मेत्ति खमिदव्वं

Summary

The text discusses the Jain principle of forgiveness (kshama) as presented in the Bhagavati Aradhana by Acharya Shivarya. It explains that if someone speaks of a fault that does not exist in a person, that person should forgive the accuser, because the false accusation causes no real harm. If the fault does exist, forgiveness is also appropriate, because the accuser is speaking the truth. In either case, the one who criticizes is engaging in harmful behavior that accumulates sin for themselves, while the person criticized remains unaffected. The text emphasizes that the critic gains nothing from pointing out faults, and the one criticized loses nothing; the critic merely burdens themselves with negative karma. Therefore, compassion should be shown toward the critic, as they are ignorantly accumulating suffering for themselves through false or true speech. The translation by Pandit Kailashchandra Siddhantashastri clarifies that neither the faults nor the virtues of the criticized person affect the critic; the critic’s actions are solely their own responsibility. This teaching underscores the Jain value of non-attachment and equanimity in the face of praise or blame, encouraging forgiveness as a means to maintain inner peace and avoid reactive negativity. The core message is that forgiveness is always the correct response, whether the criticism is true or false, because it prevents the accumulation of sin and fosters compassion.