and sincerity of one’s spiritual practice becomes compromised.

Each and every hymn of the Vedas is meant to guide the aspirant only towards the Brahm-Supreme God. It is imperative to remain mindful of the purpose of Vedic teachings. The goal of observing Vedic precepts ought to be to cultivate a sense of inner peace and connection with the divine. Observance of Vedic precepts ought not be to seek external rewards or recognition.

So, performing punya hampers the progress of devotion. That is why offenses due to good deeds are called sukṛtajāta anartha (Devanagari: सुकृतजात अनर्थ​ ISO15919: sukr̥tajāta anartha​).

Anarth due to bad deeds

Habits such as hurting others, indulging in substance abuse (intoxication), theft, and gambling are known as anarth caused by sinful actions or dushkritajata anarth (Devanagari: दुष्कृतजात अनर्थ​​ ISO15919: duṣkr̥tajāta anartha​​​).

Though most will agree that these should be avoided, yet people voluntarily engage in such actions for personal gratification. Every spiritual aspirant must be extremely mindful of these habits as they can reduce the speed of your devotional progress.

Anarth caused by transgression

Even the slightest of offense towards a devotee is known as aparadhajanya anartha (Devanagari: अपरधाजन्य अनर्थ​​ ISO15919: aparadhājanya anartha​​).

This results in drying up the sapling of love which might have sprouted. Engaging in actions such as insulting or underestimating a devotee, causing them mental or physical pain, and doubting the sincerity of their spiritual progress are all considered to be offenses against a devotee. 

Shri Roop Goswami asserts -

भावोऽप्यभावमायाति कृष्णप्रेष्ठापराधतः ।
bhāvo'pyabhāvamāyāti kr̥ṣṇapreṣṭhāparādhataḥ ।

“offense against a God-realized saint causes the spiritual downfall, even if the aspirant has reached the state of Bhav bhakti.”

Such offenses are spiritual transgressions and are unpardonable. These include finding faults in your spiritual master or disrespecting him.

विष्णुस्थाने कृतं पापं गुरुस्थाने प्रमुच्यते । गुरुस्थाने कृतं पापं बज्रलेपो भविष्यति ॥
viṣṇusthāne kr̥taṁ pāpaṁ gurusthāne pramucyate । gurusthāne kr̥taṁ pāpaṁ bajralepo bhaviṣyati ॥

“An offense against God could be pardoned by a saint but an offense against a God-realized saint or Guru is truly unpardonable”. Vedas do not prescribe any action to repent for these transgressions either. One has to inevitably undergo the punishment of transgressing against a saint.

Anarth caused by vanity

Being proud about one’s own minor devotional progress and considering others to be inferior is called bhaktijata anartha (Devanagari: भक्तिजात अनर्थ ISO15919: ​​​​​bhaktijāta anartha).

Such vanity erodes all devotional progress. For instance, for cleansing of the mind one has to shed tears of love and longing to meet the Beloved. These tears should be kept private. If while shedding tears of love, one makes a big show of it then all devotional progress made thus far is lost.

Scriptures' state - 

गुहितस्य भवद् वृद्धिः, कीर्तितस्य भवेत् क्षयः॥
महाभारत​
guhitasya bhavad vr̥ddhiḥ, kīrtitasya bhavet kṣayaḥ॥
mahābhārata​

“As per the nature of divine love, it increases when concealed carefully and decreases if shown off”. If it is not concealed, then it increases pride. Pride is the antithesis of God.

Jeev has been under the clutches of Maya for innumerable lifetimes. Therefore, out of ignorance jeev has been committing these offenses continually.