On September 17, 1976, Mr. Ronald Greenblatt, a student from the U.S.A., asked Revered Dadaji, Dr. Dinshah K. Mehta:
“There are numerous spiritual principles and rules of conduct which one is taught here. All of them seem equally important. In a given situation, how does one know which principle has precedence over the other in application?”
The reply given by Revered Dadaji is reproduced below.
All principles, laws and rules are not applicable at the same time. At one time, one law, one rule is important; at another time another. It depends upon the surrounding conditions, the psychological welling up within and the physical conditions of the human being concerned.
Take the case of human beings whose physical condition is very poor. In ill health, the question of “Thou shalt not steal” does not arise. They cannot steal. “Thou shalt not kill” also does not arise. They cannot kill. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” also does not arise because they are not capable of adultery at that time.
In usual health, or what is known as average health, it depends upon the human beings concerned. If the human minds desire to take advantage of the conditions surrounding them, at one time there may be an urge to kill, at another time the urge to steal; the third time the urge to commit adultery. One has to manage as the situation arises.
All the Commandments, all the Sheelas, all the Yamas and Niyamas are important. Therefore, as the conditions arise, follow the rules, rules of conduct, rules of behaviourism.
Read the full discourse.