12.9. Niṣkapaṭabhāva (Undeceitfulness)

The word ‘niṣkapaṭa’ is used in its technical sense in the Svāminārāyaṇa way to Parabrahman to imply an ingenious trait of the mind while doing satsaṅga. More simply, the word ‘niṣkapaṭa’ means ‘frank and open’, but in its specific sense, it also includes unhiding, unreserved, unhypocritical, undeceptive approach before the Guru (the Parama ekāntika sādhu). A niṣkapaṭa bhakta frankly admits and confesses his vices and shortcomings before his Guru who is perfect in the observance of his fivefold vows (pañca-vartamān), is free of vices and has the resolute knowledge and conviction of Parabrahman's transcendental greatness.

The disciple confides and confesses his failures and slips (lapses) in his observance of norms of tradition. He frankly confesses and admits the faults and vices he keeps seeing in Parabrahman and His devotees. He openly admits all the obstacles and problems that are upsetting him in his perception of (manifest-pratyakṣa) Parabrahman. Any act of mistaking Parabrahman as lesser than divine should be confidently confessed before the Guru.

Bhadreśadāsa explains:

“tathā hi śreyobhilāṣī guruṃ prāpya sphuṭaṃ tatpuraḥ taddarśitādarśitasvadoṣodghāṭanena kapaṭamapākurute” (Bhagavad-Gītā 2/7, p.22)

“A disciple who wants to liberate should reveal and accept all his faults after attaining the Guru. Consequently, he removes his deceitful nature.”

The improvement and atonement in the conduct according to the counsels, advices, corrections, expiations, and atonements suggested by the Guru remove all faults from the disciple and make his spiritual journey safer, swifter, and quicker.^[1]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Vacanamrut Loyā 5 329