One day the kadhi was good except it was salty. I thought to myself, ‘There is definitely too much salt, but I can sip it in small amounts’. As soon as Hiraba (Dada’s wife) went inside, I diluted it with water. She saw this and asked me why I did that. I asked her what difference did it make whether she added water to it on the stove or I added it on the dining table? She told me that after adding water, she would boil it.  I told her that it made no difference to me.

If you tell me to have lunch at 11 o’clock and I ask if I can eat later, but you say no because you want to finish cleaning things up, then I will adjust and immediately sit down to eat.

You should eat whatever comes to you on your plate. That, which comes in front of you, is your account.  God has said that if you avoid that event, you will be at a loss. So even if there are things on my plate that I do not particularly care to eat, I will eat some of it anyway.  If I don’t, then I will be creating trouble in two ways. First, the person who cooked and brought the food will feel insulted and hurt.  Secondly the food itself will protest, “What have I done wrong? I am being offered to you, so why are you insulting me? Take as much as you want, but please do not insult me!”  Should we not show some respect to it?  If someone gives me something that I do not like, even then I will respect his wish. The food which is offered to you, does not come easily, therefore it must be respected. Would it add to or diminish your enjoyment if you criticize it? Many times, I do not like the vegetables being served, but I still eat them. Moreover, I compliment the chef.

I am often served tea without sugar.  I do not say anything. So people say, “If you don’t say anything, your wife will become careless in these matters.”  I tell them to wait and see what happens the next day. The next day she says: “Yesterday, there was no sugar in the tea. Why didn’t you say something to me?”  I said: “Why do I need to tell you?  You will know it when you yourself taste it.  If you did not drink tea, then I would tell you.  You drink it too, so is there any need for me to tell you?”

Questioner : To make these adjustments one has to be alert each and every second.

Dadashri : Yes, alertness every moment.  This is how this gyan began. This gyan has not come about fortuitously. I had taken all these adjustments from the beginning. Avoid conflicts.

When I went for a bath one day, I discovered there was no tumbler to pour water with.  I adjusted.  When I tested the water with my hand, it was scalding hot, and when I turned on the tap for some cold water, I found that the tank was empty. Slowly and carefully, I cupped the water in my hands and cooling it in this way, I managed to take a bath.  I could hear the Mahatmas saying, “Today Dada is taking a long time to bathe.”  What could I do? I had to wait until the water had cooled down. I never inconvenience anyone.  I adjust.  To adjust is religion.  In this world, we have to make adjustments to balance things out by adding or subtracting.  Where there is a minus, I plus it. Where there is a plus, I minus it. If someone were to tell me that my words do not make any sense, I would tell him that he is correct.  I would immediately make my adjustments.

How can you be called a man, if you do not know how to adjust?  Those who adjust to their circumstances will not have any conflicts at home. I used to adjust to Hiraba.  If you want to enjoy the benefit of your wife’s company, you must adjust. Otherwise, you will create enmity.

Each living being is independent and is looking for happiness. He is not here to give happiness to others. In his quest for worldly happiness if he encounters sorrow instead of happiness, he will create enmity; regardless of who gets in his way, be it his wife, his children or his family.

Questioner : If he has come in search of happiness and instead he finds unhappiness, does he create enmity?

Dadashri : Yes. Whether it is for a brother or a father, he will generate enmity from within. This is how the world is. In the path of liberation, (svadharma, atmadharma, Spirituality of the Soul), one cannot create enmity with anyone.

People’s lives must be guided by certain principles. One must act according to circumstances at hand. He who adjusts according to the circumstances is to be applauded and respected. If one knows how to adjust in every situation, then liberation is at hand.  This is a great weapon.

This Dada is thrifty, frugal, generous and completely adjustable at the same time. Generous when it comes to others. Frugal when it comes to himself. Economical when it comes to preaching.  People notice that I practice thriftiness also.  My economy is adjustable and top most.  I even economize when using water. I am natural and spontaneous.